College of Education and Human Development

School of Social Work

Peters Hall

Help Us Build a Better World!

Small class sizes. Renowned faculty. A commitment to social equity & justice. Make your mark as an advanced scholar & practitioner at the School of Social Work. The future starts now.

Ph.D. in Social Work

Leverage your curiosity to address complex social challenges.  

Discover your future

Masters in Social Work

Train to become a skilled social worker, devoted to impact and the pursuit of justice.

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MEd in Youth Development

Working with and on behalf of youth demands continual learning and professional growth.

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Major in Youth Studies

Youth Studies is a major that allows you to learn about youth as an idea across time, place and community

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$1.2M in scholarships and fellowships awarded to students across various programs!

Spring 2025 Graduation

At the September 2024 School of Social Work Council meeting, an important update was announced regarding the graduation activities for the Class of 2025.  While the SSW has historically sponsored a small graduation event for only our students, this year we need to change our format.  This change is coming due to a number of factors which include availability of spaces for a graduation of our size, limited timing, and the desire to have our students showcased in the CEHD Graduation.  

As such, the upcoming graduation is planned for Friday, May 16 as follows.  Morning ceremony will be for undergraduates, which usually commences near lunch.  Our graduate students will then have a ceremony at CEHD in the afternoon, arrival around 3 p.m. with ceremony at 4 p.m., and completion in time for a supper.  

Also, please join us for the School of Social Work Graduation Reception in the McNamara Alumni Center (directly across the street from CEHD Commencement), scheduled in between the two CEHD ceremonies! We plan to provide a light meal and snacks. The current estimate is that this will be scheduled from 11:30 - 2:30 p.m. with students able to come and go as they please. We also welcome all family members to come meet our professors and classmates. This event will include a hooding station where students can take pictures getting hooded by family, friends, or their professors. There will also be additional selfie stations to record memories with your friends and family.

Please stay tuned via social media or this website for more information as we get closer to the graduation date.

Upcoming events

Youth Mental Health First Aid training Youth Mental Health First Aid training

The University YMCA is providing Youth Mental Health First Aid training for University staff/students/faculty and Twin Cities community members. Y

Recent News

McNair Scholarship Winners

We are proud to honor our two McNair Scholarship winners: Nyalaan Jok and Leslie Luces Saavedra. In addition to their achievements, we would like to showcase both of them here.

Hannah MacDougall accepted into Mothers Leading Science

Assistant Professor Hannah MacDougall was accepted into the 2025 cohort for Mothers Leading Science, a leadership program for research intensive faculty in the health sciences who are also mothers to young children.

Ceema Samimi receives a Vision Grant

Ceema Samimi has earned a Vision Grant from the Spencer Foundation for their involvement with Breaking Carceral Logics: Using Community Asset Mapping to Inform Alternatives to Punitive School Discipline in the Twin Cities.

Congratulations to Amy Dorman!

Amy Dorman, Ph.D. Candidate in the School of Social Work, has accepted the position of Research and Training Director, Office of Justice Programs at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS).