Start your journey
Become a licensed social worker
Our MSW program 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. Students in both program options can choose from full- or part-time study.
- 53 required credits
- 1020 hours of practicum instruction
- On-campus courses offered Thursday - Saturday; as well as Monday and Wednesday evening.
Careers
Master of Social Work (MSW) graduates build careers as:
- case managers
- policy analysts
- clinicians
- community organizers
- and more
Tuition and funding
Tuition
The MSW Full Program requires 53 credits and 1,020 practicum hours to graduate.
Find the MSW program on the full list of 2025-2026 professional graduate program costs for the College of Education and Human Development.
For the most current cost per credit for professional graduate studies at the University of Minnesota, we well as information about fees and cost of attendance, visit OneStop Services, Twin Cities.
Financial aid
Graduate students in the UMN-Twin Cities MSW program are eligible for funding awards from the School of Social Work, College of Education and Human Development and the University of Minnesota.
School of Social Work training grants and fellowships
The School of Social Work offers training grants and fellowships to MSW students who either will or have worked with specific populations, or in specific settings. See SSW grants and Fellowships.
College of Education and Human Development scholarships and awards
As a graduate student in CEHD, you may be eligible for fellowships, grants, and scholarships from the University of Minnesota, from our college, and from your academic department. Learn about graduate funding opportunities from CEHD.
Scholarships and awards through the University
Learn about merit-based graduate funding opportunities open to all students at the University of Minnesota.
Questions about University funding opportunities? Contact the Office of Graduate Studies at 612-625-7579 or gsfellow@umn.edu
How to apply
Application deadlines and instructions
Each year, the University of Minnesota School of Social Work offers a priority deadline and a final deadline for both advance standing students and general admission candidates.
January 15: Priority deadline for General Applicants
- All applications will be reviewed within two weeks of the application deadline
- All decision letters will be mailed by February 15
March 1: Final MSW admission deadline
- All applications will be reviewed within two weeks of the application deadline
- All decision letters will be mailed by April 1
Applications received after our priority deadline and before our final deadline will be reviewed on a space available basis only.
Please note that interested applicants who apply and are accepted after January 15 may not be able to enter fall-spring practicum placements during their first year in the program.
General admissions timeline
- MSW program application deadlines
- February 15: Notification of admission decisions for priority applicants
- March 1: Final deadline for applicants if space is available
For more information about Graduate Admissions, and additional tips for applying, visit the Graduate Admissions page.
Learn more about the MSW application, and see answers to frequently asked questions on our How to apply page.
What our alumni say
Quote from Kelley Leaf, MSW '12, LISW, Title IVE Fellow
When I was accepted into the MSW program at the U of MN, I was a mid-career professional and an older, non-traditional student. I worked in a child welfare adjacent program and wanted to find a way to transform my passion for social justice into action for the indigenous children and families I served. I didn't really look at any other MSW programs, I wanted the rigor, research, and scholarship of a public institution that had over 100 years of history. The faculty and staff in the School of Social Work were with me the whole way, supporting my learning, engaging and expanding my mind, and transforming my potential to create positive systemic change in our community. As a full program student I was fortunate to be able to do two different practicums, one in youth development and one in a Title IV-E setting. The skills and relationships I developed went with me into practice after graduation, and ultimately led me to return to the school as a member of the faculty. I am so proud and grateful to be an alum of the program.
Coursework
Learning environment
Our program places particular importance on preparing social work professionals 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.
MSW specializations
Clinical mental health
Learn contextually based approaches to mental health diagnostic assessment, including 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.
Requirements and schedule
Required credits
Required credits: The Master of Social Work (MSW) - Full program requires 53 credits.
Course 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.
See a sample schedule for the foundational MSW program, as well as specialization coursework.
Practicum
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 requirements are: 1020 for the MSW full program option
Practicum schedule
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.
Students will have two opportunities to participate and engage in this learning opportunity each school year. Many students choose to engage in a Fall-Spring internship that runs concurrent with the academic year, while others choose to engage in a Summer internship.
Practicum placements for the Fall/Spring cohort begin in March, with information sessions about the matching process, Practicum Agency Information Day, and more.
Licensure preparation
Graduate of this CSWE-accredited program are eligible for Minnesota state licensure as Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW). With additional experience and supervision, you can pursue licensure as a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
Our faculty
Our MSW faculty bring a wide-range of expertise and scholarship to the classroom, with significant contributions to research at both the local and global levels. These lifelong scholars actively contribute to both academics and the community.
Contact us
Questions about applying? You can schedule a one-on-one appointment with Director of Admissions, Larissa Lavrov.