Program Information

Why the UVU MSW Program?

The Master of Social Work Program at Utah Valley University is committed to engaged student learning by combining innovative teaching, student-mentored scholarly work, and community collaboration to develop social work professionals who are proficient in advanced generalist practice. This mission derives from the university’s commitment to excellence and seeks to promote a healthy community within a global context through collaborative efforts that maximize human potential and promote social and economic justice through learner-centered teaching, research, and scholarship, service, and outreach. The MSW program provides transformative and collaborative learning that embraces the values of social justice and inclusion while promoting an enhanced quality of life for individuals and communities, particularly for communities of color.  

Tuition Costs and Financial Aid

Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes

Program Options

We currently only offer full-time Advanced Standing and Two year programs. See below for details.

ADVANCED STANDING

Application Deadline: October 15th, 2022

For students with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from an accredited program. No other combination of academic or professional experience may be substituted.

  • Application opens: August 15, 2022
  • Program begins May 2023
  • Program takes one calendar year to complete (Summer Term, Fall Semester, Spring Semester) - see UVU academic calendar for dates
  • Students complete bridge coursework during Summer (14.0 credits) and join second-year MSW students for Fall and Spring Semesters
  • Link to view curriculum

TWO YEAR 

Application Deadline: October 15th, 2022

Core Competencies of Social Work 

From Council on Social Work Education's 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation 

  • Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
  • Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
  • Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
  • Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
  • Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
  • Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0
    • A bachelor's degree related to social work is not required; significant professional and volunteer experience will be considered.
  • Completion of three prerequisite courses with a B- or higher by the end of the Spring semester following the application deadline. Equivalent courses may be taken outside of UVU. No other combination of academic or professional experience may be substituted. 
  • We will accept applications contingent on any missing prerequisites being completed by the end of Spring semester (prior to the program's Fall start date, e.g., to begin in the Fall 2023 program, students must complete prerequisites by the end of Spring semester 2023 in other words April 2023).
    • Introduction to Social Work
    • Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
    • Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences 
  • The GRE is not required for admission
  • $45 application fee
  • Current Resume
  •  Two-part essay that includes autobiographical statement (2-3 pages) and critical analysis of a clinical or policy issue (2 pages). More details available here.
  • 3 professional references
  • University transcripts
  • See the bottom of this page for the application process

Social Work Resources 

List Of Courses

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Program Goals

  • MSW students will be able to provide competent care to individuals, families, groups, communities, and societies as advanced generalist social work professionals.
  • MSW students will be able to promote social and economic justice within the psychosocial-cultural-context occupied by individuals, families, groups, communities, and societies.
  • MSW students will enhance their professional development by experiencing engaged teaching methods, clinically-based learning activities, and ongoing opportunities for self-exploration.
  • MSW students will promote the profession of social work in the local community and be able to identify how to practice in the local community is impacted by the global realities.
  • MSW students will be able to, with competence and cultural sensitivity, engage communities of color and other historically marginalized populations and increase both the provision of social work services and the utilization of social work services by members of these populations.
  • MSW students will competently evaluate research and engage in research-informed practice.

First-Year Curriculum

  • Fall of First Year
    • SW 6000 - Social Work Practice I: Individuals (3.0 credits)
    • SW 6200 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3.0 credits)
    • SW 6300 - Social Welfare Policy and Analysis (3.0 credits)
    • SW 6407 - Advanced Social Work Ethics (3.0 credits)
    • SW 6630 - Mental Health Diagnosis (3.0 credits)
    • SW 6810- Integrative Seminar (1.0 credit)
    • SW 6910 - Generalist Field Practicum I (4.0 credits)
  • Spring of First Year
    • SW 6020 - Social Work Practice II: Groups (3.0 credits)
    • SW 6210 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3.0 credits)
    • SW 6300 - Social Welfare Policy and Analysis (3.0 credits)
    • SW 6320 - Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations (3.0 credits)
    • SW 6500 - Addictions (2.0 credits)
    • SW 6820 - Integrative Seminar II (1.0 credit)
    • SW 6920 - Foundation Field Practicum (4.0 credits)

Second Year Curriculum

  • Fall of Second Year
    • SW 6030 - Social Work Practice III: Advanced Practice with Individuals and Families (3.0 credits)
    • SW 6400 - Social Work Research Methods (3.0 credits)
    • SW 6500 - Addictions (3.0 credits)
    • SW electives (3.0 credits)
    • SW 6930 - Advanced Field Practicum I (4.0 credits)
  • Spring of Second Year
    • SW 6050 - Social Work Practice V: Advanced Practice with Organizations and Communities (3.0 credits)
    • SW electives (3.0 credits)
    • SW 6840 - Integrative Seminar IV (1.0 credit)
    • SW 6940 - Advanced Field Practicum II (4.0 credits)
    • SW 6950 - MSW Capstone (2.0 credits)

Core Competencies of Social Work

  • Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
  • Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
  • Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
  • Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
  • Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
  • Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Electives

  • Fall Semester Electives
    • SW 6530 - Psychopharmacology (3.0 credits)
    • SW 6550- - Couples Therapy (3.0 credits)
    • SW 679R - Special Topics in Social Work Practice (3.0 credits)
  • Spring Semester Electives
    • SW 6620 - Family Therapy (3.0 credits)
    • SW 6640- - Crisis Intervention (3.0 credits)
    • SW679R - Special Topics in Social Work Practice (3.0 credits)
  • Summer Semester Electives
    • SW 6610 - Spirituality in Social Work (3.0 credits)
    • SW 6660- - Family Violence Across the Life Span (3.0 credits)