Why apply to the UMD MSW program? Listen to what current students like about the program.

The next application deadline is January 11, 2013 for admission fall 2013.

UMD Department of Social Work Receives Mental and Behavioral Health Training Grant (MBHET)

With the MBHET grant, the UMD MSW program has created the Clinical Scholars Program. In addition to providing students with a stipend, the Clinical Scholars Program provides students with specialized education and training in clinical social work with high need, high demand populations. Click on Clinical Scholars Program for more information. 

The UMD MSW Advanced Generalist Program prepares students to pursue their clinical license by offering them courses and field placements in working with individuals and families in clinical settings, and also in working with organizations and neighborhoods/communities affecting these clients' lives. For more information on obtaining clinical content in the Advanced Generalist Program, click here.

Master of Social Work Program

The UMD Department of Social Work is one of the select MSW programs in the nation that prepares students for "advanced generalist" practice - including working directly with clients in a range of social services settings, administration, and community development activities. As such, we are able to prepare students for both "direct"/clinical practice and "indirect"/administrative and/or community-level practice.

We have a particular focus on services to American Indians, especially in rural areas, including an emphasis on services that are culturally competent. The UMD MSW program also has a Child Welfare component that provides scholarships, curriculum, and support services to students interested in a career in child welfare.

The UMD M.S.W. program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Career Information - Social Work

• Occupational Outlook Handbook; occupational outlook for social workers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Career overview: Social Workers
• Best Jobs 2012: Social Worker - Article from U.S. News and World Report 2012

The MSW Application deadline is January 11, 2013.

Admission Information

Prerequisites for Admission

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. The bachelor's degree should include a solid background in the liberal arts (courses in the arts, humanities, and behavioral and social sciences). Applicants should be knowledgeable about diverse cultures, social problems, social conditions, and the social, psychological, and biological determinants of human behavior.
• Completion of at least 15 semester credits (or 24 quarter credits) in two or more social science disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, economics, anthropology or political science.
• Strong academic preparation as demonstrated by undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. The Graduate School normal standard for admission is a minimal undergraduate GPA of 3.0. However, the MSW program is allowed to make a limited number of exceptions.
• Potential to contribute to the social work profession.

Enrollment Prerequisites

• Admitted applicants must complete a college-level course in biology with content on human anatomical and physiological development and a college-level course in statistics. A grade of "C" or "better" must be received for the course(s). Applicants can be admitted before completing the enrollment prerequisites, although not having completed the prerequisites does influence the review of your application.
  • Biology prerequisite must be completed prior to registering for the first semester in the MSW program.
  • The Statistics prerequisite must be completed prior to registering for the first research course.
• Based on the written materials submitted with the application, some applicants may be admitted with the contingency that they work with a writing tutor or take a writing course when they begin their coursework.
• The University of Minnesota Duluth requires all students who are placed for academic credit in a UMD department in which there is direct contact with minors or other vulnerable populations to complete and submit a background criminal check prior to beginning their field placement. This includes all MSW students. The Department of Human Resources at UMD will facilitate these checks.

Criteria Used by the Admissions Committee in Reviewing The M.S.W. Applications

1. Academic potential for graduate study demonstrated through strong undergraduate academic performance. This potential is assessed through the review of the transcripts (with special attention to the last two years of study and/or study in the major field), formal writing sample, letters of recommendation, and explanation of GPA (if included).
2. Professional preparation in a human service setting with preference for at least one year of experience. Greater weight is given to length of time served and direct service or client service management. Professional preparation is assessed through the resume, personal statement, and letters of recommendation, particularly those from a social service supervisor or manager. However, course credits are not awarded for non-academic or professional" life experience."
3. Preparation for practice in a multicultural environment, including demonstrated sensitivity to issues of racial identity, ethnicity, national origin or culture, and a commitment to working with diverse populations, is assessed through the resume, personal statement, and letters of recommendation.
4. Experience working with diverse populations is given special consideration and is assessed through the resume, personal statement, and letters of recommendation.
5. Written communication skills include the ability to conceptualize ideas clearly and succinctly, to demonstrate critical thinking in written format, to organize and communicate ideas logically and to write using correct grammar and spelling. These skills are assessed through the personal statement, formal sample of writing, resume, and letters of recommendation.
6. Congruence of applicant’s values and ethics with those held by the social work profession is assessed through the resume, personal statement, and letters of recommendation.
7. Potential for leadership and advocacy in social and economic justice is assessed through the resume, personal statement, and letters of recommendation.

MSW Program Laptop Requirement

Effective May of 2012 all incoming MSW students will be required to have a laptop computer. Click here for requirements and additional information

Tuition Information

Tuition costs vary from year to year. For the latest information, visit UMD ONE STOP Student Services website.

International Student Information

Graduate School information for International students

UMD International Student Services.