Master of Social Work Courses & Curriculum

The Master of Social Work Program prepares students for advanced social work practice and leadership across a multitude of human service settings. The program has two specialization options: Multicultural Clinical and Social Change and Leadership. Students without a bachelor degree in social work would enroll in the foundation curriculum and then a specialization. Students with a bachelor degree in social work would be granted advanced standing and proceed directly to the specialization curriculum. The MSW is an online plus program, which means that the classes will be delivered via distance technology, but there are some face-to-face or on campus components.

The Multicultural Clinical specialization was designed specifically by faculty and regional stakeholders to create a curriculum that prepares graduates to be advanced mental health professionals in an increasingly diverse world. The curriculum aligns with the Minnesota Board of Social Work educational requirements for clinical licensure.

The Social Change and Leadership specialization was developed by MSUM social work faculty after consulting with regional social workers and human service organizations. The curriculum is designed to develop leadership potential and high-level agency administration skills, as well as advanced macro practice competencies.

Social Work Graduate Degree Options

• Master of Social Work
  • Multicultural Clinical emphasis
  • Social Change & Leadership emphasis

Master of Social Work (MSW) Program’s Mission Statement

Consistent with the mission of this upper Midwest teaching university, and the Education Policy and Accreditation Standards (2015) of the Council on Social Work Education, the MSUM School of Social Work extends students’ liberal arts foundation with an education necessary to become competent advanced social work practice professionals who possess the core knowledge, values, and skills needed to engage in ethical and evidence-based specialized practice with all people and all levels of social organization in a dynamic and diverse society. Graduates are prepared to promote with integrity planned change through a person-in-environment framework and a strengths perspective in order to promote human and community well-being, advance social and economic justice, and human rights, locally, nationally, and globally.