Master's in social work

Be a champion of change

You don’t ignore human struggle; you want to help. To defend human rights and justice on all levels. You’re ready to earn an MSW—the most sought-after social services degree. Concordia University is ready for you. Our online class sizes and expansive offerings maximize your opportunities, while our flexible course loads best fit your schedule - now 100% online.

Credits 63

Cost Per Credit ^$740

Sample Careers

Family Social Worker
Community Service Manager
Sociologist

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Program Overview

Please note-this program is offered online through our sister campus at Concordia University Wisconsin.

Social work is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States with approximately 7,500 new positions available each year. Your timing for pursuing our MSW couldn’t be better. Graduates leave here ready for licensing in every state at multiple practice levels. You have the opportunity to work with individuals, families, children, schools, and health care systems in areas such as mental health, substance abuse, criminal justice, administration, politics, international social work, and more.

Our mission is to provide a Christian environment that prepares you for leadership in an increasingly diverse and global society. The advanced training an MSW degree from Concordia provides will increase your job and salary opportunities. We offer full- and part-time options to best accommodate your needs and schedule. Classes are on 100% online so you have more flexibility during the week for your required field placement and other life priorities.

We are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). What does this mean and why is it important, you ask? Good Question! The CSWE mission is to ensure those attending social work programs will receive high quality education pertinent to the profession. CUW had to meet vigorous standards and criteria in our programming in order to be in good standing.

You’re motivated to make a difference. To advocate for social change, support diversity and fight for justice, one person at a time. We’re eager to have you join our MSW program. All applications are welcome, but rolling admissions apply and space is limited, so submit as soon as you can.

Learn more about our MSW program goals.

Clinical Licensure Courses

As part of the Advanced Generalist specialization, you have the option to take clinical licensure courses, which would prepare you to take the Wisconsin LCSW licensing exam upon meeting subsequent licensure requirements. Once licensed as a clinical social worker, you'll have the option to work in a clinical setting as well as the courts, schools, and other outpatient settings. You'll also be able to practice as a private therapist, operate your own mental health business, and bill independently. A clinical field placement will be required for your advanced generalist field placement.

Please note, students joining us from states outside of Wisconsin should review your state's clinical licensure requirements.

What to Expect

What you can expect from our MSW program is everything you need to build a thriving social work career on your terms. With our full- and part-time options, you pursue the 63 credits for your MSW degree in a way that best fits your lifestyle. Some of our courses are now available online as well. In addition to approachable faculty and a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, you’ll benefit from valuable field experience.

Another expectation from our program is an Advanced Generalist specialization. Advanced Generalist social workers possess the multi-faceted knowledge of client systems. They understand the importance of evidence-based practice, evaluate their practice effectiveness, and conduct profession-based research. An Advanced Generalist specialization is particularly useful in rural settings, and for direct service practitioners because of the flexibility provided in the depth and breadth of the curriculum. It’s an ideal specialization if you’re considering a leadership position in social work, or need the advanced training to support a successful practice.

Our Advanced Generalist specialization gives you the practice-oriented, theoretical grounding at all systemic levels: the micro and mezzo systems (individuals, families, groups, communities); practice in the larger macro systems (organizations and political arenas); direct practice; and supervisory and administrative roles.

Perhaps the best expectation from our MSW program is your professional acumen and employability. We’ll do more than prepare you for a career in social work; we’ll give you the tools you need to be a truly successful agent of change in our society. Through relevant, hands-on internships for your specific career interests, you can participate in Interprofessional Education (IPE) with programs across the School of Health Professions, and graduate with an IPE training certificate. You can also participate in monthly “lunch and learn” seminars, as well as annual conferences offered through the School of Health Professions, National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and the North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW).

Locations

Online

Entrance Requirements

CUW General Graduate Entrance Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 for Full Acceptance (Students below a 3.0 may be admitted under a conditional or provisional status on a case by case basis)

CUW offers a one year advanced standing track for applicants with a BSW degree earned through a CSWE accredited social work program. If your bachelors degree is not a BSW from a CSWE accredited program, you may apply to our regular - two year MSW track.

Deadlines

Priority deadline is January 15 with a final deadline of June 1 for a the next cohort start in fall.

