UNC Greensboro Social Work Programs

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13% increase in job opportunities for social work programs at UNC Greensboro between 2019 and 2029. Social work offers an excellent career path that combines stability with purpose in your professional life.

UNC Greensboro’s partnership with NC A&T has earned impressive recognition. The institutions rank #77 nationally and #3 in North Carolina for Best Schools for Social Work. Students pursuing a bachelor’s in social work must complete 120 semester hours, with 41 credit hours in the major and two community-based volunteer placements. The Joint Master’s in Social Work (J.M.S.W.) program stands out through collaboration between N.C. A&T State University and UNCG. This groundbreaking partnership marks the first between a predominantly white institution and a Historically Black College and/or University in the United States.

These programs demonstrate remarkable success rates. About 80% of graduates find employment in the social work field within one year of graduation. The Department has secured over $5 million in external funding over the last five years to support students by easing debt while serving vulnerable communities. This piece will help you understand the requirements, specializations, and unique benefits of pursuing your social work degree at UNC Greensboro, whether you’re beginning your educational experience or advancing your career.

Types of Social Work Degrees Offered at UNC Greensboro

UNC Greensboro’s Department of Social Work has well-laid-out educational paths for students at all stages of their social work careers. You can choose between two main degree programs that will prepare you for different career stages.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program builds your foundation as a generalist practitioner. You’ll need 120 semester hours to graduate, and 41 of these hours focus on your major. The program blends classroom learning with hands-on experience. Students work at two community organizations where they use their knowledge in real-life situations. This degree opens doors to entry-level social service jobs and creates a strong base for graduate studies.

The Joint Master of Social Work (JMSW) program shows what a collaborative effort between UNC Greensboro and North Carolina A&T State University can achieve. This partnership stands out as the first between a predominantly white institution and a Historically Black College/University in the United States. Students learn advanced specialized practices with special attention to multicultural competence and social justice principles.

Both degrees follow a clear progression to build your skills. Students start by learning the basics of human behavior and social environments. Next comes hands-on practice skills development. The final step involves field placements that bring everything together.

These programs teach evidence-based practices and critical thinking. BSW students focus on general intervention methods, while JMSW students explore deeply into specialized approaches for complex cases and system-level work.

The department looks at your academic performance, experience, and commitment to social work values when you apply. You’ll need to show both academic ability and the right personal qualities for social work practice.

Degree Specializations

UNC Greensboro lets you customize your social work education through specialized tracks that match your career goals. The BSW program features two unique concentrations beyond regular coursework. The Addiction Studies Concentration needs 16 extra credit hours with field placements in addiction settings and courses about substance use practices. Students who want to work in schools can choose the Social Work with Special Subject-Area Licensure in School Social Work Concentration. This path requires a 3.0 GPA minimum, education foundation courses, and field work in school settings.

The Joint Master’s in Social Work (JMSW) program puts multicultural clinical practice at its heart. This approach values every person’s culture, history, and identity—especially those who face oppression, marginalization, or trauma. Students learn to build culturally aware therapeutic relationships that help people become more resilient.

MSW specialization students must complete 30 additional credit hours. The coursework includes advanced clinical practice, research, organizational practice, and two terms of advanced field instruction. BSW graduates might qualify for the Advanced Standing Option, which leads to an MSW degree in just one calendar year with 42 credit hours.

Students can pick from a rich variety of electives at both universities. MSW students choose two elective courses from either campus. Popular topics include Grief, Loss, and Trauma; Clinical Social Work with Children; Substance Abuse Counseling; Social Services for the Aging; and School Social Work Advanced Practice. With advisor approval, students can also take graduate courses from related departments to create a personalized education that fits their career goals.

Online and Hybrid Options

UNC Greensboro’s distance learning options make social work education accessible and flexible for students who juggle work and personal life. The graduate programs run fully online and help working adults develop job-ready skills and practical knowledge.

The Online MSW program started because changemakers wanted to enhance their community impact while keeping their jobs and commitments. This program meets urgent workforce requirements by connecting with talented individuals throughout North Carolina, the Southeast, and the nation.

These online options stand out because they blend asynchronous and synchronous learning uniquely. Students can complete weekly coursework and attend virtual classes based on their schedule. You can earn your degree without relocating or commuting to campus.

Online MSW programs give students more flexibility than traditional programs with rigid schedules, including part-time study options. Students benefit in several ways:

• Geographic accessibility – The program reaches anyone with internet access, even those in remote locations
• Financial advantages – Students save money on commuting costs and keep their jobs while studying
• Diverse networking – Students connect with professionals and peers from many locations, not just local ones

Field placements remain vital in online BSW and MSW programs. The department sets up practical experiences in your area, so you get hands-on training despite learning virtually.

