Master of Social Work
The mission of the UAA Master of Social Work (MSW) is to prepare advanced generalist social workers who address health and social issues in Alaska. Alaska’s unique and rich multicultural populations, geographic remoteness, and frontier status allow the real potential for skilled social work professionals to make a profound impact on social, economic and environmental injustice in our state. The MSW is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program is reviewed by CSWE for reaffirmation on a regular basis.
The MSW is structured to allow students to participate in part-time or full-time graduate studies plans requiring from one to four years of study. The MSW is an advanced generalist MSW program, and the curriculum has two components: the generalist curriculum and the advanced generalist curriculum. MSW students complete social work field practicum placements in the generalist curriculum and in the advanced generalist curriculum.
The generalist curriculum is composed of 31 semester credits and is completed in the first year of the full-time program, and the first two years of the part-time program. Students with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) who are admitted with advanced standing are waived from the courses in the generalist curriculum, with the exception of SWK A624 Foundation Research Methods.
The advanced generalist curriculum is composed of 31 credits and is completed in the second year of the full-time program and the second two years of the part-time program. The advanced generalist curriculum is the curriculum completed by students with a BSW who are admitted with advanced standing. All students must successfully complete all courses in the advanced generalist curriculum.
The MSW does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Graduate Degrees.
- The application deadline is January 15. Applications are accepted and reviewed once a year.
- Applications must be submitted online. Paper applications will not be accepted.
- The Master of Social Work (MSW) reserves the right to request additional materials and/or interviews pertaining to program admission. Admission to the MSW is based on the professional judgment of the MSW Admissions Committee. Only applicants eligible to be licensed as a social worker in the state of Alaska will be admitted to the MSW. Please contact the School of Social Work for further information.
Additional Criteria for Admission to the Full MSW:
- Two prerequisite courses (completed with a minimum grade of C):
Additional Criteria for Admission to the MSW with Advanced Standing: Applicants who do not meet the criteria for advanced standing may apply to the full MSW.
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) completed within the past five years from a baccalaureate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, recognized through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Services, or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors.
- 3.50 GPA in BSW core courses (course work in human behavior, policy, research, practice, and practicum).
- Grade of “A” or equivalent in each field placement course.
- Two prerequisite courses (completed with a minimum grade of C):
Academic Requirements
To maintain satisfactory progress toward the degree, a student in the MSW is expected to achieve a GPA of 3.00 or better on a 4.00 scale with no individual course grade lower than a C and to adhere to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Students must earn a minimum grade of B in all field practicum courses: SWK A639, SWK A644, SWK A645, SWK A646 and SWK A647.
Candidacy for a Master of Social Work
- Refer to Advancement to Candidacy criteria.
- Successfully complete MSW comprehensive examination, which is completed in SWK A635.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Graduate Degrees.
- Students admitted to the program on a part-time basis take from 2 to 7 credits each semester, including summer.
- Students admitted to the program on a full-time basis may take up to 7 credits each summer, and 12 to 16 credits in fall and spring semesters.
- Complete the following major requirements:
Generalist Curriculum: Complete, test out of or waive the following required courses1:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SWK A607 | Social Welfare Policy and Services | 3 |
| SWK A624 | Foundation Research Methods | 4 |
| SWK A630 | Practice I: Individuals | 3 |
| SWK A631 | Introduction to Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SWK A632 | Practice II: Families and Groups | 3 |
| SWK A636 | Practice III: Organizations and Communities | 3 |
| SWK A642 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment | 3 |
| SWK A643 | Human Diversity in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SWK A644 | Social Work Practicum I | 3 |
| SWK A645 | Social Work Practicum II | 3 |
| 1 | Advanced standing students are required to complete SWK A624 Foundation Research Methods, but they are waived from taking SWK A607, SWK A630, SWK A631, SWK A632, SWK A636, SWK A642, SWK A643, SWK A644 and SWK A645. |
Advanced Generalist Curriculum: All MSW students are required to complete the courses in the advanced generalist curriculum.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SWK A608 | Social Policy for Advanced Generalist Practice | 3 |
| SWK/HS A628 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SWK A629 | Advanced Generalist Practice I: Individuals | 3 |
| SWK A633 | Advanced Generalist Practice II: Families and Groups | 3 |
| SWK A634 | Transformational Leadership in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SWK A635 | Transformational Leadership Capstone | 3 |
| SWK A646 | Advanced Generalist Practicum I | 3 |
| SWK A647 | Advanced Generalist Practicum II | 3 |
| Two 600-level social work-related electives with advisor approval | 6 | |
A minimum of 34 credits and a maximum of 61 credits is required for the degree.
Licensure and/or Certification
Graduates completing the Master of Social Work are eligible to sit for the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) examination within the state of Alaska immediately after graduation. They are also eligible to sit for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) examination within the state of Alaska after completion of requisite practice hours and supervision of those practice hours.
Please go to UAA's Authorization by State website for information about licensure or certification in a state other than Alaska.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
The Master of Social Work program prepares advanced generalist social workers who:
- Are leaders who assume multiple practice roles to address health and social issues in Alaska.
- Engage in practice consistent with the values and ethics of the social work profession.
- Demonstrate attunement, sensitivity and respect for people from diverse backgrounds.
- Intervene differentially with, and on behalf of, populations at risk or who experience discrimination, economic deprivation, and/or oppression.
- Develop and conduct research to inform practice.
- Develop and evaluate social policies that promote social, economic and environmental justice.
- Engage in planned change using theory and evidence-based practice processes to provide competent and effective services across system sizes.
- Integrate contextual knowledge into the development, implementation and evaluation of social work services in Alaska.