Social Work
The Master's in Social Work at UNH is available in-person on the Durham campus or fully online — offering the flexibility to fit your life while preparing you for meaningful impact in communities through professional practice.
With a curriculum that emphasizes both clinical skills and policy advocacy, our program prepares you for licensure as a clinical social worker while building competencies in human services administration. The coursework focuses on creating positive change in individuals' lives while addressing broader social welfare challenges through evidence-based interventions and community engagement.
*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.
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Professional social workers make a difference in people’s lives, communities and society. An M.S.W. is a professional degree that prepares graduates to work in fields such as healthcare, education, substance abuse, child welfare, employee assistance programs, policy and advocacy, and other human services and social welfare related areas. Additionally, an M.S.W. is the first step toward becoming a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
At UNH, you’ll earn a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited M.S.W. from a top-tier research university. You’ll learn from full-time faculty who are passionate about social justice and are experts in their fields of practice. With full-time, part-time and online options you can earn your degree in the format best suited to you, and you’ll have the opportunity to specialize in areas including disabilities; health and mental health; addictions and substance abuse; and children, youth and families. You’ll also gain hands-on experience while making a difference in your community through local field internships.
The University of New Hampshire's M.S.W. program provides a quality educational experience that prepares graduates for Advanced Generalist practice consistent with the purposes of the social work profession. It concentrates on strengths and empowerment models that encourage individuals and families, and communities and organizations to realize their full potential.
MSW students will be able to select three electives in one or more of the following:
The Durham Campus Program is our traditional model with classes held on campus. It takes two years to complete the full time program, with part time course of study of three and four years. Required first year courses are scheduled Monday-Wednesday leaving Thursdays and Fridays open for first year internships. Second year courses are scheduled Wednesdays and Thursdays leaving Monday, Tuesday, and Friday for internships. The Durham program admits once a year in the fall.
The M.S.W Online Program allows students to earn their Master of Social Work degree online in 28 months. M.S.W online students are required to complete two internships at a program or agency in their local community and work with Social Work Department internship office to identify acceptable sites. Internship seminar and Practice classes will have weekly synchronous online classes help on Monday or Wednesday evenings. The online program admits three times a year (fall, spring, summer). No campus visits are required at any time.
Advanced Standing is an option for eligible students who have graduated from an accredited B.S.W. program within five years. This option is available in Durham or online. Admission to this program is every summer for Durham and every fall for online.
Durham Two Year Program
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| SW 820 | Social Welfare Policy I | 3 |
| SW 830 | Social Work Practice I | 3 |
| SW 840 | Implications of Race, Culture, and Oppression for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 850 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment I | 3 |
| SW 880 | Internship I | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SW 826 | Social Welfare Policy II | 3 |
| SW 831 | Social Work Practice II: Practice in Small Groups and Community Organizations | 3 |
| SW 851 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment II | 3 |
| SW 860 | Research Methods in Social Work | 3 |
| SW 881 | Internship II | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SW 930 | Advanced General Practice III: Clinical Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| SW 952 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment III | 3 |
| SW 962 | Data Analysis and Statistics | 3 |
| SW 982 | Internship III | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| SW 931 | Advanced Generalist Practice IV: Community and Administrative Practice | 3 |
| SW 965 | Program and Practice Evaluation | 3 |
| SW 983 | Internship IV | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 62 | |
Please refer to our MSW Handbook listed on our website for 3 year and 4 year Durham degree plan options.
Online MSW Degree Plan - Example below is Fall cohort course of study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
Term 1 | ||
| SW 820 | Social Welfare Policy I | 3 |
| SW 850 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment I | 3 |
Term 2 | ||
| SW 840 | Implications of Race, Culture, and Oppression for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 860 | Research Methods in Social Work | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
Term 3 | ||
| SW 851 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment II | 3 |
| SW 826 | Social Welfare Policy II | 3 |
Term 4 | ||
| SW 830 | Social Work Practice I | 3 |
| SW 880 | Internship I 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Continuation of SW 880: Internship 1 | ||
| Credits | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
Term 1 | ||
| SW 831 | Social Work Practice II: Practice in Small Groups and Community Organizations | 3 |
| SW 881 | Internship II 2 | 3 |
Term 2 | ||
| SW 952 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment III | 3 |
| Continuation of SW 881: Internship 2 | ||
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
Term 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| SW 962 | Data Analysis and Statistics | 3 |
Term 4 | ||
| SW 930 | Advanced General Practice III: Clinical Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| SW 982 | Internship III 3 | 4 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Summer | ||
| SW 965 | Program and Practice Evaluation | 3 |
| Continuation of SW 982: Internship 3 | ||
| Credits | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
Term 1 | ||
| SW 931 | Advanced Generalist Practice IV: Community and Administrative Practice | 3 |
| SW 983 | Internship IV 4 | 4 |
Term 2 | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Continuation of SW 983: Internship 4 | ||
| Credits | 10 | |
| Total Credits | 62 | |
Goes through Terms 4 and 5
Goes through Terms 1 and 2
Going through Terms 4 and 5
Goes through Terms 1 and 2
An M.S.W. candidate must complete 62 credit hours of 800- or 900-level courses including two, two-semester internships, comprising a total of 1100 hours. Grades below the B level in a graded course or a "fail" in a credit/fail course are considered failing grades for the purposes of determining academic standing. Repeating a course does not remove the original failing grade from the record. Graduate students receiving failing grades in 9 or more credits, received either in three courses or in any combination of courses taken twice, will be dismissed from the M.S.W. program.
