Master of Social Work at University of Nevada, Las Vegas
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    Master of Social Work at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    United States of America
    United States of America, Paradise
    Master of Social Work at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    The Social Work at University of Nevada, Las Vegas is a Full Time Master program offered at the university's main campus in Paradise , United States of America. The program is delivered on campus in English and can be completed in 2 years. Students develop academic knowledge and practical skills that prepare them for future careers in this field. The next available intake starts on August 28, 2027.

    About Master of Social Work

    Social work is a profession in which practitioners work directly with individuals, families, and groups, helping people cope, change, and solve problems in all facets of their daily lives. Social workers also work with community stakeholders, organizations, neighborhoods and communities, and in activities such as community organization and development, policy and legislative advocacy. They are employed in a wide variety of agencies, positions, and areas of service, such as mental health, aging services, domestic violence, child welfare, school social work, healthcare services, geriatric social work, and substance abuse treatment and prevention. In addition, social workers may advance to positions of management of social service agencies or establish their own private practice. The uniqueness of social work as a profession includes the emphasis on the person-in-environment, identification with the most marginalized and oppressed of society, and commitment to core values of social work-social and economic justice, respect for the worth of others, cultural diversity, and the principle of self-determination for individuals, families, and groups. At both the BSW and MSW level social workers may be licensed for social work practice within their state.

    The BSW degree also allows students to apply for Advanced Standing in the MSW Program.

    The Master of Social Work {MSW) Program at UNLV prepares students for professional social work careers in the areas of direct practice with individuals, families, and groups, and in management and community practice. The mission of the MSW program is to educate students to work with populations in urban settings, utilizing generalist, problem-solving, empowerment, and social justice approaches. Special attention is given to the mastery of multiple practice issues, attendant upon the present plural and diverse populations in American society. Students may elect Direct Practice or Management and Community Practice as their area of concentration. The Direct Practice concentration prepares students for advanced social work practice with individuals, families, and groups. The Management and Community Practice concentration prepares students for advanced practice in policy advocacy and management of human service organizations and agencies at the local, state and national levels.

    Available Options

    • Capstone Track
    • Thesis Track
    • Advanced Standing Capstone Track
    • Advanced Standing Thesis Track

    Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.

    • Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision-making, ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context;
    • Use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations;
    • Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and electronic communication;
    • Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes; and
    • Use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior.

    Engage diversity and difference in practice.

    • Apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels;
    • Present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as experts of their own experiences; and
    • Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies.

    Advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice.

    • Apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the individual and system levels; and
    • Engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice.

    Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.

    • Use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research;
    • Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research findings; and
    • Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery.

    Engage in policy practice.

    • Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services;
    • Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services;
    • Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.

    Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

    • Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies; and
    • Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies.

    Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

    • Collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies;
    • Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of assessment data from clients and constituencies;
    • Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and constituencies; and
    • Select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge, and values and preferences of clients and constituencies.

    Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

    • Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies;
    • Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with clients and constituencies;
    • Use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes;
    • Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and constituencies; and
    • Facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals.

    Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

    • Select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes;
    • Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes;
    • Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes and outcomes; and
    • Apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.

    Disciplines

    Greenspun College of Urban Affairs

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Social Work at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    Entry Requirements

    While each graduate program has unique admissions standards, the Graduate College maintains minimum standards for graduate admission. All advanced degree and certificate program applicants must meet these eligibility requirements to be considered for admission. Immigration status does not impact admission to UNLV.

    1. Bachelor’s Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, or an approved international equivalent.
    2. Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for your bachelor’s degree, or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester hours).
    3. Additional Requirements – Factors that may also be considered by the academic department to which you are applying include test scores (like the GRE or GMAT), the type of course work completed during undergraduate studies, letters of recommendation, writing samples or portfolios, and any other supporting documents your department/program may ask you to submit to complete your application.
    4. International Applicants: Proof of English Proficiency – The application process for international students is the same as for domestic students, with the exception of submitting proof of English Proficiency.
    5. Transcripts – All applicants are required to submit a transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. If the institution is outside the U.S., a foreign credential evaluation may be required. Please review our foreign credential evaluations page for additional guidelines, information, and requirements.
      Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.

    Credentials from China: Students who have completed a degree in China must provide copies of the original language transcripts and a copy of their Degree Certificate and Graduation Certificate. Documents verified by the Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD) or the China Academic Degree and Graduate information Center (CDGDC) are also accepted. 

