UNC Wilmington Social Work Programs

UNCW’s social work programs provide excellent opportunities for students at UNC Wilmington. UNCW has grown into a leading doctoral and research institution. The university now serves nearly 19,000 students and employs about 2,500 staff members.

The School of Social Work stands out with its CSWE-accredited programs. Students can earn either a Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work degree that meets national quality standards. The program’s success shows in the numbers – 73 students graduated with bachelor’s degrees in social work during 2021-2022. These graduates went on to earn a median salary of $38,380. The university launched North Carolina’s first online social work degree program, making quality education available to students statewide.

UNCW welcomes both new students and transfers from community colleges like Montgomery, South Piedmont, and Richmond Community College. Students get opportunities to work with faculty on research projects and engage in community work. They can study abroad and connect with professional networks through organizations like the National Association of Social Workers.

Types of Social Work Degrees Offered at UNC Wilmington

UNCW’s School of Social Work offers detailed degree programs that create a clear path for future social workers. Students can choose between two main degree options that will prepare them for roles in social services.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program builds the foundation of social work education at UNCW. This undergraduate program gives you the basic knowledge and skills you need to start your career as a generalist social worker. Students in the BSW program learn both theory and hands-on experience that will help them serve people from all backgrounds. BSW graduates qualify for entry-level positions at community organizations, healthcare facilities, and government agencies.

UNCW also offers the Master of Social Work (MSW) program for professionals who want to advance their careers. The MSW program expands on BSW foundations and focuses on specialized knowledge and clinical skills. Students who complete this advanced degree can pursue clinical licensure and take on higher-level responsibilities. The program teaches evidence-based practices and critical thinking skills that help solve complex social issues.

Both programs hold CSWE accreditation, the gold standard for social work education in the United States. This recognition means your degree meets professional standards that employers and licensing boards accept nationwide.

These programs fit different student needs with flexible learning options. Students can choose traditional on-campus classes with direct faculty interaction or take advantage of distance learning opportunities. This makes quality social work education available to students across North Carolina.

Students can progress naturally from one program to the next. Many BSW graduates continue their education in UNCW’s MSW program because they value the university’s teaching approach and familiar environment.

Degree Specializations

UNCW’s social work programs go beyond standard degree frameworks with specialized tracks that align with your career goals. The School of Social Work helps you chart your professional path through distinct specializations.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program lets you choose between two main tracks. Students in the Clinical concentration learn about assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness and behavioral disturbances. This path readies you for roles in individual, group, and family therapy that need clinical-level licensure. The Macro concentration looks at how clients interact with larger systems. You’ll learn to support vulnerable populations through policy work, research, government agency roles, and coalition building.

UNCW makes these concentrations accessible through different program formats:

• Full-Time: A two-year program with 900 field placement hours over three semesters
• Part-Time: A three-year hybrid program (part online, part face-to-face) that works well for professionals and military-affiliated students
• Advanced Standing: A one-year accelerated option just for students who already have BSW degrees

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program builds your skills in generalist social work practice. You’ll learn to work with individuals, families, groups, and communities. This foundation sets you up well for direct practice or advanced studies in social work and related fields.

Your professional growth gets a boost through specialized certificates and credentials:

• Substance Use Disorders and Addiction certification
• Veterinary Social Work certification
• School Social Work credential
• Child Welfare Collaborative traineeship

These specializations open doors to work in mental health facilities, child welfare agencies, family services, healthcare organizations, and schools. UNCW graduates find success in disability services, substance use treatment, military affairs, community organizations, and international settings. The program combines classroom theory with hands-on field placements. This approach makes sure you’re ready to tackle complex social challenges when you graduate.

Online and Hybrid Options

UNCW’s social work education puts flexibility first by offering education options that work with your schedule and location. Students can choose from three different distance learning formats:

• Online programs combine live and self-paced classes that use cutting-edge technology to create interactive and challenging coursework
• Hybrid programs mix online learning with in-person meetings between students and faculty
• On-site learning takes place at convenient locations away from the main campus

UNCW creates innovative paths to higher degrees for community college graduates. Students with an Associate of Applied Science in Human Services Technology can earn their Bachelor of Social Work online through the HS2SW program in as few as five semesters. This program stands as North Carolina’s first fully online social work bachelor’s degree and lets you complete your BSW in about two years.

Working professionals can advance their careers without moving thanks to evening live sessions paired with self-paced coursework. Students get tailored advising about program requirements and course selection after admission. The program delivers all social work courses online, so there’s no need to travel to Wilmington.

UNCW’s mutually beneficial alliances with several North Carolina community colleges like Montgomery, South Piedmont, and Richmond Community College create smooth transfer paths for associate degree holders. These partnerships open doors to many job opportunities in government, social services, and private organizations.

