Master of Social Work (MSW)

A MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM TAILORED FOR YOU

Earn your MSW degree through our flexible and accessible 100% online program. Combine your passion for serving others with our expertise and established partnerships.

Why pursue your MSW at UWSP?

Flexibility
  • Most courses are asynchronous
  • Part-time or full-time enrollment available
  • Practicum hours can be completed in or near your home community
Connection
  • Select courses have an evening Zoom component that allows you to build relationships and stay connected to your peers and professors
Career Advancement
  • Prepares you for more advanced, higher-paying positions and leadership opportunities
  • Can qualify you for licensure, open doors to independent clinical roles, and equip you with high-demand skills such as policy advocacy and specialized clinical practice


GET STARTED TODAY!

Request information and start your journey in our online MSW program. Our team will reach out to you about attending an information session.

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Elevate Community Well-Being

With an emphasis on serving rural communities, our program prepares students to be collaborative organization leaders who advocate for social, economic, racial, and environmental justice and the development of responsive social policies, programs and services. The MSW at UWSP prepares students to abide by the NASW Code of Ethics and to employ systems, strengths-based, and empowerment approaches in serving individuals, families, groups, institutions, and communities.

 

Career Growth in Social Work

Your MSW degree is in demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of social workers is projected to grow 6% in the next ten years, faster than the average for all occupations. A variety of trends are influencing this growth including ongoing child welfare needs, the increasingly recognized value of social workers in school settings, the growth of our aging population, and more and more people seeking treatment for mental health issues and substance use disorders.

 

Online but Connected

Through our robust online program, we develop meaningful connections among faculty and students. While many classes are asynchronous, others have a required Zoom component that fosters collaborative skills, builds community, and allows for deeper exploration of concepts.

 

A Plan for Every MSW Student

Advanced or regular standing. Our program meets your individual needs. You will work with our advisers to help you follow a course plan that fits your graduation goals!

 

MSW TUITION

$625 per credit

FT Advanced Standing

Full-Time Advanced Standing

TermCreditsTuition + Fees*
Summer3$2,158  
Fall15$10,710  
Spring15$10,710  
Total33$23,578  

The MSW program is $625 per credit and is the same price for students who reside in-state or out-of-state.

*Tuition and fees totals include estimated segregated fees and distance education fees. Distance education fees are assessed at $50 per credit for online courses. Additional administrative fees may apply. Students pursuing the School Social Work pathway will be required to complete 2 additional credits.

UWSP Tuition and Fees

UWSP Financial Aid Office

PT Advanced Standing

Part-Time Advanced Standing

TermCreditsTuition + Fees*
Fall6$4,885  
Spring6$4,885  
Summer3 $2,158  
Fall9$6,600  
Spring9$6,600  
Total33$25,248  

The MSW program is $625 per credit and is the same price for students who reside in-state or out-of-state.

*Tuition and fees totals include estimated segregated fees and distance education fees. Distance education fees are assessed at $50 per credit for online courses. Additional administrative fees may apply. Students pursuing the School Social Work pathway will be required to complete 2 additional credits.

UWSP Tuition and Fees

UWSP Financial Aid Office

FT Regular Standing

Full-Time Regular Standing

TermCreditsTuition + Fees*
Summer3$2,158  
Fall14$10,085  
Spring14$10,085  
Summer3$2,158  
Fall15$10,710  
Spring15$10,710  
Total64$45,906  

The MSW program is $625 per credit and is the same price for students who reside in-state or out-of-state.

*Tuition and fees totals include estimated segregated fees and distance education fees. Distance education fees are assessed at $50 per credit for online courses. Additional administrative fees may apply. Students pursuing the School Social Work pathway will be required to complete 2 additional credits.

UWSP Tuition and Fees

UWSP Financial Aid Office

PT Regular Standing

Part-Time Regular Standing

TermCreditsTuition + Fees*
Fall6$4,885  
Spring6$4,885  
Summer3$2,158  
Fall8$6,035  
Spring8$6,035  
Summer3$2,158  
Fall6$4,885  
Spring6$4,885  
Fall9$6,600  
Spring9$6,600  
Total64$49,246  

The MSW program is $625 per credit and is the same price for students who reside in-state or out-of-state.

*Tuition and fees totals include estimated segregated fees and distance education fees. Distance education fees are assessed at $50 per credit for online courses. Additional administrative fees may apply. Students pursuing the School Social Work pathway will be required to complete 2 additional credits.

UWSP Tuition and Fees

UWSP Financial Aid Office

FAQ

What are the requirement differences between regular and advanced standing?

