University of Nebraska - Grace Abbott School of Social Work

of Social Work

Our Mission

The mission of the Grace Abbott School of Social Work at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is to educate students to become highly social workers who serve all people, influence the systems that affect advance knowledge through teaching and research, engage with communities, and promote socially just societies.

Accreditation

The Grace Abbott School of Social Work (GASSW) BSSW and MSW programs by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Our Story

The Grace Abbott School of Social Abbott’s social activism and writings protected immigrants from abuse, students, faculty, and proud alumni.

There’s a reason to choose social work. ripple effect, first touching one person

Social Work educates professional change.

The ripple effect we speak of often lawmakers and government officials change for individuals, families and traditional and non-traditional students thread among our diverse student

qualified affect them, with diverse programs are accredited

Work is named for native Nebraskan and social reformer, Grace Abbott. writings contributed to programs that safeguarded mothers and families, and rescued child laborers. Today, that tradition is embodied in our alumni.

work. Answering a call to service changes more than one life—it has a person and eventually an entire community. The Grace Abbott School of social workers who engage with diverse communities and promote social

starts with a macro focus. Our students regularly engage with state officials concerning issues of policy and advocacy that ultimately affect positive and community groups. The Grace Abbott School of Social Work welcomes students to study in multiple areas of social work practice. The common population is a heart for service.

EXPLORE SOCIAL WORK

Social workers empower individuals, relieve suffering, and affect social change. They help meet the basic needs of all people and strengthen those who are vulnerable, oppressed, or living in poverty. One of the best parts about social work is that curiosity and exploration are encouraged. Most students enter the program without a set job in mind, only with an excitement to learn how best to make a difference in the world.

Social Work Career Options

A degree in social work opens a variety of opportunities for graduates. Over 715,600 social workers were employed in the United States in 2020, and the U.S. Department of Labor expects that number to grow by 12% by 2030.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) provides information about what a social worker’s role is like in the following areas:

• Colleges and universities

• Government agencies

• Health clinics and outpatient health care settings

• Hospice and palliative care

• Hospitals and medical centers

• Mental health clinics and outpatient facilities

• Private practice

• Psychiatric hospitals

• Schools

• Social services agencies

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Bachelor of Science in Social Work

The BSSW generalist program prepares undergraduate students for beginning social work practice within a variety of social service settings. The BSSW degree also prepares students for a graduate degree in social work (the MSW degree) at the advanced level (39 credit hours).

A degree from our accredited program qualifies graduates to receive the Certified Social Worker (CSW) credential in the state of Nebraska. Other states with licensure and certification of BSSW level social workers will also recognize this degree for licensure or certification.

socialwork.unomaha.edu/bssw

Transfer Students

Undergraduate students transferring from another institution should refer to UNO’s Transfer Articulation Guide to learn how coursework from other colleges and universities typically transfer to UNO. Students who are attending or have attended a local college or university may also use the Transfer Equivalency Guide for Pre-Social Work Students to find equivalents for the most commonly transferred courses.

Program Requirements

Admission to the BSSW program is competitive. Satisfactory completion of the pre-professional courses with a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or higher, successful performance in SOWK 1000 and SOWK 1500 with a grade of B or better, positive references and a well written personal statement evidencing potential for successful practice in the field of social work, are required. socialwork.unomaha.edu/apply

Master of Social Work Program

Coursework for the MSW program can be completed in the classroom, entirely online, or a combination of both.

Students in the MSW program gain a strong foundation of both micro and macro social work theory and practice skills. This balanced approach to curriculum supports the profession’s calling to work across myriad sectors and allows students to focus their education by choosing electives matching their specific area of interest.

