UMass Global Social Work Programs

Looking to advance your career in social work with a flexible, accredited degree program? UMass Global Social Work Programs give you both undergraduate and graduate options. These programs are designed for working professionals who want to boost their qualifications.

The university’s CSWE-accredited online Master of Social Work takes just 12 months for students with a BSW. Students without a BSW can complete it in 27 months. The university also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work that needs 120 semester units. Both programs help you get valuable real-life experience through 400 supervised on-site field practice hours.

The UMass Global master of social work and bachelor’s program options are flexible and affordable. The BA in Social Work needs 42 credits of core courses and 6 credits of electives to meet the 48-credit requirement. Students must complete at least 30 credits while studying at the university.

This piece will help you learn about online versus on-campus options, available specializations, and the unique features of UMass Global’s social work programs for 2025 students.

Types of Social Work Degrees Offered at UMass Global

UMass Global has two social work degree programs that cater to different career stages and educational goals.

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program needs 120 semester units, with 48 credits going toward the major. Students must complete 42 credits of core coursework and 6 credits of electives. A minimum GPA of 2.0 in all courses and at least 30 credits at UMass Global are required to graduate. The program also features 400 hours of supervised field experience that gives students hands-on training in real-life settings.

Students seeking advanced credentials can choose between two Master of Social Work (MSW) tracks: a 27-month Traditional MSW and a 12-month Advanced Standing option. The Advanced Standing track is available only to students with a BSW degree. Traditional MSW students need to complete 60 credit hours of foundation and concentration courses. Students in the Advanced Standing track complete 30 credit hours and build directly on their bachelor’s knowledge.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits both social work programs at UMass Global. This accreditation ensures quality standards and is often required for state licensure and certification.

Field education is the core of both programs. Students complete supervised practicum experiences that bridge classroom theory with practical application. UMass Global’s social work practicum lets students work in healthcare facilities, schools, community organizations, and government agencies.

Graduates from either program can pursue appropriate licensure based on their degree level. MSW graduates are ready for clinical social work practice and advanced generalist roles in a variety of settings and populations.

Degree Specializations

UMass Global Social Work Programs offer specialized pathways that help you shape your education around your career goals. Each degree level provides unique specialization opportunities that arrange with different professional roles in the field.

A Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) readies you as a generalist practitioner for entry-level positions in a variety of settings. You’ll build expertise in scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and evidence-based practices that are the foundations of effective social work. Students learn essential communication skills, assessment techniques, problem-solving approaches, human diversity awareness, research methods, social welfare policy, and ways to help individuals, families, and communities.

The Master of Social Work program lets you choose specialized electives to focus your studies. Students can pick between two paths: The Standard Advanced Generalist option combines foundational and advanced specialized courses, while the Advanced Standing option jumps straight into advanced skills and specializations if you already hold BSW credentials.

Your career goals might lead you down these popular tracks:

• Child welfare and school social work: The CTC-accredited Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work qualifies you for K-12 school social worker roles in California
• Healthcare settings: You’ll be ready for hospital and medical facility positions that typically need MSW-level education
• Community and nonprofit organizations: You’ll gain expertise in community outreach and program management
• Mental health and substance abuse treatment: The focus stays on clinical intervention skills and therapeutic approaches
• Criminal justice and legal services: This path blends social work with legal system knowledge

Occupational social work stands out as a lucrative specialization. Practitioners earn an average salary of $89,066 as of October 2023. This corporate path usually needs an MSW degree to provide counseling services throughout organizations.

Your field practicum hours depend on your program choice. Standard MSW students complete 1000 hours of supervised practice. Advanced Standing students need 600 hours. These hands-on experiences and specialized courses ensure you’ll master the exact skills your chosen social work career demands.

Online and Hybrid Options

UMass Global puts flexibility first in its social work education approach. The university’s programs are built to be accessible with 100% online formats that work well for busy professionals.

Students can move through UMass Global’s online social work programs year-round at their own pace. You can pick part-time or full-time study options based on your life commitments and schedule.

The programs’ CSWE accreditation makes them even more valuable. This means the online format meets the same high standards as traditional campus programs. The accreditation is a vital part of getting licensed, so you know your online degree will carry weight in the field.

The online Bachelor of Arts in Social Work includes 400 supervised on-site field practice hours. The Master’s program needs 600 to 1000 practicum hours based on your track. These real-world experiences complement your virtual learning perfectly.

UMass Global’s online format gives you:

• Expert faculty trained to teach online
• Courses designed for virtual learning success
• Knowing how to keep working while studying
• Less time and money spent on travel
• Quality education no matter where you live

Many social work schools offer hybrid options to students who want some face-to-face learning. These programs mix weekend campus sessions with online weekday courses. UMass Global focuses on online learning but keeps the practical side strong through well-laid-out field experiences.

