Master of Social Work

From the University of Minnesota School of Social Work

The University of Minnesota School of Social Work is the country's first graduate social work program at a public land-grant university. Established in 1917, the School provides national and international leadership in advanced studies in child welfare; youth studies; family violence prevention; studies in aging; social justice; community strategies and practices; and social welfare policy.

• Program Description
  
• Degree Requirements
  
• Delivery Format
• Accreditation
  
• Program Faculty
• Degree Completion Timeframe
  
• Program Curriculum
  
• Admission Information
• Contact Information 

Program Description

The curriculum of the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program prepares professionals to enter advanced social work practice and to practice in a manner that helps individuals, groups, and communities enhance or restore social functioning and create social conditions favorable to this goal. The curriculum emphasizes social justice, the value of human diversity and empowerment of oppressed people, and stresses practice that focuses on client strengths and problem-solving capacities to foster change at multiple levels.

Two options are available:

• Full-degree program (50 semester credits)
• Advanced Standing program (minimum 34 credits) for individuals who have earned an undergraduate degree in social work

The M.S.W. program offered in Rochester uses a cohort model, and typically admits students every other year. At this time, however, the program is not planning to enroll a new cohort.

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Degree Requirements

The full program is 50 semester credits in length and includes 25 credits of foundation coursework followed by a 25-credit concentration in direct practice. As a part-time student, you take two classes each semester. Students complete two field placements of 480 hours each.

The Advanced Standing Program is a minimum of 34 semester credits. To be eligible for Advanced Standing, a student must begin his/her graduate program within seven years of completing the undergraduate degree in social work. Students complete one field placement of 500 hours.

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Delivery Format

Courses are delivered through a variety of formats, including in-person instruction, interactive television, and web-enhanced course delivery. In order to accommodate working professionals, all classes are offered evenings and Saturdays.

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Accreditation

The M.S.W. program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

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Program Faculty

The curriculum and courses are the same as those offered on the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota. All courses are taught by faculty and adjunct faculty from the School of Social Work.

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Degree Completion Timeframe

Studying part-time, a student in the full program of 50 semester credits should complete the program in two to three academic years. The Advanced Standing curriculum has a minimum of 34 semester credits and a part-time student should complete the program in one to two academic years. Part-time study would be two classes a semester or a class and field placement.

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Program Curriculum

The Direct Practice Concentration offers three areas of specialization within the concentration that relate to specific domains of practice:

• Child Welfare
• Family and Children’s Service
• Health/Mental Health

The Direct Practice Curriculum consists of the following course areas:

• Advanced Practice Setting - 3 credits required
• Advanced Practice with Diversity - 2 credits required
• Advanced Research - 2 credits required
• Advanced Human Behavior and the Social Environment - 3 credits required
• Field - 6 credits required for full program / 8 credits required for advanced standing
• Skills Electives - 3-6 credits required
• Other Electives - up to 3 credits for full program / 7-10 credits for advanced standing

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Program Admission Information

The MSW program in Rochester uses a cohort model and begins a new cohort every other year. Effective immediately, the School of Social Work MSW program offered in Rochester will not be accepting applications for the Rochester Cohort.  If you would like further information about other options, please contact the School of Social Work toll free at 1-800-779-8636 or at swadmis@umn.edu.

Application materials for the Fall 2010 admission cycle on the Twin Cities campus will be available in August 2009 at http://cehd.umn.edu/SSW/prospective_students/MSW/admission/apply.asp.

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