Social Work, MSW and Criminology and Criminal Justice, MS (MSW/CRCJ)

Vision Statement

The MSW/MSCRCJ dual degree program is a collaborative effort between the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Grace Abbott School of Social Work and the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. The MSW/MSCRCJ offers interdisciplinary preparation in the fields of social work and criminal justice leading to the master of social work and the master of criminal justice degrees, with fewer required credit hours than it would take to obtain these degrees independently.

This dual degree program prepares students to provide a range of advanced social work services for individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities and assume leadership in the field of criminal justice and social work. Graduates with a dual MSW/MSCRCJ are prepared to respond to the needs of the community by working with delinquent and criminal populations and the systems that impact these populations.

Students beginning the MSW/MSCRCJ program at the MSW Foundation level must complete 81 credit hours total. Students beginning the MSW/MSCRCJ program at the Advanced Standing level, must complete 57 credit hours total.

Program Contact Information

Social Work Contact

402.554.2793
graceabbott@unomaha.edu

Criminology and Criminal Justice Contact

Mark Foxall, PhD, CJM, MS Coordinator
402.554.2610
markfoxall@unomaha.edu

Bobbie Niess, Academic Program Support
402.554.2610
rniess@unomaha.edu

Program Website

Admissions

General Application Requirements and Admission Criteria

Program-Specific Requirements

Application Deadlines (Spring 2025 and Fall 2025)

  • Spring: November 1
    • Foundation MSW/MSCRCJ students (those who do not have an undergraduate degree in social work, BSSW) admitted for the spring term are limited to only the MSCRCJ coursework in spring and summer terms. The MSW coursework will be added in the fall term.
      • Advanced MSW/MSCRCJ students (those with an undergraduate degree in social work, BSSW) can begin both MSCRCJ and MSW coursework in the spring term.
  • Fall: The priority deadline is February 1. Applications will be accepted through April 1.
    • Students who have earned or will be earning any undergraduate degree may apply for fall admission.
    • Students admitted as either Foundation MSW/MSCRCJ or Advanced MSW/MSCRCJ can begin both MSW and MSCRCJ coursework in the fall term.

Other Requirements

  • English Language Proficiency: Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the United States, OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a predetermined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement in order to be considered for admission.
    • Internet-based TOEFL: 80, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 53, Duolingo: 110 
  • Statement of Purpose: The statement of purpose is an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of and fit for the social work profession, as well as your aptitude for graduate-level social work education. The Admissions Committee pays close attention to both content and writing skills. In your statement of purpose, please address each of the items listed below, in no more than five (5) pages, double-spaced, in a 12-point font. Your response to each of the items should be roughly the same length. If your statement of purpose does not clearly and directly address each of the items or does not follow the instructions, it may not be considered.

    • Why have you chosen social work? Your response should demonstrate a basic understanding of the social work profession, including what distinguishes it from other helping professions.

    • What type of work are you planning to engage with once you attain your MSW degree? Specifically, what are the issues, populations, and levels of practice you hope to work with after graduate school?

    • The social work profession is rooted in social justice. Social workers adopt a stance of cultural humility and strive towards cultural awareness. Discuss a time when you realized that one of your personal or cultural identities influenced your reaction to a social situation.  Reflecting on that experience, how might it influence your future social work practice? 

    • Social workers are self-reflective, strengths-based, and growth-oriented. Identify a strength that you possess and an area for growth. Discuss how you became aware of these, how they show up in your current professional practice, and how they may influence your future professional practice.

    • Social work is a values-based profession dedicated to mitigating inequality and enhancing human wellbeing, especially for vulnerable, marginalized, and oppressed populations. From the core values and ethical principles identified in the NASW Code of Ethics, identify and discuss one that resonates with you and one that may challenge you.