Regular Standing Admission Standards
Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. International applicants must have a degree comparable to a regionally accredited U.S. baccalaureate degree

Advanced Standing Admission Standards
Applicants must have a CSWE-accredited baccalaureate degree in social work, or an internationally earned ISWDRES-evaluated degree comparable to a baccalaureate in social work, earned within the last 7 years.

Note: We are currently only accepting regular standing students. Advanced standing students will be eligible to apply in August 1, 2026 for the Summer 2027 cohort.

How long will it take to complete the program?

Regular standing students:

  • Part-time: 4 years
  • Full-time: 2 years

Advanced standing students:

  • Part-time: 2 years
  • Full-time: 1 year
Can I complete the program all in my home community?

Yes! The courses are fully online with the required practicum to be completed in or near a student’s home community.

How many hours of practicum are required?

Regular standing students will complete 400 hours of practicum during the foundation year of the program and an additional 500 hours in a separate setting during the advanced year.

Advanced standing students will complete 500 hours of practicum during the advanced year.

Placement hours are dispersed throughout the academic year (September-May), averaging approximately 17 hours per week.

Does the program allow employment-based practicum placement?

Yes, but there is a specific application and screening process that must be completed for this option. We cannot guarantee employment-based practicum.

Will I be able to claim CSWE accreditation when I graduate?

Yes, we are launching the program in a way that all students will be able to claim the accreditation status when they graduate.

The UW-Stevens Point MSW Program has achieved candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). Candidacy status indicates that it has made progress toward meeting standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process. A program that has attained candidacy status has demonstrated a commitment to meeting the accreditation standards but has not yet demonstrated full compliance. Students that are admitted to candidate programs in the fall (or later) of the academic year in which the program is granted candidacy status will be retroactively recognized as graduates from a CSWE-BOA accredited program as long as the program attains initial accreditation. Candidacy is typically a 3-year process and attaining candidacy does not guarantee that a program will eventually attain initial accreditation. Candidacy applies to all program options, which include locations and delivery methods.  Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

Review our program’s candidacy status in CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs. For more information about social work accreditation, contact CSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation at accreditation@cswe.org.

logo in blue and white for Council on Social Work Education
What resources and services are available to MSW students?

MSW students have access to a variety of resources to support their academic success and well-being. These services are funded by a combination of tuition, distance education, and segregated fees. Resources include:

Dean of Students Office – Support for navigating academic, conduct-related, or personal challenges. Visit the Dean of Students website.

MSW Student Handbook – A comprehensive guide to program policies, curriculum, practicum education, and student expectations. Access the handbook here.

MSW Student Center – A Canvas-based site used during orientation and throughout the program as an ongoing resource. Students self-enroll after receiving UWSP credentials. It includes modules on curriculum, policies, practicum education, self-care, and professional development. Faculty and instructors encourage its use through advising and course activities.

Faculty Advising – Each MSW student is assigned a faculty advisor who provides individualized guidance throughout the program. Advising includes course planning, career development, and support for academic success. Students meet with their advisor at least once per semester and may request additional consultations.

Counseling Center – Offers online telemental health counseling and psychological services for students, including support for stress, anxiety, depression, and other concerns. Learn more and schedule services at the Counseling Center website.

Student Health Services – Provides virtual consultations, information, and referrals for health and wellness needs. While some services require in-person visits, many resources can be accessed remotely. Learn more at the Student Health Services website.

Tutoring-Learning Center – Offers online and virtual academic assistance for writing, research, and coursework, including one-on-one tutoring and workshops accessible remotely. Learn more at the Tutoring-Learning Center website.

Disability Resource Center – Provides accommodations and support for students with disabilities, including those enrolled in online programs. The DRC works virtually with students to ensure equal access to courses and learning activities. Learn more at the Disability Resource Center website.

Academic and Career Advising Center – Guidance on course planning, job search strategies, and career development. Learn more at the Academic and Career Advising Center website.

Financial Aid Office – Assists students with understanding and applying for financial aid, scholarships, and grants. Learn more at the Financial Aid website.

Veterans Services – Provides support for military-connected students, including assistance with VA benefits, tuition, and academic resources. Learn more at the Veterans Services page.

Student Experience and Transformation Office – Offers programs and services to enhance student engagement, leadership development, and transformative learning experiences. Learn more at the Student Experience and Transformation website.

Meet Your Faculty

Our experienced social work faculty at UW-Stevens Point will help you complete your MSW degree and prepare you to address the most challenging social concerns in our communities.

