The Online MSW Program - Fully Online, Part-Time

An Online MSW Promoting Clinical Practice Careers: UConn’s Online MSW program offers the same high-quality and integrity of our on-campus program. Students can expect a comprehensive overview of social work theory and practice, with a focus on Individuals, Groups, and Families Practice (IGFP). Offering a mix of synchronous and asynchronous classes, part-time, spanning a three-year period, UConn’s Online MSW maximizes flexibility without compromising the quality of education.

To learn more about UConn’s Online MSW and apply, please visit our Online MSW website at https://onlinemsw.socialwork.uconn.edu.

How the Program Works

Begin in the Fall
The program starts in late August. Students take two courses per semester over three years, including practicum education (formerly "field" education) internships in the last two years.

Program Plan
The Online MSW Program plan outlines the course of study. A minimum of 60 credits is required, including 42 credits in classroom courses and 18 credits in practicum education. Course offerings are subject to change.

Most MSW students are engaged in full-time study and obtain their degrees in two years. Students select from daytime or evening course options. Students in the full-time program take their required practicum placement requirement during both years.

Review our Program Plans for full-time, two-year students.

For economic, personal or educational reasons, some students choose not to complete the program in the typical pattern of two years of full-time study. In these situations, students may opt for the part-time program options, in which they can take up to four years to earn their degree.

Part-Time Three-Year Plan
Students complete coursework during only the first year of the program, taking an average of three classes per semester. In the final two years, students will engage in practicum education.

Part-Time Four-Year Plan
Students would complete coursework during the first two years of the program, with an average of two classes per semester to lighten the load. Students will engage in practicum education in the final two years.

Review our Program Plans for part-time students.

The MSW Part-Time Cohort Program provides students with the opportunity to complete their MSW degree in three years with a cohort of approximately 12-20 students. Students will take an average of three courses per semester.

A cohort program is one in which the same group of students take the same courses and work together all the way through to receiving their degree. This offers the predictability and consistency of learning among the same group of people. In this program students take a fixed schedule of evening and some weekend courses, which provides flexibility for those who have obligations during daytime hours. Only students who select the Individuals, Groups, and Families (IGFP) concentration will be able to participate in the Part-Time Cohort Program. Students will take the practicum placement requirement in the final two years of their program. The practicum placement would primarily occur during the hours of 9-5.

Seats for this Part-Time Cohort Program are limited. Therefore, we encourage applicants to apply sooner rather than later.

Review our Program Plans for Part-Time Cohort students.

Read our Part-Time Cohort Program FAQs.

Advanced Standing is designed for individuals who have graduated within the last six years from an undergraduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. If you have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (3.5 preferred), this may be an opportunity for you to earn your MSW degree in less than one year as a full-time student, or in 18 months part time. Read more about Advanced Standing.

Review our Program Plans for Advanced Standing students.

Connecticut ¡Adelante! is designed to increase the number of bilingual Spanish-speaking social workers trained to meet the mental health needs of Latino/a/e families in Connecticut.  Students who are enrolled in our MSW program can apply for Connecticut ¡Adelante! Accepted students are eligible to receive up to $5,000 in tuition assistance.

Read more about the program, eligibility and application instructions at Connecticut ¡Adelante!

Review our Program Plan for Connecticut ¡Adelante! students.

Watch the NBC CT stories, in English and in Spanish, about Connecticut ¡Adelante!

If you have questions about the Connecticut ¡Adelante! program, contact sswstrategic@uconn.edu

The School Social Work Program, supported through a grant from CT Health Horizons, aims to increase the number of MSW students prepared to enter the field of school social work. First- and second-year MSW students are eligible to apply.

Only students enrolled in our in-person MSW program can apply for the School Social Work Program. Accepted students can receive up to $5,000 in tuition assistance. Priority consideration is given to advanced year and advanced standing students. 

Read more about the School Social Work Program including eligibility, program requirements and application instructions.

If you have questions about the School Social Work Program, please contact sswstrategic@uconn.edu.

Through a generous gift from a donor, the School of Social Work established the Scholars in Aging Program in 2022. This stipend-based internship program prepares Master of Social Work (MSW) students with specialized classroom and practicum training to serve the growing number of adults aged 65 and older within diverse communities and institutional settings.

Given that Connecticut has the sixth highest population of older adults in the United States, there is a critical need to develop the workforce serving this growing population. Through a generous gift from a donor, the School of Social Work established the Scholars in Aging Program in 2022. This $1,500 stipend-based initiative prepares students with specialized classroom and practicum training to serve the growing number of adults aged 65 and older within diverse communities and institutional settings.

A cohort of up to ten students are accepted into the program annually. Priority consideration will be given to MSW advanced-year Individuals, Groups, and Families students. Read more about this program at the Scholars in Aging and UConn Today.

Review our Program Plans for students.

If you have questions about the Scholars in Aging Program, please contact sswstrategic@uconn.edu.

The UConn School of Social Work has a longstanding partnership with the Connecticut State Department of Children and Families (DCF) to increase a more diverse, professionally trained, master’s-level public child welfare workforce. This $4,000 stipend-based initiative prepares students with specialized classroom and practicum training to work with diverse families served by DCF. The development of this program is influenced by the NCWWI CT Partnership for Child Welfare Excellence from 2014. The selection process is competitive with up to five positions for students who are non-DCF employees and will work at CT DCF upon graduation.

Read more about this program at DCF Child Welfare Stipend Program.

