MSW Programs in Connecticut | No GRE/CSWE Accredited Masters

If you want to study and practice social work in New England, Connecticut is an excellent state to consider. The state places a high value on education, clearly demonstrated by its above average high school and college graduation rates. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that high school and college graduation rates are 89% and 36.2%, higher than the national average of 85.7% and 28.5%.

Overall, the cost of living in Connecticut is about 31% higher than the national average. However, the median income balances this out. The median household income is $69,519, which is about $16,000 higher than the national average (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012).

Tuition Information for MSW Programs in Connecticut

There are six universities and colleges in Connecticut that give you the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree in social work. While the average cost of tuition is $28,630, there are schools with significantly lower tuition rates. For instance, Southern Connecticut State University boasts a tuition cost of $4,285. In addition, there are significant financial aid opportunities; the average scholarship award in Connecticut is $16,896.

All six programs in Connecticut take the same amount of time—two years for a full-time student and four years for a part-time student. Social work programs combine policy research and understanding with practical understanding of evidence-based care. On average, you can expect to complete between 900 and 1000 hours in different clinical settings.

What Will I Learn in a Connecticut MSW Program?

If you specialize in one field of social work, you may spend most of your clinical hours in that setting. For example, the University of Saint Joseph has three specialization options: Health and Mental Health, Child and Family Services, and Veteran’s Services. Your clinical hours will take you into hospitals, mental health clinics, government agencies, and private practices.

In your higher-level courses, you can expect to take a look at the field of social work as a whole. You’ll learn about social work policies and ethics, the influences of poverty and other social conditions on mental health, and how the field is growing and developing. In addition to helping you deliver results-based care, these courses can prepare you for a career in policy or research.

MSW Salary and Job Outlook in Connecticut

A Master’s degree in social work opens up many different employment opportunities for you. The Bureau of Labor Statistics claims that about 41% of social workers work for the government at a state or local level. This may involve providing counseling services to low-income families, working with families that are trying to get their children out of foster care, or developing treatment plans for developmentally disabled patients.

There are also many private employers of social workers in Connecticut. Some of the most prominent employers in this state are Trinity Hill Care Center, United Community and Family Services, and Wheeler Clinic.

If you want to work independently, you may be eligible for PIP (Private Independent Practice) in as little as two years after graduation. With this employment option, you can open your own clinic, hire staff, and provide counseling services.

MSW Salary in Connecticut

Across the board, average salaries for social workers in Connecticut are substantially higher than nationwide averages. Child and family social workers earn the highest wages in Connecticut. According to O*Net, the average child and family social worker earns $64,100 per year. The average salary for healthcare social workers is $58,800 per year (O*Net, 2012). Social workers in the mental health or substance abuse field can look forward to earning an average salary of $54,100 (O*Net, 2012).

Social Worker Job Outlook

The rollout of the Affordable Care Act means that many Americans who were once uninsured are now eligible for mental health services. This has lead to a boost in the job outlook for social workers with Master’s degrees. Job growth for healthcare social workers and mental health social workers is expected to increase by 23% through 2020 (O*Net, 2012). Job openings for child and family social workers is expected to increase by 13% during the same time frame (O*Net, 2012).

Social Work Licensure in Connecticut

In Connecticut, all social workers get their licenses from the Department of Public Health. The first step is applying to take the state social worker exam. While you wait to take your test, the Department of Public Health can administer you a temporary license that is good for 120 days.

If you want to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, you have to complete 3,000 hours of work as a licensed social worker. Two years after your initial licensure date, you can apply for LCSW status.