MSW Programs in Vermont

Vermont, the lead producer of maple syrup in the United States, is located in the New England region of the United States, with an international border touching Canada. It is the sixth smallest state in the nation as well as the second least populous (1).

Montpelier, Vermont has a population of fewer than eight thousand people, which makes it the smallest state capital in the United States (2). Furthermore, Montpelier is the only capital in the United States without a McDonalds (3). Vermont’s most populous city is Burlington, with a population a little more than 42,000 (4).

With its racially homogeneous population (94.3 percent white), Vermont is the “second whitest” state in the nation in 2010 (5). It is known for its beautiful mountains and incredible fall foliage.

Complex Issues

Vermont has a higher than average percentage of citizens over age 65 (15.7 percent, compared to the national average of 13.7 percent), necessitating employment of a higher than average number of gerontology social workers (6).

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Vermont has the highest use of illicit drugs in the nation, from marijuana to cocaine (7). The number of people admitted to substance abuse treatment facilities has increased from 7,067 in 2001 to 8,195 in 2011 (8). The state of Vermont has also seen an increase in the use of prescription drugs, and the state has upped its funding to prevent and provide treatment options for those seeking treatment for addiction (9).

SAMHSA also reports that Vermont also has a higher-than-average percentage of the population diagnosed with mental illness (19.39 percent, compared with the national average of 18.19 percent) (10). There are 75 mental health and substance abuse treatment facilities in the state (11). Of the 2,090 social workers employed in the state, 840 of them work as mental health or substance abuse social workers (12).

Studying Social Work

Have you considered getting your master’s in social work in Vermont? The 2014 US News & World Report school rankings list ranks the University of Vermont’s Department of Social Work as number 66 in the nation. You can also look into New England schools that offer graduate programs in social work; several New England schools rank in the top 25 in the nation (13). Not all New England states offer reciprocity, so you will want to check to ensure the coursework and other requirements for licensure in the state in which you intend to practice post-graduation are available at your college of choice.

If you get your master’s in social work at the University of Vermont (in Burlington), you can get involved in projects like the Vermont Anti-Violence Partnership or the Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership. The University of Vermont also collaborates with the University of Lapland to facilitate the opportunity to study global social work in Finland (14).

Some states have loan forgiveness programs for social workers. As of June 2014, Vermont does not have a state-specific loan repayment program, but you may still qualify for the National Health Service Corps loan forgiveness program (NHSC) if you work in a designated “Health Professional Shortage Area” (HPSA). Participation in this program can save you up to $40,000 through student loan debt forgiveness.

Employment Opportunities

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 910 of the 2090 social workers employed in the state work as child, family and school social workers. About 840 work as mental health and substance abuse social workers, and the remaining 340 work as healthcare social workers (15).

Of these types of social workers, healthcare social workers should see the highest increase of job opportunities (percentage-wise); job growth for healthcare social workers is predicted at a rate of 19 percent (16). Mental health and substance abuse social workers an also expect to see an increase in job opportunities at a rate of 13 percent (17). The slowest growing sector in the state is for child, family and school social workers; job growth is expected to grow at a rate of nine percent (18).

Of all the social workers employed in the state, healthcare social workers are typically paid the highest. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median wage for a healthcare social worker is $52,160. If you work in the Burlington area, you can expect a median salary of $63,970 (19).

Licensure and Professional Development Resources

• Vermont Social Work License
• Vermont Office of Professional Regulation
• National Association of Social Workers, Vermont Chapter

Which Universities Have Master’s in Social Work Programs in Vermont?

• Bennington College (MSW Program)
• University of Vermont (MSW Program)

Sources Cited

1. State and County Quick Facts: Vermont, 2013. US Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/50000.html
2. City Population: Vermont, 2013. Citypopulation.com. http://www.citypopulation.de/USA-Vermont.html
3. Vermont fast Facts and Trivia. 50States.com. http://www.50states.com/facts/vermont.htm#.U7Qp2Y1dXgK
4. State and County Quick Facts: Vermont, 2013. US Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/50/5010675.html
5. “‘New’ Vermont is Liberal, but ‘Old’ Vermont is Still There,” 2013. FiveThirtyEight Blog, New York Times. http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/01/new-vermont-is-liberal-but-old-vermont-is-still-there/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=1
6. State and County Quick Facts: Vermont, 2013. US Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/50000.html
7. “Why Vermont Has a Drug Problem,” 2013. Business Insider. http://www.slate.com/blogs/business_insider/2013/10/13/the_state_with_the_biggest_drug_problem_it_s_vermont.html
8. State Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment Services, 2001 – 2011. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. http://www.samhsa.gov/data/DASIS/TEDS2011St_Web.pdf
9. Why Vermont Has a Drug Problem,” 2013. Business Insider. http://www.slate.com/blogs/business_insider/2013/10/13/the_state_with_the_biggest_drug_problem_it_s_vermont.html
10. State Estimates of Adult Mental Illness, 2012. National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. http://www.samhsa.gov/data/2k14/NSDUH170/sr170-mental-illness-state-estimates-2014.htm
11. National Mental Health Services Survey, 2010. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.samhsa.gov/data/DASIS/NMHSS2010_Web.pdf
12. Statewide Statistics for Vermont, 2013. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
13. Graduate School Search, Social Work Programs, 2014. US News &World Report. http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/search?spp=10&program=top-social-work-schools&name=&zip=vermont&program_rank=Any&sort=&sortdir=
14. University of Vermont, College of Education and Social Services. http://www.uvm.edu/~socwork/?Page=centers.html&SM=centers_submenu.html
15. Statewide Statistics for Vermont, 2013. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
16. Occupation Profile: Healthcare Social Workers, Vermont, 2013. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=211022&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=50&search=Go
17. Occupation Profile: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Workers, Vermont, 2013. Career One Stop.http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=211023&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=50&search=Go
18. Occupation Profile: Child, Family, and School Social Workers, Vermont, 2013. Career One Stop.http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=211021&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=50&search=Go
19. Statewide Statistics for Vermont, 2013. Bureau of Labor Statistics.