Minnesota Social Work Masters (MSW) Programs

Are you interested in social work master’s programs in Minnesota?

Whether you want to work at the individual or community level, you must obtain an MSW certificate.

In addition to the practical experience, knowledge, and values you will enjoy, the certificate will help you obtain a government work permit.

MSW Programs Minnesota

Minnesota has a few universities that provide quality education for MSW researchers.

You can register at any of their universities and further your career in social work. However, before you submit your application, you should know a few things about their MSW studies.

Among the things you are going to learn are the types of MSW studies, admission standards, length of studies, available courses,

Who Can Study for MSW Degree in Minnesota?

Every scholar is permitted to advance their career in social work in Minnesota. Foreign researchers can also submit their requests whether they are provincial residents or non-residents.

However, there are some essentials candidates must satisfy before gaining admission to study MSW in Minnesota. As you go through this write-up, you will come across these essentials.

MSW Minnesota Study Options

There’re two kinds of MSW degrees in Minnesota.

They’re regular standing and advanced standing studies. Traditional standing studies are intended for scholars with no background or experience in social work.

Therefore, the study syllabus includes introductory courses. These basic courses are taught in the first or second years of their MSW. The aim is to shed light on the basic principles of social work.

Advanced standing studies are intended for applicants with a basic understanding of social work. As such, there are no introductory classes in its syllabus.

Only specialized courses are provided throughout the study period. For this reason, you may complete your DSM in this study stream earlier than the study pathway above.

Here is a reference for the clinical hours you need for licensure.

Learning Duration

The length of your MSW studies in Minnesota depends on your chosen study path. Advanced standing is quicker than regular standing studies.

That’s because there are no core courses, as mentioned earlier. As a result, it will take 1-2 years to complete an MSW either as a part-time or full-time scholar.

Because regular standing studies include introductory courses, completing an MSW will take a little time. Scholars who opt for this study stream full-time may complete their classes within one year.

In contrast, part-time researchers are likely to spend 3-4 years.

MSW Courses in Minnesota

Several courses are available for scholars seeking an MSW in Minnesota. Some are introductory courses, while others are areas of focus and electives.

Check out a few of these courses below.

  • Health and mental health
  • Child, family, and school social work
  • Clinical mental health
  • Community practice
  • Social welfare
  • Mental health and substance abuse
  • Administration and community practice
  • The Foundation of social work practice
  • Criminal justice and lots more.

Financial Assistance

Apart from providing quality education at an affordable price, Minnesota schools also provide researchers with financial assistance. These assistances include scholarships, mortgages, work studies, exemptions from tuition fees, and subsidies.

While some are federally sponsored, others are supported by the state government and private institutions. The objective is to relieve MSW fellows of their educational expenses, such as tuition, books, printouts, etc.

Every year, one or more financial grants are available for the benefit of MSW scholars. However, you must have exceptional academic experience to qualify for these grants.

You can check the remaining requirements to see if you are qualified.

Some of the fellowships available for MSW researchers in Minnesota are the Peggy L. Scheller memorial grant, the Department of social work grant worth $500-$1000, the Eleanor Kraker Family and home scholarship, the Tim and Sue Mowbray Grant, the Will Dodge Memorial grant, and lots more.

MSW Schools in Minnesota

MSW studies in Minnesota help learners connect their enthusiasm to the world’s most significant needs. They have research options that suit both learners with and without foundational skills and expertise in social work.

In addition to that, there’re hybrid-style classes and part-time opportunities to suit candidates needing flexible studies.

Moreover, in-person classes enhance relationships and teamwork with peers and faculty. As you keep reading this article, you’ll come across the various schools in Minnesota that offer social work masters.

  • Catherine University-St. Paul

Both men and women are welcome to register for their graduate studies in social work. The establishment has study options that accommodate scholars with and without social work backgrounds.

You can sign up for their accelerated MSW programs if you have a BSW from a certified institution. The study curriculum for such studies doesn’t include preliminary courses.

You’ll cover only 33 credits and 600 hours of fieldwork. Within a year or two, you can graduate.

Meanwhile, formal studies best fit those who need more social work competencies. The study curriculum is extensive because it includes introductory classes.

You’ll cover 51 credits and 1000 hours of fieldwork in your first and second years. Courses you may take are social policy & advocacy Practice, History and Philosophy of social work, and Theory & practice of social work.

As for areas of specialization, there’s only one area: clinical social work practice.

  • University of Minnesota-Duluth

You’ll appreciate earning your social work master’s in this institution. The school aims to prepare social workers to have a practical understanding of power and privilege.

This is to help shape the roles played in the society. To achieve this goal, they create a learning atmosphere that is diverse in all aspects. Learners can cultivate the sensitive skills necessary to work effectively in various populations.

Furthermore, the institution has two study options for MSW scholars. They include advanced standing and formal studies. The accelerated classes are intended for candidates with social work backgrounds.

The study curriculum for such programs contains 34 credits and 480 hours of fieldwork. You can complete your studies within a year or two, depending on your study format.

For those with a specialty in other fields, regular studies will suit them. The study curriculum features 51 credits and 900 hours of fieldwork. The duration of the studies ranges from two to four years.

Coursework includes individual, family, & group practice, American Indian & Social Policy. Areas you can specialize in are child welfare, macro/community-based social work practice, and mental health/clinical social work.

