MSW FAQs
Why Choose the UA MSW Program?
The MSW Program at The University of Alabama offers an innovative and engaging curriculum designed to equip our graduates with advanced knowledge and skills to address the complex social issues of the state, nation, and the world. Our Advanced Generalist Practice approach ensures that students can address issues at all levels of social work practice helping individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Our distinctive and flexible program is open to all undergraduate degrees.
Some of the unique learning opportunities students are provided in our MSW Program include:
- Access to Comprehensive Licensure Exam Preparation Program
- International practicum (internship) placements in Ghana, India, Spain, South Africa and more
- National Association of Social Workers- Alabama Chapter Advocacy Day
- Washington, DC Practicum (Internship) Program and over 250 other placements throughout the nation
- Washington, DC Fly-In for Policy Advocacy
- Various research and scholarship opportunities with faculty
We Offer Two MSW Degree Experiences. You Choose.
Students can choose to pursue their MSW degree by attending classes on our beautiful campus in Tuscaloosa or through our flexible distance learning/primarily online format option. Both formats focus on preparing students for advanced social work practice and leadership roles in a variety of social work settings.
Students have the option to be admitted to the on-campus format or to the distance learning/primarily online format of our MSW program.
Our nationally ranked MSW Program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and structured to meet the needs of today’s working professionals.
Three Program Tracks for Advanced Generalist Practice
Wherever you are in your life and career, we have options for you to pursue your graduate degree. We offer three unique degree program tracks including our Advanced Standing Program, Traditional 60-Credit Hour Program and Part-time Program to meet our students’ diverse educational backgrounds and to help students balance their responsibilities.
The MSW Program curriculum emphasizes Advanced Generalist Practice ensuring our graduates can concurrently address complex situations within and across multiple levels and systems. This strength-based orientation incorporates core social work knowledge, skills, values and ethics preparing students to adequately assess and intervene at all levels of practice.
Within our curriculum, students can complete elective courses in the following cluster areas:
- Aging
- Child Welfare
- Clinical Behavioral Health
- Community & Organization Practice
- Health
- Policy & Advocacy
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1 Year: Advanced Standing Program
Program starts summer semester
Mandatory In-Person Orientation in May (All Main Campus and Distance Learning students)
Application deadline:
Nov. 1 (priority deadline)*, Jan. 5 (deadline)A full-time Advanced-Standing Program for students who hold a bachelor of social work (BSW) from a university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
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2 Years: 60-Credit-Hour Program
Program starts fall semester
Mandatory In-Person Orientation in July (All Main Campus and Distance Learning students)
Application deadline:
Dec. 1 (priority deadline)*, Mar. 1 (deadline)A full-time 60-credit-hour program for students who hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and who do not meet the Advanced Standing criteria
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3–4 Years: Part-Time Program
Contact the School’s Registrar to inquire about our part-time degree plan.
Mandatory In-Person Orientation in May or July (All Main Campus and Distance Learning students)
An option for full-time enrolled MSW students in our Advanced-Standing or 60-Credit Hour programs. Part-time plans are available for review in the MSW Handbook.
*Applications must be submitted by the priority deadline to be eligible to apply for SSW scholarships.
MSW Distance Learning/Primarily Online
Our MSW primarily online format option is designed for working professionals who are looking to build on their social work knowledge and skills, advance in their career and boost their earning potential in a non-traditional setting. Offered through Bama By Distance, our MSW primarily online program is ranked among the Top 25 Best Online Master’s Program in the nation by BestColleges.com.
Earn More Than One Degree
Our top-ranked MSW degree can be combined with either a Master of Public Health (MPH) from The University of Alabama at Birmingham or a Juris Doctorate (JD) from The University of Alabama School of Law.
Taking advantage of our coordinated degree programs will allow you to earn two graduate degrees in two fields in less time than it would take to complete them sequentially.
To enroll in one of our coordinated-degree programs, students must apply to each school separately and be admitted to both programs.
MSW/JD
The MSW/JD is coordinated between The University of Alabama School of Social Work and The University of Alabama School of Law.
The degree provides students with the knowledge of legal and social work strategies that can improve the lives of individuals and groups by understanding forensic social work, the justice system, domestic violence, child protection, human rights, and more.
MSW/MPH
The MSW/MPH is coordinated between The University of Alabama School of Social Work and the Department of Health Care Organization and Policy (HCOP) at The University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Public Health.
The degree prepares social workers for interdisciplinary practice in public health programs concerned with the promotion and improvement of the health of diverse populations, including women, children, and families.
Start Planning Your Future
Interested in joining the thousands of UA MSW alumni who are leading agencies, developing policies, evaluating programs, and providing direct practice to impact the lives of individuals and families in Alabama and across the nation? We encourage you to visit us.
The School of Social Work offers both in-person and virtual MSW Information Sessions to learn more about our top-ranked program, course offerings, and for you to engage with current students, faculty and staff. We also provide valuable insight about the admission, advising and financial aid process.
Virtual information sessions can be provided upon request with our Recruitment Coordinator.
You can contact our recruiter by emailing ssw_graduate@ua.edu.
Fall Virtual Information Sessions
- Thursday, September 19 at 12:00p.m. CST
- Tuesday, October 8 at 6:00p.m. CST
- Tuesday, November 19 at 6:00p.m. CST
Spring Virtual Information Sessions
- Tuesday, January 21, 2025 from 6-7p.m. CST
- Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 12p-1p CST