Social Work Degree Programs in Maine

Are you interested in learning about Social Work Degree Programs in Maine? Maine has a lot more to offer than their world-famous lobster tails and beautiful wildlife parks. If you are a resident of Maine and you would like to become a social worker, there are several different reputable colleges and universities offering Social Work degree programs that will prepare you for licensure or an entry-level position within the field or an upper-level position with experience and an advanced degree. Choosing a program that is accredited by a specialized agency at a school that has earned a regional or national accreditation is key before you apply for admissions or enroll. Here are 6 of the top programs that are offered by 4 of the best schools in the state of Maine:

Online Social Work Programs For You

University of Maine

School of Social Work

The University of Maine School of Social Work is dedicated to preparing students to become ethical and knowledgeable social workers and social work professionals. Students who graduate from the School of Social Work may become licensed clinicians, administrators, program planners, social change experts, and public administration specialists in both private and public settings. With a mission to improve the quality of life of all members of society, the School of Social Work encourages diversity and commitment.

The School of Social Work has been offering an undergraduate program majoring in social welfare since the 1950's, and a more focused Bachelor's of Social Work in 1972. The Master's program will help advance students who would like to work across many different systems, and uses a unique multi-method approach that has proven successful. The highly individualized curriculum will ensure personal growth while still catering to the student's preferred learning style. With both Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in part-time and full-time options, the School is dedicated to giving students the options that they need to succeed.

Baccalaureate Social Work Program

The undergraduate degree program in social work is designed to prepare students for the field with a foundation of knowledge in human behavior and social environment. This BA program, which started being offered to UM students in 1972, currently teaches an average of 125 undergraduate students per year. With nationally recognized faculty and a diverse student group, you will stay motivated and excited about school.

The program focuses on teaching students the generalist perspective of social work practice, and will subject students to field experiences in their junior and senior years. Every class that has been added to the curriculum has a purpose, and the undergraduate curriculum will build upon the liberal arts foundation that is gained after completing general education courses. As a Liberal Arts focused program, you can expect to take more humanities courses than math and science courses. In addition to these courses, the Social Work classes you will complete include: social work research, social work practice, social welfare policies, human behavior in social environment, and field instruction.

Upon graduation, you can expect to work with people of all ages in either public or private settings. From children to elders in nurseries or nursing homes, you will be prepared to work with any demographic in any public or private setting that you can find in the state of Maine. By completing your Bachelor of Social Work degree at the University of Maine, you will also enjoy advanced standing in the university's Master of Social Work program. This means that students who choose the advanced standing option will be able to earn a Master's degree in a shorter period of time then is generally required. If you are sure that you will be pursuing a MSW in addition to your BSW, taking this program can shorten the time it takes to fulfill social work licensing requirements in the state.

Accreditation

  • Council on Social Work Education since 1979

Contact

School of Social Work
5770 Social Work Building
Orono, ME 04469
Phone: (207) 581-2389
[email protected]
http://umaine.edu/socialwork/academic-programs/undergraduate-overview/

Master's of Social Work Program

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program was approved by the Board of Trustees in 1987. This two-year graduate program is designed to prepare social workers who want to keeping up with the changing society and who also would like to make a difference in the world. As a fully-accredited graduate program, students are guaranteed a quality education that meets the high standards of accreditation bodies like the Council on Social Work Education.

The goals of the program are to educate students with a strengths-based approach to work with clients and client systems. Upon completion of the advanced generalist curriculum, students will be ready to work as ethical and competent practicing social workers who work directly with clients. The curriculum will cover the advances in contemporary social work and diverse and sometimes complex social problems. Some courses are theory based, while others are skills based.

All Master of Social Work students will complete foundation curriculum, which has an emphasis on social work as a profession, and will then move on to complete advanced curriculum. The advanced curriculum will prepare students for advanced practice in social work. A field practicum is also required during the advanced curriculum phase of the program. This field work will meet the internship requirement of the state for licensing purposes while helping you acquire skills and values. Graduates of the MSW program with the University of Maine will be qualified to test for the Licensed Master Social Worker License after graduation.

