My decision to enroll in the UAB MSW Program remains one of the best life choices I ever made.
– Joseph Abua, ’20
Master of Social Work Program (MSW)
Key Points About Our MSW Program
This is a traditional face-to-face program, and we do not offer an online-only program option.
Classes are offered during the day and evenings on Mondays and Tuesdays with Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday reserved for field placements. Applicants desiring to maintain employment while in the MSW program must apply for the Part-Time program option.
To review the current course offerings visit the UAB Students Class Schedule. Use the drop-down box to select the “Term” then use the drop-down box to select SW-Social Work next to “Department”.
Program Mission
The mission of the Clinical/Medical MSW program at UAB is to educate students for careers in specialized, competent, and evidence-informed practice in health and behavioral health that responds to the complex needs of people and community in the face of an increasingly interconnected world. The program will prepare graduates to become leaders who advance social justice and promote human rights for diverse, underserved, and vulnerable populations, particularly in health and medical contexts.
Program Goals
Prepare students for specialized health and behavioral health social work practice in public and community settings.
Equip students with skills, knowledge, and values to lead efforts to eliminate health and economic disparities in an increasingly interconnected world.
Promote the use of evidence in informing and evaluating social work practice.
Program Approach
Training the finest professionals in the areas of clinical/medical social work requires settings that provide the best opportunities for students to develop the complex skills needed to provide services.
Students in the Clinical/Medical UAB Master of Social Work program receive advanced clinical training using an innovative model of evidence-based education in the resource-rich environment provided by UAB, including world-class Schools of Medicine and Public Health.
The Clinical/Medical MSW program prepares students for advanced clinical practice, particularly in health and medical settings including a specific focus on interventions demonstrated to be effective for vulnerable populations. Combining extensive internships in behavioral health settings with coordinated classroom learning, students are uniquely trained in clinical practice.
The program was launched in Fall 2017 and accredited by the Council on Social Work Education in Spring 2019.
Chat sessions are offered weekly throughout the fall and spring semesters. Chat sessions are available to current and prospective MSW students to answer questions about the academic program and to provide career advice. MSW chat sessions will be hosted via Zoom until further notice.
During the Fall 2024 semester, MSW Chat sessions will be hosted by Ms. Carroll, Director of Field while Dr. Fisher is on sabbatical. To schedule your chat session, please email Ms. Carroll at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Master of Social Work Degree
The MSW is a terminal professional degree, focusing on developing advanced practice competencies. The majority of non-academic Social Work jobs are at this level, and an MSW degree is required to achieve licensure for independent clinical practice.
Professional Licensure and Certifications
The UAB Master of Social Work program helps prepare students to practice in a field with professional licensure through the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Social Work Regulation. Specific licensure requirements vary from state to state, and among territories. Please visit the Professional Licensure and Certification General Disclosures webpage for more information on state and territories requirements.
