Student Resources
UCF School of Social Work
At UCF School of Social Work, we are with our students every step of the way to help them excel in their academic career!
While our advisors and faculty guide you through your program of study, your learning experience can be enhanced by using this page as a helpful resource along your journey. We encourage you to harness all the tools available like a specialized social work librarian or collaborate with your peers on ways to help the community – the possibilities for a unique university experience are endless! Check out a variety of support services to contribute to your success!
If you can’t find what you need, contact us directly.
Social Work Student Library Services
Access the resources the UCF Library has available to you to promote your academic success!
Connect with Your Peers!
Social workers believe in the importance of community! Engage with your peers outside of the classroom and build bonds that last by working together to empower each other in a supportive society.
Follow us @UCFSocialWork!
The School of Social Work BSWSA is committed to assisting students enhance their learning, networking in the community and provide community service to human service agencies. We have a strong student association that meets regularly to schedule educational, social and community service projects and activities like the Gift Giving Tree during the holidays and our food drive. Members also have the opportunity to plan and participate in Legislative, Education, and Advocacy Day (LEAD). BSWSA leadership are honored at the end of year graduation celebration. BSW students are invited to apply for membership.
The MSW Student Association is comprised of all admitted MSW students. The mission of MSWSA is to: 1) encourage a relationship between graduate social work students and the faculty of the School of Social Work, 2) help students understand the values, theories, and practice of the social work profession, 3) provide a peer support network, and 4) help new Master of Social Work students adapt to UCF, the master’s program, and the School of Social Work.
The goal of the MSWSN at UCF is to bring together social work students from both the BSW and MSW programs to: learn about the significant role that macro social work practice plays in the field of social work (including individual clinical level practice), create opportunities for students to get involved in macro social work practice, and enable students to advocate for social issues at a macro level at UCF and find avenues to partner with organizations and communities to advocate for issues students are passionate about.
Phi Alpha Nation Social Work Honor Society is nationally recognized for service learning, emphasis of academic achievements and promotion of humanitarian goals. Members participate in interprofessional education events where students collaborate with their peers from other healthcare professions to assess a client’s physical and mental healthcare needs. Other events include an induction ceremony, social network events, and workshops. Graduates receive an honorary cord and are part of a lifelong national membership.
Every spring semester BSW and MSW students participate in Legislative Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD). Social work students from all over Florida meet with state legislators and/or their aides to advocate for or against specific bills impacting clients served, social service agencies, and/or the social work profession, that are being considered at the State Capitol. UCF Social Work students who participate also have the opportunity to network with other social work students from Florida universities who are also in attendance. This two-day event is part of a National Association of Social Workers (NASW)-FL Chapter initiative.
The Racial and Ethnic Justice Committee was established in Summer 2020 to serve as a conduit for students, faculty, and staff in creating inclusive spaces and addressing issues related to race and ethnicity as aligned with Social Work Code of Ethics. The REJC holds events like workshops and seminars where guest speakers are invited to showcase their work related to diversity and inclusion. In the past, film makers have shown their movies to students and interact in a lively discussion. Students are invited to participate in this safe space.
The 50/50 Peer Advisor Program was developed to assist social work students entering their field placements. Supervised by field faculty, 50/50’s mission is to enhance the personal growth and positive development of social work students in support of their role as interns. MSW peer advisors offer educational, emotional, and practical information to help guide their BSW and MSW peers through successful and fulfilling field placement. 50/50 also offers collaboration and enrichment opportunities for student cohorts to build long-lasting relationships, sharing of resources, and create a strong support system.
School News
Frequently Asked Questions
MSW Program Admissions
The UCF School of Social Work has an MSW Program. Within its MSW Program, the School has tracks, or instruction methods, that it offers; (1) MSW Campus-based Track (2) Online MSW Track
A competitive GPA is required for admission to the MSW program.
Advanced Standing: The minimum qualifying GPA for Advanced Standing is a 3.3 GPA in the last 60 credits. However, because this is a competitive program, a GPA of 3.3 does not guarantee admission.
Full-time/Part-time: The minimum qualifying GPA for the full-time/part-time tracks is a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credits. However, because this is a competitive program, a GPA of 3.0 does not guarantee admission.
No, we do not require the GRE for admission into the MSW program.
Applicants to the MSW Program can have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline as long as their bachelor’s is from an accredited institution and meet the prerequisite course requirements. Qualifying applicants in Advanced Standing must have received a BSW degree from a CSWE accredited program within the last six years.
Yes, if you have at least three of the four required prerequisite courses completed by the application deadline with proof by transcript. In other words, applicants who have submitted a “complete” application by the application deadline will be reviewed, and possibly admitted, if the applicant has no more than one outstanding prerequisite course to complete.
Send an email to: [email protected] and include the course title, course description, and track you are applying for, and we will let you know if the class will be accepted toward any of the required prerequisites.
Yes, if admitted, you may complete the prerequisite course before your clinical year. We highly recommend that you complete these courses before you begin the MSW program since the course load is heavy and adding classes could be overwhelming for many students.
Does it matter if I take the prerequisite courses at a community college or a four-year institution?
You can complete the prerequisite courses at any accredited institution, but you must have the official transcripts sent to the College of Graduate Studies once the course is completed.
Graduate social work education is both difficult and time consuming; a typical full-time student’s week includes approximately twelve (12) hours in the classroom, twenty-four (24) in outside preparation for classes (readings, assignments, etc.), and approximately fifteen (15) hours of internship. Outside employment adds to an already demanding workload. The faculty caution students in seeking or maintaining outside employment.
The School of Social Work is under no obligation to provide such placements. Students must complete at least 50% of their field hours during the agency’s normal business hours. Evening (after 5pm) and weekend placements are extremely limited. Consequently, field placements cannot be guaranteed to students who require evening and weekend placements.
Once you get into the online application, the process for the letters of recommendation should become clear. Find the link in the online application to enter the names and email addresses of your recommenders. The College of Graduate Studies (CGS) will email your recommenders with an attached rating form and a link where a letter can be uploaded. Your recommenders can then send their rating form and letter directly back to the CGS electronically.
No, all materials must be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies through the online application. Please do not send any application documents to the School of Social Work. We recommend that you submit your application and fee first before submitting any supporting documents (transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.).
The Graduate Catalog lists a fall priority deadline in the application deadlines table which refers to students who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships. The fall priority deadline has nothing to do with “priority” or “early” decisions.
MSW Campus-based Program
No, we do not require the GRE for admission into the MSW program.
The campus-based MSW program offers courses in person on the UCF main campus as well as mixed mode (on campus bi-weekly) and online.
Courses are offered in 3-hour blocks of time once a week. There are morning, afternoon, and evening sections available (e.g., 7:30am – 10:20am, 10:30am-1:20pm, 1:30pm-4:20pm, 6:30pm-9:20pm…etc.). Therefore, it may be possible to complete two courses on one day to limit commute time.
For Advanced Standing students, a 600-hour clinical internship is required.
All other students in the Full-time/Part-time MSW program must complete 1000 hours (400 generalist internship hours) and (600 clinical internship hours).
Please visit the Field Education webpage and click on “Field at a Glance” for more detailed information.
Yes, fellowships may be available for MSW Campus-based Full-time, 2-year students and School of Social Work scholarships are posted in the spring for current students. Please visit https://www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships/ for information on funding opportunities.
The School of Social Work will also email opportunities for Graduate Assistantships or Graduate Research Assistantships to current students when they become available on campus. For more information on graduate funding opportunities please visit https://graduate.ucf.edu/funding/.
