Social Work

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Master’s Program

Modes of study:

Blended
·
In person

Advocate for social justice, serve your diverse community, and make a meaningful impact with an MSW from the University of Southern Maine (USM). Through an integrated curriculum, immersive field work, and supportive community, you gain the skills and experience to serve as an advanced social work practitioner.

Flexible program options

Study full-time or part-time; accelerate your progress if you earned a BSW in the last 7 years

State licensure & certification

Qualify for state licensure at the LMSW or LMSW-CC level and Maine’s MHRT/C certification

Nationally accredited

Earn your MSW in a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Credit hours

61 required credit hours. Most courses are equal to 3 credit hours.

Visit Academic Catalog

Program duration

Study full-time and finish in 2 years, or study part-time and finish in 3-4 years. Finish in 1 year if you’ve recently obtained a qualified BSW.

School

School of Social Work

Admissions

Apply by November 15 for fall term. No GRE required.

View application process & deadlines

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Choose from our flexible program options

You have a range of program options — whether you are new to the social work profession or have recently earned your BSW from USM or another CSWE-accredited institution. You could fast-track your degree or take a reduced course load to accommodate work and other life obligations.

Review each program option

Gain experience in the field

Field education is at the heart of our MSW program. Throughout your two 9-month internships, you have the opportunity to apply skills and integrate classroom learning with social work practice at agencies and organizations within the community.

Learn about field education

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Focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion

As an MSW student, you are equipped with skills to address systemic inequities, foster culturally responsive interventions, and effectively serve your diverse community. Learning these principles also prepares you to advocate for social and economic justice.

Where can you go with an MSW?

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Licensure & certification

As a graduate, you’re eligible to apply for state licensure at the LMSW or LMSW-CC level. You could also apply for Maine’s MHRT/C certification, a credential required in many practice settings throughout the state.

We’re here to help answer questions about costs

Tuition & fees Financial aid Scholarships

What to expect when you complete your MSW at USM

Choose your program option: Select the best path for your learning style and schedule, whether you are new to the social work profession or have earned a BSW from a CSWE-accredited institution.
Progress alongside your peers: Each program option connects you with fellow MSW students so you can share challenges and successes during and after your graduate studies.
Learn from PhD-trained social work scholars: Our full-time faculty offer wide-ranging areas of expertise in practice, theory, research, and policy.
Study in a nationally accredited program: Accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) ensures our program is held to the highest standards.
Social work certification: Qualify to apply for LMSW or LMSW-CC licensure as well as MHRT/C certification in the state of Maine to start your career serving as an advanced social work practitioner in your community.

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National accreditation by CSWE

Our program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national organization that accredits all social work programs in the United States.

Learn more about CSWE

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Accomplished faculty

Our experienced faculty have real-world expertise, providing students with practical insights, career connections, and mentorship. They regularly present their work at national and international conferences and publish in journals and books.

Meet our faculty

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Graduate student support

Connect with the Office of Graduate Studies for professional development, scholarship, and graduate assistantship opportunities. Join fellow grad students through Peer Mentorship and the Graduate Student Board.

Browse resources

Admission information: Master of Social Work (MSW)

Application deadlines

Apply by November 15, 2024 for Fall 2025 term start.

Applications are reviewed after the deadline.
The Low-residency MSW cohort admits every other year. Next start is Fall 2026.

The graduate program in social work seeks candidates whose baccalaureate preparation, scholastic achievement, professional experience, interest, motivation, and references point to the potential and capacity for success in the MSW program and professional development in social work.

Applicant must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, with a GPA of 3.0 or above in undergraduate study and a student’s major; Applicants can apply to the program while finishing the bachelor’s degree, but, if accepted, enrollment will be conditional upon its successful completion. GPA of 3.0 or above in any previous graduate work in social work.

Prerequisite Coursework

At least 18 credit hours in liberal arts such as literature, math, history, philosophy, performing arts, and humanities.
At least 6 of the 18 credits must be in the social sciences, preferably, psychology and sociology.

Applicants who lack the above liberal arts courses but are otherwise qualified may be accepted into the program conditionally. The expectations for meeting the conditions will be explained in the acceptance letter.

