Welcome to the UTA School of Social Work

MSW New Student Orientation

Congratulations on your admission to the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at UTA! MSW Orientation is your first step toward a successful start in the program. You'll learn about degree requirements, registration, advising, practicum, student resources, and opportunities to get involved.

Register for MSW Orientation

All incoming MSW students are required to attend Orientation prior to starting the program. Got your BSW from UTA? Even if you earned your BSW from UTA, you are expected to attend to receive the correct degree plan, learn about graduate program expectations, and prepare for success in the MSW program.

Please note that the School of Social Work's MSW New Student Orientation is separate from UTA's general orientation program.

You do not need to schedule an individual advising appointment before Orientation. New students will receive advising during the Orientation and Group Advising experience.

When completing the registration form, you will be asked to:
  • Confirm your student standing
  • Indicate your concentration interest (DP or CAP) if you are advanced standing
  • Submit questions you would like answered during Orientation

 

Register Here

Know Your Student Standing

Traditional Standing Option

Students complete the generalist and specialized MSW curriculum over approximately six semesters (two years) in full-time status.

 

Advanced Standing Option

Eligible BSW graduates complete the specialized MSW curriculum over approximately three semesters (one year) in full-time status.

 

***Not sure which classification applies to you? Review your Welcome Letter from the SSW or contact Student & Academic Affairs at sswacademicaffairs@uta.edu.

Know Your Concentration Options

Direct Practice (DP)

Focuses on micro practice work directly with individuals, families, and groups.

***Within the Direct Practice specialization, students can further tailor their education by choosing a curated sequence of courses built around a specific area of practice such as: Aging, Health, Mental Health and Substance Misuse, and Children & Families.

 

Community & Administrative Practice (CAP)

Focuses on leadership, administration, policy, advocacy, and community-level practice.

Know Your Residency Status

To register for the right online classes, you will need to know your residency status (in-state or out-of-state).  This is for online only. If you are unsure, please reach out to residency@uta.edu.

What You'll Learn

  • Direct Practice and Community and Administrative Practice specialty options
  • Transfer-credit processes and policies
  • Academic opportunities and expectations
  • Strategies for student success
  • MSW resources and engagement opportunities
  • Enrollment and degree planning
  • How and when to work with Academic Advising
  • Practicum requirements, timelines, and process expectations
UTA student taking a group photo during School of Social Work Welcome Week.

Group Advising

Group Advising is an important part of your onboarding experience and immediately follows Orientation from 1:00 to 4:00 pm CST.

During Group Advising, students will:

  • Review degree plans
  • Learn course sequencing and semester course credit hour recommendations
  • Review registration procedures
  • Ask advising-related questions

Students who attend Orientation and Group Advising do not need to schedule a separate individual advising appointment before registering.

Get Involved

Build connections and become part of the School of Social Work community through:

  • USL/GSL Peer Mentors
  • Student Organizations
  • SWAG Communities
  • Career Development Series
  • School of Social Work Events
  • In the Loop Newsletter

To learn more, visit our Student Engagement website.

New Student Checklist

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Accept your admission offer

Confirm your enrollment in the MSW program by accepting your admission offer through your MyMav account.
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Review your student standing

Review your admission letter to confirm whether you are classified as a Traditional Standing or Advanced Standing student.
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Register for Orientation

Complete the online registration form to reserve your place at MSW Orientation.
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Attend Orientation

Attend MSW Orientation to learn about the program, connect with the SSW community, and prepare for a successful start.
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Attend Group Advising

Attend Group Advising to review your degree plan and registration steps.
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Register for classes

Register for your classes using the degree plan and guidance provided during Group Advising.

We look forward to welcoming you to the UTA School of Social Work!

Contact Information

MSW Program
Sophia Fantus, PhD, MSW, HEC-C  (she/her)
MSW Program Director and Assistant Professor 
sophia.fantus@uta.edu

Orientation
Danielle Klein, PhD  (she/her)
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Danielle.klein@uta.edu

New Student Virtual Orientation Dates

Orientation is from 12pm - 1pm CST

Traditional Standing MSW New Student Orientation
11/12/2026: Thursday
11/17/2026: Tuesday
12/15/2026: Tuesday
1/6/2027: Wednesday

Advanced Standing MSW New Student Orientation
11/10/2026: Tuesday
11/20/2026: Friday
12/14/2026: Monday
1/5/2027: Tuesday

Important Dates

Review the official academic calendar and save important dates to your personal calendar, including:

- Registration Dates

- Add/Drop Deadlines

- Holidays and University Closures

- Last Day of  Classes and End of Semester Priorities

 

Fall 2026 Academic Calendar

Connect with

School of Social Work Resources

Discover the many resources available to support you and help you feel connected to the School of Social Work community.

View Student Resources