School of Social Work

Graduate Program Coordinator: Kenneth Kazmerski, D.S.W.
HPA 204, (407) 823-2114.
E-mail: kenkaz@aol.com

Master of Social Work

The master’s degree program in Social Work (M.S.W.) prepares students for advanced social work practice. The program educates students for community-based clinical social work practice with individuals, families, and groups. The curriculum draws from a generalist perspective and emphasizes critical thinking skills, empirically based and accountable practice, and ethical services for clients experiencing a wide range of problems. Students learn therapeutic and preventive interventions aimed at enhancing human functioning and quality of life. Graduates of the program have the ability to work with diverse clients in a variety of agency settings.

The M.S.W. program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Application Deadline

Fall admission only March 1

Admission

Students begin course work in social work in the fall semester only. Potential students make application to the UCF Office of Graduate Studies (AD 144) and take the GRE test. UCF requires the following of all applicants to the M.S.W. program:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  • Good standing with institution last attended.
  • A 3.0 or better grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 attempted semester hours of undergraduate studies or at least 1000 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the required GRE. Applicants must take all three sections of the GRE.
  • One official transcript of all undergraduate and graduate course work attempted and/or completed.
  • A resume that outlines work experience.
  • Three references (one academic, one employment, and one of the applicant’s choice other than a family member.) If an employment reference is not available, then a personal reference may be submitted in support of graduate study. If a person graduated more than five years ago, that applicant may substitute work or personal references in place of academic references.
  • One college-level course in each of the following six areas: biology with human content, English or communication, diversity, statistics, psychology, and sociology.
  • A medical history report on the UCF health form.
  • A typed Personal Statement. Directions for completing this statement can be obtained from the School of Social Work. In the statement the applicant describes reasons and experiences leading to the choice of social work as a profession, professional goals and interests, and strengths and limitations related to the practice of social work. Applicants also discuss an issue facing social work from the perspective of the role and responsibility of the profession in relation to that issue.
  • If you are an international student, a confidential financial statement on the form provided by the Office of Graduate Studies and score of 220 (computer-based test; or equivalent score on the paper-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

To be accepted into and retained in the program, students are expected to demonstrate initiative, dependability, social concern, self awareness, appreciation for diversity in others, problem solving ability, ease in relating with others, skill in writing and speaking, and professional ethics.

It is important that applicants return all the materials in the application packet in one mailing to Graduate Studies to facilitate admission decisions.

Admission to graduate programs is based on minimum State of Florida Board of Regents criteria but may include higher GPA or GRE standards or other factors such as work or internship experience, community service, research interests of prospective student, letters of recommendation, or personal interviews.

Full-time Study

The full-time program includes two years of full-time study in residence. The first year of study includes 24 semester hours in class work and 6 semester hours in field education. The second year of study includes 22 semester hours in class work and 8 semester hours in the field.

Advanced Standing

If the criteria for admission are met, applicants with baccalaureate degrees in social work from a CSWE-accredited school/program are invited to submit an application for Advanced Standing admission to the Master of Social Work program. Admission with advanced standing is limited to those who demonstrate the academic and professional potential to meet the demands of the program and who will have adequate preparation for M.S.W. practice with only one year of graduate study.

Previous course work is reviewed to assure content equivalency. In advanced standing admission, a maximum of 30 undergraduate credits may be accepted as transfer credits to the M.S.W. program. These credits can be accepted to meet foundation year M.S.W. requirements, which consist of courses in human behavior and the social environment, policy, research, social work practice, and social work field placement.

To be considered for advanced standing admission, the bachelor’s degree must have been completed within six (6) years of the time of initial enrollment in the master’s program.

Part-time Study

For students who do not have B.S.W. degree, part-time education in the foundation curriculum is available only at the Downtown Orlando campus and possibly at other area campuses. For students who have received a B.S.W. degree from a CSWE-accredited college or university within six years prior to enrollment, there is also a part-time program at the main campus in the advanced clinical curriculum. Field Education Field instruction is an integral part of graduate social work education. It provides the student with an opportunity to test classroom knowledge as well as to develop and refine foundation and advanced practice skills. Decisions regarding field assignment are determined by the Field Coordinator. Only agency sites approved by the School of Social Work may be used for field instruction. First-year M.S.W. students complete a minimum of 448 hours in the field; advanced students complete a minimum of 608 clock hours in the agency. Part of the required field hours consists of a field seminar.

Degree Requirements

Prerequisites—18 Semester Hours
Introductory college-level courses or equivalents are required before admission into the program.
Biology with human content English or Communication
Psychology Statistics
Sociology Diversity
Foundation Curriculum: Generalist Social Work Practice—30 Semester Hours
SOW 5305 Social Work Practice I: Generalist Practice (3 hours)
SOW 5306 Social Work Practice II: Interventions (3 hours)
SOW 5105 Human Behavior and Social Environment I: Individuals (3 hours)
SOW 5106 Human Behavior and Social Environment II: Social Systems (3 hours)
SOW 5132 Diverse Client Populations (3 hours)
SOW 5235 Social Welfare Policies and Services (3 hours)
SOW 5404 Social Work Research (3 hours)
SOW 5432 Evaluating Social Work (3 hours)
SOW 5532 Field Education I: Generalist Practice (224 clock hours) (3 hours)
SOW 5533 Generalist Field Education II (224 clock hours) (3 hours)

Advanced Curriculum: Clinical Specialist—30 Semester Hours
SOW 6348 Clinical Practice with Individuals (3 hours)
SOW 6324 Clinical Practice with Groups (3 hours)
SOW 6612 Clinical Practice with Families (3 hours)
SOW 6123 Psychosocial Pathology (3 hours)
SOW 6246 Policy Analysis and Social Change (2 hours)
SOW 6914 Integrative Research Project in Clinical Practice (2 hours)
SOW 6535 Clinical Field Education I (304 clock hours) (4 hours)
SOW 6536 Clinical Field Education II (304 clock hours) (4 hours)
Practice Elective (3 hours)
Practice or Approved General Elective* (3 hours)

Minimum Hours Required for M.S.W.—60 Semester Hours

* Approved general elective in consultation with student’s adviser and M.S.W. graduate program coordinator.

Graduate Certificate Programs

Graduate certificate programs are available in gerontology and nonprofit management. Other certificate programs (addictions, children’s services) are under development.

Graduate Certificate in Gerontology

See College of Health & Public Affairs, Interdisciplinary Studies.

Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management

See College of Health & Public Affairs, Public Administration.




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