Accreditation

  • Council on Social Work Education since 1991

Contact

School of Social Work
5770 Social Work Building
Orono, ME 04469
Phone: (207) 581-2389
[email protected]

University of Maine at Presque Isle

The University of Maine at Presque Isle was founded in 1903 and has been offering higher education options to residents in Maine and out-of-state students for more than a century. The small-university environment gives students access to more opportunities during their student careers, and the adventurous learning models keep people engaged in the cultural and natural environment. As a public institution, UMPI is one of the seven campuses in the University of Maine system, and it operates under the supervision of public officials. With 23 Bachelor's Degree programs, 7 Associate's Degree programs, 15 concentrations, and 25 minors, students who love natural, culture and excitement will enjoy studying at UMPI.

Bachelor of Social Work

The Bachelor of Social Work is designed to prepare students in the promotion of the well-being of people, families, organizations, and communities. If you would like to start an entry-level position in social work, this accredited BSW program may be right for you. You will study generalist curriculum to practice in a wide range of public and private settings, from group homes and public agencies, to schools and hospitals. As a generalist practitioner, you can work several different roles. Some of the titles you can pursue upon completion of the BSW program include: brokers, community organizers, researchers, case managers, supervisors, health administrators, or policy analysts.

Not only does the BSW program have theory based curriculum, students will also be required to complete two field practicums during their junior and senior years. These practicums will help you use the concepts that you learn in the classroom environment in a real-life work setting so that you are gaining hands-on experience. Once you complete the program, you will meet all of the requirements to become a Licensed Social Worker or a Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician in the state of Maine.

Accreditation

  • Council of Social Work Education

Contact

81 Main Street
Presque Isle, ME 04769
207-768-9422
[email protected]
http://www.umpi.edu/academics/social-work

University of New England

Westbrook College of Health Professions, School of Social Work

At the University of New England School of Social Work, the goal is encourage diversity while staying committed to human rights across the globe, social justice, and economic justice. One thing that sets the School of Social Work at the University of New England apart from others that are available in the state or even in the nation is that there are three different learning options that will meet the needs of any graduate student.

For those who like to interact with other advanced students and with professors face-to-face, the traditional setting may be best. For those who need maximum flexibility but who would still like classroom relationships, the hybrid course options blends online and traditional learning systems. If you are an independent learner and need the freedom to study anywhere in the world, a completely online class is also an option. With the UNE School of Social Work programs, you never have to worry about limits in terms of learning options or concentrations.

Master's of Social Work

The Master's of Social Work program at UNE takes a unique approach to a graduate program. The motto of the school is "Learning through action," and enthusiastic faculty members emphasize this by creating innovative learning opportunities for students. Earning a Master's of Social Work is more than just attending class or reading textbooks.

If you study with the School of Social Work, you will participate in community-based classes that take place in a community setting that is relevant to the subject. You will also be required to complete capstone projects and to participate in community projects so that you can put your understanding to action. With simulation labs, global social work opportunities, and field training, you will earn a lot more than just a degree from this program. Students will follow an advanced generalist practitioner model while helping the local and global communities.

Learning outcome are something that all students should take the time to research. The learning outcomes of the MSW program are unique to others in the state and across the globe. Some of the outcomes include: articulate and apply value-driven critical thinking skills, understand the Declaration of Human Rights, apply the principles of the declaration, and to understand the historical development of societal structures and the impact on well-being.