Archives: Faculty / Staff Profiles – Faculty / Staff Directory

Profile Photo: Amy Zlimen Ticho

Amy Zlimen Ticho

  • Professor
  • Chair, Department of Sociology and Social Work
  • [ More… ]
Profile Photo: Jess Bowers

Jess Bowers

  • Associate Professor
  • BSW Program Director
  • [ More… ]
Profile Photo: Keri Otte

Keri Otte

  • Assistant Professor
  • MSW Practicum Director
Profile Photo: Margaret Kubek

Margaret Kubek

  • Assistant Professor
SCI B341

Social Work Advisory Board

The UW–Stevens Point Social Work Advisory Board supports both the BSW and MSW programs by providing external, practice‑informed perspectives that enhance the quality, relevance, and community connection of social work education.

The advisory board plays an important role in strengthening curriculum alignment with workforce needs, supporting high‑quality field education, and advancing the mission of the social work programs through collaboration with community practitioners and stakeholders.

Advisory board members:

  • Provide insight on current and emerging issues impacting social work practice
  • Strengthen connections between the university and the practice community
  • Support continuous program improvement and student preparation for professional practice

Members serve two‑year terms and meet at least twice per academic year.

Inaugural Advisory Board Members

Students

  • Holden Caw (BSW Student)
  • Brandie Hanson (BSW Student)
  • Mallory McGivern (MSW Student)

Practice Professionals and Community Partners

  • Katie Haupt
  • Jacqueline Ingrouille
  • Teresa Kovach
  • Beth Larsen
  • Tim Moe
  • Joseph Rickert
  • Jennifer Schreiber
  • See ViXai Thao
  • Mykeerah Zarazua

Child Advocacy Studies

The certificate is administered by the Department of Sociology and Social Work.

View course catalog

Courses Required in the Certificate:
Consists of 9 credits.

  • SW 316 – Child Welfare Practice
  • SW 317 – Advanced Assessment and Intervention in Child Welfare
  • SW 318 – Responding to Survivors of Child Maltreatment

Social Justice and Equity

The Social Justice and Equity certificate critically examines the principles of social justice theory and practice, social activism, and cultivates professional proficiencies that address equity, diversity and inclusion – with particular focus in the United States. Coursework includes elective and applied courses as well as a core requirement course (SOC386). This certificate program consists of 12 credits.

Required Course
SOC 386 – Social Change and Social Movements Credits: 3

Applied Courses (3 Credits)

Choose from the following:

  • ENGL 347 – Grant and Proposal Writing Credits: 3
  • ENGL 370 – Legal Writing Credits: 3
  • BUS 201 – Writing and Presenting for Business Credits: 3

Elective Courses (6 Credits)

Choose from the following:

  • WGS 105 – Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies Credits: 3
  • SOC 270 – Race and Ethnicity Credits: 3
  • SOC 327 – Social Inequality Credits: 3
  • HIST 285 – Women in American History Credits: 3
  • REL 311 – American Religious History Credits: 3
  • REL 330 – Women and Religion Credits: 3
  • PHIL 381 – American Indian Environmental Philosophies Credits: 3
  • POLI 315 – Minority Group Politics Credits: 3
  • POLI 360 – Gender and Politics in Comparative Perspective Credits: 3
  • MSTU 394 – Sex, Media and Rape Culture Credits: 3
  • ENGL 278 – Asian American Literature Credits: 3
  • ENGL 279 – Chicano and Chicana Literature Credits: 3
  • ENGL 280 – American Indian Literature Credits: 3
  • ENGL 282 – Black Literature Credits: 3
  • ENGL 340 – Language, Gender and Sexuality Credits: 3

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact:

David Barry, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Sociology
Social Justice and Equity program coordinator
dbarry@uwsp.edu

Social Work – Online

EARN AN ONLINE SOCIAL WORK DEGREE, OPEN DOORS

UW-Stevens Point’s Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Students develop skill in working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities as well as advancing human rights, engaging in policy practice, using evidence-based strategies, and striving for inclusivity and equity across society. 

With the convenience of a 100% online degree pathway, students have maximum flexibility.  Most classes are offered asynchronously, with no meeting times, while some have a synchronous component offered via Zoom.  Canvas is used as an educational platform.

SOCIAL WORK BA SOCIAL WORK BS

SOCIAL WORK MAJOR ONLINE PATHWAY

UWSP Program Requirements*:

Consists of 64 credits in core social work, required supporting courses, and electives. *Students will take online individual courses to fulfill general education credits and supplement on-campus coursework.  Course credit will not be granted for life experience or previous work experience. Students must meet the following requirements:

  • Core Courses: SW 261, SW 262, SW 303, SW 316, SW 359, SW 361, SW 362, SW 365, SW 376, SW 377 or SW 385, SW 494, SW, 495
  • Supporting Courses: POLI 101, PSYC 110 and SOC 101.
    SOC 270 or SOC 327
    SOC 351 or PSYC 300 and
    SOC 352 or SW 352
  • Choose 3 additional elective credits: SW 381, SW 383, SW 384 or SW 387

You can find more information about the UWSP general education program by visiting the UWSP General Education page. View UW-Stevens Point course catalog.