MSW Application Requirements

Advanced Standing MSW Program

Completed Online accelerated MSW Graduate Application
1 and 1/2 to 2 page essay in APA format addressing:
- Why do you want to be a social worker? How has your life led you to this profession?
- What are your career goals and how will obtaining an MSW from CUW help you reach those goals?
- How do you plan to adjust your life to accommodate the intense demands of studying for an MSW degree (time, energy, commitment, change, frustration)?
Current Resume
Three Professional Letters of Recommendation from the following:
- Your BSW academic advisor
- A faculty member from your BSW program
- A current supervisor from a social service agency
All official post-secondary transcripts directly from all institutions where coursework was taken
- Transcripts are official when they are received by CUW directly from your institution through the mail, or using a secure electronic delivery service
- No matter how old the coursework is or whether it counts toward your bachelor’s degree, we require the transcript
- If transfer coursework is listed on your current transcript, we still require original transcripts from the school where courses were taken
Upon review of application materials, the department will contact qualified students whom they wish to interview. Please note, meeting admission requirements does not guarantee an opportunity to interview or receive admission.
CastleBranch Background Check - CUW requires students to complete a background check after they have received an admission decision. Should you be accepted, the admission decision is contingent upon satisfactory background check results.

Regular MSW Program

Completed Online Regular MSW Graduate Application
1 and 1/2 to 2 page essay in APA format addressing:
- Why do you want to be a social worker? How has your life led you to this profession?
- What are your career goals and how will obtaining an MSW from CUW help you reach those goals?
- How do you plan to adjust your life to accommodate the intense demands of studying for an MSW degree (time, energy, commitment, change, frustration)?
Current Resume
Three Professional Letters of Recommendation from the following:
- At least one from an academic advisor or program faculty member
- At least one from a current or former supervisor
All official post-secondary transcripts directly from all institutions where coursework was taken
- Transcripts are official when they are received by CUW directly from your institution through the mail, or using a secure electronic delivery service
- No matter how old the coursework is or whether it counts toward your bachelor’s degree, we require the transcript
- If transfer coursework is listed on your current transcript, we still require original transcripts from the school where courses were taken
Upon review of application materials, the department will contact qualified students whom they wish to interview. Please note, meeting admission requirements does not guarantee an opportunity to interview or receive admission.
CastleBranch Background Check - CUW requires students to complete a background check after they have received an admission decision. Should you be accepted, the admission decision is contingent upon satisfactory background check results.

Application Timeline

The MSW program at CUW operates on rolling admission until the cohort is full. Applicants are informed of acceptance within two weeks of application completion, and asked to complete the background check within the following two weeks of receipt of your admission decision. If your background check results are satisfactory, we then ask you to commit through a $250 deposit (applied toward your tuition bill, not a separate fee) within four weeks after receiving your background check clearance. Therefore, we strongly encourage applying early to ensure a seat is available for you and adequate time for the background check and deposit is allotted.

How to Apply

Graduate Application Steps

These programs have a minimum undergraduate GPA requirement of 3.00.

Admissions Process for Graduate School

Application (Please Submit the Following):
Application form available at: www.cuw.edu/apply

Please note:

- Graduate entrance exams such as the GRE are not required
- If you have completed graduate level classes in the last seven years and wish to have them evaluated for possible transfer, please contact your admissions counselor for more information on transferring graduate credits
- International students should contact the Office of International Student Services at international.admissions@cuw.edu for additional application requirements
Evaluation
When an applicant’s file is complete, the file is forwarded to the Admission Committee for review.
Admission
If the student is admitted, an acceptance letter will be mailed to the student and the student’s Falcon One Student ID number. Password information to access my.cuw.edu will be sent separately from the Information Technology office. Your advisor will be able to give you information regarding completion of the required student orientation before you begin your first class.

Non-Degree Seeking Graduate Students

Please complete the Non-Degree Application at www.cuw.edu/apply
Non-degree applicants only need to submit an application to begin admission review; however academic transcripts may be requested to complete our review

Contact Us

For additional information, please contact the Graduate Admission Office at graduate.admission@cuw.edu or 262.243.4300.

Accreditation

The department of social work has accredited BSW and MSW programs and is in good standing with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Please note:

International students are currently not eligible for this program.
Academic credit is not given for life experiences.
Only graduates from a CSWE-accredited program have Advanced Standing status.

Current: Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes

Concordia University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

State Licensing

States have established standards of practice for the social work profession. While at the present time, we cannot provide a particular state’s educational requirements for licensing, we can assure you that we will provide you with the contact information for the state licensing board for the state in which you are doing study.

Wisconsin Social Work licensing requirements can be found here:

Claire A. Haglund
PhD, LMSW, MMT

Andrew W. Hayes

Barbara Hughes
PhD, MSW

Coordinator - BSW Field Coordinator, Associate Professor

Kara K. Kastamo
CCLS

Child Life Program Coordinator, Adjunct Professor

Nichole M. Ostrowski
MSW, CAPSW

Director - BSW Program Director, Assistant Professor

Learning Outcomes

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation identifies nine competencies with behaviors as the standard for achievement in social work programs. These behaviors are augmented by advanced behaviors associated with the MSW degree specializations:

Demonstrate Ethical & Professional Behavior
Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
Engage in Policy Practice
Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities
Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Learn more about competencies, behaviors and advanced behaviors...