Accreditation

  • Council on Social Work Education

Contact

University of New England
11 Hills Beach Road
Biddeford, ME 04005
Phone: 207-602-2342
[email protected]
http://www.une.edu/wchp/socialwork/programs/campushybrid.cfm

University of Southern Maine

School of Social Work

The School of Social Work at the University of Southern Maine is committed to educating students who are studying for an undergraduate or graduate-level degree to be culturally competent and ethical. The curriculum is designed for multi-level, strengths-based practice in a variety of contemporary settings. The School of Social work values the well-being of individuals and groups, diversity, and social justice, and has a detailed commitment to diversity.

If you would like to become a social work practitioner, the School of Social Work is committed to preparing students by offering both Bachelor's and Master's of Social Work programs. The university and the school both welcome students of all ages, genders, abilities, social status, sexual orientation, race, creed and culture, and this is what creates the diverse environment that exists today. With a team of expert faculty members, partnerships within the community, and a safe learning environment, you will enjoy your college career and make a difference by studying at the University of Southern Maine.

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

If you are entering college for the first time, the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work will prepare you for an entry-level position of professional practice in social work. This undergraduate degree program consists of 45 credit hours in social work and 37 credits in foundation general education courses. In addition to completing the classroom based general education and core generalist practitioner modeled courses, students in a Bachelor's degree program will also have to complete a year of field work in their senior year.

The field practicum year will involve getting placed in a community social service agency that is partnered with the School of Social Work to gain professional, hands-on experience. During the year, you will complete 480 hours of field work while studying. The field instruction resources you will have at your disposal will prepare you for real life in the profession, and will also prepare you to be qualified to become a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Maine.

The course requirements of every BSW program varie, and knowing which courses are required to earn your Bachelor's degree is important. While you do have the option to choose electives and a concentration, some of the required social work classes of this BSW program include: Intro to Social Work, Intro to Social Welfare, Social Welfare Policy, Social Work Research, Human Behavior and Social Environment, Methods of Social Work Practice, and Examining Oppression. You must also take courses in sociology, criminology, and psychology to meet the requirements.

Accreditation

  • Council on Social Work Education

Contact

School of Social Work
University of Southern Maine
PO Box 9300, Room G41B Masterton Hall
Portland, ME 04106
Phone: 1-800-800-4USM
http://usm.maine.edu/swo/ba-social-work

Master of Social Work

For students who already possess a Bachelor's in Social Work or in a related major, taking the time to complete an advanced degree program can make a difference in the career path that the student can take. The School of Social Work at USM is also home to the MSW program, which is designed to prepare culturally competent social work practitioners for multi-level positions within the field. This accredited graduate-level program goes further in-depth than the BSW program, and covers advanced curriculum that will take entry-level professionals to the expert or advanced level.

Th MSW is a 61 credit hour program that can be completed in either a 2-year or a 4-year sequence. Full-time students will be done with their cohorts in 2 years, and part-time students will take an additional 2 years to graduate. As a full-time student, your first year will involved a broad-based introduction to the profession of social work. Once you complete the courses in your foundation year, you will move on to the concentration year. During this phase of the program, you will deepen your competency for multi-level professional practice and become much more of a creative and critical thinker. You will also complete two field work courses in challenging placements where innovation is a requirement.

Accreditation

  • Council on Social Work Education

Contact

School of Social Work
University of Southern Maine
PO Box 9300, Room G41B Masterton Hall
Portland, ME 04106
Phone: 780-4120
http://usm.maine.edu/swo/msw-social-work

Social work is a field that is all about embracing diversity and enhancing the well-being of members of society, families, groups, and communities. If you are a passionate person and you would like to become a generalist practitioner in the field of social work, it is important to choose a program that will help you meet the requirements of the Board of Licensing in the state while still keeping you engaged. There are a variety of different programs that you can choose from in the state, and sifting through each option is critical.

Be sure to select a program that is accredited and offers program options that are convenient for you while still catering to your learning style. Not only do you need to consider accreditation, you must also consider the cost of the program, classroom sizes, and graduation rates. By combining all of this information and crossing some of the programs off of the list, you can make the process of narrowing your list of social work degree programs in Maine easier.