Find your path
Choose the tab below that best describes your experience level and program format related to becoming a licensed social worker.
Become a licensed social worker with our MSW full-program
Our MSW program full-program option educates students on foundational social work concepts, and then builds on this knowledge with advanced courses and practicum experience in their area of specialization. Full- or part-time study.
- 53 required credits
- 1020 hours of practicum instruction
Build your social work skills with an advanced standing MSW
Our advanced standing MSW track is 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 can choose from full- or part-time study.
- 34 required credits
- 600 hours of practicum instruction
Focus your expertise with a dual degree
Our dual degree programs allow MSW students to earn a master's degree in two areas of study in a shortened timeframe. We offer dual degrees in public health, public policy, and urban and regional planning, which build a foundation that complements professional practice.
Master of Social Work (MSW)/ Master of Public Health (MPH)
The Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health (MSW/MPH) Dual Degree prepares students to work at the intersection of community health and social care.
Master of Social Work (MSW)/ Master of Public Policy (MPP)
The dual MSW and Masters in Public Policy (MSW/MPP) degree trains students to work at the intersection of community health and social care, and address public policies from a public health perspective.
Master of Social Work (MSW)/ Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP)
The dual MSW and Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MSW/MURP) prepares graduates to build cities that foster the health of the community.
Earn your license to practice social work
Obtaining a license to practice in Minnesota
Graduates of the UMN MSW program can apply for a provisional license to practice in Minnesota once their degree is conferred. This license requires additional supervised practice and supervision hours.
To become a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), you must have an MSW degree, pass the LGSW exam, complete 360 hours in five clinical content areas, and complete 4,000 hours of post-MSW supervised clinical supervision.
Obtaining a license in another state
Please note that licensure requirements vary by state. While graduation from a CSWE-accredited program is a foundational requirement, some states may impose additional requirements such as specific coursework, content areas, or specialized training.
We encourage all students to consult their state’s social work licensing board to understand the full scope of licensure requirements. If you have further questions after reviewing your state's requirements, please contact the MSW Program Director, Michelle Mattison.
What you'll need for your license application
Our clinical content chart documents how UMN MSW 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.
Pathway to LADC (licensed alcohol and drug counselor)
Graduate prepared to pursue both licensure on social work and alcohol and drug counseling.
Program Highlights
- Additional Credits: 14 credits beyond MSW requirements, though 3 credits can be applied to your elective requirements
- Practicum: 900 practicum hours at an agency meeting both licensure requirements, completed over 3 semesters during the specialization year
Students may also take individual courses as electives without completing the full LADC series.
What our alumni say
Quote from Malaika Hankins, MSW '20
Before coming to the School of Social Work, I was working at a nonprofit with children and families back in North Carolina. I loved the work and was excited to develop skills that would better allow me to work with the young people, families, and communities that I care about. When I was considering programs, I was excited to find that the U of MN’s program had a dual degree program that would allow me to also earn a Master’s in Public Policy. Our program has opportunities for students to consider their own values and how that connects to the type of social workers they want to be.
CSWE-accredited MSW program
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
This accreditation meets the educational requirements for master’s level social work licensure in the State of Minnesota, as outlined by the Minnesota Board of Social Work.
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)
An MSW with a 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.
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.
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.
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
Contact us
Questions about applying?
You can schedule a one-on-one appointment with Director of Admissions, Larissa Lavrov.