MSW, Social Work

Degree Program Summary:

The primary mission of social work is to enhance human well-being and to help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. Professional social workers are employed in schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, senior centers, elected office, private practice, prisons, corporations, and in many public and private agencies that serve individuals and families in need.

Students leave our program as competent and creative social workers ready for advanced practice. The MSW program at Georgia is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and our school is ranked in the top 25 percent of social work graduate programs nationwide.

We invite motivated and dedicated students who want to work for positive social change to apply to our program. If you are accepted into the MSW program at UGA, you’ll choose from two concentration areas:

Family Centered Social Work Practice—your courses will have a clinical focus and will prepare you to work directly with clients.

Community Empowerment and Program Development—your courses will have a broad focus and prepare you to work with community programs and in community advocacy and administrative positions.

The MSW program also offers courses that lead to certificates in:

• Marriage and Family Therapy
• Gerontology
• Nonprofit Management

And we offer three ways to earn your MSW. Full time program—four-semester program starts each fall. Advanced standing program—three-semester program for recent BSWs starts in the fall. Part time program—afternoon and evening classes for eight semesters, including summers, starts in the fall.

If you’ve got questions about the MSW program, contact Dr. Leon Banks, Director of MSW Admissions at 706/542-5428. You also can attend an information session or come see us. The University of Georgia School of Social Work is a great combination of academic excellence and commitment to social justice within a vibrant and friendly atmosphere.