UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MADISON · UNITED STATES
Social Work, MSW
Master's · Taught in en
At a glance
24 mo
Duration
—
IELTS
—
Tuition / yr
en
Language
Master's
Level
- Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)Accreditation
- Consistently ranked among the top social work schoolsRanking
- Generalist and advanced generalist practice focusCurriculum Approach
- Hybrid attendance option for part-time studyFlexibility
- Opportunities for specialization in aging, child welfare, health, or mental healthSpecializations
- Extensive field education program with over 100 placementsField Experience
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison equips students with advanced generalist practice skills. The curriculum is built on a liberal arts foundation, emphasizing a person-in-environment perspective, empowerment, and strengths-based approaches. The program aims to prepare graduates for autonomous advanced generalist practice across diverse settings by providing knowledge, values, and skills in areas such as social problems, policy, systems of oppression, multilevel interventions, ethical advocacy, social justice, and research-informed practice. The School of Social Work is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment and maintaining strong partnerships with community organizations for meaningful field experiences. The MSW curriculum is oriented towards generalist social work practice, integrating content on professional values and ethics, diversity and inclusion, populations at risk, and social, economic, and environmental justice. Students complete a generalist practice year focused on direct practice across various system sizes (micro-to-macro), followed by a specialization year. The advanced generalist specialization offers optional areas of focus including aging, child, youth, and family welfare, health, and mental health. Students also have opportunities for electives and can construct individualized sub-focus areas with advisor assistance. The Part-Time MSW Program offers a hybrid learning format, with in-person sessions held every other Saturday and online components. This option is designed for students who cannot commit to full-time study and allows for completion in four years. Fieldwork placements may be available in the student's home community. Both traditional and advanced standing options are available, with focus areas in child, youth, and family welfare, or mental health.
Curriculum
The MSW curriculum is generalist social work practice in orientation. It integrates content on social work values and ethics, diversity, populations-at-risk, and social justice. Students complete a generalist year followed by a specialization year.
- Generalist Practice Year
- Social Welfare Policies and Services
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment (including social work with ethnic and racial groups; and psychopathology for generalist practice)
- Research Methods
- Social Work Practice (Generalist Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups)
- Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities
- Field Course (Integrative Seminar and Field Placement)
- Advanced Generalist Specialization Year
- Advanced Practice
- Advanced Policies and Services
- Advanced Macro Practice
- Advanced Generalist Social Work Field Practice (Integrative Seminar and Field Placement)
- Electives
Careers
The MSW program prepares students for leadership roles in social work practice and policy. Graduates are equipped to work across diverse settings and with various populations, contributing to social and economic justice.
- Generalist Social Worker
- Advanced Generalist Social Worker
- Child Welfare Practitioner
- Health Services Social Worker
- Mental Health Counselor
- Aging Services Specialist
- Community Organizer
- Policy Analyst
Frequently asked questions
- What are the academic entry requirements for the MSW program?
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution is required. Applicants without a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program will begin with the generalist curriculum.
- Do I need to provide English proficiency test scores?
- Yes, international applicants are required to provide English proficiency test scores as part of their application materials.
- How do I apply to the MSW program?
- Applications are submitted through the UW–Madison Graduate School admissions portal. You will need to prepare academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
- Are there different study options available?
- Yes, there is a Full-Time MSW Program and a Part-Time MSW Program offered in a hybrid format with online components and in-person sessions every other Saturday.
- What are the tuition and fee details for international students?
- Tuition and fee information for international students is not specified on the program page. Please refer to the University Bursar's Office for detailed information.
- Are there any funding opportunities for students?
- Federal Title IV-E funding is available as a stipend for students training in public child welfare, covering tuition, books, mileage, and providing a monthly stipend.
Entry requirements
Bachelor's DegreeA bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution is required. Applicants who have not completed a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program will enter the generalist curriculum.
Applicants must meet the School of Social Work admission requirements. Specific requirements are detailed on the program's admission pages for full-time and part-time study.
Fees
Tuition (international)Tuition and fee information for international students is not specified on the program page. Please refer to the University Bursar's Office for detailed information.
Tuition (home)Tuition and fee information for domestic students is not specified on the program page. Please refer to the University Bursar's Office for detailed information.
LivingEstimated living costs for graduate students are not specified on the program page. Please refer to the University's financial aid resources.
The Bursar's Office provides information about tuition and fees for graduate students.
How to apply
1. Choose Your Program OptionDecide whether to apply for the Full-Time MSW Program or the Part-Time MSW Program. Note that the Part-Time program is offered in a hybrid format.
2. Review Admission RequirementsEnsure you meet all academic and any specific program requirements. For applicants without a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program, you will enter the generalist curriculum.
3. Prepare Application MaterialsGather all necessary documents, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. International applicants will need to provide English proficiency test scores.
4. Submit ApplicationComplete and submit the online application through the UW–Madison Graduate School admissions portal.
5. Await Admission DecisionAdmission decisions are typically communicated after the application review process.
6. Background CheckIf admitted, you will be advised that state statutes require background checks for all potential field students prior to field experience.
Scholarships
Federal Title IV-E FundingTuition, book and mileage stipend, and a monthly stipend
Accreditation
The MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Frequently asked questions
What are the academic entry requirements for the MSW program?
+
A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution is required. Applicants without a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program will begin with the generalist curriculum.
Do I need to provide English proficiency test scores?
+
Yes, international applicants are required to provide English proficiency test scores as part of their application materials.
How do I apply to the MSW program?
+
Applications are submitted through the UW–Madison Graduate School admissions portal. You will need to prepare academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
Are there different study options available?
+
Yes, there is a Full-Time MSW Program and a Part-Time MSW Program offered in a hybrid format with online components and in-person sessions every other Saturday.
What are the tuition and fee details for international students?
+
Tuition and fee information for international students is not specified on the program page. Please refer to the University Bursar's Office for detailed information.
Are there any funding opportunities for students?
+
Federal Title IV-E funding is available as a stipend for students training in public child welfare, covering tuition, books, mileage, and providing a monthly stipend.