You can find CSWE-accredited programs in both fully online and hybrid formats across the country. This helps you get licensed after graduation. The flexibility means you can earn your social work degree whatever your learning priorities or life situation might be.

Graduation Rates

UMass Global’s graduation metrics show how well their programs work. Their reports show that 74% of non-first-time, full-time students graduate within 8 years. This high completion rate shows how well the university helps working professionals finish their degrees.

These numbers need some background to make sense. IPEDS data puts UMass Global’s average graduation rate at 50%. But there’s more to this story. The university teaches mostly non-traditional students and adult learners. Only 5% of students who started in 2022 were “full-time, first-time”. Regular graduation metrics don’t tell the whole story about how well the university performs.

The U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard paints a better picture. Their data shows 59% of all students, both full-time and part-time, complete their programs within eight years. This success rate is much higher than what similar schools achieve with comparable student groups.

UMass Global shines even brighter when we look at student loan defaults. The university’s student loan default rate stands 48% lower than the national average. The U.S. Department of Education’s three-year cohort default rate data shows it at 0%. This remarkably low rate proves their alumni’s success by showing how well graduates manage their student loan payments.

The university’s Fact Book adds to this transparency. It reports retention and graduation rates that the National Center for Educational Statistics requires. Their book has sections about non-first-time degree-seeking undergraduates at both six-year mark (150% time to degree completion) and eight-year mark (200% time to degree completion).

These numbers prove that UMass Global Social Work Programs help students reach their educational goals. Most graduates use their degrees to advance their careers and achieve financial stability.

Career Outcomes

Social work graduates from UMass Global step into a field full of opportunities to make a real difference. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that social work professionals earn a median annual salary of $50,470. Experienced practitioners with advanced degrees can earn up to $100,000 annually. The job market looks promising with an 11% growth expected from 2018-2028, which beats the average growth rate of other occupations.

Graduates with bachelor’s or master’s degrees can work in many different settings:

• Child protective services agencies
• Criminal justice, legal service, and military organizations
• Local, state, and federal agencies
• Home- and school-based programs
• Hospitals and healthcare settings
• Mental health and substance abuse treatment programs
• Nonprofit, human rights, and advocacy organizations

The UMass Global master of social work readies you for specialized healthcare roles. Social workers in these settings help patients deal with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Clinical mental health positions also seek MSW-qualified candidates. This sector should see an 11% increase in job openings by 2031.

Your social work skills can take you beyond traditional career paths. UMass Global’s Career Development Center helps boost your professional growth with complete resources for job hunting and career advancement.

Program graduates have amazing success stories to share. Lindsay Baston started as an administrative assistant, earned her master’s degree, and landed her dream job as a child custody recommending counselor. Marc Posner found his degree “reduced so many professional barriers” and led him to teach as an adjunct professor.

UMass Global truly supports working professionals – 91% of students keep their jobs while studying. Students can apply what they learn right away at work, which enhances both their education and career growth.

The university’s student loan default rate sits 48% below the national average, showing how graduates achieve career success and financial stability after finishing their degree.

What’s Unique about the Social Work Programs at UMass Global

UMass Global’s social work programs stand out from others across the country. They offer an exceptional mix of accessibility, quality, and practical focus. These programs are perfect for working professionals. The numbers prove it – 91% of students keep their jobs while studying.

The CSWE-accredited online MSW program offers something special. BSW holders can complete it in just 12 months. This makes it one of the quickest paths to advanced credentials in social work. Few other schools offer such a fast-track option. The program maintains high standards through well-structured practicum requirements.

UMass Global’s support for non-traditional students sets it apart even more. Most schools focus on first-time, full-time undergraduates. However, UMass Global’s educational model centers on adult learners’ needs. The results speak for themselves. Non-first-time, full-time students achieve a 74% graduation rate within 8 years. This is a big deal as it means that they perform better than similar schools serving the same student groups.

The social work practicum experience adds another layer of excellence. Bachelor’s students complete 400 supervised hours, while master’s students log up to 1,000 hours. This ensures graduates have both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience before starting their careers.

The university’s student loan performance tells an impressive story. The default rate sits at 0% – 48% lower than the national average, according to Department of Education data. These numbers show the program’s value and its graduates’ success in their careers.

UMass Global’s School of Social Work excels in both accessibility and excellence. It delivers CSWE-accredited MSW programs online while maintaining high standards and practical experience that quality social work education demands.