Utica College

Programme overview

Utica College's Master of Social Work is an online graduate degree that centers recovery values within clinical social work education. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for direct clinical practice with individuals, families and groups, integrating recovery-oriented approaches alongside traditional clinical theories. The program is delivered fully online with no residency requirement and is structured to accommodate working professionals.

What you'll study

Coursework emphasizes mental health service provision across research, policy and practice. Specific topics and course emphases named by the program include:

• Recovery theory and recovery-oriented approaches
• Trauma-informed practice
• Mental health assessment
• Mental health advocacy
• Clinical practice courses synthesizing recovery theory with traditional clinical social work theories
• Research and policy courses focused on improving skills as a mental health service provider
• A four-hour personal counseling requirement to promote self-awareness from the client perspective

Entry requirements

The source text does not list formal admissions criteria. The program offers two curricular tracks—an advanced option for students with a bachelor's in the field and a regular option for students without a BSW—which implies different credit requirements by prior preparation.

Career prospects

The degree is aimed at those pursuing roles as clinical social workers and other mental health providers working in direct practice with individuals, families and groups. Graduates are prepared to apply evidence-based, recovery-oriented and social justice lenses when supporting diverse and often marginalized populations; the program highlights the growing need for mental health professionals in both urban and rural settings.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The program page does not specify funding options. Prospective students should consult Utica University's central financial aid and scholarship pages and contact the program directly for information on tuition assistance, employer tuition benefits, and other funding opportunities. The online, no-residency format may facilitate part-time work while studying.