Master of Social Work

CUW General Graduate Entrance Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university
  • CUW offers a one-year advanced standing track for applicants with a BSW degree earned through a CSWE-accredited social work program. If your bachelor's degree is not a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program, you may apply to our regular - two-year MSW track.
• 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)

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 the Graduate Admission Office at graduate.admission@cuw.edu or 262.243.4300 for more information on transferring graduate credits

• Regular Standing - 2 Year - Full Time
• Regular Standing - 3 Year - Part Time
• Regular Standing - 4 Year - Part Time
• Advanced Standing - 1 Year - Full Time

1. Application
   Complete the application and submit all required documents. Applicants are informed of acceptance within two weeks of application completion.
2. Evaluation
   When an applicant’s file is complete, the file is forwarded to the Admission Committee for review.
3. Admission
   Once admitted, an acceptance letter will be mailed to you and your Falcon One Student ID number. Password information to access my.cuw.edu will be sent separately from the Information Technology office. 

Apply Here

• Completed Online Graduate Application
  • Select your program of study: MSW-Master of Social Work - Advanced
• 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
• One Professional Letter of Recommendation from the following:
  
  • A faculty member from your BSW program
  • OR
  • 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, that meeting admission requirements does not guarantee an opportunity to interview or receive admission.
• CastleBranch Background Check - CUW requires students to complete a background check before beginning their field placement.

• Completed Online Graduate Application
  • Select your program of study: MSW-Master of Social Work
• 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
• One professional letter of recommendation from a current or former supervisor, program faculty member, or academic advisor.
• 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, that meeting admission requirements does not guarantee an opportunity to interview or receive admission.
• CastleBranch Background Check - CUW requires students to complete a background check before beginning their field placement.

• Please complete the Non-Degree Application
• Non-degree applicants only need to submit an application to begin admission review; however academic transcripts may be requested to complete our review

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 BSW 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.

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:

• Social Worker
• Social Worker – Advanced Practice
• Social Worker – Independent
• Social Worker – Licensed Clinical
• Social Worker – Training Certificate

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:

1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
2. Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice
3. Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice
4. Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
5. Engage in Policy Practice
6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

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

View a webinar from February 29th here:

• Handbook
• Field Manual
• NASW Code of Ethics

• CSWE - Council on Social Work Education
• NASW - National Association of Social Workers
• NASW - Wisconsin Chapter
• NACSW - North American Association of Christians in Social Work
• IFSW - International Federation of Social Workers
• DSPS - Department of Safety and Professional Services
• Social Workers
• AWSB - Association of Social Work Boards
• Department of Social Work Facebook Page

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 degrees 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?

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 rigorous standards and criteria in our programming in order to be in good standing. 

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), which 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.