Autumn Straw is the Director for the Graduate Programs in Social Work in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies here at the University of New England. In this post, she talks about the importance of mentors, her experience with changing careers within the field of social work, and what skills are most important for a social work career.  Can…

Christine Wirsen graduated from the Master of Social Work Program in December 2020. In this post, she talks about how she got interested in Social Work, how she overcame some significant challenges, and how she is putting her MSW to work to move her career forward. Can you tell us about yourself and what encouraged you to pursue your MSW?…

Tracy Hirst is the Director of Social Services at a nursing home in Maine. Here, she talks about how the UNE Online SOS field experience model has given the skills that help in her day-to-day job and has also allowed her to gain skills to advance her career. Can you tell us about yourself and what encouraged you to pursue…

LaToya Bryant is an alumna of the MSW program here at UNE Online. Here, she talks about her social work career, why she feels that having her MSW makes her more marketable, and how her education prepared her for clinical work. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and what encouraged you to pursue your Master of Social…

This PTSD infographic illustrates that that trauma can occur anywhere, for anyone – and sometimes in unexpected places. Almost anyone can suffer – and almost all can be helped. We hear a lot today about trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. A National Association of Social Workers newsletter article recently made the case for trauma as “the new public…

Ever wonder where you can connect with us online? We’ve got some options for you! Below is a comprehensive list of the UNE Online social media channels. We have a lot going on, so we have a lot to share on the UNE Online social media channels! For the most part, we use our different channels to communicate different types…

‘Meet our Team’ spotlights are just one way we like to share a little bit about the people who are dedicated to UNE Online’s signature student-centric experience. What do you do here at UNE Online? I am an enrollment counselor for CGPS. I was hired in November 2020, and have been helping potential Social Work students complete their applications. What…

We previously interviewed Darryl Vincent, MSW ’14, about the power of integration in his social work practice – here’s an update on what he’s up to, how he is using his MSW in his work, and how his MSW has helped him with career advancement. Could you give us an overview of what you’ve been up to since graduation? Initially,…

Melissa Oran, MSW, is a recent graduate of the Master of Social Work program at UNE Online, the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. In this interview, she discusses why she decided to pursue her MSW, some of the standout experiences she has had in the program, and words of wisdom for future MSW students in the program. Can you…

Kenneth Palmer is a former Navy Independent Duty Corpsman who is using the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon status to change careers. Here, he talks about his experience with UNE Online, the community among MSW students, and how he intends to move forward in his career as a clinical social worker focused on trauma treatment. Can you tell us a…

We are excited to announce that the MSW program has once again earned CSWE accreditation, making this the 30th year the MSW program has been continuously accredited by CSWE! In acknowledgment of the 2020 CSWE re-accreditation of the Graduate Programs in Social Work, we would like to share this blog post that covers the benefits, process, and rigors of the…

The current COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need to provide alternatives to in-person field training, and the Master of Social Work (MSW) team at UNE has responded. In 2009, UNE was one of the very first MSW programs in the nation to be offered 100% online in an asynchronous format – and now the MSW program at UNE is continuing…

This is the second video in the COVID Diaries video series. Program Director for the Graduate Programs in Social Work Online Jennifer O’Neil facilitates a discussion centered around the role of self-care in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Panelists include Dr. Pat Coccoma, Dr. Brian Rzepczynski, and Susan Osofsky, LSW, LCSW – each of whom is a UNE faculty member who…

Program Director for the Graduate Programs in Social Work Online Jennifer O’Neil facilitates a discussion centered around the role of grief in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Panelists are UNE faculty members who teach in the online Master of Social Work program, and each is a practicing therapist. Panelists include Dr. Pat Coccoma, Dr. Brian Rzepczynski, and Susan Osofsky, LSW, LCSW.…

Amber Huff has overcome great obstacles to get her Master’s in Social Work online. Not only will she be the first in her family with an advanced degree, but this Mom of three will also be graduating with a 4.0 grade point average. A major source of her inspiration was to be a positive role model for her children, particularly…

Meet Kendall Croteau, a Student Support Specialist for the Doctor of Education program here at UNE Online. Kendall joined UNE in the winter of 2019 as an Enrollment Counselor for the Social Work program, and since then, has transitioned into a Support role. Here, she talks about her experience supporting online social work students, the best professional advice she’s received,…

Two new course formats for today’s social work student.  As a part of our commitment to continuing excellence in online education, the Online Master of Social Work program at the University of New England is happy to announce that we have introduced two new course delivery elements: interactive branching scenarios and live video roleplaying. Social Work is a singularly demanding…

What do you do at UNE Online? I’m a Student Support Specialist for the Master of Social Work program. Where are you from? I grew up in Pittsfield, Maine, and I’ve lived in the Bangor area for the past 4 years. What’s your favorite dessert? Anything chocolate – preferably something involving frosting or peanut butter. What is the best professional…

Have you ever been asked, or ever wondered, what it is that a school social worker does? The question is understandable; it’s an incredibly diverse position. The role of a school social worker involves communicating and collaborating with students, parents, teachers, administrators, government officials, and anyone else who can help them encourage students’ success. With the increasing rates of depression,…

Trying to decide how to customize your degree or pick a professional development course from our more than 20 online social work course electives? We hear you—there are a lot of options to consider! We prepared a closer look at three of our popular MSW electives, including feedback from students who have taken the courses, to help guide your unique…

Field experience is at the heart of any social work education. The field of social work is one of interaction, and the field experience is where students apply what they’ve learned in the classroom in order to tackle challenges they’ll only encounter outside of the classroom.  Field experience enables students to explore different settings, issues, and communities to better identify…

Frank Myers is a student in the Master of Social Work program at the University of New England. We spoke with Frank recently about what attracted him to the field of social work, his experience in the UNE Online program, and what drove him to create and host an outreach event for homeless people in his area. What got you…

Have you ever wondered what people mean when they talk about policy? What is it? Who needs it? How does it work? Why should I care about it? UNE Online’s new public policy course, Policy: An Interprofessional Approach (GPH 702) is a great way to find out answers to these questions. You will work with students from other disciplines to…

Social workers are indeed all around us. The following infographic shows six key fields in which social workers have a dramatic and positive impact on the community. The six fields outlined include private practice, schools, criminal justice and corrections, hospitals, community organizations, corporations, and nonprofits. Private Practice Whether as mental health counselors, LCSWs, couples or family therapists, or other clinical…