FAQs and Resources

MSW Student Material

Other Websites

Concordia Opioid and Substance use Disorder Certificate Training Program

Through a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Concordia is providing education and training to professionals in Wisconsin and Michigan to treat individuals suffering from opioid abuse/addictions.

Wisconsin and Michigan have significant populations experiencing substance use disorders (SUD), as there is a disconnection in treating these individuals in a meaningful manner that will help to move them toward discontinued use or overcoming their addictions. To address the needs, Concordia is providing education to those who express an interest in positively impacting the lives of individual’s suffering from the effects of opioid use disorder (OUD).

This program will enhance and expand paraprofessionals knowledge, skills, and expertise. It aims to increase the number of peer support specialists and other behavioral health-related paraprofessionals who work on interprofessional teams to provide services to children whose parents are impacted by opioid use disorders (OUD) and other substance use disorders (SUD), and their family members in guardianship roles.

There's a special focus on demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the specific concerns for children, adolescents, and transitional aged youth in high need and high demand areas who are at risk for mental health disorders and SUDs.

To be part of this study you must be a CUW or CUAA campus student enrolled in the certificate program. This program is open to all Concordia students in any area of study. Students will be selected based on an application process that consists of a personal statement, face-to-face interview via Zoom, and a professional resume.

Those who participate will:

Demonstrate increased knowledge and capacity to help individuals and families with opioid use disorders (OUD) or substance use disorders (SUD)
Receive full tuition for the online certificate program including modules, and coverage for the 3-credit, 8-week online course “Drugs, Society and Human Behavior” and a $5,000 living stipend
Have the flexibility to work through self-paced online learning modules after the completion of the academic course (above). Followed by 48 hours of experiential learning opportunities at designated partner sites
Complete a pre and post test to demonstrate knowledge gained

If you are a current CUW or CUAA student, in any degree program, please fill out this application.

If you are a non-degree seeking student, please fill click here for more information and to apply.

For more information, please contact Sara Casali, MSW, CSW at Sara.Casali@cuw.edu

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling 2.2 million over the course of 4 years with 100% funded by HRSA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA/HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please see this website: https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/manage/acknowledgehrsafunding.

General FAQs

Am I eligible to apply for an MSW degree?

Yes, as long as you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.

Do I need an undergraduate degree in social work to apply for an MSW?

No. You can have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline.

How long will it take me to get an MSW?

As a full-time regular graduate student it will take you two years. As a full-time graduate student with Advanced Standing, it will take you one year.

Can I attend part-time?

Yes. We offer part-time options in the regular and Advanced Standing programs. Students in the regular two-year graduate program can complete the program in two, three, or four years. Students with advanced standing can complete the program in two years.

How do the Advanced Standing and regular programs differ?

Advanced Standing students are only required to take the second year (specialization year) of the graduate program. The regular program is 66 credits; the Advanced Standing program is 39 credits.

Why don’t Advanced Standing students take the first year of the graduate program?

Social workers with a BSW from an accredited program already have the profession’s required knowledge base. Students with bachelor’s degree in other areas of study will obtain that required knowledge base during the first MSW year. Both regular and Advanced Standing students take the same courses offered during the second year of the MSW program, known as the specialization year.

What is the MSW program concentration at CUW?

We offer an Advanced Generalist specialization—a preferred choice for states with large rural populations. The Advanced Generalist is a well-rounded specialization, offering progressive classes that support all systemic practice levels (micro, mezzo, and macro).

How can I augment my MSW to support my specific practice interest?

Choose from our many electives that will strengthen practice in your specific interest area. Since social workers are lifelong learners, you can continually update your education through workshops, conferences and other training opportunities.

Do I need a minor?

No. Graduate students do not have minors.

Can I work full-time while I attend the MSW program?

We highly discourage working full-time while you’re a full-time MSW student. Between class, study and internship demands, it would be extremely stressful and difficult. We recommend full-time students work only 20 hours a week.

Is the program accredited?

Advanced Standing FAQs

What is Advanced Standing and am I eligible?

Advanced Standing is available if you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. Eligible Advanced Standing students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 in all social work courses, or a 3.0 with one year of experience. Once accepted for Advanced Standing, you must begin your graduate program within seven years of completing your BSW.

If I don’t have a bachelor’s degree in social work, can I still apply for the MSW program?

Yes! You’d apply for the regular two-year MSW program.

I have years of field experience but not a bachelor’s degree in social work—can I apply for the Advanced Standing program?

No. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), who accredits all social work programs, stipulates that only applicants who graduate from an accredited BSW program are eligible for Advanced Standing.

May I apply for Advanced Standing if I’ve completed graduate coursework in a social work related field?

No; Advanced standing is only for applicants with a BSW degree accredited by CSWE.

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