Master of Social Work
Highest Ranked Master of Social Work Program in MN
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; families and children; health, disability and aging. See MSW program mission statement.
Our program places particular importance on preparing social work professionals—case managers, policy analysts, clinicians, and community organizers—to have a practical understanding of how power and privilege, and their opposites, shape the roles that all of us play in society.
We strive to create a learning environment that is diverse in all aspects, and we use this environment to help all students develop the sensitivity and skills necessary to work effectively in diverse communities.
Our program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Read our annual assessment summary.
To learn more about the application process, consider attending a one-hour information session:
Tuesday, November 12th - 1:00pm
Questions about applying? You can schedule a one-on-one appointment with Director of Admissions, Larissa Lavrov.
MSW Program Mission Statement
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; Families and Children; Health, Disability and Aging.
The Master of Social Work program reflects the public education and research mission of the University of Minnesota, the educational purpose of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and the professional values of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). The program is grounded in the School’s history of advanced scholarship and knowledge building, as well as its tradition of leadership for and commitment to working for social justice.
The curriculum is grounded in a person-in-environment construct, as well as the history, values, ethics, research and knowledge base of the profession. In addition, the curriculum rests on the principle that a just society is one that provides for the basic human needs of all citizens and that all persons should have equal opportunities to share in society’s social, political, and economic goods. In developing the curriculum, the program places particular importance on preparing social work professionals (in such roles as case managers, policy analysts, clinicians, and community organizers) to have a practical understanding of how power and privilege, and their opposites, shape the roles that all of us play in society. Also, as a reflection of this commitment, we strive to create a learning environment that is diverse in all aspects. Further, we use this environment to help all students develop the sensitivity and skills necessary to work effectively in diverse communities.
Goals
The following goals for the MSW program are derived from its mission:
- The MSW program will prepare graduate students for entry into advanced social work practice and leadership for the profession.
- The MSW program will prepare professionals who are able to evaluate social work practice and programs critically and empirically, and who are able to apply evidence-based best-practice knowledge and skills effectively with diverse populations in a range of practice settings.
- The MSW program will support and promote the public good by expanding access to graduate social work education throughout the state, with emphasis on practice in the arena of public-sector social services and policy.
- The MSW Program will create opportunities for graduate social work education for members of groups that have historically been denied access to professional graduate education for reasons related to bias, oppression and economic disparity.
School of Social Work
Program Outline
Programmatic Options
Our MSW program offers a full-program option for students who have not completed a bachelor's in social work (BSW) or an advanced standing consideration for students who have completed a CSWE-accredited BSW degree in the last seven years and earned a grade of B or higher in their foundation courses. (Any foundation course that was graded a B- or below will have to be retaken in our program.) Students in both program options can choose from full- or part-time study.
Schedule
MSW courses are scheduled all day Thursday–Saturday. Some courses are also offered on Monday–Wednesday evenings. MSW students will not be able to take courses exclusively during weekday business hours, or exclusively during evening and Saturday hours.
Students can often create a course schedule that meets their needs. All students, however, will have at least some evening courses during their time as a graduate student. Most students will have Saturday courses at some point in their graduate career.
Students taking a practicum are generally expected to be in on Mondays–Wednesdays. Some practicum placements offer evening and weekend hours, but almost every practicum placement will require some time in the agency during regular Monday–Friday business hours.
Specializations
All MSW students choose a concentration from one of the following areas:
Clinical Mental Health
Learn contextually based approaches to mental health diagnostic assessment, treatment and practice evaluation, with a strong focus on client systems experiencing significant mental health risk.
Community Practice
Improve the effectiveness and responsiveness of human service systems to mobilize groups for social change and to serve as catalysts for sustainable development and social justice.
Families and Children
Work with families and children in a range of settings and organizations, as well as influence relevant organizational structures and policies.
Health, Disability, and Aging
Work with people affected by distinct and interconnected issues related to health, disability and aging.
Program Highlights
Practicum Instruction
Partnering with social work agencies around the Twin Cities and throughout neighboring states, the practicum instruction brings your classroom learning into practice. Practicum placement hour totals range from 600 to 960 hours, depending on your program option.
Curriculum Grounded in Social Justice
Our program rests on the principle that a just society is one that provides for the basic human needs of all citizens and that all persons should have equal opportunities to share in society’s social, political, and economic goods.
Dual Degrees
The school offers dual degree programs with two nationally recognized departments at the University of Minnesota–the School of Public Health and the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. The dual degrees offered are Master of Social Work/Master of Public Policy (MSW/MPP), Master of Social Work/Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MSW/MURP), Master of Social Work/Master of Public Health (MSW/MPH).
Diverse Student Body
Our graduate students come from Minnesota, across the nation, and from around the world, giving the learning and research experience depth and breadth in lived experiences and perspectives. Our student body and environment helps all students develop the sensitivity and skills necessary to work in diverse communities.
Clinical Content
Our clinical content chart documents how coursework meets the requirements for the Minnesota social work license. This is intended only as a guide, and requirements are also often met through continuing education and workshops. You can compare this chart to the Minnesota Board of Social Work requirements.
To request a copy of your clinical clock hours or other licensure documentation, please complete the Social Work Licensure Documentation Request form. Please note that depending on what year you graduated, this request may take several weeks to fulfill.
Annual Assessment Summaries
Our program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Each year we assess the program on the nine core competencies of social work practice, and we use the data from this assessment to examine our curriculum critically, and to make changes as indicated. We publish the summary of our assessment annually, using the AS-4 (M) form from CSWE.
2020-2021 form (PDF)
2019-2022 form (PDF)
2021-2022 form (PDF)
2022-2023 form (PDF)