MSW Concentrations

Focusing Your Future: Which MSW Concentration Will You Choose?

Starting Summer 2020, these three specializations will be combined and our MSW will become an integrated clinical program. Students who start their MSW degree in or after the Summer 2020 semester will enroll in this integrated clinical program. Students who have enrolled in one of these specializations prior to Summer 2020 will complete their degree in that specialization. As a…

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March 13, 2024 |

Opioid Crisis Infographic

Social Workers' Role in Ending the Opioid Epidemic

We are a nation in crisis. And police, insurers, and patients are all looking to social workers for help in curbing the opioid epidemic. Opioid deaths now surpass gun violence and car crash deaths, according to CDC data published by the Washington Post, leaving police no choice but to rethink their strategy, as law enforcement is not working. Police are…

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March 13, 2024 |

Darryl Vincent, MSW '14

Alumni Spotlight: Darryl Vincent, MSW

Darryl Vincent is living proof of the power of integration. Working full-time as the then-Vice President of Programs at the U.S. Veterans Initiative while earning his MSW at UNE Online, Darryl applied his education to the workplace the moment he signed off from class. Now a COO, Darryl credits his UNE Online teachers for the successful changes he’s implemented at…

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March 13, 2024 |

Domestic Violence Cycle Infographic

How to End the Domestic Violence Cycle

Empathy and action are a powerful combination – Social Workers protect victims and children by intervening. How does the cycle of domestic violence start? How does it become so insidious that millions of victims stay in abusive relationships and homes? How do we make it stop? The Cycle of Violence was identified by psychologist Dr. Lenore Walker in 1979 when…

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March 13, 2024 |

Children of Abuse

Children of Abuse - How Social Workers Help Them Heal 

Abuse takes many forms, and child victims may experience it differently. Whether they are victims of violence themselves or witnesses, even audibly, the effects can last a lifetime. There are many reasons that parents stay in abusive relationships— and it’s often mothers, who represent up to 85% of the victims of domestic abuse, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.…

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March 13, 2024 |

Children of Abuse

Tackling Three Misconceptions of Domestic Violence

Opening our eyes to the misconceptions of domestic violence and helping victims requires a deeper understanding – because reality is far more complicated than common conceptions. Domestic Violence fact: One in four women, and one in seven men, will be victims of domestic violence in the U.S. in their lifetime, according to the CDC. For women globally, the number is…

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March 13, 2024 |

Christine Rogerson, Practicum Coordinator

Faculty Spotlight: Christine Rogerson, LCSW – Social Work Program

Christine Rogerson, LCSW, is the Practicum Coordinator for the Master of Social Work program at UNE Online. She graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology from the University of Maine and went on to earn her Master of Social Work right here at the University of New England. Prior to teaching at UNE, Christine spent several years working in multiple clinical…

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March 13, 2024 |

Mary White, MSW Clinical Assistant Professor

Faculty Spotlight: Mary White, LCSW – Social Work Program

Mary White, LCSW, is a Field Planner and Clinical Assistant Professor for the Master of Social Work program at UNE Online. She graduated with a BA in Behavioral Science from the University of Maine in Presque Isle and earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Maine at Orono. For 18 years Mary was employed at a community…

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March 13, 2024 |

Autumn Straw, MSW, Assistant Director for the Graduate Programs in Social Work Online at UNE

Faculty Spotlight: Autumn Straw, Social Work Program

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…

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February 9, 2022 |

Christine Wirsen, MSW, LCSW-A, LCAS

Alumni Spotlight: Christine Wirsen, MSW, LCSW-A, LCAS

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?…

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November 9, 2021 |

Tracy Hirst Student Spotlight featured image

Student Spotlight: Tracy Hirst, MSW Program

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…

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September 28, 2021 |

Alumni Spotlight: LaToya Bryant, MSW

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…

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August 4, 2021 |

Social Work PTSD infographic

Infographic: PTSD and Trauma in Veterans

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…

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May 24, 2021 |

UNE Online Social Media

UNE Online Social Media Channels

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…

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May 22, 2021 |

Lynn Keating Enrollment Counselor

Meet Our Team: Lynn Keating

‘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…

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April 2, 2021 |

Darryl Vincent, MSW '14

Spotlight: Darryl Vincent, MSW '14

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,…

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February 26, 2021 |

Melissa Oran, MSW, with her two children

Alumni Spotlight: Melissa Oran, MSW

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…

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January 11, 2021 |

Kenneth Palmer, MSW student, stands in his Navy Uniform

Student Spotlight: Kenneth Palmer, MSW Program

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…

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December 16, 2020 |

CSWE Council on Social Work Education logo

CSWE Accreditation for the UNE Online Master of Social Work Program

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…

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November 18, 2020 |

New MSW virtual field placement options

New Innovation in MSW Field Experience: Virtual Field Simulation

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…

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August 16, 2020 |

The COVID Diaries: A Discussion on Grief hosted by the MSW program at UNE Online

The COVID Diaries: A Discussion on Self-Care

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…

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July 20, 2020 |

The COVID Diaries: A Discussion on Grief hosted by the MSW program at UNE Online

The COVID Diaries: A Discussion on Grief

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.…

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July 13, 2020 |

Student Spotlight: Amber Silva, MSW

Student Spotlight: Amber Huff, Master's in Social Work Online

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…

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June 12, 2020 |

Kendall Croteau, Student Support Specialist

Meet our Team: Kendall Croteau

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,…

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February 3, 2020 |