Although a significant portion of the curriculum is required, students will be able to complete three elective courses. At least one of these must be taken from among Department of Social Work course offerings.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core courses | ||
| SW 820 | Social Welfare Policy I | 3 |
| SW 826 | Social Welfare Policy II | 3 |
| SW 830 | Social Work Practice I | 3 |
| SW 831 | Social Work Practice II: Practice in Small Groups and Community Organizations | 3 |
| SW 840 | Implications of Race, Culture, and Oppression for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 850 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (HBSE I) | 3 |
| SW 851 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (HBSE II) | 3 |
| SW 860 | Research Methods in Social Work | 3 |
| SW 880 | Internship I 1 | 3 |
| SW 881 | Internship II 2 | 3 |
| SW 930 | Advanced General Practice III: Clinical Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| SW 931 | Advanced Generalist Practice IV: Community and Administrative Practice | 3 |
| SW 952 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment III | 3 |
| SW 962 | Data Analysis and Statistics | 3 |
| SW 965 | Program and Practice Evaluation | 3 |
| SW 982 | Internship III 3 | 4 |
| SW 983 | Internship IV 4 | 4 |
| Electives | ||
| Select three 3-credit elective courses of social work (other graduate programs with permission): | 9 | |
SW 802 | Aging and Society | |
SW 803 | Social Work and Spirituality | |
SW 804 | Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioral Challenges | |
SW 805 | Child and Adolescent Risks and Resiliency: Program, Policy and Practice | |
SW 807 | Child Maltreatment | |
SW 808 | Mental Health Aspects of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities | |
SW 809 | First Responders | |
SW 810 | SW and the Digital Age | |
SW 812 | Understanding Developmental Disabilities | |
SW 813 | School Social Work | |
SW 815 | Affirming Practice with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ People | |
SW 816 | Addiction Assessment | |
SW 817 | Understanding Suicide | |
SW 819 | Addiction Treatment | |
SW 821 | International Social Work | |
SW 818 | SW & Creative Arts | |
SW 865 | Adventure Therapy: Facilitation and Processing of the Experience | |
SW 870 | Intimate Partner Violence | |
SW 871 | Trauma-Informed Practice in School Settings | |
SW 885 | Study Abroad | |
SW 897 | Special Topics in Social Work and Social Welfare | |
SW 957 | Fund Development and Grantwriting | |
SW 974 | Social Work Supervision | |
SW 975 | Theory and Practice of Family Therapy | |
SW 979 | Social Work and the Law | |
| Total Credits | 62 | |
Seminar and concurrent two-day/week internship/academic year
Seminar and two-day/week internship continued from SW 880 Internship I
Seminar and concurrent three-day/week internship/academic year
Seminar and three-day/week internship continued from SW 982 Internship III
Accelerated Master’s programs offer qualified University of New Hampshire undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate coursework in select graduate programs while completing a bachelor’s degree. Accelerated master's programs are designed to provide students with an efficient and cost-effective pathway to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree or graduate certificate, enhancing career opportunities and long-term earning potential.
*Some exceptions apply.
*Some exceptions apply.
