About the UNE School of Social Work

Earn your social work degree in Maine or online with the University of New England — listed among the "Best Social Work Schools" by U.S. News & World Report and recognized as a top university by The Princeton Review.

Master of Social Work Update

Starting in spring 2023, the UNE Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program is transitioning all coursework to an asynchronous online format. The shift to online coursework will allow UNE to meet the evolving needs of prospective students while continuing to deliver a high-quality social work education. Current campus-based students will complete their coursework in the current in-person format until the Spring 2024 semester. Prospective M.S.W. students should contact and apply for the Online M.S.W. moving forward.

How Will You Do Good?

UNE’s School of Social Work provides students with the skills to have a positive effect in a rapidly-changing world. We take an experiential, integrated approach to professional social work learning. Our values-based curriculum is grounded in a philosophy of inclusion, and delivered within a close, caring community. Offering undergraduate and graduate-level studies, UNE will support your unique interests, and set you on a path of meaningful employment, social advocacy, and lifelong learning.

Our goal is to provide challenging, empowering, life-changing experiences that set graduates on a continuing path of meaningful employment, social advocacy, and lifelong learning."

— Jennifer O'Neil, Ph.D., LCSW, M.S.W., director, School of Social Work

Undergraduate Programs

Graduate Programs

Advanced Standing Track

Accelerated Track for Those With a B.S.W.

Already have your B.S.W. degree? Get on a fast track to obtaining your master’s degree in social work and reaching your professional goals. If you have a B.S.W. degree from an outside institution (CSWE Accredited), you may qualify to enroll in our Advanced Standing Track.

Council on Social Work Education logo

ACCREDITATION

UNE’s Master of Social Work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education's (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation. The last re-accreditation was completed in 2020. This information can be found in the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs. CSWE is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States. With a curriculum aligned to CSWE standards, the UNE M.S.W. prepares students for state licensure eligibility.

sydney wolf

Sydney Wolf ’22

Social Work

Why UNE

Going to UNE, where I am part of a community where I can stand up for what I believe in, is incredible. People here are supportive and accepting of students wanting to make positive change like I am doing with our chapter of Active Minds — a national organization that exists to encourage students to change the conversation about mental health. I was basically going around UNE saying, “I want to do this thing,” and professional staff, faculty, and students all responded in agreement and support. They were like, “That sounds like a fantastic idea. What can we do to help you?”

To be part of a campus that is creating a culture of community around mental health and impacting change is so powerful. It makes my heart happy. I know that I am making a difference. I’m only 19, and I can already add all of this great stuff to my resume before I’m even in my career. I’m not doing it alone, either, and that feels awesome. Sometimes I have tough, long days, but at the end of each one, I know that I am making a positive impact, and that feels good.

Everyone at UNE is welcoming of new ideas and trying to make this University a better place. I am excited to be part of a University that is so innovative and continue to work to innovate what mental health looks like every day.

Welcoming Community

My favorite thing about UNE is the community. Everyone is so welcoming and kind. I feel like you don’t get that at other universities. It’s a small, tight-knit community. Chances are high that your psychology professor knows your anatomy professor and that they’re even friends who go out for lunch together on the weekends. It’s a cool experience.

We have a small campus, and we are a high-touch university. For me, that has been fantastic. I feel close to the faculty and professional staff because they are so present and welcoming. Everyone is very encouraging and will go out of their way to talk to you and support you here. The academics are really challenging, but there is strong support in place too.

Going to UNE, where I am part of a community where I can stand up for what I believe in, is incredible. People here are supportive and accepting of students wanting to make positive change.

Social Work

Beautiful location

As a student in our School of Social Work undergraduate program, you study on UNE's scenic Biddeford Campus, where the waters of the Saco River flow into the Atlantic Ocean. Recently named the youngest city in Maine, Biddeford and its twin city, Saco, boast an up-and-coming, hip downtown offering delicious eateries, exciting social and cultural events, and more. With the transformation of the old mills into restaurants, breweries, housing, and retailers, there is something for everyone to explore. 

Take a Virtual Tour of Our Biddeford Campus

Virtual Tour

Recognition We've Received

Title
Best Online Master's in Social Work Degree Programs
Source
Intelligent
Year
2024
Title
Best One-Year M.S.W. Degree Programs Online
Source
Intelligent
Year
2024
Title
Best Schools for Social Work
Source
U.S. News & World Report
Year
2024