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The Graduate School

Social Work

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Overview

The University of North Florida (UNF) Master of Social Work (MSW) program fosters a commitment to creating social change through a holistic practice of social work that emphasizes the attainment of biopsychosocial-economic and spiritual well-being, especially among people who experience systematic marginalization and oppression. Through an educational experience founded on critical thinking, research, service, and social justice and enriched through diverse community partnerships, the program prepares professional advanced generalist social workers for multi-method clinical and administrative practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Concentrations

The Social Work program requires applicants to choose one of the following concentrations:

  • Traditional Track
  • Advanced Standing Track

Application Deadlines

Fall Term . . . . . . . . Traditional Track May 1 
Summer Term . . . . . Advanced Standing Track March 1

Early decision deadline for both tracks: February 1 

Graduate Program Director

Dr. Cristy Cummings
Assistant Professor
(904) 620-5457

The following items must be submitted no later then the deadline posted above. Incomplete applications with outstanding requirements, or those post-marked after the posted deadline, are subject to cancellation. Once an application has been canceled, the decision can not be reversed. Applicants may apply for the next application cycle.

  • UNF admission application
  • Application fee
  • If applicable, collection holds and judicial holds must be cleared
  • All of the below university and program requirements
  • University Requirements
    • A baccalaureate degree from an accepted institutional accreditor, or its equivalent from a foreign institution, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study.
    • Transcripts, and foreign evaluations if applicable, from all post-secondary institutions attended. Admitted students will be prompted to provide official copies. 
  • Program Requirements - Traditional Track
    • Resume
      • Should be 1-2 pages
      • Include educational background, relevant volunteer, internship or employment experience, special skills, awards and honors, and/or professional affiliations
    • Application essay
      • Double spaced personal essay, 3-5 pages
      • Must conform to APA Style (6th edition)
      • Describe and reflect upon the following: The applicant's preparation for and commitment to advanced social work study and practice as evidenced by lived and/or professional experiences and academic achievements; the compatibility of the applicant's personal values and beliefs with the core values of the National Association of Social Workers' (2017) Code of Ethics as well as the strategies the applicant may take to reconcile any conflicts between personal and professional values when working with diverse individuals and communities; and a social problem of particular concern or interest and the role of social work in addressing that problem
    • Three recommendation letters
      • Professional and/or academic
      • Address applicant's academic and/or professional readiness for and suitability to graduate study and advanced social work practice
    • Official transcript of bachelor's degree
      • Must be from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or its equivalent from an international institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study
      • Successful completion (grade of C or better) of undergraduate courses in social and behavioral sciences (9 credit hours), statistics (3 credit hours), and biology with human content (3 credit hours)
  • Program Requirements - Advanced Standing Track
    • Resume
      • Should be 1-2 pages
      • Include educational background, relevant volunteer, internship or employment experience, special skills, awards and honors, and/or professional affiliations
    • Application essay
      • Double spaced personal essay, 3-5 pages
      • Must conform to APA Style (6th edition)
      • Describe and reflect upon the following: The applicant's preparation for and commitment to advanced social work study and practice as evidenced by lived and/or professional experiences and academic achievements; the compatibility of the applicant's personal values and beliefs with the core values of the National Association of Social Workers' (2017) Code of Ethics as well as the strategies the applicant may take to reconcile any conflicts between personal and professional values when working with diverse individuals and communities; and a social problem of particular concern or interest and the role of social work in addressing that problem
    • Three recommendation letters
      • One academic recommendation from a professor that describes the applicant's academic skills and readiness for graduate study in an accelerated program
      • One professional recommendation from a social work or human services professional who has direct knowledge of the applicant's generalist social work practice skills
      • One additional academic or professional recommendation that describes the applicant's readiness for and suitability to graduate study and advanced social work practice
    • Official transcript of BSW degree
      • Must be from a BSW Program accredited by CSWE, recognized through CSWE's International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Services, or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors;
      • Must be from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or its equivalent from an international institution;
      • BSW degree earned within six years of the application deadline for the Advanced Standing MSW program
      • GPA of 3.25 or higher in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study
      • Successful completion (grade of C or better) of undergraduate courses in social and behavioral sciences (9 credit hours), statistics (3 credit hours), and biology with human content (3 credit hours)