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 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.

A minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale for the bachelor's degree.
An earned bachelor's degree in social work from a regionally accredited program or a degree in another field.
Completion of the following liberal arts courses: English composition or literature courses, college-level mathematics or statistics course, courses in social sciences, preferably in psychology, sociology, and anthropology, a science course, one course in fine arts or humanities, a course in history or political science, a course or content in the biological determinants of human behavior or human biology, a course or content in diverse cultures, social conditions, or social problems.

Transcripts - One transcript from every post-secondary institution the applicant has attended (regardless of whether a degree or credential was earned), showing all coursework, extension and correspondence work, any degrees earned, and the dates that those degrees were awarded. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted as part of the application process. However, if an applicant is admitted, official transcripts will be required by the date specified on the Certificate of Admission. Transfer credits posted on another institution's transcript will not be accepted in lieu of the transcript itself. Only transcripts sent directly from the institution are considered official. Failure to disclose all coursework and/or degrees awarded will result in rescission of admission. IELTS - 6.5, TOEFL - 80, (Paper-based) Minimum score - 74 (Computer-based) Minimum score - 213, Pearson Test of English (PTE) - Minimum score - 65