If you have questions contact sswstrategic@uconn.edu.

NOTE: Incomplete applications including those missing recommendations will not be considered after the deadline.

Graduate education in social work at the UConn School of Social Work builds on a solid liberal arts foundation attained at the baccalaureate level. Applicants with a strong liberal arts foundation will have creative, analytical and dialectical thinking skills gained from their undergraduate education in literature, the arts, politics, economics, history, philosophy, and the human and natural sciences. Entering students are expected to possess the intellectual and scholarly preparation needed for written and verbal communication, as well as for synthesizing and conceptualizing knowledge about advanced social work practice. They must also have knowledge about people, diverse cultures, social issues and problems. You must submit evidence of your liberal arts background in both your personal statement and official undergraduate transcript.

MSW applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or be close to completing their bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university demonstrating a liberal arts foundation. This coursework may include at least one course from each of the following categories: the Natural Sciences; the Social and Behavioral Sciences; and the Humanities and Arts.

Courses in each category may include the following; these lists are not exhaustive but should provide a guideline for determining whether the liberal arts requirement is met. Please note: You do not need a degree in one of these areas. The UConn School of Social Work encourages applicants from all academic programs as long as the liberal arts requirement is met.

Natural Sciences: Anatomy/Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Science, Geology, Marine Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics

Social and Behavioral Sciences: Africana Studies; American Studies; Anthropology, Economics; Geography; History; Human Development; International and Cultural Studies; Psychology; Sociology; Urban and Community Studies; Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Humanities and Arts: Communication, English, Foreign Language, Journalism, Linguistics, Literature, Philosophy

Practicum education (formerly "field" education) work is an integral and important part of the MSW program. Previous work or life experience cannot be considered for academic credit. However, current employment in social service agencies may be considered for practicum education requirements if approved by the Practicum Education department. Visit the MSW Practicum Education page for more details.

Applications are considered on the basis of breadth of background and experience or evidence of promise in the field of social work, as well as on academic preparation. Applicants should be intellectually able, emotionally mature, interested in working with people, and potentially capable of assuming the heavy responsibilities which are inherent in social work.

UConn School of Social Work uses an online self-managed application process. This process places the responsibility on the applicant for the collection and submission of all documents.

A non-refundable $75 application fee is required at the time your online application is submitted.

Graduate School Fee Waiver Policy

The Graduate School has agreed to waive application fees for prospective students associated with certain organizations and partnerships. Please view their Fee Waiver Policy for more information.

The application consists of:

• Submission of electronic application which includes:
  • Personal Statement *
  • Advanced Standing Essay (for Advanced Standing only) *
  • Professional Recommendations (submitted by recommenders) *
    • Regular MSW  - Two Professional Recommendations
    • Advanced Standing - Three Professional recommendations
    • All recommendations need to be submitted by the application deadline
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • Copy of transcript(s) from each college/university that was listed for your bachelor's degree including after the bachelor's degree was earned. Do not include community colleges.
  • TOEFL scores (for international students only)
  • APPLICATION FEE: A non-refundable $75 application fee by credit card is due at the time your online application is submitted.

*View the PDF for specific instructions on the MSW application requirements.

Advanced Standing

Applicants will need their BSW degree conferred prior to the beginning of the advanced standing summer session which begins mid-July. All applicants will be considered for the regular MSW program if they are not accepted as an advanced standing student.

Reapplication Process

If a student delays matriculation or withdraws from the program, the student must reapply and complete a new application, upload all the required documents and pay the application fee of $75. It is suggested that applicants update their personal statement and consider updating recommendations.

For general application questions, contact:

UConn School of Social Work Office and Student and Academic Services at 959-200-3605 or at swadmission@uconn.edu

Please review the "Preparing Your Application" section above for specific instruction on application requirements prior to completing your application.

View the "Application Deadlines" section above for specific dates on the opening and closing of the application cycles.

Click here to begin an application to the UConn School of Social Work.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for financial aid at the same time they apply for admission to the School. More information can be found on the Office of Student Financial Aid Services website.

You will most likely not hear back about Financial Aid at the time of acceptance.

All Financial Aid questions should be directed to the Office of Student Financial Aid Services at financialaid@uconn.edu or (860) 486-2819.

Important Information Regarding Financial Aid for MSW Students:

• Students who pursue the extended degree program (three or four years) will see a decline in their aid after the 2nd year.
• Students who are enrolled part-time, regardless of their year in the program, are not eligible for grant money.

For tuition information pertaining to the UConn School of Social Work and to view costs for various program options, please visit the UConn Bursar website.

Applicants are encouraged to explore Internal Funding Opportunities and External Funding Opportunities on the Graduate School's website.

Communication with applicants regarding status of applications, requests for additional or missing information, and application decisions will be sent by email from both the UConn Graduate School and the UConn School of Social Work. It is important that all communication is reviewed and responded to in a timely manner. Please be certain to check your email daily, including your SPAM/trash folders.

Decision Notification

School of Social Work faculty review all completed applications and make admission decisions. You will receive an email notification to check your account once a decision has been made.

Decision Timeline

• Applications submitted for the spring term:
  • Applicants will hear back no later than mid-December or sooner.
• Applications submitted for the summer and fall terms:
  • Applicants that submit their application earlier in the admission cycle (before January) will hear back by approximately the end of January or sooner.
  • Applicants that submit their application during peak admission time (January and February) will hear back by approximately mid-April or sooner.