Department of Sociology and Social Work

Work at Your Pace

Your online degree in Social Work provides you the flexibility to start or complete your degree fully online with instructors who are highly interactive in the remote learning environment. In addition to a regular 4-year plan of study, part-time and accelerated options are available.

 

Accredited Program

The B.A. and B.S. majors in Social Work are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

 

WHAT TO EXPECT

The UWSP Social Work program is designed to prepare students for entry-level professional social work as well as graduate study in social work. Students typically apply for acceptance into the program during their sophomore year. Learn more here!

All students are required to complete at least 400 hours of internship in an approved agency and meet in a weekly seminar each semester that they are interning. Internships can take place in the student’s home community. The Department of Sociology and Social Work has established relationships with more than 70 community agencies in Central Wisconsin and beyond, involving many different client populations.

JOBS FOR SOCIAL WORK GRADUATES

Social Work graduates are in demand, with a faster than average growth rate of 9 percent projected from 2021-2031 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Nationwide, social and community service manager openings are projected to increase 16 percent from 2022-2030. (Lightcast)

Typical jobs held by graduates include:

  • Health Education Specialist: $48,860 median salary
  • Probation Officer: $60,250 median salary
  • Social Worker: $50,390 median salary
  • Rehabilitation Counselor: $38,560 median salary
  • Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder Counselor: $48,520 median salary
  • Social and Community Service Manager: $74,000 median salary
  • School and Career Counselor: $60,510 median salary
  • Community Health Worker: $48,860 median salary
  • Social and Human Service Assistant: $37,610 median salary

Our graduates have worked for companies including:

  • Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
  • Marshfield Health System
  • Family Crisis Center
  • North Central Health Care
  • Behavioral Health Clinic
  • Mendota Mental Health Institute
  • Heartland Home Care & Hospice
  • Aspirus Wausau Hospital
  • Taylor County Human Services

Meet Your Faculty

UW-Stevens Point social work faculty have a broad range of experience within the field. Our Social Work faculty members hold a MSW/MSSW in social work, and several hold a Ph.D. or DSW in social work. They have expertise in mental health, substance use disorders, hospice and medical social work, school social work, and public child welfare. Students admitted into the social work major will be assigned one of the full-time social work faculty members as an adviser.

Profile Photo: Amy Zlimen Ticho

Amy Zlimen Ticho

  • Professor
  • Chair, Department of Sociology and Social Work
  • [ More… ]
Profile Photo: Jess Bowers

Jess Bowers

  • Associate Professor
  • BSW Program Director
  • [ More… ]
Profile Photo: Kate Kipp

Kate Kipp

  • Associate Professor
Profile Photo: Margaret Kubek

Margaret Kubek

  • Assistant Professor
SCI B341
Profile Photo: Tara Anderson

Tara Anderson

  • Assistant Professor
  • Coordinator, Substance Use and Addiction Studies Minor

Sociology – Online

GET CAREER-READY WITH YOUR ONLINE SOCIOLOGY DEGREE

Sociology students at UW-Stevens Point prepare to make an impact as they enter careers like the following: community and human service; law enforcement and criminal justice; teaching and education; public service and government; social justice advocacy and reform; general business and management.

Best of all, we now offer the convenience of the major, 100% online. Sociology graduates pursue careers in the private sector as well as advanced degrees in graduate school. Our instructors are dedicated to providing a quality education and have extensive experience in teaching online classes. 

SOCIOLOGY BA SOCIOLOGY BS

SOCIOLOGY MAJOR ONLINE PATHWAY AT UW-STEVENS POINT Same great major, but fully online!

The sociology major at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is rooted in 32 credits of coursework that builds analytical skills – through four required core courses – and then applies those skills – through electives that provide a foundation and the Applied Sociology Practicum that emphasizes practical experience.

Required core courses:

  • SOC 101 – Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
  • SOC 350 – Applied Social Theory (3 credits)
  • SOC 351 – Social Statistics (4 credits)
  • SOC 352 – Research Methods (3 credits)

Electives:

15 additional Sociology credits.  Course descriptions can be found in the course catalog here.

The Applied Sociology Practicum caps off the undergraduate experience and allows for a natural bridge into the professional world and/or graduate school, all toward career-readiness upon graduation. 


Department of Sociology and Social Work

Work at Your Pace

Your online pathway to a sociology degree provides you the flexibility to start or complete your degree fully online with instructors who are highly interactive in the remote learning environment. Most classes are offered asynchronously, with no meeting times, allowing for maximum flexibility for students. Some classes have a synchronous component, offered via Zoom. Canvas is used as an educational platform.

