Master of Social Work (MSW)

Master of Social Work (MSW) prepares graduates for advanced professional practice in an area of concentration. The MSW program will prepare UAEU graduates to enter the job force as specialized practitioners, accepting leadership roles within the areas of health/mental health, criminal justice, applied research, policy analysis, community education, schools and in the planning and provision of social services in other areas.

The Master of Social Work consists of 30 credit hours of specialized course-work and practicum for students with a Bachelor degree in Social Work (BSW). The MSW program also welcomes students with a bachelor degree in disciplines other than social work. However, for these students, the program of study will consist of foundation courses (30 credit hours) in year 1 and specialization courses (30 credit hours) in year 2 for a total of 60 credits hours.

Admission Requirements

Applicants o the Master of Social Work Degree Program must meet the current UAEU graduate admission requirements (GPA; IELTS & TOEFL scores, including Tuition and program costs) and the MSW program requirements.

The minimum requirements are:

1. A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent, in all undergraduate work.
2. A Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited university recognized by the UAE ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
3. A score of at least 6.0 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic exam or equivalent, for all disciplines, delivered predominantly in English.

The test score must be less than two years old at the time of application, with the following exceptions:

2. A native speaker of English who has completed his/her undergraduate education in an English-medium institution and in a country where English is the official language.
3. An applicant with an undergraduate degree from an English-medium institution who can provide evidence of acquiring a minimum TOEFL score of 500 on the paper-based test, or its equivalent, at the time of admission to his/her undergraduate program.
   1. A native speaker of English who has completed his/her undergraduate education in an English-medium institution and in a country where English is the official language.
   2. An applicant with an undergraduate degree from an English-medium institution who can provide evidence of acquiring a minimum TOEFL score of 500 on the paper-based test, or its equivalent, at the time of admission to his/her undergraduate program.

In addition, there is one further admission requirement:

Applicants must attend an interview.

1. An applicant with a Bachelor degree recognized by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research may be granted conditional admission into a Master’s program in one and only one of the following cases:

An applicant with an IELTS score of 5.5, or its equivalent. Such a Student must meet the following requirements during the period of conditional admission or be subject to dismissal:

1. Must achieve a minimum IELTS score of 6.0, or its equivalent, by the end of the student’s first semester of study.
2. May take a maximum of six )6) credits hours in the first semester, not including intensive English courses;
3. Must achieve an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the first 9 credit hours of credit-bearing courses studied in the Master’s program.

An applicant with an undergraduate cumulative GPA less than 3.0 but equal or higher than or its equivalent. Such a student must meet the following requirements during the period of conditional admission or be subject to dismissal:

1. May take a maximum of nine (9) credits hours in the first semester of study.
2. Must achieve an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the first 9 credit hours of credit-bearing courses studied in the Master’s program.

An applicant with an undergraduate cumulative GPA less than 3.0 but with relevant work experience factored into the calculation of the GPA to become equal or higher than 2.5. Such a student must meet the following requirements during the period of conditional admission or be subject to dismissal:

• May take a maximum of nine (9) credits hours in the first semester of study.
• Must achieve an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the first 9 credit hours of credit-bearing courses studied in the Master’s program.

Conditional Admission

The CBE uses the following formula that takes into consideration the applicant’s work experience where the student’s undergraduate GPA is below 3.0:

• 200 * GPA +10 * (years of experience –minimum 3 years) ~ 500.(will change)
• A student who achieves 500 or more through this calculation is not automatically admitted to the program. They must also be approved by the Exceptions Committee, which consists of the dean, associate dean, and a senior faculty member.
• Further, if a student is admitted by this calculation, they will have to earn grade B or better in their courses for the first semester in the program in order to continue with the remainder of the program.

Program Requirement: Two Tracks for the MSW program.

1. 30 credit hours for those with BSW degree. A 3-semester Advanced Standing Program of the study and,
2. 60 credit hours for those without a BSW degree.The MSW 6 semester Bridge Program of study.

There is no thesis requirement for the MSW degree.

Degree Requirements

Required Credit Hours: minimum 30 hours

Bridge Program

Program Tuition

Fees are listed below. For payment information contact UAEU