University of Delaware

What you'll study

The MSW curriculum combines classroom learning with supervised field education to develop practice competence, critical thinking and applied research skills. Core study areas include human behaviour and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, research methods for social work, and ethical/professional issues.

• Practice courses — assessment and intervention with individuals, families and groups; family systems; clinical approaches and case management.
• Community and organisational practice — community organising, programme development and evaluation, administration and leadership in human service agencies.
• Policy and advocacy — analysis of social welfare policies, policy practice, and advocacy strategies at local and state levels.
• Research and evaluation — social work research methods, statistics for practice, outcome measurement and programme evaluation.
• Specialist topics — electives often cover mental health, substance use, child welfare, ageing, trauma-informed practice, school social work and integrated health care.
• Field practicum — supervised placements in community agencies, hospitals, schools or government departments are integrated across the programme, with opportunities for advanced practicum in specialised settings.

The programme is offered in pathways that accommodate students with a prior accredited BSW through an advanced-standing option and students entering without a BSW through the standard full curriculum. Seminar components support practicum learning and emphasise reflective practice, cultural competence and evidence-informed interventions.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Admissions typically consider undergraduate academic performance, a personal statement articulating your reasons for pursuing social work and relevant experience, and letters of recommendation. Applicants may be asked to provide a résumé or curriculum vitae and to participate in an interview.

• Advanced-standing applicants — candidates holding an accredited BSW may be eligible for an accelerated/advanced-standing track; documentation of the BSW accreditation and transcripts is required.
• Additional requirements — offers are subject to satisfactory completion of background checks and compliance with clinical placement requirements such as health screenings and immunisations. International applicants must meet English language proficiency criteria and provide credential evaluations as requested.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MSW programme pursue practice and leadership roles across health, mental health, child welfare, education, corrections and community development sectors. Common career paths include:

• Clinical social worker in hospitals, community mental health centres and private practice (preparation for post-degree clinical licensure pathways).
• Child welfare specialist, school social worker or family services practitioner.
• Program manager, policy analyst or administrator in non-profit organisations and government agencies.
• Community organiser, grant writer or evaluator working on population-level interventions and service design.

The programme’s practicum emphasis helps students build employer connections and practical experience required for state licensure and credentialing in specialised roles.

Why study at University of Delaware

The University of Delaware’s MSW emphasises a balance of rigorous academic coursework and supervised field experience, delivered by faculty with active practice, research and policy engagement. The programme is aligned with professional accreditation standards and leverages Delaware’s compact geographic area and proximity to metropolitan regions for diverse placement opportunities.

• Field placement network — partnerships with hospitals, schools, state agencies and community organisations provide varied practicum settings across clinical and community practice.
• Faculty and research — students work with faculty engaged in research on mental health, ageing, child welfare, substance use and community interventions, offering options to combine practice learning with research projects.
• Support for licensure and careers — curricular design and advising support preparation for post-graduate licensure requirements and career transitions into direct practice, leadership and policy roles.
• Community focus — the programme emphasises culturally competent practice and community engagement, preparing graduates to address needs in urban, suburban and rural settings.

Together, these features aim to prepare graduates to enter the social work profession with the knowledge, skills and ethical foundation needed for effective practice and leadership.