 

Stay Connected + Get Involved

Being an online student doesn’t mean you have to miss out! To connect students to the program, each other, and the university, we have created the SOC-HUB. All students majoring in Sociology have access to the SOC-HUB in Canvas. Students will meet their faculty and find academic, department, campus, and professional resources.

  • The Sociology and Social Work Organization (SSWO) involves students in extra-curricular activities related to sociology and social work. SSWO participates in a wide variety of activities such as hosting speakers and fund-raising for cancer research, food drives, and numerous other local volunteer activities.
  • The Alpha Kappa Delta honor society  promotes excellence in the study of sociology, the research of social problems, and other social and intellectual activities that will lead to involvement in the human condition.

 

 

WHAT TO EXPECT

Sociology is a highly versatile degree, and at UWSP, we focus on the skills and knowledge graduates need in order to improve organizations, communities, and society writ large. Our program emphasizes the career-readiness and professional proficiencies of Applied Sociology. In other words, we take the ideas of sociology and bring them to life through practical applications and experiences.   

All Sociology students are required to complete the Applied Sociology Practicum, an opportunity to utilize and apply their course knowledge to hands-on field or research internships. Internships are a type of experiential learning that provide students with both observational and hands-on knowledge to enhance their academic endeavors and increase their ability to perform professionally. The UW-Stevens Point Department of Sociology and Social Work has partnerships with community organizations and agencies across the region, and state, and beyond. We work with our online students specifically to establish contacts and placements where they live in order to serve the best experience possible. Students acquire transformative knowledge to succeed in their careers by completing our Applied Sociology Practicum.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIOLOGY GRADUATES

Employment for sociologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021-2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Jobs held by sociology graduates may include:

  • Survey Research: $59,740 median salary
  • Postsecondary Teacher: $79,640 median salary
  • Arbitrators, Mediators and Conciliators: $49,410 median salary
  • Management Analyst: $93,000 median salary
  • Strategic Project Management: $77,500 median salary
  • Social and Community Service Manager: $74,000 median salary
  • Training and Development Specialist: $61,570 median salary
  • Market Researcher: $63,790 median salary
  • Labor Relations Specialist: $77,010 median salary
  • Paralegal and Legal Assistant: $56,230 median salary
    (payscale.com)

Our graduates have worked for companies including:

  • Inclusa
  • Mendota Mental Health Institute
  • Peace Corps
  • Grand Chute Police Department
  • Portage County Health and Human Services
  • Community Care Connections of Wisconsin

Meet Your Faculty

Our diverse faculty, with backgrounds from around the U.S. and around the world, has expertise in a wide range of subjects including gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, family, demography, criminology, community studies, environmental sociology, globalization, social inequality, social change, and more. All sociology faculty members hold a Ph.D. Students majoring in sociology are assigned a sociology adviser at the beginning of their junior year or sooner.

Profile Photo: Ann Herda-Rapp

Ann Herda-Rapp

  • Professor
Stevens Point – SCI B327, Wausau – 304 North Hall, Marshfield – room 437
Profile Photo: David Barry

David Barry

  • Professor
  • Applied Sociology Practicum, field coordinator
  • [ More… ]
Profile Photo: Dorothy De Boer

Dorothy De Boer

  • Professor
  • Criminal Justice Minor coordinator
SCI B331
Profile Photo: M. David Chunyu

M. David Chunyu

  • Associate Professor
SCI B335
Profile Photo: Maggie Bohm-Jordan

Maggie Bohm-Jordan

  • Associate Professor
  • Coordinator, Health, Behavior, and Society Minor

Substance Use and Addiction Studies

The Substance Use and Addiction Studies Minor will prepare you to engage, assess, and intervene with individuals, families, groups, and communities impacted by substance use. You will gain knowledge and skills in the domains of assessment, case management, counseling, education, and professional responsibility. The minor, administered by the Department of Sociology and Social Work, is useful preparation for careers in social work, psychology, the criminal justice field, and the health professions.

The Substance Use and Addiction Studies minor, when paired with a major in social work or psychology- concentration in human services, is approved as a pre-certification education program by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) to satisfy the educational requirements toward certification as a substance abuse counselor.

DSPS grants certification for substance abuse counselors in the state of Wisconsin. To become certified, a person must apply for licensure with DSPS, have specialized coursework, documented work experience in an appropriately supervised substance use disorder counseling setting, and must pass state-required examinations.

Taking the Substance Use and Addiction Studies minor offers our students the opportunity to complete the required specialized coursework while concurrently earning their social work degree or psychology- concentration in human services degree. While students of any major can take the minor, our DSPS-approved substance abuse counseling curriculum can only be taken in conjunction with these degree programs.

