Studying Social Work at UW-Oshkosh
The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh appears in our ranking of the 20 High-value BSW Degrees in Metro Areas with Top Salaries for Social Workers.
Since 1974, the Colleges of Letters and Science has housed a Bachelor of Social Work in Swart Hall for University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh undergrads to develop caring, conscientious methods for entry-level generalist service. Chaired by Prof. Colleen Hansen, the 68-credit, upper-division major encourages regional engagement aiding the Midwest's rural underserved areas. Courses like Family Life Cycle Transitions, Interpersonal Skills, Human Diversity, and Welfare Policy have an 18:1 student-faculty ratio. Juniors and seniors choose agencies, such as Winnebago County DSS, Christine Ann Services, Day By Day Shelter, Choices to Change, and Elijah's Place, to complete the 450 fieldwork hours. BSW majors could also take the Global Seminar in Germany, join the Social Work Association, earn the Lois Miranda Advocacy Award, add the Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate, and attend the Leadership Series.
The Fox Valley's first Master of Social Work was launched in Fall 2016 by UW-Oshkosh to train human services workers for leading advanced strengths-based interventions. Directed by Dr. Fredi Giesler, the 55-credit program offers two concentrations in Clinical/Mental Health Practice and Health Care Practice with an average salary potential of $51,210. Undergrads who've finished CSWE-accredited degrees in the last eight years qualify for the 25-credit Advanced Standing Track. Expect courses like Psychopathology, Crisis Intervention, Grief Counseling, and Quality Improvement before a field research project. Each term, 17-week practica are included at approved placements, including Appleton Medical Center, St. Elizabeth Hospital, Franciscan Care, and ThedaCare Hospice. Other MSW opportunities are taking LCSW prep, attending Connect to Courage, adding the Health Care MPA, and venturing to Kenya.
About University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh was established by the Legislature in 1871 as Oshkosh State Normal School with the first kindergarten. Welcomed into the UW System one century later, Oshkosh evolved into the third-largest public, coed branch. Endowed for $18.18 million, UWO recently won the 2007 Innovative Architecture and Design Award for expanding its 173-acre "Sawdust City" campus near Lake Winnebago. The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh currently enrolls 13,955 Titans, including Social Work majors, both face-to-face and online via Desire2Learn. Linked to 48,359 LinkedIn alumni, Oshkosh has trained Erin Murphy, George de Rue Meiklejohn, Frank Bateman Keefe, Helen Farnsworth Mears, and more.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Oshkosh the 73rd best Midwest college, 45th most veteran-friendly campus, and 17th top public school with the 147th best social work degrees nationwide. On Niche, UWO was America's 169th best Greek life college, 292nd top public university, and 349th best location. Money magazine placed the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh 419th with a median debt of $17,417. In Washington Monthly, UWO was applauded for the 312th most service participation and 204th best graduation rate. College Factual declared Oshkosh the 77th best social work value with the 101st top-paid grads nationwide. The National Council for Home Safety crowned UWO the 38th safest campus. The Princeton Review also featured Oshkosh in the "Guide to 375 Green Colleges."
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Accreditation Details
Placed on notice in November 2017, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh received Level VI accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) under president Karl Loewenstein. This regional body is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to cover Oshkosh's two associate, 67 baccalaureate, 19 master's, and two doctoral majors from Appleton to Oconomowoc and online. The College of Letters and Science is specifically accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) through October 2023.
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Application Requirements
With 65 percent acceptance, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh has "selective" criteria for declaring the BSW major. Sophomore Titans can apply after finishing 41+ credits, including Introduction to Social Work 93-167. Completing the University Studies Program with a 2.5 GPA is required, but the average is 3.3. Undergrads must verify the completion of 50 hours of volunteer work. Though wholly optional, UWO majors present an average ACT score of 22 too. Starting the Master of Social Work involves completing a bachelor's degree with 18+ liberal arts credits, including Statistics and Abnormal Psychology. The last 60 credits earned should have a 2.75 average or greater. Two years of relevant field experience are preferred. The Graduate Studies Division requires a minimum 79 TOEFL score or 700-level WESLI course for non-native speakers.
The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh has established priority deadlines of January 1st for freshman and March 1st for transfers. Fall cohorts are considered for the MSW until March 1st. Prospective students can log into apply.wisconsin.edu to complete the Application for Admission wholly online. If needed, excess materials are mailed to 800 Algoma Blvd. in Oshkosh, WI 54901. The Department of Social Work typically requests the following:
• $28 application fee ($56 for graduate)
• Official high school/college transcripts
• Current résumé of fieldwork experiences
• Contact information for two references
• Professional goals statement (3,000 characters)
• Signed NASW Code of Ethics form
Tuition and Financial Aid
Full-time Oshkosh BSW majors pay $3,793 as Wisconsin residents or $7,580 as non-residents each semester. The Midwest Student Exchange gives a slight discount for $5,368 per term. Living on-campus adds $7,792 for annual room and board. Budgets should leave $1,000 for textbooks and $2,700 for miscellaneous use. Total yearly cost of bachelor's attendance is $19,079 in-state and $26,652 out-of-state. The Master of Social Work currently costs Wisconsinites $489, Midwesterners $701, and non-residents $996 per credit taken.
According to the NCES College Navigator, 84 percent of beginning full-time UWO Titans share $38.6 million in financial assistance that averages $5,111 each. Social work students could snag institutional funds, including the Vicki Lord Larson Scholarship, Susan Hardy Heaney Memorial Scholarship, Michael E. Lawrence Scholarship, Agnes Drexler Kujawa Scholarship, and Aurora Health Care Scholarship. Filing the FAFSA via 003920 processes Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, Perkins Loan, Direct Loan, and PLUS Loan money. America's Dairyland offers the $1,084 Wisconsin Higher Education Grant and Talent Incentive Program Grant. The Titan National Scholar Program can waive out-of-state prices. Getting Federal Work-Study jobs can be pursued in Student Success Center Suite 125. The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh also accepts educational veterans benefits like the Montgomery GI Bill.
Learn more about University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh at the Department of Social Work website.