University of Missouri – St. Louis MSW Programs

The University of Missouri–St. Louis is eastern Missouri’s largest public research university. Its 470-acre campus sits in suburban St. Louis County. Since its founding in 1963 as the fourth campus of the University of Missouri System, UMSL has grown into a leading educational institution that serves the state’s most populated region.

UMSL has over 17,000 students, making it the second largest university in the University of Missouri System and the third largest statewide. The campus spans more than 50 buildings that blend historic academic architecture with state-of-the-art facilities.

U.S. News & World Report recognizes UMSL as a Tier 1 national research university, ranking it 136th among public universities nationwide. The university shines in social mobility – it ranks first in Missouri and 87th nationally on U.S. News & World Report’s “Top Performers on Social Mobility” list. This shows its success in helping economically disadvantaged students graduate.

St. Louis region benefits from more than 80,000 UMSL alumni who live and work in the area. These graduates generate about $14.30 billion in economic impact for Missouri each year. The university’s effect on Missouri’s economy reaches beyond $555 million.

Academic excellence runs through UMSL’s programs. The university’s dual AACSB accreditation in business and accounting puts it among the top 2% of business schools worldwide. The School of Social Work ranks in U.S. News & World Report’s top 100 “Best Schools for Social Work” and is Missouri’s largest, offering BSW and MSW programs.

Students enjoy easy access to campus through MetroLink stops on both North and South campuses. This connects them to educational, cultural, and professional opportunities across St. Louis. The campus life thrives with modern residence halls, a recreation and wellness center, and active student organizations.

A 13:1 student-faculty ratio ensures students get individual attention. This approach works well – more than 94% of recent graduates find jobs, volunteer positions, or continue their studies.

INSIGHT into Diversity magazine has recognized UMSL’s steadfast dedication to diversity and inclusion with seven Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Awards. UMSL continues to provide exceptional education that changes lives through its commitment to excellence and accessibility.

Programs offered

The University of Missouri–St. Louis offers a Master of Social Work (MSW) with a detailed curriculum that prepares students to practice social work professionally. Students can complete this program in two years full-time or take up to six years part-time. The program gives graduates the skills they need to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Students need 60 hours of graduate coursework to graduate. Those with a BSW from an accredited social work program might receive up to 24 hours of advanced standing credit for foundation courses. Full-time students usually finish in two years, while part-time students take about four years.

The program has a well-laid-out curriculum. Students start with 30 credits of foundation courses that build a common knowledge base for all practice settings and populations. They then choose one of two concentration areas:

• Family Practice – Students learn to work with individuals and families in settings like child welfare agencies, family service agencies, mental health clinics, schools, healthcare organizations, and substance abuse prevention programs
• Leadership and Social Change – Students get knowledge and practical training to take leadership and management positions in public, private, and nonprofit organizations

Students can also focus on specialized areas:

• Health & Behavioral Health
• School Social Work
• Social Work with the Military

Field education plays a vital role in the MSW curriculum. Students choose from over 400 practicum locations in the St. Louis area and might get approval for sites outside the metro region. Foundation year students complete 300 hours of supervised practice (about 20 hours weekly), followed by 600 total hours in their concentration year.

The Advanced Standing option creates a faster path with 39 credit hours for recent BSW graduates. Students qualify if they earned their BSW from a CSWE-accredited school in the last seven years with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The Regular Standing program requires 60 credit hours and welcomes students with bachelor’s degrees in other fields.

UMSL’s School of Social Work has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education. U.S. News & World Report and TFE Times consistently rank it among top social work schools. The program’s flexibility works well for traditional and non-traditional students, offering economical solutions and quality education that’s available to everyone.

About the online program

UMSL’s Virtual MSW program option puts flexible learning first. Students can pursue their degree part-time and balance their educational goals with personal and professional commitments without sacrificing academic excellence. The program lets you speed up completion by taking additional in-person courses at the St. Louis campus.

The university combines quality education with convenience. Students can take hybrid classes that mix online learning (up to 75% online, as arranged by the teaching professor) with classroom instruction. Classes start from 4:00 PM to help working professionals. This setup works great for students who juggle multiple responsibilities.

UMSL’s online programs have earned top recognition for their quality. These programs ranked #1 in Missouri according to Forbes and landed in the top 15% nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Students who earn an online degree from UMSL get the same high-quality instruction as on-campus programs in a supportive virtual environment.

Students will find the Social Work MSW program listed in UMSL’s catalog with 100% evening courses. This makes the program available to non-traditional students who work regular business hours. Students can advance their education while keeping their current jobs and family commitments.

UMSL creates a vibrant virtual community during your educational experience. Students learn together and get guidance from faculty and career advisors who support their academic progress. This support network helps everyone stay connected despite learning from different locations.

UMSL’s online MSW program gives busy adults, veterans, career changers, and traditional students the flexibility they need. Students can achieve their educational and professional goals at their own pace. The program adapts to different learning priorities and life situations, making quality education available whatever your location or schedule.

The online format brings fully accredited graduate education to students in rural areas or those with limited transportation. UMSL now reaches far beyond the St. Louis region.

Accreditation

Full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) sets the Master of Social Work program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis apart. This endorsement confirms that graduates have the essential skills and knowledge that match professional standards across the country.