Required, 24 credits


Take all of the following:
Descriptions in course catalog here.

  • PSYC 351 – Psychopathology  Credits: 3
  • PSYC 385 – Health Psychology  Credits: 3
  • PSYC 390 – Psychoactive Drugs and Behavior  Credits: 3
  • PSYC 401 – Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy  Credits: 3
  • SW 303 – Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions  Credits: 3
  • SW 383 – Introduction to Substance Use Disorders  Credits: 3
  • SW 384 – Substance Use Disorders: Advanced Practices for Recovery  Credits: 3
  • SW 385 – Mental Health and Co-Occurring Disorders: Resilience and Recovery  Credits: 3

Prerequisite (required for advanced courses in psychology and social work)


Not included in credit for the minor.

  • *PSYC 110 – Introduction to Psychology  Credits: 3
  • **PSYC 480 – Applied Theories of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Credits: 3
    *Prerequisite: Required for advanced courses in psychology and social work
    **Additional Coursework required for Psychology Human Services Majors planning to seek the State of WI SAC license

CONTACt

Tara Anderson, MSW, DSW, LCSW, CSAC
Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology and Social Work
SCI B 345
tanderso@uwsp.edu

Criminal Justice Minor

The Criminal Justice minor prepares students for work in the criminal justice field. It is designed to provide students with the courses needed for a successful career in criminal justice agencies and for graduate work in criminology and criminal justice. A minor in Criminal Justice is useful preparation for a career in police work, corrections, probation/parole, youth justice/programming, counseling, and social services. This minor is administered by the Department of Sociology and Social Work but can be coupled with a variety of majors.

The Criminal Justice minor consists of 22-23 credits. Course descriptions can be found in the course catalog here.

Required Classes – 9 credits

  • SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr.) or SOC 102 Social Problems (3 cr.) and
  • SOC 230 Criminology (3 cr.) and
  • SOC 334 Race, Crime, and Criminal Justice (3 cr.)

Electives – 9 credits

  • NRES 392 Environmental Law Enforcement Theory and Principles (3 cr.)
  • NRES 494 Conservation Law Enforcement Investigations (3 cr.)
  • PHIL 315 Philosophy of Law (3 cr.)
  • POLI 210 Politics of Crime and Punishment (3 cr.)
  • POLI 212 Law and Legal Systems (3 cr.)
  • POLI 335 Law and Society (3 cr.)
  • POLI 386 Politics of Terrorism and Homeland Security (3 cr.)
  • PSYC 351 Psychopathology (3 cr.)
  • PSYC 390 Psychoactive Drugs and Behavior (3 cr.)
  • SOC 270 Race and Ethnicity (3 cr.)
  • SOC 306 Social Aspects of Substance Abuse (3 cr.)
  • SOC 327 Social Inequality (3 cr.)
  • SOC 329 Gender and Crime (3 cr.)
  • SOC 330 Victimology (3 cr.)
  • SOC 332 Juvenile Delinquency (3 cr.)
  • SOC 333 Corrections (3 cr.)
  • SOC 335 Deviance (3 cr.)
  • SOC 344 Interpersonal Violence (3 cr.)
  • SOC 345 Community Corrections (3 cr.)
  • SOC 368 Sociology of Mental Health (3 cr.)
  • SOC 396 Special topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice (3 cr.)
  • SW 303 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions (3 cr.)
  • SW 383 Introduction to Substance Use Disorders (3 cr.)
  • SW 385 Mental Health and Co-Occurring Disorders: Resilience and Recovery (3 cr.)

Applied Requirement options – 4-15 credits

  • NRES 393 Conservation Law Enforcement, 15 cr., or
  • SOC 393 Police Academy, 15 cr., or
  • SOC 492 Applied Sociology Practicum, 3-6 cr., and
  • SOC 493 Applied Sociology Practicum Seminar, 1 cr., or
  • SW 494 Social Work Practicum, 8 cr., and
  • SW 495 Social Work Practicum Seminar, 1 cr.

For more information

Contact:

Dorothy R. De Boer
Criminal Justice Coordinator
Professor of Sociology
dorothy.deboer@uwsp.edu

Sociology

START ON YOUR CAREER PATH WITH A SOCIOLOGY DEGREE

Sociology is the scientific study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies and how people interact within these contexts. Potential career paths include community and human service; social activism; advocacy and reform; law enforcement and criminal justice; public service and government; teaching and education; and, general business and management.

Department of Sociology and Social Work

Why Study Sociology at UW-Stevens Point?