This graduate degree program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the following undergraduate program(s):
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Psychology Major: Addictions Studies Option (B.S.) | ||
| Applied Psychology Major: Applied Behavior Analysis Option (B.S.) | ||
| Applied Psychology Major: Counseling Foundations Option (B.S.) | ||
| Applied Psychology Major: Court Advocacy Option (B.S.) | ||
| Applied Psychology Major: Education Advocacy Option (B.S.) | ||
| Applied Psychology Major: Emergency Management Strategy and Planning Option (B.S.) | ||
| Applied Psychology Major: Family Studies Option (B.S.) | ||
| Applied Psychology Major: Human Services Option (B.S.) | ||
| Applied Psychology Major: Organizational Psychology Option (B.S.) | ||
| Applied Psychology Major: Wellness and Prevention Option (B.S.) | ||
| Criminal Justice Major (B.S.) | ||
| Human Services Major: Addiction Studies Option (B.S.) | ||
| Human Development & Family Studies Major: Child Development Option (B.S.) | ||
| Human Development & Family Studies Major: Early Childhood Education Teacher Licensure Option (B.S.) | ||
| Human Development & Family Studies Major: Family and Lifespan Development Option (B.S.) | ||
| Human Services Major: Applied Psychology Option (B.S.) | ||
| Human Services Major: Counseling Foundations Option (B.S.) | ||
| Human Services Major: Court Advocacy Option (B.S.) | ||
| Human Services Major: Education Advocacy Option (B.S.) | ||
| Human Services Major: Family Studies Option (B.S.) | ||
| Human Services Major: Wellness and Prevention Option (B.S.) | ||
| Psychology Major (B.A.) | ||
| Students select from the following approved 800-level courses that can be completed in the undergraduate senior year for dual credit: | ||
| SW 802 | Aging and Society | 3 |
| SW 804 | Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioral Challenges | 3 |
| SW 805 | Child and Adolescent Risks and Resiliency: Program, Policy and Practice | 3 |
| SW 807 | Child Maltreatment | 3 |
| SW 808 | Mental Health Aspects of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities | 3 |
| SW 810 | SW and the Digital Age | 3 |
| SW 812 | Understanding Developmental Disabilities | 3 |
| SW 815 | Affirming Practice with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ People | 3 |
| SW 816 | Addiction Assessment | 3 |
| SW 817 | Understanding Suicide | 3 |
| SW 818 | SW & Creative Arts | 3 |
| SW 819 | Addiction Treatment | 3 |
| SW 820 | Social Welfare Policy I | 3 |
| SW 821 | International Social Work | 3 |
| SW 840 | Implications of Race, Culture, and Oppression for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 850 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment I | 3 |
| SW 851 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment II | 3 |
| SW 865 | Adventure Therapy: Facilitation and Processing of the Experience | 3 |
| SW 871 | Trauma-Informed Practice in School Settings | 3 |
| SW 885 | Study Abroad | 3 |
In Person Deadlines:
Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:
Online Deadlines:
To be reviewed for admission, applications must be completed by the following deadlines. Applications received after the deadline may be considered if space is available.
If you have questions about the deadlines, please contact UNH Online for details.
Application fee: $65
Campus: Durham, Online
New England Regional: No
Accelerated Masters: Yes (for more details see the accelerated masters information page)
Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.
If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC.
If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.
If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:
Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
At least one letter must attest to observed skills in an employment setting that would be indicative of success in the social work and outdoor education field.
Applicants must provide a well-constructed double-spaced essay of 4-5 pages. Please respond to the questions below:
Note: The UNH Department of Social Work does not consider protected class identities in admissions decisions. As such, you are not required to share information in your response that would reveal your race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, ability status, military, law-enforcement, or veteran status.
A current resume is required with your submitted application.
The Social Work program has two dual degree options:
All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.
Two years of full-time experience in the field is strongly recommended. Graduation from an accredited undergraduate institution with a broad liberal arts background is required.
Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.
Welcome to UNH MSW Internship Education. Your internship education is about applying and doing, the opportunity for you to connect the theoretical and conceptual contribution of the classroom with the practical world of the practice setting. Classroom and internships each contribute to the development of a students’ competencies of professional practice. Graduate school is a rare opportunity to have so many people; your internship supervisor, faculty and other students, supporting your professional development.
Internship instruction is concurrent with classroom work. During the first internship placement students are required to spend two days per week in the field. In the second internship placement students spend three days each week in the field. Students may not “bank” their hours and end their placements prematurely.
In the Durham program, first year placements are typically arranged on Thursdays and Fridays and students are expected to work 16 hours per week at their placement. Similarly, Durham second year placements are typically arranged on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays and students are expected to work 24 hours per week at their placement. This schedule may be adjusted by mutual agreement of the student and internship supervisor, if needed, with collaboration with MSW Internship Coordinator. Students are expected to work a full day unless special arrangements are made. Reliable and punctual attendance is required.
