Colleges That Have Master's Degrees in Social Work
Best Graduate Schools of Social Work
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the need for social workers is expected to increase 16 percent from 2008 to 2018. A bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) only allows individuals interested in helping clients to work in entry-level employment opportunities. Thus, anyone wanting to work in advanced social work positions will need a master’s degree in social work (MSW). Washington University, Case Western Reserve University and University of Texas at Austin are three colleges that have master’s degrees in social work.
Washington University (St. Louis, Missouri)
Washington University’s George Warren Brown School of Social Work provides its graduate students a way to learn the fundamentals of social work through a flexible curriculum. In other words, the program allows students to design their own course of study while taking foundation requirements such as Social Welfare Policies and Services and Human Behavior. If students aren’t interested in designing their own specialization, they can pick among a variety of concentrations that the university offers. The concentrations include gerontology, mental health, children, youth and family or health. The master’s of social work requires students to complete 60 credits to graduate. As of the 2010-11 school year, tuition for the MSW program was $31,440 a year. For consideration into the program, prospective students need to submit transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a resume, professional statement and essay.
Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio)
The Case Western Reserve University’s master’s in social work program prepares its students to work in non-tradition,
educational and traditional settings. Students can take classes full-time or during the weekends. Course in the MSW program include Education of Children with Special Needs and Pupil Services & Community Resources. The university also offers students at least one year of supervised field practicum in a school setting. Prospective students need to submit an application, transcripts, resume, personal statement and three letters of recommendation. As of the 2010-11 school year, the cost of tuition for the MSW program was $34,320 a year (full-time).
University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Texas)
The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Social Work prepares its students to work with families, groups and individuals. Within the MSW program, students pursue either a clinical social work concentration or a community and administrative leadership concentration. In addition, students are required to complete 1,020 hours of field practicum. To graduate, students need at least 60 semester credit hours. Prospective students must submit their resume, three letters of reference and personal narrative state in addition to the application. As of the 2010-11 school year, the tuition was $5,933 (full time) per semester.
References
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Social Workers
Washington University: George Warren Brown School of Social Work
Case Western Reserve University: School of Social Work
University of Texas at Austin: School of Social Work
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