Sociology is a highly versatile degree, and at UWSP, we focus on the skills and knowledge graduates need in order to improve organizations, communities, and society writ large.  Our program emphasizes the career-readiness and professional proficiencies of Applied Sociology. In other words, we take the ideas of sociology and bring them to life through practical applications and experiences.

 

Applied Sociology Practicum

All Sociology students are required to complete the Applied Sociology Practicum, an opportunity to utilize and apply their course knowledge to hands-on field or research internships. Internships are a type of experiential learning that provide students with both observational and hands-on knowledge to enhance their academic endeavors and increase their ability to perform professionally. The UW-Stevens Point Department of Sociology and Social Work has partnerships with community organizations and agencies across the region and state. Students acquire transformative knowledge to succeed in their careers by completing our Applied Sociology Practicum.

 

Career Opportunities

Students are encouraged to explore career options throughout their time at UWSP to understand the abundance of options available with a degree in sociology. Graduates pursue careers in the public and private sectors as well as advanced degrees in graduate school. Entry-level positions for sociology degree majors are common in the public sector and can involve case work, program planning, development and evaluation, agency-based or outreach services, survey research, and statistical analysis. Careers in the private sector can include program consultancy, market research, policy analysis, and others.

WHAT TO EXPECT

A sociology major at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is rooted in 32 credits of coursework that builds analytical skills – through four required core courses – and then applies those skills – through electives that provide a foundation and the Applied Sociology Practicum that emphasizes practical experience.

Required core courses:

  • SOC 101 – Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
  • SOC 350 – Applied Social Theory (3 credits)
  • SOC 351 – Social Statistics (4credits)
  • SOC 352 – Research Methods (3 credits)

Electives:

15 additional Sociology credits.  Course descriptions can be found in the course catalog here.

The Applied Sociology Practicum caps off the Completing an internship as your final undergraduate experience and allows for a natural bridge into the professional world and/or graduate school.


ONLINE OPTION
Sociology students may choose our program coursework delivery in person or fully online with instructors who are highly interactive in the remote learning environment.

STAY CONNECTED + GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS

To connect students to the program, each other, and the university, we have created the SOC-HUB. All students majoring in Sociology have access to the SOC-HUB in Canvas. Students will meet their faculty and find academic, department, campus, and professional resources.

The department sponsors the Sociology and Social Work Organization, a student organization that involves students in extra-curricular activities related to sociology and social work. The organization participates in a wide variety of activities such as hosting speakers and fundraising for cancer research, food drives and numerous other local volunteer activities.

UW-Stevens Point also sponsors a chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta honor society, an organization that acknowledges and promotes excellence in the study of sociology, the research of social problems, and other social and intellectual activities that will lead to involvement in the human condition.

More opportunities can be found on the Stevens Point Involvement Network (SPIN).

MEet Your Faculty

Our diverse faculty, with backgrounds from around the U.S. and around the world, has expertise in a wide range of subjects including gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, family, demography, criminology, community studies, environmental sociology, globalization, social inequality, social change, and more. All sociology faculty members hold a Ph.D.

Profile Photo: Ann Herda-Rapp

Ann Herda-Rapp

  • Professor
Stevens Point – SCI B327, Wausau – 304 North Hall, Marshfield – room 437
Profile Photo: David Barry

David Barry

  • Professor
  • Applied Sociology Practicum, field coordinator
  • [ More… ]
Profile Photo: Dorothy De Boer

Dorothy De Boer

  • Professor
  • Criminal Justice Minor coordinator
SCI B331
Profile Photo: M. David Chunyu

M. David Chunyu

  • Associate Professor
SCI B335
Profile Photo: Maggie Bohm-Jordan

Maggie Bohm-Jordan

  • Associate Professor
  • Coordinator, Health, Behavior, and Society Minor

Social Work

MEET DIVERSE COMMUNITY NEEDS WITH A DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK FROM UW-STEVENS POINT

Becoming a professional social worker is a positive step toward a very rewarding career that can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and society as a whole. As a helping profession, social work involves working with people from diverse backgrounds in a variety of situations and across a multitude of practice settings. With a focus on enhancing human well-being, social workers strive to meet the needs of all people and empower those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and/or living in poverty.

The UW-Stevens Point bachelor’s program in social work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Upon graduation, students are eligible to apply for their social work certification through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.

Department of Sociology and Social Work

Why Study Social Work at UW-Stevens Point?

The social work curriculum at UWSP’s Stevens Point and Wausau campuses is designed to prepare students for entry-level professional social work as well as graduate study in social work. The UW-Stevens Point social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. All CSWE programs measure and report student learning outcomes. Students are assessed on their mastery of the competencies set forth by the Council on Social Work (CSWE).