The Office of Distance Education and eLearning (DEeL) supports students throughout their online learning experience. This office helps new distance education students with resources and mandatory orientation sessions that ensure a smooth transition into UNCW’s learning environment. UNCW shows its steadfast dedication to quality distance education by training faculty in online teaching, course design, and technology use.

Graduation Rates

UNCW’s success rates paint a clear picture of your potential experience at the university. Strong academic outcomes shine through the university’s overall graduation metrics that apply to programs like social work degrees.

The university achieves impressive completion numbers with a 72% six-year graduation rate, which puts it among the top 25% of institutions nationwide. Students graduate at a rate of 56% in four years, while the eight-year rate reaches 73%. These numbers showcase the university’s steadfast dedication to student success in any discipline.

The student persistence numbers tell an equally compelling story. UNCW’s 83% retention rate places it in the top 30% of schools nationally. Most students who start their academic experience at UNCW continue their studies instead of transferring or withdrawing.

The graduation outcomes show some variation based on demographics. Female students complete degrees at 74.4%, while male students graduate at 67.5%. The rates by ethnicity show:

• White students: 72.5-75%
• Asian students: 70-76%
• Hispanic students: 65-72.1%
• Black/African-American students: 62.7-63%
• Multi-ethnic students: 67.1-73%

Traditional first-time/full-time students achieve a 72% six-year graduation rate. Non-first-time/full-time students, including transfers, reach a slightly higher 73% rate. UNCW effectively supports both traditional students and those from other institutions – especially important for community college transfers entering the social work program.

The Spring 2025 commencement will celebrate approximately 3,000 graduates, with 2,315 undergraduates and 814 graduate students completing their degrees. These numbers demonstrate the large group of successful students who graduate each year.

The university-wide statistics don’t break down rates specifically for social work programs. However, these overall figures reliably indicate the academic environment and support systems available to all UNCW students, whatever their major.

Career Outcomes

UNCW social work graduates step into one of America’s most promising career fields. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows social work employment will grow 7% between 2022 and 2032, outpacing most other occupations. The field will expand from 720,000 positions to over 800,000 by 2030.

UNC Wilmington Social Work Programs open doors to careers of all types. BSW graduates build successful careers as:

• Family social workers
• School social workers
• Behavioral management aides
• Healthcare social workers
• Counselors

MSW graduates move up to become:

• Clinical social workers/therapists
• Case managers
• Child welfare specialists
• Hospital/medical social workers
• Leaders in administration and management

Your earning potential depends on your specialty. Wilmington’s healthcare social workers earn median salaries of $60,750, while child, family, and school social workers earn $59,190. BSW graduates’ median salary of $38,380 surpasses the national average of $37,334 for social work bachelor’s degree holders. UNCW’s MSW graduates earn median salaries of $48,198.

UNCW social work graduates enjoy strong job prospects. About 75% of graduates secure full-time positions after graduation, while 11% choose part-time work. The field looks even better for MSW graduates – 71% nationwide land positions requiring an MSW or social work license.

UNC Wilmington’s partnerships make employment easier with organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness, The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and healthcare systems. These connections create valuable opportunities for new graduates.

Your career goals might include clinical practice, community organization, policy advocacy, or specialized areas like substance abuse counseling or military support services. UNC Wilmington’s social work programs will prepare you well for this rewarding profession.

What’s Different about the Social Work Programs at UNC Wilmington

UNC Wilmington’s Social Work Programs stand out among other educational options in North Carolina. The university blends academic excellence with practical field experience. Students learn both theory and ground application in a balanced environment.

The program leads the way in distance education. UNCW became the first North Carolina institution to offer a fully online social work bachelor’s degree. This innovative approach helps solve the shortage of qualified social workers, particularly in the state’s rural areas.

Field education adds exceptional value to the program. Students work in professional settings under supervision and connect classroom concepts to actual practice. These experiences help build professional networks before graduation and often lead to job opportunities.

The faculty’s expertise gives students another advantage. UNCW’s professors bring their clinical and research backgrounds to the classroom. Their knowledge from different specialization areas creates a complete learning environment. Students learn about various points of view within the field.

The School’s dedication to interprofessional education readies students for modern practice. Learning among students from psychology, public health, and nursing develops significant teamwork skills needed in today’s integrated service settings.

Local partnerships are the foundation of UNCW’s social work education. These agency connections improve field placement options. They also support meaningful community-based research and service projects that tackle pressing social needs.

Small class sizes make UNCW special. They encourage individual attention and meaningful relationships between students and faculty mentors. This individual-specific approach will give students the support they need for their educational goals and career aspirations.