Established in 1917, the University of Minnesota School of Social work was the first graduate social work program at a land grant university in the United States.
Find your path
Graduate degrees
Our graduate programs are grounded in social justice, preparing scholars, social workers, community leaders, faculty and more for leadership and advanced scholarship.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
The central mission of the master of social work program is the preparation of students for advanced social work practice and leadership in the following areas: Clinical Mental Health; Community Practice; and Families and Children.
MEd in youth development leadership
Working with and on behalf of youth demands continual learning and professional growth.
PhD in social work
Established in 1946, our program is one of the oldest in the United States, and develops a mentoring partnership between nationally prominent faculty and students to promote knowledge and skills in theory development and community-based research.
Become a licensed social worker
Stand out as a leader in the social work field when you earn an MSW degree. Our academic advisors will keep you on track to becoming licensed throughout the MSW program, and ensure that you have everything you need to apply and succeed.
Bachelor's degree in youth studies (BS)
Explore the dynamic Youth Studies undergraduate major at the University of Minnesota's School of Social Work.
Undergraduate minors
The University of Minnesota School of Social Work offers three undergraduate minors available to most undergraduates enrolled at the Twin Cities campus.
What our students say
Quote from Emily Trieu, MEd '26
Like many teachers I hit a point in my teaching career where it made sense to head back to school to get my masters degree. For me it was after six years teaching science at a small alternative high school. I chose the SSW's Youth Development and Leadership (YDL) MEd program to deepen my knowledge of youth work and help me develop my teaching skills and philosophy. I plan to do in youth work after graduation, and maintain these connections I have made with my amazing professors, academic advisor, and fellow students.
Areas of study
The School of Social Work offers a high-quality education that instills in its graduates the capability to incorporate and apply in their lives and work the core values of social work—service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.
All of our programs have internships or service learning components that reflect our commitment to engaging with the community in learning, research and service.
Social work degrees and minors
Advance your social work practice with an advanced degree. Deepen your understanding of how to affect change in systems and work toward social justice. Learn to ethically lead within systems and empower transformational change in our communities.
Youth development degrees and minors
Youth development teaches you the skills, knowledge, and perspective to work effectively with young people, understand who they are and how to best support them.
Faculty
Saida Abdi
Assistant Professor
Joan Blakey
Professor and Gamble Skogmo Endowed Chair
Mimi Choy-Brown
Associate Professor
Marti DeLiema
Assistant Professor
Yuanyuan Hu
Assistant Professor
Katie Johnston-Goodstar
Associate Professor
Amy Krentzman
Associate Professor
Hannah MacDougall
Assistant Professor
Joseph Merighi
Associate Professor
Ginny Ramseyer Winter
Associate Professor
Lynette M. Renner
Professor
Ceema Samimi
Assistant Professor
Patricia Shannon
Associate Professor
Jessica Toft
Associate Professor
Jeff Waid
Associate Professor
Jihee Woo
Assistant Professor
