Frequently Asked Questions
A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75, including undergraduate course work from all colleges attended and each attempt of any repeated courses.
Yes.
Students can only start the online MSW in the Fall semester. We do not admit students in Spring or Summer semesters.
Yes.
Starting in the Fall 2026 semester you can enroll either full or part time.
The chart below highlights some of the differences between the online MSW program and the traditional, on-campus MSW program.
| Online MSW Program | Traditional, On-Campus MSW Program |
| Full time or part time | Full time or part time |
| No choice in electives | Student choice in electives |
| All classes are online and delivered asynchronously | Majority of classes are only offered in person. Some class sections are offered online. |
| Meets the base educational requirements for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential in the state of Wisconsin. | Will meet the base educational requirements for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential in the state of Wisconsin if the required electives are chosen (must work with an advisor to ensure the correct classes are selected). |
| $675 per credit | Traditional tuition structure |
| Not eligible to apply for YOSAT | Eligible to apply for YOSAT |
No.
To qualify for the advanced standing version of the program you would need to have a bachelor’s degree in social work earned within seven years of starting the online MSW from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Yes.
Please note: If you are an Advanced Standing student and choose the full-time option, you will begin your field placement immediately in the Fall.
We strongly recommend applying to the online MSW Program by January 1 to allow sufficient time to secure a field placement and coordinate with your field liaison.
Early application is especially important for non-local students, those pursuing the School Social Work Specialization, and those seeking placement at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
At this time, we are only accepting applications from students living in Wisconsin and bordering areas to include northern Illinois, eastern Minnesota, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The cost is currently $675 per credit for both in-state and out-of-state students. The advanced-standing program will require 36 credits and the foundation program will require 60 credits. Please note that tuition is subject to university increases.
Possibly.
If you have a BSW earned more than seven years prior to starting the MSW program, but have recent work experience in social work, you may qualify for advanced standing. Please contact Michelle Jurvelin at willi574@uwm.edu if this applies to you.
No.
The online program does not have all of the same course options that our traditional, on-campus program does. The online program contains a pre-selected set of courses.
Beyond our foundation and the advanced curriculum core of direct practice, leadership, policy and evaluation, the courses of the online program taken by all students to satisfy “electives” are the following:
- Psychopathology
- Development of Family Over the Lifespan
- Practice Skills and Concepts for Aging and Health
- Trauma I: Theory and Research
- Trauma II: Diagnosis and Treatment
Yes.
Our online MSW program includes the courses required by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) to take the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) exam.
If you select a specialization, the LCSW coursework is not automatically included. Work with your advisor to incorporate the clinical courses required for LCSW eligibility into your student plan.
If you plan to practice social work outside of Wisconsin, please check with your state’s licensing department for their examination and licensing criteria. Each state will have different rules and regulations pertaining to certification and licensure.
Yes.
Please visit the School Social Work webpage for more information or contact: Ke’Andra Hagans at klhagans@uwm.edu
Yes.
Please visit the Applied Gerontology webpage for more information or contact Jen-Kahn Pettigrew at kahnpet2@uwm.edu
Yes.
Please visit Trauma-Informed webpage for more information or contact Kristina Chudy at kchudy@uwm.edu
No.
This specialization is currently only offered through the in-person MSW program.
Students enrolled in the online MSW program will follow a standard course plan throughout their studies.
Please note that if a student selects the School Social Work or Applied Gerontology specialization, the elective courses will be adjusted to meet the specific requirements of that concentration. Specializations may require more credits than the standard course plan.