Online Master of Social Work

MSW

Use the tabs above to learn more about the how to apply, the program’s mission and goals, and advising.

The online Master of Social Work (MSW) program at UW-Milwaukee prepares students for a wide range of positions that require a graduate degree and advanced training in social work. 

The online MSW curriculum provides students with courses that highlight the unique strengths of the traditional MSW program at UW-Milwaukee and meet the base educational requirements for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential in the state of Wisconsin. 

The online MSW is a part time, cohort model program where students complete two courses per semester. All of our courses are delivered online and asynchronously (except field placement).  

We offer two tracks in our online program: Advanced Standing and Foundation.  

Advanced-Standing Track

The advanced-standing track within the online MSW program offers a pathway for students who earned a bachelor’s degree in social work within the past seven years from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program. If the BSW was earned more than seven years prior to starting the MSW Program, but the student has evidence of at least three years of professional social work experience within the most recent seven years, that student may also be approved for advanced standing. Evidence of professional social work experience would include employment performance evaluations and/or a letter from a supervisor on agency letterhead confirming employment dates and responsibilities. 

The advanced-standing curriculum in the online MSW program is a part-time program that will take two years (including summers) to complete. Advanced-standing students will complete three semesters of field placement, which will begin in the program’s second year.  

Psychology, sociology, and other bachelor’s degrees outside of social work do not qualify for advanced standing.  

Foundation Track

The foundation track within the online MSW program offers a pathway for students who have a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than social work but want to pursue social work at the master’s level. The foundation curriculum in the online MSW program is a part-time program that will take three years, plus one semester (including summers) to complete. Foundation students will complete four semesters of field placement, which will begin in the program’s second year.  

Additional Information

At this time, we are only accepting students from Wisconsin and bordering areas such as northern Illinois, eastern Minnesota, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  

UWM also offers a traditional, on-campus Social Work MSW, which can be completed part-time or full-time and offers specializations such as School Social Work and Substance Abuse Counseling. The frequently asked questions webpage includes a chart demonstrating some of the other differences between the online MSW program and the traditional, on-campus program at UWM.  

The online MSW program is part time and does not offer specializations like School Social Work and Substance Abuse Counseling. 

Admission Requirements

• An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or better (including undergraduate course work from all colleges attended and each attempt of any repeated courses). 
• Satisfactory completion of at least 21 semester credits in social and behavior science areas such as psychology, sociology, political science, economics, anthropology or their equivalent. 
• Admission to the MSW program is limited. Factors considered in evaluating applicants are academic preparation and achievement, personal qualifications and maturity, volunteer, and employment experience, and potential and aptitude for both graduate study and professional practice in social work. 
• A graduate entrance exam such as the GRE or MAT is not required for admission. 

The application cycle for the online Master of Social Work program opened on October 1, 2024. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2025. This application cycle is for the Fall 2025 cohort. We admit applicants for the fall semester only.

Currently, we are only accepting students from Wisconsin and bordering areas such as northern Illinois, eastern Minnesota, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  

Application Information

The application is online and can be saved and completed over time. The application will ask for:  

• Your unofficial transcript 
• Narrative statements  
• Service-related experience 
• Resume 
• Two recommendation letters  
• Application fee  

If you fill out the online MSW application, but later decide you would like to be considered for the traditional, on-campus MSW program instead, you do not need to fill out a new application or pay the application fee again. Contact Michelle Jurvelin at willi574@uwm.edu if this applies to you.  

Application Links

Reference instructions for MSW application 

Resume and narrative statement instructions for MSW application 

Online MSW application

MSW Program Mission and Goals

The mission of the UWM MSW Program is to prepare advanced social work practitioners who can promote positive change through social work practice, advocacy, education, research and leadership. This is accomplished through the MSW curriculum being anchored in core courses for all MSW students that build knowledge and skills in crucial advanced social work competencies related to social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities, as well as knowledge and skills in the areas of social welfare policy, social justice, and evaluation of practice and programs.

The values of this curriculum align with the goals of the UWM Social Work Department to prepare:

• Highly skilled, advanced practitioners to work in a variety of ecological levels, including with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities and governments
• Ethical practitioners guided by the principles and values of the social work profession, including dignity and worth of the person, and importance of human relationships
• Culturally competent social workers who promote and advocate for social justice and human rights
• Social workers who engage in critical thinking and actively apply research evidence to practice, policy, advocacy, education and leadership
• Social workers who conduct practice and program evaluation to advance knowledge and practice
• Competent advanced generalist practitioners who may additionally become prepared to develop specialized practice skills through various elective pathways, field placement training and certificate and certification programs
• Social workers who address human service needs in the state of Wisconsin and the region