Frequently Asked Questions
What is Advanced Generalist Community Social Work?
The faculty members in the University of Southern Maine's School of Social Work have defined the Advanced Generalist Community Social Work Practice as: multilevel, situation-driven, strengths-based social work practice that values diversity and the central importance of community; promotes social and economic justice; uses creativity, critical thinking and leadership in the service of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Do you offer Advanced Standing for MSW applicants?
Yes. Students applying for advanced standing should have completed their BSW study from an accredited social work program within seven (7) years of application with a GPA of 3.0 in social work courses. Be sure to designate your application as "advanced standing". Attendance at a summer bridge course is required of all advanced standing candidates before beginning the program.
Am I required to take the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as part of my application? Does the Social Work Department prefer one over the other?
No, USM’s School of Social Work Will no longer require applicants to submit standardized test scores: GRE/MAT. However, students may send in results of the GRE/MAT tests if they feel it will help their application.
Are your programs accredited?
The Bachelor of Social Work program at USM has been fully accredited since 1974. The Master of Social Work program was granted initial accreditation for four years in November, 2003, by the Council for Social Work Education (CSWE).
How much can I expect to pay in tuition and fees?
Please see the Student Billing Office web page for current information.
Do you offer night classes for students who work full time?
We realize that many of our students—particularly in the graduate program—balance many different responsibilities and can't always attend classes at "traditional" times. Therefore, we offer a number of BSW and MSW courses in the evening.
Do you offer any courses on the internet?
We do offer courses via the world wide web. However, the majority of our courses are held on the Portland campus of USM.
How do I apply to your program?
To apply for the BSW program, please contact the USM Office of Admission. To apply for the MSW program, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.
How do I check the status of my graduate school application?
Inquiries regarding the status of your graduate school application should be directed to the Office of Graduate Admissions by emailing gradstudies@usm.maine.edu or calling (207) 780-4386.
I'm planning to apply to your MSW program next year. May I take a course or two as a non-matriculated student?
You may apply up to nine credits (three courses) taken as a non-matriculated student. This may be increased to a maximum of 12 on an individual case basis upon discussion with and approval by the MSW Coordinator here. Certain electives and SWO 501 Multicultural Social Work are the usual choices, and may be offered to non-matrics once MSW students have registered. Contact our office for more information on course availability.
I'm interested in graduate assistantships in the School of Social Work. How can I find out more?
Contact our office directly to find out about current assistantship opportunities. Also, the Office of Graduate Admissions maintains a general information page about graduate assistantships here.
How do I find out if a certain graduate course at USM is approved for licensure? Can I request that a course be considered for licensure approval?
We maintain a list of state licensure board-approved courses in our office. If you would like to request that a course be considered for approval, please forward a copy of the syllabus to our office, and we will submit it for approval if appropriate.
Where can I find information on State of Maine licensure?
Licensure questions should be directed to the State of Maine Department of Professional Financial Regulation Office of Licensing & Registration, #35 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0035. Telephone (207) 624-8609, TTY (207) 624-8563, FAX (207) 624-8637.
My question isn't answered here. What should I do?
For more information, please don't hesitate to call us at (207) 780-4120, email us, or stop by for a visit. We are located on the Portland campus of USM, on the 3rd floor of Masterton Hall.
