University of New Hampshire Master of Social Work Online
Program Options: Full-Time/Part-Time
Tuition: $13,840
Acceptance Rate: 77 percent
GRE Required: No
1-Year/Accelerated Option: No
Campus Visits Required: No
Fieldwork Hours: 1,500
CSWE Accredited: Yes, since 1996
Application Deadline: June 1st, November 1st, or March 1st
See our ranking of the Top 10 Affordable Master of Social Work Online (MSW) Degrees.
Overview
The University of New Hampshire was chartered in 1866 under Governor Frederick Smyth with Morrill Grant funds in Hanover. Relocated to its 2,600-acre Durham campus designed by Charles Eliot in 1893, UNH has become the Seacoast’s flagship public, coed space-grant member of America East. Enrolling 15,400 Wildcats from 70 countries in 200+ majors, the University of New Hampshire generates a $1.4 billion economic impact. UNH was crowned the 83rd top public school in Forbes, 265th best value on Niche, and 84th best university in The New York Times. Dedicated to “Knowledge for Healthy Living,” the College of Health & Human Services has launched the Master of Social Work Online to train advocates for the oppressed 24/7.
Strengths
The U.S. News & World Report ranked UNH’s Social Work Department 105th nationally. College Factual applauded the University of New Hampshire for the fifth highest-paid MSW graduates. Post-graduates benefit from learning effective advanced intervention methods at the macro, mezzo, and micro levels. The Online MSW shrinks courses from 16 weeks to 8 weeks for accelerated learning. Unlike some, the program accepts up to two master’s transfer courses. Online students could still engage with the NEASC-accredited institution’s Social Work Club, Phi Alpha Society, and Child Welfare Program. Social welfare trips abroad from Ireland to the Dominican Republic are always planned. UNH also has research strengths with the Center on Aging and Institute for Health Policy & Practice.
Concentrations
The MSW Online officially has an Advanced Generalist concentration built-in into the CSWE-accredited curriculum. However, UNH has wide-ranging electives costing $770 to $845 per credit that allow students to focus on four major fields of practice. The Health & Mental Health track immerses post-grads in therapeutic processes for clinical application. The Addiction & Substance Abuse option responds to New Hampshire’s second-highest opioid overdose rate by enhancing drug treatments. Taking the Children, Youth, & Families track will primarily focus practice for clients age 18 and under. Lastly, the Disabilities specialization teaches Online MSW entrants how to address physical and mental impairments.
Program Requirements
Delivered 100 percent online, the MSW at the University of New Hampshire only admits non-BSW graduates for a traditional, 62-credit curriculum that can’t be further accelerated. Everyone takes the foundational year of 10 e-Term courses. Next, the Advanced Generalist concentration year integrates another 10 e-Term courses from August to August. If desired, the 12-credit Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Certificate can be added here. Instead of a thesis, coursework culminates in an applied fieldwork project. This Master of Social Work degree plan fulfills the requirements for LMSW or LICSW licensure in most states, including the Granite State.
Admission Requirements
Starting the UNH Online Master of Social Work requires finishing a four-year, accredited bachelor’s degree first. Certain majors aren’t required, but at least 16 credits of liberal arts courses are preferred. Like other CSWE-accredited programs, credits aren’t granted for life or work experience. Academic records should show a minimum 3.0 GPA in undergrad study. Though the GRE is optional, admitted students have achieved an average verbal score of 476 and quantitative score of 547. Non-native English speakers must score at least 550 on the TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTS too. Submit the Graduate School Application online with the following:
• $65 application fee
• Prior college transcripts
• Three recommendations
• Four-page personal essay
• Current résumé or CV
• English fluency exams
Faculty
The College of Health & Human Services has an 18:1 student-faculty ratio for engaged, live online courses. Dr. Patrick Shannon, the MSW Chair, also runs the New Hampshire Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program. In 2010, Prof. Martha Byam received the NASW Social Worker of the Year Award. Prof. Trish Cox has served as CLGNY Regional Conference Chair and Vice President of the Richie McFarland Children’s Center. Other teachers have won the UNH Professional Service Award, NH Disability Right’s Award, Dean’s Award, CSWE Scholars Grant, and Carsey Institute Faculty Award. They’re also well-published, including in The Journal of Family Therapy and Social Welfare: The American Partnership.
Online Courses
Earning the University of New Hampshire Online MSW involves taking two online courses each accelerated, eight-week term. Online students attend live seminars via Skype on Monday and Wednesday evenings while submitting Canvas assignments. The residency-free master’s begins thrice annually for completion in 28-29 months. Classes available wholly online include:
- History of Social Welfare Policy
- Race, Culture and Oppression
- Social Research Methods
- Program and Practice Evaluation
- Intimate Partner Violence
- Clinical Assessment and Intervention
- Nonprofit Administration Practice
- Fund Development and Grantwriting
- Practice of Family Therapy
Internships
Fieldwork remains an integral part of UNH’s Master of Social Work Online for 1,500 clock hours total. MSW majors spend 16 hours per week for nine months tackling the first 600 hours. Then, the second year adds 900 hours with 24 hours per week over nine months. Both internships are arranged by field coordinators in students’ local communities. Only one can be the social worker’s current place of employment. Some potential internship sites are Krempels Center, Keystone Hall, the Institute on Disability, Camp Spaulding, Easter Seals, the Family Equality Council, Gateways Community Services, Rush Square, United Way, and the Urban Justice Center.
Contact
UNH Social Work Department
Pettee Hall, Room 220
55 College Road
Durham, NH 03824
(855) 250-6699
unh.online@unh.edu
Social work stands out from the eight other UNH online degrees by focusing on meaningful service for needy populations. The MSW can even be paired to a Juris Doctorate or M.S. in Outdoor Education with a little campus work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that this New England state has 1,390 social work jobs poised to expand by 16 percent by 2026. Online study on Canvas is the easiest, fastest way toward sitting for the ASWB qualifying exam in just 2.3 years. Take the University of New Hampshire’s 60-question readiness survey now to determine if you’re prepared to complete the Online MSW.