Grace Abbott School of Social Work

Multiple images of students sitting and talking, listening in class, and working in a child care center.

Ready to Change Lives? Start Here.

Gain the skills and hands-on experience to become a professional social worker in a field that matters more than ever.

Why choose UNO?

At UNO, our Social Work programs prepare students to become highly qualified professionals who create meaningful change for individuals, families, and communities. Whether you choose the traditional in-person Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), the flexible fully online BSW program, or the Master of Social Work (MSW) program, you’ll gain the knowledge, support, and hands-on practicum experience needed to thrive in a growing, high-impact field.

Guided by expert faculty committed to teaching, research, and community engagement, UNO students learn to serve all people, engage with diverse communities, influence the systems that affect people’s lives, and advance positive change through compassionate, informed practice.

Bachelor of Social Work

Online Bachelor of Social Work

Master of Social Work

Students talking and sitting in a classroom at a table full of swag. — Hands-On Learning Experience

Apply classroom learning in real-world social service settings through hands-on practicum experiences.

Gain professional experience under the supervision of approved community social work practitioners.

Build practical skills in advocacy, clinical services, community organizing, research, and social systems intervention.

Work with diverse populations while addressing complex social and community challenges.

Participate in Generalist Field Practicum opportunities designed for BSW and foundation-level MSW students.

**Students:** Click below to learn more about practicum opportunities and placement requirements.

**Supervisors:** Click below for information on becoming a practicum supervisor or supporting UNO social work students in the field.

Student Information Supervisor Information

Social Work Programs Designed for Real Life

Student posed in a room with flower art on the walls. — **Become License-Ready, Faster**
Build the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to pursue social work licensure with confidence. UNO’s social work programs prepare students for real-world practice through field placements, faculty mentorship, and career-focused coursework designed to support your next step after graduation.
**Save More on Your Degree**
Earning your social work degree shouldn’t mean overwhelming debt. UNO offers affordable tuition, flexible learning options, and social work-specific scholarships to help students invest in their future while keeping costs manageable.
**Learn Skills You Can Use Right Away**
From crisis intervention and advocacy to communication and case management, UNO students develop practical skills that translate directly into the workplace. Many students apply what they learn immediately in internships, nonprofit work, healthcare settings, and community organizations.
**Support at Every Step**
You won’t navigate your journey alone. UNO’s social work students benefit from dedicated faculty, academic advising, peer support, and career guidance from enrollment through graduation—and beyond.

Everything You Need to Know

Admission Requirements for the Traditional and Online BSW Programs – Fall 2026 Start

Students applying to the Traditional or Online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs must meet the following requirements prior to the Fall 2026 program start date. While these requirements do not need to be completed at the time of application (application window: November 1 – July 1), they must be fulfilled before the program begins.

Admission Requirements:

Completion of at least 60 credit hours
Completion of general education requirements
Completion of the following courses (or their equivalent):
- SOWK 1000: Social Work and Social Welfare
- SOWK 1500: Social Work and Civic Engagement
- SOWK 2120: Race, Class, and Gender

Note for Transfer Students:

Transfer students completing an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree will typically meet the 60 credit hour requirement and likely fulfill general education requirements as well. For those not completing a degree, we are happy to review transcripts to determine eligibility.

If you have not yet completed SOWK 1000, 1500, or 2120, these courses are available fully online during the summer semester at UNO and can be taken before the program begins.

Admission Requirements for the MSW Program

Bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (or international equivalent) required.
Applicants may apply during their final year of undergraduate study.
Minimum 3.0 GPA preferred; applicants with a 2.7 GPA may be considered for provisional admission.
Official transcripts and application materials must be submitted to Graduate Studies.
Letters of recommendation are required.
International applicants may need to submit English proficiency scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo).
A statement of academic and career goals is required.

Undergraduate Admissions:

Along with your application, you’ll be asked to submit test scores and an official high school transcript. No application fee is required for domestic students.

Your records must show completion of the 16 minimum course unit requirements (below) and one of the following:

Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale)
Class Ranking in the upper 50%
ACT composite score of 20+
SAT score of 1040+

Graduate Admissions:

Along with your application, you will need to submit:

Undergraduate transcript(s)
A personal statement on your career plans and program
Three (3) letters of recommendation
Application fee
Application Deadline: July 1, 2026

UNO offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship opportunities to help make a social work degree more affordable. Grace Abbott students may qualify for general UNO scholarships, scholarships specifically for social work students, reduced Omaha Urban Rate (OUR) tuition for students in select states, and programs like the Nebraska Promise, which provides free tuition for eligible Nebraska students.

Learn more about:

UNO’s social work advisors are here to support you every step of the way — from exploring programs and planning coursework to preparing for practicum experiences and graduation. Whether you’re a prospective student or currently enrolled, our advising team can help you stay on track and connect you with the resources you need for success.

BSW Student Advisor

Nazaneen Rahmanzai

nrahmanzai@unomaha.edu | 402.554.6701 | CPACS 112

MSW Student Advisor

Heather Ford

hford@unomaha.edu | 402.554.4828 | CPACS 112

A degree from UNO’s Grace Abbott School of Social Work (GASSW) prepares graduates to pursue professional licensure and credentials after graduation. To support students through the process, GASSW offers complimentary licensure and credentialing preparation seminars each fall and spring semester.

Visit the Social Work Certification and Mental Health Licensure page.

There are endless opportunities to use your BSW to enact change in your communities. Social Workers can be found everywhere – from schools to prisons, from government seats to hospitals, from law offices to therapy clinics. Grace Abbott graduates can be found all across the country, drawing new paths and impacting lives.

To dive deeper into the different career paths and meet some of the amazing instructors at UNO, take a look at the Careers page.

Continuing Education and Research

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Grace Abbott Training and Supervision Academy (GATSA)

GATSA offers continuing education and workforce training for behavioral health professionals, students, and partners across the region.

Learn More About GATSA

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John E. Christensen Community Chair in Child Welfare

The John E. Christensen Community Chair advances child welfare education and social work practices to better serve Nebraska youth and families.

Learn More About Child Welfare Research

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Support and Training for the Evaluation of Programs (STEPs)

STEPs uses research and evaluation to support data-driven social service programs and policies that transform and improve lives.

Learn More About STEPS

CSWE Accreditation

The Grace Abbott School of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA).

Accreditation of a social work program by the BOA indicates that it meets or exceeds standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals, and the BOA has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all accreditation standards.

Accreditation 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 accredited status in CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs. For more information about social work accreditation, contact CSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation.

Accreditation is reaffirmed by the CSWE on a seven-year cycle. Our BSSW program has been continuously accredited since 1975 and is currently accredited through 2029. The MSW program has been continuously accredited since 1940 and is currently accredited through 2029.