  • University of Saint Thomas-Saint Paul

This is a Catholic-based institution inspired by Aquinian intellectual tradition. They welcome students from all over the world, regardless of their religious backgrounds.

Students are allowed to choose between their expedited and regular MSW studies. The expedited studies are designed for candidates with a BSW from a certified institution.

The study syllabus focuses on centered courses because they have previous social work knowledge.

You’ll be required to cover 30 credits and 600 hours of fieldwork. Depending on your chosen study format, you can graduate within a year or two. However, the regular programs will suit those with a bachelor’s degree in social work.

The syllabus entails introductory classes in the first year and specialized courses in the second year. You’ll cover 63 credits and 100 hours of fieldwork before finishing your studies.

Coursework includes the history and philosophy of social work, human behavior & the social environment, and the theory & practice of social work.

Some areas you can specialize in are practice with older adults and practice with people of migrants & refugee backgrounds.

  • Cloud State University

Do you live in the central part of the state? Consider earning your Master of Social Work Degree in this institution. They have suited programs for scholars with a BSW and other fields of expertise.

However, for those with an undergrad certificate in social work, the accelerated classes will best fit you. The curriculum of such programs entails 32 credits and 600 hours of practice.

You can cover your schoolwork within 12 months or two years.

But for those coming from other fields, regular studies will best fit you. Such programs are structured with 59 credits and 900 hours of fieldwork. Depending on your study format, you finish your studies in two or three years.

Some courses you’ll offer are advanced generalist practice with individuals and families, Advanced generalist with refugees & immigrants, and advanced generalist with communities and organizations.

  • Capella University

You can come to this school for a quality education in advanced social work. They welcome students from all walks of life. You can choose between their traditional and expedited MSW programs.

The regular classes are intended for candidates needing more social work backgrounds. The syllabus for such programs entails 88 credits and 1000 hours of fieldwork.

You’re expected to cover your schoolwork within two or three years.

The expedited classes will suit those with little competency in social work. The curriculum is structured with only 52 credits and 600 hours of practicum. You can cover your schoolwork within a year or two.

Meanwhile, some courses you’ll offer include theory and practice, advanced social work practice, and mental health practice & advanced interventions.

Others are theories, skills, values, & professional training, systems analysis of social work practice, etc.

  • Bethel University-Saint Paul

This is another excellent school to earn your Master of Social Work. There’s a space for you whether you have previous social work knowledge.

Their regular studies are intended for learners without undergrad certificates in social work.

As such, the study curriculum for such programs entails foundational and concentration coursework. You’ll cover 56 credits and 900 hours of fieldwork in two or three years.

For those with a BSW, the accelerated studies are for you. The curriculum only features specialization courses. You’ll cover 35 credits and 500 hours of fieldwork within a year or two.

Coursework includes diversity, human rights, socio-economic, & environmental justice, and trauma and crisis in social work practice.

Twelve institutions in Minnesota offer MSW studies. The ones listed above are just a portion of them.

Other schools include Augsburg University, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Walden University, Minnesota State University-Mankato, College of Saint Scholastica, and St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.

You can research more about their studies for a better understanding.

Where Can I Work as an MSW Graduate in Minnesota?

As an MSW graduate, there’re multiple locations where you can work in Minnesota. All these are thanks to the skills and knowledge you have acquired that will enable you to work in various settings.

Some places you can work include the public education system, federal and state government agencies, community-based organizations, policy practices, the justice system, not-for-profit organizations, hospitals, clinical and mental health, etc.

While working in any of these organizations, you can play the following roles; direct practices, consultants, supervisors, etc.

What about Field Education?

Minnesota schools include on-the-job placements in their MSW syllabus so that researchers will achieve their professional goals.

Through field placements, scholars can gain excellent skills, knowledge, and experience in social work.

Some agencies where you can do your fieldwork include child welfare agencies, schools, mental health agencies, health services, etc.

MSW Student Body

MSW Fellows in Minnesota make up residents and scholars outside the state.

Foreign scholars are welcome to advance their social work careers in the province. There are researchers from India, the U.K., Scotland, etc.

Minnesota schools offer extensive learning and research experience with such categories of scholars.

They also create a conducive learning environment for students and help them develop their skills to work in diverse communities.

Cost of MSW Minnesota Programs

The amount you will pay as tuition for your MSW education in Minnesota depends on a few factors.

These include the type of university, the number of course credits, the type of study path, and residency status. Let us look at how it has an impact on the cost of tuition in Minnesota.

For MSW researchers living in Minnesota, their course credit is billed at about $576.61. As a result, the more classes you offer, the more you pay for tuition.

Traditional standing studies, including 59 accredited courses, cost approximately $34,019. Then, advanced standing studies with an average of 34 credits will cost about $19,604.

Meanwhile, non-residents- of Minnesota billed their course credits at about $708.75. Fellows that attend formal standing studies, including 59 credited courses, pay approximately $41,816 annually.

Scholars in advanced standing Studies, consisting of 34 credited courses, pay approximately $27,655.

However, if you want to know the exact amount you will be even as tuition, please visit the official webpage of your desired institution. Or you wait for your acceptance note.

Conclusion

We believe we have fulfilled our promises. You can see the kinds of MSW studies in Minnesota, available courses, tuition fees, and other relevant details from what has been discussed.

With this information, you can prepare for MSW studies in this province.