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We are very proud of our fully accredited graduate program. Advanced generalist practice (insert hotlink) means you will learn the entire range of skills that will enable you to become a professional social worker, ranging in areas from direct practice with children and families to program building and advocacy. Students do extensive fieldwork in schools, hospitals, state agencies and other social work settings, and combine this field experience with classroom studies and the latest research and practice techniques. Our graduate classes are relatively small, 20-30 students in each, and we think you will enjoy interacting with our energetic, collegial, and nationally known faculty.
The University of Nevada, Reno, School of Social Work offers two programs of study: Students who hold a bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited program must complete 32 credits of concentration level courses in one year if full time, two years if part time. After receiving a BSW degree, many social workers eventually decide to continue their education in a MSW program. Although most MSW degrees require the equivalent of two full-time years of study, some graduate programs provide an accelerated course of study for applicants who have a BSW. Accelerated courses of study are generally referred to as "advanced standing" programs and can typically be completed within one year. Students who are accepted into an advanced standing program bypass the foundation curriculum and move directly into the concentration curriculum (see the 32-Credit Programs of Study below in Forms).
For students without a bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited program, the master of social work degree requires the completion of 62 credits of foundation and concentration level coursework, which can be completed through a two, three or four year program of study.(See 62 credit program of study)
The admission and retention of students in all programs are subject to the professional judgment of the social work faculty
Master of Social Work Foundation Goal and Objectives
The overarching goal of the masters of social work (MSW) program at the foundation level is to introduce foundation level MSW students to the social work perspective.
Students completing the foundation curriculum are not yet autonomous social work practitioners but have the skills, knowledge base, and perspective to pursue studies in the concentration curriculum.
At the completion of the Foundation year, MSW students will be able to:
- Apply critical thinking within the context of professional social work practice.
- Understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles, and practice accordingly.
- Interact with clients and colleagues without discrimination and with respect; use knowledge and skills related to issues of age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.
- Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination as well as strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice.
- Understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues.
- Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes.
- Use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand individual development and behavior across the life span and the interactions among and between individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Analyze, formulate, and influence social policies.
- Demonstrate a beginning knowledge of research as a social work practice tool.
- Employ culturally competent practice for work in diverse cultural contexts.
Master of Social Work Concentration Goal and Objectives
The overarching goal of the master of social work (MSW) program's concentration year is to prepare competent, advanced social work generalist practitioners. The concentration year builds upon the generalist perspective and foundation content of the first year to prepare graduates who are 1) able to apply AGP principles across diverse levels, populations, and contexts, and 2) able to practice with a high degree of autonomy and proficiency.
Briefly stated, advanced generalist practice (AGP) represents a holistic, complex, and dynamic view of social work practice. It is holistic because client systems, regardless of size, are viewed as multi-dimensional wholes in the context of their own social environments. It is complex because practitioner judgments are based on the synthesis of a depth of social work knowledge, values, and skills and applied to a specific client population. It is dynamic because knowledge about practice models, client issues and programs, and policies requires ongoing policy analysis and action, along with relevant research about clients.
Graduates of the University of Nevada's MSW program will be able to:
- Provide social work leadership at the local, state, national and/or global levels.
- Contribute to building the knowledge base of social work by critically applying research findings to practice; evaluating practice, programs, and policies; conducting basic and applied research, and utilizing relevant quantitative and qualitative designs and data analysis.
- Practice independently as capable professionals able to deal with unique, value-laden, unstable and complex situations.
- Promote social and economic justice and multicultural practice based on:
- analyzing complex political, economic, and social forces influencing the distribution of power and resources in society;
- analyzing the dynamics of racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of structural oppression in society;
- recognizing the strengths and assets of women, people of color, and other historically oppressed groups; and,
- integrating and promoting a celebration of the strengths of people from diverse cultures and life-styles within their practice.
Admission requirements for the 62-credit program of study include:
- a non-social work bachelor’s degree (with substantial preparation in the liberal arts, including the social sciences, humanities, research, and human biology). A statistics course is required.
- An overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (or 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate study) and satisfactory performance on the verbal and quantitative section of the aptitude portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE- a combined score of 1000 is preferred) and used as one indicator of potential for graduate study.
- Evidence of the ability to formulate and present material logically and clearly in written and oral communication.
- Career goals and potential which are compatible with the program’s approach to advanced generalist social work practice as characterized by: willingness to work with diverse populations; desire to work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations; maturity; commitment to social justice and social change; a broader focus than a population of personal interest; compatibility with social work values; and a well thought out plan for graduate education.
Students who are graduates of a CSWE accredited baccalaureate program in social work will be considered for the 32-credit MSW program of study if the following conditions are met:
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 with at least a “B” in each individual social work course.
- Documentation of outstanding performance in a BSW field experience under professional social work supervision.
- All other requirements for admission as listed in the 62-credit program of study.
Please Note: Academic credit for life experience and previous work experience is not given, in whole or part, in lieu of the field practicum or of courses in the social work foundation curriculum.
All applicants to the School of Social Work must also apply to the University of Nevada, Reno, Graduate School. All applications to the Univeristy of Nevada, Reno, Graduate School must be completed online.
Applications for the School of Social Work must be received by January 15th of each year for enrollment in the following fall semester. Your application will only be processed if your GRE test scores and all other documents are received on time. If a portion of your application packet is unavoidably delayed, please notify us before the application deadline. You may be asked to schedule an interview with a faculty member as part of the screening process for admission to the MSW program.
The application packet should consist of the following documents:
- Application to the Master’s of Social Work Program.
- Three references using our recommendation forms from individuals who can attest to your aptitude for graduate study and your performance in social work roles and tasks. (if you have a BSW degree, a fourth reference must be completed by your field instructor on the Field Instructor Recommendation Form and included in this packet).
- If you are applying for the Advanced Standing (32 credit) program of study, you must request that a copy of your field placement evaluation be forwarded to the University of Nevada, Reno, School of Social Work by your BSW/BASW program.
- Two essays as listed on the MSW Application form.
- Scholarship request(s)/essay. (optional)
- Application for graduate teaching/research assistantship and all attachments as listed on the application form. (optional)
Send all application packet materials by January 15th to University of Nevada, Reno; School of Social Work/090; MSW Admissions Committee; Reno, Nevada, 89557-0090.
Admissions Checklist
Recommendation Form (fill in online)
Field Instructor Recommendation Form (fill in online)
MSW Application Form (fill in online)(printable)
Teaching/Research Assistantship Application (fill in online) (printable)
32-Credit Program of Study -Comp Project Option
32-Credit Program of Study -Integrative Project Option
32-Credit Program of Study
-Thesis Option
62-Credit Program of Study Options
Thesis Description
Integrative Project Description
Scholarship and Financial Data
MSW Program Coordinator
Dr. Denise Montcalm
montcalm@unr.edu
(775) 784-6542 main
(775) 784-4573 fax
Ansari Business Building, Room 523