Advanced Standing: Applicants with a BSW degree from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education may apply for advanced standing within 7 years of completing a BSW degree. For advanced standing students, applicants must submit their previous final field evaluation received from a BSW program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. For students currently enrolled in accredited BSW programs, mid-year evaluations must be submitted with the applications or as soon as they are received. Acceptance into the MSW program will be conditional upon the receipt of the final fieldwork evaluation.

The MSW program has outlined tips for a strong application and things to consider when applying.

Applicants are required to provide the following materials:

General requirements

Application: Online application
Application fee:
- In-state, out-of-state, and Canadian applicants: Free to apply
- International applicants: Submit US $50 fee to apply
Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine System (UMS transcripts are accessible to USM). A transcript is official when sent directly from the institution.
- International College transcripts: In addition to an official copy of the transcript, we require an official evaluation of college-level transcripts approved by one of the following transcript analysis agencies
  - National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)
  - Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE)
Resume: Submit a resume or CV that outlines professional, volunteer, and community experience.
Students whose first language is not English may be required to take one of the following: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE) or Duolingo. Applicants must submit official scores as part of the application process. See additional information regarding test scores and requirements.

Additional requirements

Essay: Answer all four of the essay prompts below. Please note and adhere to the word limit specified for each prompt.
- 1) Social work practice is guided by professional values and ethics. Students are expected to promote social justice and empower people who have been marginalized historically, socially, and politically. Please review the NASW Code of Ethics. Respond to prompts (a) and (b) below in a total of 400 words:
  - What is your understanding of social work and what makes it unique as a profession?
  - Describe how one or more of the values in the NASW Code of Ethics resonate with you and align with your professional goals.
- 2) Humility and commitment to growth are important qualities for social workers. In 200 words or less, describe a time when you made a mistake or recognized a personal bias. How did you learn from that experience?
- 3) In 150 words or less, describe what knowledge and skills you have from your previous work, volunteer, or life experience that you would bring to your social work education and future career. Please provide specific examples.
- 4) MSW education provides rigorous and comprehensive training for social work practice. Please review these cohort descriptions on the MSW Program Information page, noting that field internships and in-person classes primarily take place during regular working hours. In 100 words or less, please explain how you plan to manage the time and workload requirements of the MSW program.
Letters of Recommendation: Three professional or academic letters of reference reflecting on both academic achievement and paid or volunteer work experience relating to social services. Recommendations should be from individuals who are qualified, through direct experience with your academic or professional work, to comment on your ability to undertake graduate study and your chosen profession.
Cohort Preference Form: Rank choices of format

Transfer Students

Matriculated students who have earned graduate credits in a Council on Social Work Education accredited MSW program may transfer up to 30 credits. To transfer credits, students must enroll in the graduate program at the University of Southern Maine within 7 years of initially earning credits from another MSW program. In order to transfer credits, the student must have maintained a GPA of 3.0 or above.

Acknowledgment of Program Authorizations and Licensure through the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and Background Checks

The Master of Social Work program may lead to a license or certification required for employment in a particular occupation. Programs offered by the University may or may not meet the conditions for licensure or certification in all states. Please consult the University’s information page located at maine.edu/licensure to view information on program compliance with state licensure requirements.

MSW students will be subject to background checks and certain criminal records may pose a barrier to securing field placement and/or state licensure. This is required to be licensed, certified or otherwise professionally qualified to enter certain fields of professional activity; to participate in internships, practicums, field experiences, clinical experiences or other activities relevant to completing professional training; to engage in professional development; or to graduate from a particular program of study. Certain employers may also require a background check.

Contact the MSW Coordinator, Rachel Casey (rachel.casey@maine.edu) for questions regarding this.

The University makes every effort to ensure that information about compliance with state licensure requirements is up to date, but licensure and certification requirements change frequently and you are encouraged to contact the licensure or certification authority to determine current requirements.

What are the international student application instructions?

What are the English proficiency test score requirements?

Where do I send my application materials?

Next steps

Our graduate admissions counselors are here to answer you questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services.

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