Where will your master’s degree in Social Work take you?

By Gillian Sclafani | November 14, 2022 | Comments 0 Comment

The University of Louisville’s online Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program prepares students for a rewarding career in the field of helping others, becoming change makers and giving back to their community. Within the highly ranked and accredited MSSW program, offered through the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science, students have the option of customizing their degree to align with their specific interests by choosing from one of five concentration paths. The five concentrations include Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Gerontology, Mental Health, Military Social Work and Psychosocial Oncology. Upon completion of UofL’s online Master’s in Social Work degree, graduates will be eligible to become Certified Social Worker (CSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in their respected state. As requirements vary by state, students are encouraged to view the licensing requirements for their specific state(s) in which they wish to practice in, prior to completing their degree.

As within any field of study, the job opportunities vary depending on a student’s interest of study. Earning your MSSW with a concentration will better prepare graduates for the diverse and ever-changing field of social work. The following information highlights the specific concentrations within the MSSW degree and highlights the various places of employment graduates can work post-graduation.

Alcohol & Drug Counseling Concentration:

The Alcohol & Drug Counseling concentration prepares graduates with the knowledge and background needed to secure and succeed in a career as a substance abuse counselor or case manager. As substance abuse continues to climb throughout the United States, graduates within the Alcohol and Drug Concentration are prepared with the knowledge and skills to combat the epidemic. The coursework also fulfills some requirements needed to earn the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certification. Some occupational career paths post-graduation include:

Medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse hospitals
Outpatient substance abuse clinics
Inpatient detoxification and rehabilitation facilities
Residential intellectual and developmental disability, mental health, and substance abuse facilities
Private practice
Physicians’ offices

Gerontology Concentration:

Gerontology concentration empowers students to become leaders in the dynamic field of aging and social work. This concentration is geared towards meeting the demand for social workers trained to respond to the needs of older adults and their families. Students who graduate with their MSSW concentration in Gerontology will benefit from field practice in a variety of gerontology programs as well as affording graduates the opportunities to network with professionals and build meaningful relationships with older adults. Some occupational career paths post-graduation include:

All-inclusive care for the elderly facilities
Specialized senior assistance programs
Hospices
Nursing homes
Residential care facilities

Mental Health Concentration:

The Mental Health concentration delivers the necessary preparation and knowledge for anyone considering entering the mental health field as a social worker. Studies in this specialization focus around theories on the progression and cause of mental illness as well as diagnostic and assessment skills, all in the context of social work practice. Students will learn about the available mental health services and policies and experience the field firsthand with an advanced practicum rotation. Some occupational career paths post-graduation include:

Private practice
Hospitals
Mental health clinics
Rehabilitation treatment facilities
Community health organizations
Residential care facilities

Military Concentration:

The Military Social Work concentration prepares students to support active-duty service members, veterans and their families. Coursework focuses on theoretical perspectives and policy implications relevant to these groups, as well as programs and application of interventions to ameliorate them. Some occupational career paths post-graduation include:

Military bases and units
Medical facilities
Military support centers
Veteran Affairs health centers
Community service organizations
Private practices

Psychosocial Oncology Concentration:

The Psychosocial Oncology online concentration addresses an evolving demand for skilled professionals who understand the complexities surrounding the psychosocial health needs of persons with cancer. Coursework emphasizes application of clinical skills across the cancer continuum. Graduates of this concentration receive a Certificate in Psychosocial Oncology in tandem with their master’s degree. Some occupational career paths post-graduation include:

Hospice
Cancer treatment centers
Private practice
Hospitals
Rehabilitation treatment facilities
Community health organizations

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of social workers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2021 to 2031. The online Master of Science in Social Work degree is designed for the next generation of social workers, preparing them to promote social justice and be positive change agents in their community. Whether you are looking to work in a hospital, residential treatment center or a wide variety of other occupational career paths; earning your master’s degree from University of Louisville will position you for a successful career in social work. If you are interested in learning more about the various concentrations or the program as a whole, click here.

Life is full of challenges. Your online education doesn’t need to be one of them.

By Ashley Jefferson | February 7, 2019

Julia Parsons (pictured above) wanted to go back to school for her family, in addition to realizing her dream of becoming a mentor and guiding force for college students. “I work full-time, I’m a mom and I’m a wife,” Julia says. Returning to school for her master’s degree was about “supporting my family and showing my daughter that I’m going to do what I set out to do.”

When Camille Jones graduated with her associate’s degree, she was pregnant with her daughter. “I worked for 15 years or so and I wanted to go back to school, but really didn’t have the time because I was a wife and mother of two kids.” She never gave up on her dream of going back to school, though, and she knew it was time when she kept hearing potential employers tell her the same thing. “I had interview after interview,” Camille explains, continuing that each time they would say, “We want to give you this job but you need a bachelor’s degree.”

