University of Wisconsin Green Bay MSW

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay ranks among the Midwest’s top institutions for social work education. This suburban Green Bay campus has become a hub of excellence in social work education. Students seeking quality education at reasonable costs find this program particularly appealing.

UW-Green Bay’s Master of Social Work program sits within the College of Health, Education and Social Welfare (CHESW). The college awarded over $71,000 in scholarships in the 2022-2023 academic year. This investment shows the school’s dedication to making education available to all. CHESW graduates have shown impressive career success – their 2022 undergraduate alumni reported a median salary of $62,500.

The UW-Green Bay MSW program thrives on student-faculty partnerships. Students join a cohort-based team where they build lasting connections with professors, classmates, and community members. This setup creates a supportive environment that enriches the learning experience. The professors bring their ground experience as social workers, which keeps the coursework relevant to real-life practice.

Students can choose between online and in-person formats in the MSW program. This flexibility helps students balance their studies with other life commitments. The curriculum stems from the program’s mission to develop advanced generalist social work leaders who can work in a variety of environments.

The program stands out for its steadfast dedication to social justice and community partnership. The curriculum emphasizes working with various communities to:

• Advance decolonization
• Challenge oppressive systems
• Promote human dignity, health, and well-being

This focus on social justice matches the growing job market. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 109,700 new social work jobs through 2026—more than double the growth rate of all occupations during that period.

The campus houses about 63 graduate students in the social work program. This small size ensures students get individual attention. While the student body shows diversity, women make up 85% of enrollment, slightly below the national average of 87.2%.

The MSW program at UW-Green Bay ended up building a foundation for clinical excellence through strong academic preparation, hands-on experience, and values-centered education. The program’s accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education opens more job opportunities and guarantees top-quality education that meets national standards.

Programs offered

UW-Green Bay offers a Master of Social Work program with unique specializations that fit different career paths. The program focuses on an Advanced Generalist specialization that gives you versatile skills you can use in many practice settings. Students can complete their advanced practice training through flexible online and in-person formats that fit different learning priorities and life situations.

This program is known for its Individualized Area of Emphasis option. Students can tailor their education to match their career goals. The program has several focused paths:

• Student-defined Individual Area of Emphasis
• Child Welfare Area of Emphasis
• Clinical Mental Health Area of Emphasis
• School Social Work Area of Emphasis

Your educational background determines the program structure. Students with a Bachelor of Social Work degree might qualify for advanced standing status and need 36 credits to graduate. Students without a BSW degree need 56 credits – 26 credits in Generalist curriculum (fall and spring semesters) and 30 credits in Specialized curriculum (summer, fall, and spring).

The program lets you shape your education beyond core classes through elective courses and field placements that match your professional interests. You’ll get real-world experience under qualified professionals through two-semester field practicums in both Generalist and Specialized curricula.

Students have plenty of options to complete their degree. The MSW program offers full-time and part-time studies in both in-person and online formats. Part-time students in the Generalist Program finish in four years, while advanced standing students complete it in two years. Working professionals and students with varied schedules find these options really helpful.

Online students use virtual technology for most courses, with campus visits lasting up to two days each semester. Both online and in-person programs follow the same cohort model that promotes collaborative learning.

The program gets you ready for licensure requirements, including paths to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) after meeting state requirements. MSW degree holders thinking about a career change can take certificate programs in specialized areas like school social work licensure.

UW-Green Bay’s MSW program combines complete academic preparation with practical training. Graduates are ready to tackle complex social challenges in practice settings of all types.

About the online program

UW-Green Bay’s online Master of Social Work program gives professionals exceptional flexibility to earn advanced social work credentials while keeping their careers on track. Students can take courses in various formats—daytime, evening, in-person, hybrid, and fully online. The program remains available whatever your schedule or location might be.

This program’s design makes flexibility its core. Students can pick between full-time and part-time options for both generalist and specialized curriculum. BSW degree holders can complete their MSW in just one year full-time or two years part-time. Students without a BSW need two years full-time or four years part-time.

Students can complete their coursework at any time through the asynchronous online format, except for field placement requirements. This setup works great for students from Wisconsin and nearby areas, such as northern Illinois, eastern Minnesota, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Practical experience stands at the heart of your education, even with online classes. The curriculum has two-semester practicums at generalist and specialized levels. Students gain 400 and 500 hours of supervised experience respectively. These hands-on opportunities help develop ground skills under qualified supervision.

The UW-Green Bay online MSW program shines with its community-focused approach. The curriculum emphasizes:

• Practical, community-based methods
• Collaboration with diverse communities
• Skills to address both urban and rural social service needs

The program prepares students for Wisconsin licensure requirements, including Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker (LAPSW) credentials. The curriculum lines up with Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination standards, which Wisconsin requires for credentialing.

The online MSW program costs $675 per credit, whatever your residence. This straightforward pricing makes financial planning easier and ranks among Wisconsin’s most affordable MSW options. Students can meet with the core MSW staff before applying to check if the program matches their career goals and understand application requirements.

Students create a poster presentation based on research, theory, values, and practice-based knowledge at program completion. This final project shows their command of advanced social work concepts and readiness to succeed in the field.

Accreditation

Quality assurance in social work education programs depends on accreditation as its foundation. The Master of Social Work program at UW-Green Bay has managed to keep full accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since its beginning. The program has successfully prepared hundreds of advanced level social workers who now practice throughout northeast Wisconsin and beyond.