Field Placements and Research

The Department of Sociology and Social Work has established relationships with numerous community agencies involving many different client populations in order for students to complete their required social work field placements. Additionally, students may participate in student-led and faculty-mentored research with the opportunity to present at the annual College of Letters and Science Undergraduate Research Symposium and other venues.

 

Career Opportunities

Bachelor’s level social workers are eligible for entry-level employment in a variety of practice areas including child welfare, youth justice, mental health, substance abuse, health care, aging, disability services and criminal justice. Examples of specific job titles include child protective services worker, foster care case manager, aging and disability specialist, crisis counselor, mental health case manager, discharge planner, nursing home social worker and job coach. Students are encouraged to explore career options throughout their time at UWSP to understand the abundance of options available with a degree in social work.

Scholarships and Awards

Scholarship selections are determined by the Department of Sociology & Social Work and awarded in the spring. Awards are available for majors and minors who meet particular criteria, including one for participants in a full semester abroad program.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Department of Sociology and Social Work is committed to helping new students achieve their social work/human services education goals. As a professional degree program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and consistent with the assessment policies of UW-Stevens Point, the Social Work Program undertakes a detailed, ongoing assessment of student achievement and learning outcomes. Students are assessed on their mastery of the competencies that comprise the accreditation standards of the Council on Social Work Education. View student handbook for more details.

All social work students must complete at least 400 hours of field placement in an approved agency and meet in a weekly seminar each semester that they are in their placement. This typically takes place during the student’s senior year and requires a formal application process. Field education is central to the development of competent, humane, knowledgeable, skilled, and effective social workers. It allows opportunities for applying classroom content and experiences to professional situations, developing and evaluating student readiness for professional practice, and developing collaborative partnerships among students, professionals, and university faculty. 

ONLINE OPTION
Social work students may choose to enroll in our CSWE-accredited program in person or fully online with instructors who are highly interactive in the remote learning environment.

GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS

The department sponsors the Sociology and Social Work Organization, a student organization that involves students in extra-curricular activities related to sociology and social work. Examples of organization activities include fund raising for cancer research, food drives and numerous other local volunteer activities. The Phi Alpha Honor Society provides a closer bond among students of social work and promotes humanitarian goals and ideals. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work. View more professional organizations.

More opportunities can be found on the Stevens Point Involvement Network (SPIN).

ACCREDITATION

The UW-Stevens Point social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation. All CSWE programs measure and report student learning outcomes. Students are assessed on their mastery of the competencies associated with the accreditation standards of CSWE. Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process.

A Solid Foundation for Graduate Study

Earning a master’s degree in social work (MSW) is an excellent way to advance your knowledge and skill for a career in social work. Doing so opens doors to certain areas of practice that require a master’s degree such as school social work, dialysis social work, and clinical social work. It also tends to increase marketability, pay, and chances of obtaining supervisory and/or administrative positions. Students who earn an undergraduate social work degree are eligible for advanced standing in graduate school, which allows them to bypass the first year of study and complete their MSW in one year at most universities.

Did you know UW-Stevens Point is paving the way for graduate success with our 100% online program? Our team will reach out to you about attending an information session.   

 

MEet Your Faculty

UW-Stevens Point social work faculty have a broad range of experience within the field. Our Social Work faculty members hold a MSW/MSSW in social work, and several hold a Ph.D. or DSW in social work. They have expertise in mental health, substance use disorders, hospice and medical social work, school social work, and public child welfare. Students admitted into the social work major will be assigned one of the full-time social work faculty members as an adviser.

Archives: Faculty / Staff Profiles – Faculty / Staff Directory

Profile Photo: Amy Zlimen Ticho

Amy Zlimen Ticho

  • Professor
  • Chair, Department of Sociology and Social Work
  • [ More… ]
Profile Photo: Jess Bowers

Jess Bowers

  • Associate Professor
  • BSW Program Director
  • [ More… ]
Profile Photo: Kate Kipp

Kate Kipp

  • Associate Professor
Profile Photo: Margaret Kubek

Margaret Kubek

  • Assistant Professor
SCI B341
Profile Photo: Tara Anderson

Tara Anderson

  • Assistant Professor
  • Coordinator, Substance Use and Addiction Studies Minor

Sociology Minor

Sociology Minor

A minor in sociology is an excellent complement to any major, since knowledge of human behavior, the structures of society, and social justice/inequality, coupled with the skills of analysis, are useful for students in any area of study.

The minor administered by the Department of Sociology and Social Work consists of 18 credits.

Two courses are required:

  • Sociology 101- Introduction to Sociology (3 cr.)
  • Sociology 350- Applied Social Theory (3 cr.)

The remaining credits may be earned in any other courses in sociology. See the course catalog for descriptions.