Start your journey
Complete your MSW coursework online
Be part of the first online cohort of the University of Minnesota masters of social work (MSW) program, ranked #1 in the state (US News & World Report, 2025).
Our online MSW courses allow students to take classes remotely, offering more flexibility to complete their degree. Students will focus their studies on the advanced direct practice of social work.
Our first cohort, beginning classes in Fall 2026, will be for students pursuing the full MSW degree. The full program is for students who do not have a bachelor of social work (BSW) degree. Program requirements include:
- 53 credits
- 1020 practicum hours
Careers
Master of Social Work (MSW) graduates build careers as:
- case managers
- policy analysts
- clinicians
- community organizers
- and more
Tuition
The full online MSW 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
Application requirements and deadlines
For the launch of our MSW program, the University of Minnesota School of Social Work offers a deadline of June 1 for general admission candidates to begin coursework in Fall 2026.
June 1: Application deadline for the online MSW program
- All applications will be reviewed within two weeks of the application deadline
- All decision letters will be mailed by June 15
Please note that interested applicants who apply and are accepted will not be able to enter practicum placements during their first year in the program. Practicum placements will be available in Fall 2027.
For more information about Graduate Admissions, and additional tips for applying, visit the Graduate Admissions page.
Coursework
Learning environment
Our online MSW program was designed to offer incoming students flexibility to complete their coursework without disrupting their day-to-day lives.
Courses are completed on a weekly basis, with optional, 1:1 support from UMN faculty and instructors in live virtual office hours.
Online students are welcome on campus any time, and will have access to all campus resources, including student centers on the Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses, Recwell memberships and more.
In addition, online MSW students will be welcomed at all School of Social Work, College of Education and Human Development, and University events, both virtual and in-person.
For the full-program online MSW, students will complete:
- 17 credits of generalist social work coursework
- 6 credits of foundation practicum
- 24 credits of advanced practice courses (including methods, skills)
- 6 credits of the specialization placement
MSW specializations
Advanced direct practice with individuals, families, and groups
Advanced Direct Practice (ADP) prepares students to develop skills in diagnostic assessment, engagement, and evidence-based intervention across diverse settings and populations.
Using evidence-based theories and skills such as inclusive and anti-oppressive frameworks, students learn to mediate risk, identify protective factors, and promote resilience.
The curriculum was designed with extensive community input to ensure that graduates have both deep expertise in their practice area and adaptable skills relevant across service contexts.
Requirements and schedule
Requirements and schedule
Students can enroll as part-time or full-time students in the full program for Fall 2026.
Classes do not have required set meetings times. Each week begins at 12:00 am CST Monday and ends Sunday night at 11:59 PM.
Students view lectures and course materials each week and then submit weekly assignments by Sunday night.
There are optional virtual office hours and optional virtual check-ins for students.
Practicum requirements
Practicum requirements
Students entering in fall 2026 can begin their practicum placements as soon as summer 2027.
Students must complete required coursework before they can start their practicum placements and meet all course prerequisites or be concurrently enrolled in required coursework.
To earn their degree and qualify for licensing exams, full program students must register for 1,020 practicum credits and remain enrolled in those credits for the full duration of the placement. Additionally, online MSW students may apply only to practicum sites that align with the advanced direct practice specialization.
Online MSW students located in the Twin Cities metro will receive a list of approved practicum sites with established partnerships with the MSW program.
Students residing outside the Twin Cities metro will meet with a practicum coordinator upon admission to determine the timing and geographic location of their intended practicum experiences. If established partner sites do not exist in the student’s region, the student and coordinator will co-develop a list of potential agencies aligned with the student’s specialization.
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.