Students receive the same high-quality education through all approved program delivery methods – in-person or online format. The program switched to a fully online, asynchronous format after receiving CSWE approval in September 2022. This change will give a consistent educational experience that meets strict standards.

CSWE accreditation validates that your education aligns with nationally established standards for professional practice. This credential is significant because:

• A neutral, external party has reviewed your education’s quality
• Your educational program meets standards that employers trust
• It helps you enter the profession through licensure eligibility
• Doctoral programs become more accessible

UW-Green Bay’s institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) adds another layer of educational quality assurance. The social work program thrives within this framework of institutional excellence.

The MSW Program follows CSWE Accreditation Standards strictly. Students cannot receive social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience, whatever their undergraduate degree. This approach will give a solid foundation through academic and field-based preparation needed for advanced practice.

UW-Green Bay shows its steadfast dedication to educational excellence by maintaining these accreditations. Regular reviews have helped the program keep its accreditation status. The program evolved from a collaborative effort with UW-Oshkosh to its current independent status before 2017.

Your MSW from UW-Green Bay carries recognition from employers and licensing boards nationwide. The accreditation process looks at everything from curriculum content to faculty qualifications. This thorough review will prepare you for real-world practice. Yes, it is worth noting that both campus and online programs follow identical CSWE accreditation standards. This consistency prepares you equally for licensure and practice, whatever format you choose.

Admission Requirements

The University of Wisconsin Green Bay MSW program welcomes new students once a year. Students can apply from August 1 until December 1.

Applicants need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university before classes start. The program expects a minimum 3.0 GPA from your last 60 credits. Students with lower GPAs might receive provisional admission. These students can achieve full admission status after completing nine graduate credits with B grades or better.

Your academic record should include:

• A liberal arts foundation with at least 12 credits in social sciences
• Four prerequisite courses: Biological Life Sciences, Lifespan Development, Statistics, and Research Methods

You’ll need these items to complete your application:

• Universities of Wisconsin Graduate School application with fee
• Current resume (better than entering work history in the application)
• MSW Program Admission Questionnaire (instead of the standard personal statement)
• Two professional references using the Letter of Evaluation form
• Official transcripts from all previous institutions

Recent graduates should get at least one academic reference from their college professors. Evaluators must send all letters directly to the Graduate Studies office.

The admissions committee looks for candidates with human services experience, excellent writing skills, and a passion for social justice. The program accepts about half of all applicants. A recent cycle saw 34 acceptances from 56 applications.

The committee reviews applications after the deadline based on three factors: academic potential, dedication to social work values, and reference feedback. Applicants usually get their results by email in mid-to-late January, about 6-8 weeks after the deadline. The notification tells you if you’re accepted into full-time or part-time programs, your delivery format (online or in-person), or if you’re on a waiting list.

Tuition

The University of Wisconsin Green Bay MSW program is recognized for its affordable pricing compared to other programs in the region. Students will find it among Wisconsin’s most affordable graduate social work options, with a per-credit rate of $569 for traditional classes. Distance learning students pay an extra $25 per credit as technology fee.

Your residency status determines what you pay. Wisconsin residents pay $585.75 per credit, which comes to $5,271.73 for full-time enrollment. Non-resident students pay more at $1,200.20 per credit, adding up to $10,801.78 for full-time study. These rates make UW Green Bay’s program much cheaper than other options in the state.

The online MSW program keeps things simple with a flat rate of $675 per credit whatever your location. This makes it easier for distance learners to plan their finances since everyone pays the same rate.

The university helps you cut costs through several financial aid options:

• The Phoenix Scholar program offers big tuition discounts to qualifying non-residents—75% off for students with GPAs above 3.74 (Gold Level) and 50% off for those with GPAs between 3.25-3.74 (Green Level)
• Students with specific career goals can apply for the Child Welfare stipend and $1,000 Ada E. Deer MSW Scholarship
• Graduate students can access standard financial aid including federal loans

Students planning careers in public and tribal child welfare or school settings can also get special tuition stipends. These support options show how the program works to remove financial barriers that might keep qualified candidates from getting their advanced degrees.

The program’s mix of competitive tuition rates and varied financial aid options makes it a smart investment for future clinical social workers. UW Green Bay MSW program balances quality education with affordable rates because they know that making education available to more people makes the social work profession stronger.

Additional Information

The University of Wisconsin Green Bay MSW program connects you with professional resources that boost your career growth. Social work professionals provide vital support to others. A strong support system becomes important for your success. Students connect with several influential organizations that shape social work education and practice:

• The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) sets guidelines for accredited programs and provides educational assessment standards
• The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) manages credentialing examinations you need for licensure
• The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) provides resources, ethical guidance, and ongoing education opportunities

Your career outlook looks bright. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 109,700 new social work jobs through 2026. This growth doubles the employment projections for other occupations. Mental health counselors can expect 22% job growth. Social workers earn a median salary of $50,390.

Field practicums help you apply theoretical knowledge in settings that match your interests. UW-Green Bay’s First Destination Survey tracks career outcomes. Results show 94% of 2021 graduates stayed in Wisconsin, with 47% working in Northeast Wisconsin.

The MSW program gives licensed practitioners continuing education options. Students can take available classes focused on ethical decision-making and boundary-related issues.