The School of Social Work follows CSWE’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards with precision. These standards create a uniform program structure and curriculum requirements at all accredited schools. Your MSW degree from UMSL carries the same value as degrees from other accredited programs nationwide.

CSWE accreditation means more than just institutional recognition. UMSL’s MSW program meets educational requirements for Licensed Clinical Social Worker certification in all U.S. states and territories starting June 1, 2025. You can practice anywhere in the country with this universal recognition.

CSWE accreditation reflects the council’s vision of “a well-educated social work profession equipped to promote health, well-being, and justice for all people in a diverse society”. UMSL shows its steadfast dedication to quality education and consumer protection in social work practice.

The program reviews student outcomes across multiple dimensions. Students’ knowledge, skills, values, and cognitive processes are measured through field evaluations and coursework. High standards remain with outcome benchmarks requiring 80% achievement for competencies, while 90-95% of students must reach these benchmarks.

Student performance in the 2024-2025 academic year proved exceptional. Both in-person and virtual cohorts achieved 100% competency ratings in several areas, including ethical behavior, human rights advancement, and community involvement. Students scored above 80% even in the most challenging categories.

U.S. News & World Report ranks UMSL’s social work programs among the nation’s best. This recognition and CSWE accreditation showcase the program’s high-quality, available, and affordable professional training.

UMSL strictly follows CSWE guidelines for academic credit. Life experience or previous work cannot replace field practicum or foundation year courses. All graduates must complete the required educational components whatever their prior experience.

CSWE maintains high standards with just 347 accredited master’s programs nationwide as of June 2025. UMSL’s place in this select group highlights its excellence in social work education.

Admission Requirements

The UMSL MSW program has specific academic and application requirements you need to meet. You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (3.0 preferred). Students with GPAs between 2.5 and 2.75 might qualify for provisional admission. The program won’t accept applicants with GPAs below 2.5.

Your bachelor’s degree should include a liberal arts foundation with courses in humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and physical sciences. You’ll need to complete a college-level statistics course and earn a grade of C or better before moving past the first semester.

The application package must include:

• A completed UMSL Graduate School application with the MSW supplemental application
• Two written essays
• Three professional reference letters (recent graduates within five years need one from a major field professor)
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Applicable fees

International students must provide English proficiency documentation. The university accepts IELTS (minimum 6.5), TOEFL (minimum 79), and PTE (minimum 53) scores.

The program accepts applications twice a year. Deadlines fall on March 1 for fall semester and October 15 for spring semester. Graduate Admissions must receive all documents by these dates.

Students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned within five years can qualify for Advanced Standing. This option gives up to 24 credit hours. Advanced Standing requires a minimum 3.0 GPA in the social work foundation curriculum with no grade below B in relevant courses.

The program offers course waivers if you’ve completed foundation courses from an accredited BSW program in the last five years with a grade B or higher. These waivers let you substitute electives for required foundation courses while maintaining the total credit hours needed.

The program doesn’t grant academic credit for life experience or previous work experience in place of field practicum or other courses. This rule will give a consistent educational standard to all graduates whatever their background.

Tuition

The University of Missouri–St. Louis offers clear pricing and several financial support options for your MSW education. Graduate tuition for the School of Social Work MSW program in 2025-2026 is $677.00 per credit hour for Missouri residents, $1,610.00 for non-residents, and $1,016.00 for Midwest Student Exchange Program students. The complete 60-credit hour program costs about $38,040.00.

Advanced Standing students pay less at $24,726.00 total for their 39-credit hour curriculum. These numbers help you plan but don’t include application fees, textbooks, course materials, or other department fees.

Business Insider ranks UMSL as the #1 university in Missouri for affordability. The university shows its dedication to affordable education by giving out more than $51 million in scholarships, fellowships, and grants.

About 75% of UMSL students get some type of financial aid. You can fund your education through:

• Merit-based and need-based scholarships and grants (no repayment required)
• Federal and private loan options
• Social work loan forgiveness programs through NASW

UMSL gives students from neighboring states ways to save money. Illinois residents pay in-state tuition rates instead of out-of-state costs. Students from several Midwestern states can get reduced tuition through the Midwest Student Exchange Program.

UMSL’s net price calculator helps you estimate your costs. After admission, you can manage your financial aid through MyView student portal to accept or decline scholarships and loans.

The university can change fees with Board of Curators’ approval by giving at least thirty days’ notice before the term starts. Check with the Office of Cashiers to get the latest tuition information.

Additional Information

Social work graduates have excellent career prospects. Employment in this field will grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034. This growth rate surpasses most other occupations, making social work a meaningful career path with high demand.

UMSL’s Social Work Alumni Network goes beyond classroom education. The network connects graduates with fellow professionals and promotes participation opportunities. Their main goals include getting alumni involved, building connections between alumni, students, and faculty, and raising funds for student scholarships.

New graduates can track their success through UMSL’s 12twenty system. This platform captures and displays employment outcomes, which helps highlight graduate achievements in the workforce.

The School of Social Work operates from 403 Express Scripts Hall on UMSL’s campus. Faculty members advance their field through scholarship, intellectual influence, and community participation. They continue their 45+ year mission to develop future social work professionals.