School of Health Professions
Master of Social Work
Our 100% online Master of Social Work (MSW) provides specialization, training at all practice levels, and hands-on internships. It’s your best preparation for an enriching future in social services.
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Program Overview
The mission of Concordia University Wisconsin’s online Master of Social Work program is to provide a graduate education, using a Christian lens, by which we believe all people are born equal and in the image of God. We prepare MSW professionals to have the knowledge, values, and skills to be strength-based, and to identify and oppose racism in order to combat oppressive systems in an increasingly diverse and global society.
The MSW program aims to educate advanced generalist social workers who are able to engage in a culturally responsive, ethical, and competent practice, foster resiliency, strengthen individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations, and advocate for justice to advance human rights for all.
And this begins with you! Where are you right now? Where are you going? What do you need? These are the questions we'll want to answer in order to tailor an MSW program that meets both your personal and professional goals. We do that through:
Regular and Advanced Standing MSW pathways
What's your bachelor's degree in? While we accept students with a variety of undergraduate degrees, students who've earned a Bachelor of Social Work from CUW or any CSWE-accredited BSW program can qualify for Concordia's Advanced Standing MSW. Regular standing students (those with a bachelor's degree in a subject area other than social work) need to complete 63 credits while advanced standing students need to earn 36 credits.
Flexible MSW courses
We offer full- and part-time course load options for both our Regular and Advance Standing students to best accommodate your needs and schedule. Our social work classes are 100% online, asynchronous, and collaborative so you'll have the flexibility during the week to balance your life, school work, and the required field placement.
Diverse field placement opportunities
You'll have the opportunity to work hands-on with individuals, families, children, schools, and healthcare systems in areas such as mental health, substance abuse, criminal justice, administration, politics, international social work, and more. We have a field placement coordinator dedicated to working with you to find the right experience for you. Expect to complete 16 hours per week in your field placement.
Dr. Sara Casali, MSW Field Coordinator
Advanced Generalist Specialization
As a graduate of Concordia's online MSW program, you'll be prepared holistically with an Advanced Generalist Specialization, which is an ideal specialization if you're considering administrative or leadership roles or if you need advanced training to support a successful social work practice. Advanced Generalist social workers are multi-faceted. The depth and breadth of Concordia's MSW curriculum will prepare you to be versatile in the field and enable you to be well-prepared to work in a variety of social work settings.
Clinical Licensure courses
As part of the Advanced Generalist specialization, you have the option to take clinical licensure courses which will 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.
A fully accredited, online MSW
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 to Expect
Social work is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States with approximately 7,500 new positions available each year. Concordia's online MSW program will prepare you with everything you need to build a thriving social work career with professional acumen and employability.
In addition to our flexible courses and graduation timelines, you'll benefit from small class sizes (our student-professor ratio is 12:1), and approachable faculty who care about you as an individual. You'll learn through relevant, hands-on internships for your specific career interests, and you'll have opportunities to earn additional certifications to further distinguish yourself as a master in social work.
In addition to our flexible courses and graduation timelines, you'll benefit from small class sizes (our student-professor ratio is 12:1), and approachable faculty who care about you as an individual. You'll learn through relevant, hands-on internships for your specific career interests, and you'll have opportunities to earn additional certifications to further distinguish yourself as a master in social work.
- Participate in Interprofessional Education (IPE) with programs across the School of Health Professions, and graduate with an IPE training certificate.
- You'll have the option to participate in monthly “lunch and learn” seminars and our international conversation series as well as annual conferences offered through the School of Health Professions, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and the North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW).
- Take Clinical Licensure Courses in order to become an LCSW.
Having received the advanced training you need to increase job and salary opportunities, you'll graduate from CUW's social work master's program ready for licensing in every state at multiple practice levels.
*Please note, students joining us from states outside of Wisconsin should review your state's clinical licensure requirements.