For Troy Marables, the first in his family to go to college, it was about realizing his full potential. Troy received a promotion at work after 20 years of service, but felt he hadn’t gone as far as he wanted to go. “I needed to go back to school and get my degree in order to move to the next level of management.”

You may have dreamt about earning a college degree or going back to school, too. And each time you thought about it, you came up with reasons it wasn’t possible.

Like Camille, Troy and Julia, it’s time to turn your “why” into “how.”

Whether you want to earn your bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or obtain a specialized certificate, you can make your dreams come true through an online degree or certificate from University of Louisville (UofL) Online. UofL Online provides the support, expertise and student-driven focus needed to help you reach your goals.

It’s about you

Everyone has a reason for wanting to go back to school. They have their own unique set of circumstances that may have kept them from taking the first step. UofL Online has a team of trained counselors, faculty and support staff to help you throughout the discovery and decision process.

This is your dedicated team. They’re available to listen to your concerns, answer questions and guide you to the resources you need. They are truly dedicated to your success and will work with you every step of the way on your journey.

It’s about excellence

The faculty teaching at UofL Online are thought leaders and researchers actively contributing to the advancement of their fields through their work—and the same world-class instructors as the traditional, on-campus programs. For online students, this means exposure to new research, an environment of innovation, a culture of excellence and forward-thinking ideas. Because UofL is a tier 1 research institution, you have the opportunity to learn from the best and the ability to be directly involved in making a difference, even before earning your degree.

UofL faculty are preparing students today for the challenges of tomorrow, empowering them to be leaders and influencers in their chosen professions and their communities.

**It’s about time—and your time is now.**

UofL students come from all walks of life, all stages of career, with various backgrounds and from diverse cultures. Chances are you already know someone who has a degree from one of their programs. Now it’s your time to join UofL’s learners’ community.

With most of the online programs available at UofL, you won’t need to attend classes at set times. Choose the time that’s right for you to get your work done and meet course deadlines. You’ll also be able to work on your assignments and collaborate with classmates from any location.

Take the first step. Visit UofL Online to see what programs are available and start your journey. UofL currently has 32 online degree and certificate programs, with even more coming during the 2018-2019 academic year.

Turn your “why” into “how”. Gain the knowledge and confidence you need to knock down the barriers holding you back professionally. Become an inspiration to your family and friends. Most importantly, earn a sense of pride and accomplishment as you move past your hesitations, and embrace a future of possibilities.

“You can do it,” says Julia. “If it’s something that you want, that you have a passion for, and it’s where you see yourself in the future, then go for it.”

This blog post was originally published on Insider Louisville.

Building a future in franchise management—newly launched online certificate

By Ashley Jefferson | August 30, 2018

Aiming to address a current education gap in business education, the University of Louisville’s College of Business recently launched the innovative Franchise Management Certificate—designed to prepare franchisees to own their future!

Targeted toward current and future franchise owners, this program delivers expertise in areas fundamental to franchisee success such as franchise team management, franchise law, human resources management, finance, strategic planning and more.

The University of Louisville is working closely with the International Franchising Association (IFA) to align the requirements for credits to apply toward the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) certification.

“Understanding where the gaps in knowledge remain within the industry was crucial to developing a truly student-centered certificate program. Through close partnership with industry experts and experienced franchise managers, the Franchise Management Certificate emphasizes ‘real world’ application to best prepare graduates for a successful future in franchising.”
Todd Mooradian, Dean, UofL College of Business

Notably, the program offers 5-week terms, meaning students can complete the 6-course program one class at-a-time in a just over half a year.

The Franchise Management Certificate is the first in a series of specialized online certificate programs designed to support growth in key industries unique to Louisville.

“Online learning is an extremely important area of growth for the University of Louisville. We continuously strive to offer programs that deliver education at the standard of quality the University is known for while also meeting the needs of today’s adult learners. The online Franchise Management Certificate is just one example of our commitment to bring innovation to higher education.”
Kristen Brown, Associate Director, UofL Online

Want to find out how you can build a stronger future in franchise management? Visit uofl.me/2ws39j2 today!

5 Reasons to Love Online Learning

By admin | February 13, 2018

5 Reasons to Love Online Learning This Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is upon us! From chocolate to flowers to romantic dinners, it’s a time to celebrate the ones we love.

But Valentine’s Day can also be the perfect time to show ourselves some love.

If you’ve been considering a career change or you’re searching for that path to a promotion, revisiting the classroom is a sure bet. Explore these five reasons to love online learning this Valentine’s Day.

