There are currently two social work schools in Nevada offering social work degrees accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE): The University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the University of Nevada, Reno. Both schools offer accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs. Because you must have an accredited social work degree to be licensed to practice generalist, advanced, independent, or clinical social work in Nevada, it is important to choose an accredited program. Learn more about the different types of licensing and their requirements by visiting our Nevada Licensure page.
Quick Facts
- 2 schools offering social work programs in Nevada are in our database (see below)
- Of the social work schools in Nevada, none offer associate’s degrees or certificates, 2 offer bachelor’s degrees, and 2 offer a master’s or advanced degree1
- No schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges
- 2 schools ranked in US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- 1 school ranked in Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs4
- Across 2 schools, 3 bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs in Nevada are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)5
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Top-Ranked Schools with Social Work Programs in Nevada
US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- University of Nevada-Las Vegas (#75 tie)
- University of Nevada-Reno (#128 tie)
Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs
- University of Nevada-Reno
Schools with Social Work Programs Accredited by the CSWE
- University of Nevada-Las Vegas
- University of Nevada-Reno
Schools in Nevada with Social Work Degree Programs
BSW and Other Undergraduate Programs
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Founded in 1957, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is an urban, public institution with an active student population. Students can be involved in many clubs, sports, and community projects throughout their studies. The UNLV School of Social Work BSW program is CSWE-accredited and prepares students to work in many settings in Nevada and across the country, such as child welfare, mental health, addictions, and criminal justice. Students must first apply to UNLV and satisfactorily complete at least 60 credit hours towards the designated “School of Social Work Curriculum Plan” with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. Then they must submit an application package including a resume, references, and a personal statement. Once admitted, students continue to take liberal arts electives and senior-level social work courses and complete at least 480 hours of supervised field education in a social service organization to develop generalist practice skills.
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno is the oldest public institution in the state. It was founded in 1874 and is located in the western region of the state. The school’s BSW program is accredited by the CSWE and focuses on Nevada social issues in a global context. Students in USC’s School of Social Work take classes in social welfare, research, social policy, and practice. The school also offers a BSW program in collaboration with Great Basin College in Elko that is designed for students living in rural areas. This program allows rural students to study full-time at Great Basin College for three years and then complete the BSW program in Reno in the final year. The program includes in-person and online classes. All students must complete at least 450 hours of supervised field education in a social service organization in order to graduate. In 2016, the university was tied for 187th place in the National Universities category by US News & World Report.
MSW and Other Graduate Programs
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The MSW program at UNLV has two possible specializations: Direct Practice or Management and Community Practice. Students also choose either the capstone project track or the thesis track. In the capstone track, students study various advanced assessment and intervention techniques in an area related to the specialization in a senior capstone seminar. In the thesis track, students in the UNLV School of Social Work complete and defend a research project related to an advanced social work topic. The university is home to many research institutes providing research opportunities relevant to social work practice, such as the American Indian Research and Education Center, the Nevada Institute for Children’s Research and Policy, the Interdisciplinary Center for Aging Research and Education, and the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders. It is also possible to complete a dual degree in social work and law.
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno’s School of Social Work offers a CSWE-accredited MSW degree with an advanced generalist specialization. Upon graduation from this program, students are prepared to work in a variety of settings with individuals, groups, and communities. The program consists of a foundational year enabling students without a CSWE-accredited BSW degree to develop generalist skills and a solid understanding of the profession through coursework and a field education placement. In the second year of the program, students continue to develop advanced skills through classes and another field education placement. Students who have earned a CSWE-accredited BSW may be able to skip the foundational year and proceed directly to the second year of the program. The school offers an MSW thesis option for students interested in a career in social work research. The thesis option is competitive and students must complete an additional application to be admitted to this option.
Accreditation Information for Nevada Social Work Schools
| School | Graduation Rate1 | Transfer-Out Rate1 | Associate’s SW Program | Bachelor’s SW Program | Graduate SW Program | CSWE Accredited5 | US News Best Social Work Grad Schools Ranking3 | Net Price*1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nevada-Las Vegas | 39% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #75 tie | $12,240 |
| University of Nevada-Reno | 55% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #128 tie | $15,583 |
*The net price is calculated by the National Center for Education Statistics by subtracting the average amount of aid (including grants and scholarships) from the total published cost of attendance for in-state/in-district students, which includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses. To gain a better understanding of how to interpret the statistics discussed in this table, see our list of important definitions.
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Directory of Nevada Social Work School Programs
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
University of Nevada-Las Vegas*
4505 S Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89154
(702) 895-3011
http://www.unlv.edu
Student Review: “I actually have a double major in both Social Work and Pediatric Nursing, both through the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The social work program was rewarding, but not so much so as my nursing degree. One hand washes the other, if that makes any sense, and I’ve found that having both certifications makes it a lot easier to get job and be promoted. Social work is a field in which it pays to have additional qualifications (it’s difficult to get a steady job that pays well without something beyond just a BS in Social Work), and to their credit, the people at UNLV helped me figure that out. The program itself was in-depth and exhaustive, but would have benefited from more hands-on, practical training. Overall, I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to pursue social work as a career, so long as applicants realize that they need additional schooling to make it work.” – Student at University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Student Review: “So the social work program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas is very good overall in my opinion. I have not attended another school to compare but as far as I’ve experienced they’ve provided many resources overall. I’m very interested in juvenile justice and many classes as well as pre-requisites have helped a lot in helping me excel in achieving this. There were many information sessions provided, and there are training projects as well. Many of my friends that are also interested in the child welfare section have had a great experience overall as well. The advising/ counseling is awesome since making appointments can be done online, and they really guide you in the direction you want since many counselors, in my opinion, have been in my shoes as well. Overall great program and nothing really to complain about. I did dislike the lack of clubs surrounding it, well for my taste anyways, but overall great.” – Student at University of Nevada-Las Vegas
University of Nevada-Reno*
1664 N Virginia St
Reno, NV 89557
(775) 784-1110
https://www.unr.edu
Student Review: “UNLV provided what I felt was a solid education. The professors in the department seemed to truly care about educating students and providing real world information. The program itself wasn’t as extensive as I would have liked, but the classes I took were informative. The university held career fairs to assist with job placement, and several core professors personally assisted the students on their off time. My internship was with a local government office and led to a full time position upon completion. Overall the education I received was above average. I would recommend this program overall, despite a limited course offering.” – Student at University of Nevada-Reno
Student Review: “When I first began the social work program at The University of Nevada Reno, I was surprised at how though the coursework could be. Professors are not shy about giving students loads of homework and paper assignments to keep them busy. However professors and faculty help to provide students with all of the tools they need to achieve academic success. Everything has its place and is easy to find. Finally, the professors I have met are all very willing to help and take the time to listen to their students. Office hours are definitely encouraged and even being in a lecture hall of 200 people, I do not feel like just a face in the crowd to them. I have felt that way since the beginning and even if I could choose over again, I would still pick to ‘Go Pack’ and choose the University of Nevada-Reno.” – Student at University of Nevada-Reno
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=all
3. US News & World Report Social Work Best Grad Schools Rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings
4.
Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs: /degrees/masters/online/
5. Council on Social Work Education: https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Directory-of-Accredited-Programs.aspx