    Credentials from India: Consolidated marks sheets are acceptable if yearly mark sheets are not available. Mark sheets must also be issued by the degree-granting institution. Mark sheets from affiliated colleges, are not acceptable or considered official. Students who have completed a degree in India must also provide a copy of their Provisional Certificate.

    Please note that the aforementioned requirements are the minimum requirements established and monitored by the Graduate College. Meeting the minimum admissions requirements is a necessary but not sufficient condition of admission. Admission decisions are based on applicants meeting the minimum Graduate College requirements and a more extensive and holistic departmental review, which considers a combination of factors, including indicators of success based upon academic degrees and records, the statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, test scores, relevant work experience, and the like.

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 65
    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 80

    Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Social Work

    Social work is a profession in which practitioners work directly with individuals, families, and groups helping people cope, change, and solve problems in all facets of their daily living. Social workers may also provide mental, behavioral, and emotional counseling and therapy. Social workers work with community stakeholders, organizations, neighborhoods and communities, and in activities such as community organization and development, policy and legislative advocacy. They are employed in a wide variety of agencies, positions, and areas of service, such as mental health, aging services, domestic violence, child welfare, school social work, healthcare services, geriatric social work, and substance abuse treatment and prevention. In addition, social workers often manage human services agencies or may establish their own private practice. The uniqueness of social work as a profession includes the emphasis on the person-in-environment, identification with the most marginalized and oppressed of society, and commitment to core values of social work–social and economic justice, respect for the worth of others, cultural diversity, and the principle of self-determination for individuals, families, and groups.

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by the year 2000 there will be more than half a million social workers in the United States. Preparation for social work can occur on the undergraduate and/or graduate level, with licensure eligibility at both levels. Bachelor-level (BSW) social workers often work as direct-service case managers in social service agencies. Master's level (MSW) social workers are eligible for state licensure at an advanced clinical level, following a supervised clinical internship at 3000 hours in most states. Median pay for social workers is about $42,500 per year (2010), generally higher than other counseling and mental health therapists. The top 10% of social workers earn over $70,000 per year, while social work managers and similar administrative positions may exceed $100,000 per year. The job outlook for social workers shows about 650,500 positions nationally for social workers in 2010. The profession is also growing 25% faster than the national average, given the expected increase in health-related social work and other social services in the coming decades. Growth in areas of mental health and substance abuse is expected to grow by 31 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010).

    Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Social Work at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    Application Fee 95

    How to Apply for Master of Social Work at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    1. Review Admission Requirements – Review requirements for advanced degree and certificate program applicants. Be sure to check your department of interest as well because departmental requirements vary. Please note that only degree-seeking students are eligible for I-20/student visas and graduate assistantships. Certificate programs are not considered degree-seeking. However, with proper approval students may be enrolled concurrently in both degree and certificate programs.
    2. Application Procedures – To apply to the Graduate College, submit the following admission materials for consideration:
      • A completed application. Complete the application online.
      • A nonrefundable admission application fee of $95, payable online by credit card or by check/money order, to the Board of Regents, UNLV.

        *Note: Applications and materials will not be processed until the application fee is received. Applicants to any UNLV graduate program must pay the admission application evaluation fee for each application filed. Denied applicants, who later seek admission to the same or other UNLV degree program, are required to pay an additional application fee.
    3. Additional Graduate College Application Materials – If needed, send any additional Graduate College admission materials (for example: your admission receipt with your check payment; your transcripts if you did not upload them into your online application; or your official transcripts upon admission; etc.) to:

      Office of Admissions

      University of Nevada, Las Vegas
      Mail Stop: 1021
      4505 S. Maryland Pkwy.
      Las Vegas, NV 89154

    4. Additional Materials for your Department & Degree Program Application – Submit any additional department-required admission materials by uploading them into your online application. Please check with your graduate program of interest and refer to the application checklist on the Home tab of your Grad Rebel Gateway account in order to determine their specific admission requirements prior to submitting your online application.
    5. Financial Certification Requirement – Submit Financial Certification form and Bank Letter to the Graduate College.
      Before an I-20 can be issued, all international students must submit a completed Financial Certification form and bank letter. Even if you anticipate receiving a Graduate Assistantship, you must submit the Financial Certification form and bank letter.
      • Confidential Financial Certification
    Master of Social Work at University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    United States of America

    United States of America, Paradise

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