1) Flexibility Is As Sweet As Candy

Many online degree and certificate programs are asynchronous — you don’t have to log on at any specific time for group discussions or lectures. That means you can take Valentine’s Day off from school work to spend more time with your sweetheart.

Even though most classes will have specific due dates for assignments and exams, the decision to study at 3pm or 3am is entirely up to you, and you’ll never find yourself losing sleep to stumble in to that 8am class or rushing out of work to get to your evening class on time. You’ll have 24/7 access to all your course materials, lectures, discussion boards, and more to use when you find most convenient and when you’re most in the mindset to learn.

2) Tuition Savings Are Dreamy

Beyond the advantages of flexibility, there are also a number of tuition advantages for online learners.

Take our competency-based Healthcare Leadership track as an example. This program offers a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), which allows you to apply your life or professional experience toward tuition-free credits. This is essentially like “testing out” of material you’re already familiar with, in order to accelerate your path to graduation.

Similarly, our online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will help you build a nursing portfolio in which you apply your professional experience toward up to 30 tuition-free credit hours. That’s a potential savings of almost $15,000!

For the many online degree programs that don’t offer a PLA or portfolio benefits, there is always the possibility of employer-sponsored tuition assistance. As of 2012, EdAssist found that 71% of U.S. employers offer some level of tuition assistance to their employees. Even if your company doesn’t have an existing tuition assistance program, it’s worth discussing with human resources, since there is growing emphasis on continuous education and training at most companies in order to retain employees.

If you don’t have access to employer tuition assistance, there are lots of scholarship opportunities available, as well as scholarships reserved specifically for adult learners and non-traditional students returning to the classroom.

Last, but not least, transferring credits is a helpful way to save on tuition and more quickly reach graduation. For undergraduate programs, you may transfer credit to UofL from any regionally-accredited university. Graduate credits from accredited institution may be transferred as well — typically, up to six credit hours may count toward your degree requirements.

3) Self Paced Learning = Self Love

Between focusing on your career, raising a family, having a social life, and all the other responsibilities you carry, life can sometimes be hectic. And trying to stack an online degree on top of all that? Right…

The great thing about seeking your degree online is courses are often at least partially self-paced. If you need to reschedule your study time to make it to your kid’s basketball game or school event, you can do just that without worrying about missing a lecture or in-class assignment. If you have a sudden emergency or any of your schedules collide, you can catch up later by watching a recorded lecture or re-arranging your schedule to make time for finishing up those couple chapters of reading.

Long story short: with online learning, you don’t have to choose between your personal life and an education. Show some self-love by giving yourself the flexibility needed to maintain all parts of your life alongside earning a degree.

4) Build Relationships Around the World

Without the common meeting time and face-to-face interaction you find in a traditional education setting, you might be thinking online classes are characterized by isolation and feeling like you’re taking on this challenge alone.

You might be surprised to learn professors are highly-engaged with students through video conferencing, texting, and email, and that virtual study groups, discussion boards, and social media groups offer lots of opportunities to build lasting friendships with students and faculty all across the world. This is especially true in cohort-based programs, in which a group of students moves through the degree program as a single unit. In a cohort, you’ll share classes with many of the same students from semester to semester, so it’s easier to form study groups and friendships even though you’re in an online environment.

Online degree programs are also a breeding ground for professional networking opportunities, because they tend to be more populated by career-oriented adults who may have years of experience in a specific industry or at a company you’re interested in pursuing. There is a great variety of people you could meet in online courses — people from different states, countries, life experiences, careers, leadership levels, and goals — who can enrich your life personally and professionally.

5) Finding New Passions

Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, right? You might feel stuck in your job or burned out with your current career. You might not feel going back to school is an option, since you’re trying to balance a busy home life while working full time.

How can you get that passion back? By trying different things!

Online classes come with a lower investment than a traditional, on-campus format, since you won’t need to completely re-work your life around being on campus throughout the day. That means you can try different classes and experience studying a variety of topics in pursuit of your passion without much interruption in your current day-to-day life.

You can jump around different general education courses to get a feel for psychology, business, the humanities, information technology, and plenty more until you find an area that piques your interest. While that does come with a price tag, of course, can you truly put a dollar amount on the value being happy in your career and living a life of passion?

About UofL Online Learning

The University of Louisville currently offers dozens of online degree and certificate programs in various areas of study for adult learners who are not able to come to a physical campus, but want to earn a college degree or certificate and advance their career.

The University of Louisville is a nationally-recognized, metropolitan research university, with a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, as well as the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse community of learners.

Tag: Online Degrees