  • Resume: Applicants are highly encouraged to have professional experience in the human service field.  Please submit a professional resume that identifies:

    • Educational and occupational experiences since high school

      • List start and end dates with month and year
      • Identify whether the position is part or full-time
      • Identify whether the position is paid or volunteer
      • Field placements, internships or practicums
      • Honors or distinctions received
  • Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required, the recommendation requests are generated from your online application.  These recommendations should be from professional and academic sources who are directly familiar with your skills and experience. At least one reference should be from an immediate professional supervisor. If you have graduated from an academic program within the past two years, it is suggested that at least one reference should be from a faculty member who can speak directly to your academic preparation for graduate social work education. References from family members, family friends, personal friends, personal therapists, or other non-professional/academic sources will not be scored.
    • If transferring from another accredited MSW program, one letter must be from a current faculty member associated with that program.
  • The MS application for criminology and criminal justice is completed online adhering to the same admission criteria for the MSW degree. The personal statement and letters of recommendation for admission to the MSW degree will be used by the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice to admit students.

The MSW/CRCJ Foundation Program is a 81 credit hour program available to applicants who do not hold a BSSW degree from an accredited school of social work within the last 10 years.

The MSW/CRCJ Advanced Standing Program is a 57 credit hour program available to applicants who have earned a BSSW degree from an accredited school of social work within the last 10 years.

Degree Requirements

Required Foundation Courses
SOWK 8070HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT I3
SOWK 8080HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT II3
SOWK 8090SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY3
SOWK 8110INSTITUTIONAL OPPRESSION3
SOWK 8130GENERALIST PRACTICE I3
SOWK 8150GENERALIST PRACTICE II3
SOWK 8160GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK FIELD PRACTICUM I 1,23
SOWK 8170GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK FIELD PRACTICUM II 1,33
Total Credits24
1

A student must receive grades of "B" or higher in practicum courses (SOWK 8160 and SOWK 8170).

2

This course requires special planning with the department.  Students must go through the planning process one semester prior to the start of the course.  No planning happens in the summer term.

3

This course is a continuation of SOWK 8160.  If a new placement is necessary, students may be required to go through the original planning process again.

Required Core Courses
SOWK 8190RESEARCH & COMPUTER APPLICATIONS3
SOWK 8220CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS3
SOWK 8230CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS3
SOWK 8510SOCIAL WORK LEADERSHIP AND SUPERVISION3
SOWK 8540PLANNING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE3
SOWK 8650HEALTH/MENTAL HEALTH POLICIES FOR SOCIAL WORK3
SOWK 8290SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE IN HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH3
SOWK 8400ADVANCED GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK FIELD PRACTICUM I 1,23
SOWK 8410ADVANCED GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK FIELD PRACTICUM II 1,33
Advanced Research Course
Select one of the following:3
SOWK 8940
EVALUATION OF SOCIAL PROGRAMS
SOWK 8960
RESEARCH OTHER THAN THESIS
CRCJ 8210
PROGRAM EVALUATION AND POLICY ANALYSIS
Social Work Electives
Select six hours of SOWK graduate courses6
Required Criminology and Criminal Justice Courses
CRCJ 8010NATURE OF CRIME3
CRCJ 8020SEMINAR IN ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE3
CRCJ 8970CAPSTONE PROJECT IN CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE3
CRCJ 8120RACE, CRIME AND INJUSTICE3
or CRCJ 8130 SEMINAR IN WOMEN AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Select one course from the following3
CRCJ 8040
SEMINAR IN POLICE AND SOCIETY 4
CRCJ 8050
SEMINAR IN CORRECTIONS 4
CRCJ 8080
SEMINAR IN JUVENILE JUSTICE 4
Criminology and Criminal Justice Electives
Select six hours of CRCJ graduate courses.6
Total Credits57
1

A student must receive a grade of "B" or higher in practicum courses (SOWK 8400 and SOWK 8410). 

2

This course requires special planning with the department.  Students must go through the planning process one semester prior to the start of the course.  No planning happens in the summer term.

3

This course is a continuation of SOWK 8400.  If a new placement is necessary, students may be required to go through the original planning process again.

4

Courses not selected from among the three listed may be used as an elective.

Exit Requirements

  • CRCJ 8970 Capstone course is offered in the fall and spring semesters. Once all required coursework has been completed, the student can register to take the capstone course. The course will require students to engage in a problem-solving project involving group work, which culminates in a written report and oral presentation. 
  • Satisfactory completion with a grade of B or better in SOWK 8400 and SOWK 8410

Academic Policies and Standards

  • The MSW Student Handbook can be found here.