Students learn through traditional education, service learning opportunities, and practicum experiences, and are equipped with skills to serve clients and communities across the life-span and create social change. socialwork.unomaha.edu/msw

Grace Abbott School of Social Work

MSW Courses

Degree Requirements

Required Foundation Courses* (24 credit hours)

SOWK 8070 HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT I

SOWK 8080 HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT II

SOWK 8090 SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY

SOWK 8110 INSTITUTIONAL OPPRESSION

SOWK 8130 GENERALIST PRACTICE I

SOWK 8150 GENERALIST PRACTICE II

SOWK 8160 GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM I

SOWK 8170 GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM II

Required Advanced Courses* (39 credit hours)

SOWK 8190 RESEARCH & COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

SOWK 8220 CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS

SOWK 8230 CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS

SOWK 8290 SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE IN HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH

SOWK 8650 HEALTH / MENTAL HEALTH POLICIES FOR SOCIAL WORK

SOWK 8510 SOCIAL WORK LEADERSHIP

SOWK 8540 PLANNING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

SOWK 8400 ADVANCED SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM I

SOWK 8410 ADVANCED SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM II

SOWK 8940 EVALUATION OF SOCIAL PROGRAMS

Electives

Select 9 credit hours. Students who are pursuing a graduate certificate or a graduate minor may be able to apply certain courses in those programs curricula as MSW electives.

* Foundation courses are required for students admitted to the MSW program who do not have an undergraduate degree in social work.

What is practicum?

A social work practicum provides students with a professional field experience that allows them opportunity to accomplish specific tasks at a community agency. Outlined in a learning contract, the student engages in various hands-on assignments designed to allow application of their academic knowledge in a social work environment and under the supervision of an approved educational supervisor.

Practicum Specifics

Students may begin practicum in the fall, spring or summer semester.

Students complete a total of 512 hours at one agency.

Students who are in an advanced MSW dual degree program have the option to complete 512 hours at one agency, or 256 hours at two separate agencies.

Students may complete a part-time practicum (16-20 hours per week over two semesters), or a full-time practicum (32-40 hours per week over one semester).

Students are supervised throughout their practicum by an approved educational supervisor (MSW or LCSW).

Michelle Nelsen

Continuing Education & Outreach Specialist mdnelsen@unomaha.edu

Susan Reay, EdD, LICSW

Faculty Community Engagement Liaison sreay@unomaha.edu

Ellen Rice, MS

GASSW Assistant Director/Strategic Partner erice@unomaha.edu

Katie Robbins Case, LICSW

Clinical Supervision and Training Specialist krobbinscase@unomaha.edu

Ditty Joy Varughese

Student Worker dittyjoyvarughese@unomaha.edu

GATSA focuses on developing the workforce, supporting and building meaning ful partnerships within the NU system and across Nebraska, and meeting the needs of social workers and mental health professionals who want to elevate the profession and serve the mission of GASSW and the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).

In addition to trainings and professional development,GATSA offers supervision for provisionally licensed mental health professional (PLMHPs and PLIMHPs), as well as individual and drop-in group consultation for fully licensed mental health professionals (LMHPs and LIMHPs), and drop-in ASWB exam prep.

Live Training Webinars

Synchronous trainings are delivered in person or live using web-based software.

Pre-recorded Training Webinars

Asynchronous trainings are available for viewing at a time and place of your choosing. CEUs are optional.

Supervision

Specilaized supervision from qualified and experienced supervisors is available and fufills requirements for licensure.

ASWB Exam Test Preparation

Synchronous online sessions provide information on test methodology and logic, anxiety reduction, study plans and content outlines for exam catagories.

Grace Abbott School of Social Work Leadership

Von Nebbitt, Ph.D.

Director

vnebitt@unomaha.edu

Ellen Rice, MS

Assistant Director erice@unomaha.edu

Deborah Circo, Ph.D., LICSW

Graduate Program Chair dcirco@unomaha.edu

Peter Szto, Ph.D.

BSSW Program Coordinator pszto@unomaha.edu

Ciara Warden, MSW, LISW

Admissions Chair, MSW Outreach Coordinator cwarden@unomaha.edu

Konnie Kirchner, MSW, LCSW

Practicum Coordinator kkirchner@unomaha.edu