Make sure your program has proper accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) before you enroll. This credential is vital for licensure and future advanced studies.

Graduation Rates

UNC Greensboro’s success rates showcase both the school’s overall performance and achievements in specific programs. The university boasts an overall graduation rate of 58%, which puts it among the top 50% of schools nationwide. The 4-year completion rate sits at 38%, landing in the bottom 45% compared to other institutions. Students stick around too – a 78% retention rate places UNCG in the top 40%.

Social work students at UNCG have particularly bright prospects. A remarkable 80% of social work graduates land jobs in their field within their first year after graduation. The outlook gets even better – most students start their careers as social workers just six months after getting their degree.

Student completion patterns vary based on their categories. First-time, full-time students show a 29% four-year graduation rate that jumps to 54% after six years. Non-traditional learners often stick with it longer – non-first-time/full-time students reach a 62% six-year graduation rate.

The university keeps track of how different groups perform:

• Asian students: 65% completion rate
• Black/African-American students: 60% completion rate
• Hispanic students: 60% completion rate
• White students: 58% completion rate

Money matters play a big role in degree planning. About 67% of graduates take out loans to pay for school, with students owing an average of $24,664 at graduation. All the same, this investment pays off – graduates earn a median salary of $39,869 six years after finishing.

The school has set clear targets to boost these numbers. Their basic four-year graduation goal sits at 41.5%, with an ambitious target of 46.09%. The six-year graduation baseline target reaches 53.9%. These goals show UNCG’s steadfast dedication to student success in both BSW and MSW programs.

Career Outcomes

A degree from UNC Greensboro’s social work programs creates amazing career opportunities. The numbers speak for themselves – 80% of all graduates secure employment in the social work field within one year of completion. Students often land jobs at their internship or field placement sites right after graduation.

BSW graduates typically step into roles like:

• Case managers and counselors
• Community educators and supporters
• Child welfare specialists

These professionals serve in a variety of settings. You’ll find them in community-based human services agencies, government organizations at state and federal levels, healthcare facilities, school systems, mental health institutions, justice systems, and military environments.

UNC Greensboro’s MSW graduates qualify for specialized positions such as Clinical Mental Health Social Worker, Medical Social Worker, School Social Worker, Child Welfare Caseworker, and Substance Abuse Counselor. The joint program with NC A&T equips you to tackle major societal challenges like discrimination, poverty, substance use, homelessness, and mental illness.

Social work professionals in Greensboro earn a mean annual wage of $64,360 (approximately $30.94 hourly). Child Welfare Specialists take home around $56,680 yearly. The job market looks promising with a projected 7% growth rate from 2022 to 2032, creating about 5,390 new job openings each year nationwide.

The program’s value extends beyond immediate employment. Undergraduate alumni have earned spots in advanced standing programs at prestigious institutions like Columbia University, Case Western University, the University of South Carolina, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill[201]. This shows how UNC Greensboro’s social work degree builds a strong foundation for both career growth and academic advancement.

The Department’s Gerontology Program offers specialized training in aging services. Students learn to meet an aging population’s needs through advocacy and leadership – an area that grows faster within the social work profession.

What’s Unique about the Social Work Programs at UNC Greensboro

UNC Greensboro’s social work programs have unique features that make them different from other programs in the state. The Joint Master of Social Work (JMSW) program leads this innovation through a first-of-its-kind partnership in the United States. This collaboration between a predominantly white institution and a Historically Black College/University – North Carolina A&T State University creates a rich learning environment. Students from different cultural backgrounds share their points of view to enhance everyone’s education.

The Department’s commitment to community runs deep. Students can choose from more than 250 partner agencies in the region for their field placements. These hands-on experiences help students apply classroom theories in real life. Many students find jobs through these connections after they graduate.

Multicultural competence isn’t just a theory here – it’s part of every course. This comprehensive approach prepares students to work with people from all backgrounds in our diverse society.

The Department has earned over $5 million in external funding in the last five years. This money helps students through scholarships and stipends while supporting vulnerable communities. Students succeed academically as they make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Students can choose between full-time and part-time study options without sacrificing quality education. The specialized training program in aging services shows how the department responds to our aging population’s needs.

The faculty brings both academic excellence and hands-on experience. They stay active in clinical practice, research, and policy advocacy. This combination brings current challenges and solutions straight to the classroom, moving beyond textbook theories.