UW-Milwaukee MSW

The Helen Bader School of Social Welfare (HBSSW) at UW-Milwaukee is essential to social welfare education in Wisconsin. Located in Milwaukee’s urban environment, this 50-year-old institution develops skilled social work professionals. The Department of Social Work’s mission focuses on creating positive change through research, scholarship, education, and community partnerships.

The school exemplifies social work’s core values through its steadfast dedication to social justice and diversity. Students learn the importance of public service and how to improve individual and community well-being. The MSW program’s main goal prepares graduates with specialized knowledge and skills they need to lead and work with diverse populations and communities.

HBSSW gives students access to excellent resources. These include the university’s computer system, specialized interview training rooms, and audiovisual materials that improve learning. Students benefit from strong community ties as the school works closely with local agencies to provide hands-on learning opportunities.

UW-Milwaukee stands out as one of Wisconsin’s few graduate schools with an approved Department of Public Instruction (DPI) school social work program. This matters because DPI requires licensed professionals to provide social work services in Wisconsin public schools.

The Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation has certified UW-Milwaukee’s social work program. This ensures high-quality education that meets professional standards and helps students satisfy state certification requirements.

Faculty members conduct research in specialized areas including:

• Child welfare and family development
• Behavioral health and mental health
• Addictions and high-risk behaviors
• Applied gerontology
• Criminal justice and criminal violence

The Social Work Field Department connects students with internships throughout the region. Students can gain a global view through study abroad programs in Austria, Costa Rica, and South Africa.

The school has 353 graduate students from different backgrounds. The student body includes 66% White or Caucasian, 12.75% Black or African American, and 11.33% Hispanic/Latino students. Students can join organizations like the Student Social Work Association, Student Gerontology Association, and Social Justice Committee.

Career prospects look promising for graduates. Social worker employment should grow 6% from 2024-2034, outpacing other occupations. Graduates find work in county and state offices, healthcare facilities, human service organizations, mental health programs, nonprofits, and the justice system.

Programs offered

UW-Milwaukee’s MSW program tracks adapt to your educational background and career goals. Your previous academic experience and study pace preferences shape the program structure.

Students with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program in the last seven years can take the Advanced Standing track. This path needs 34 credits and features core courses, six credits of electives, and three semesters of field placement. You can finish your degree in three semesters (fall, spring, and summer) with a full course load. Many students choose a more relaxed pace by taking four semesters with minimum full-time credits.

The Foundation track suits students without a BSW or those who earned it more than seven years ago. This detailed option needs 58 total credits – 24 credits in professional foundation courses and 34 credits in advanced curriculum. Students complete 14 credits of field placement over four semesters. Full-time students finish this track in about two years with summers, while part-time students take about four years.

UW-Milwaukee also has innovative program options. The Online MSW Program lets you take courses at your own pace. The curriculum meets Wisconsin’s Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential requirements. Online students pay $675 per credit regardless of residency status.

UW-Milwaukee has these coordinated degree programs:

• The MSW-MPH program combines social work and public health education to tackle social, economic, and health disparities.
• The MSW-MSCJ program mixes social work with criminal justice studies. Students take 30 credits in criminal justice and criminology plus 34 in social work.
• The Joint MSW-PhD program prepares you to contribute to social work education and research.

The MSW curriculum lets you specialize through elective paths in behavioral and mental health, child and family well-being, clinical social work, gerontology, physical health, school social work, substance abuse counseling, and trauma-informed care. UW-Milwaukee is one of Wisconsin’s few graduate schools with an approved Department of Public Instruction school social work program.

The MSW program at UW-Milwaukee fits your needs whether you want full-time or part-time study, online or in-person learning, or specialized credentials.

About the online program

The online Master of Social Work program at UW-Milwaukee gives you the advanced training you need for a variety of social work positions. Students can complete their coursework at their own pace since the program delivers courses asynchronously. This flexibility helps you balance your professional and personal commitments. The online option differs from the campus program by following a preset curriculum with carefully selected elective courses that cover advanced topics in broad-based social work practice.

The online program currently accepts applications only from Wisconsin and bordering areas. This includes northern Illinois, eastern Minnesota, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. New students can start their journey only in the fall semester, which is a big deal as it means that you need to plan accordingly.

Students can choose between two tracks in the online MSW program, just like the on-campus version. The Advanced Standing track welcomes students who earned their BSW from a CSWE-accredited program in the last seven years. You might still qualify with an older BSW degree if you can show at least three years of professional social work experience within the most recent seven years. The Foundation track works well for students who have bachelor’s degrees in fields other than social work.

The program’s pricing structure is straightforward – all students pay $675 per credit no matter where they live. You’ll need 36 credits for the Advanced Standing program and 60 credits for the Foundation track. The only cost you’ll face is the per-credit fee.

The program has specific courses that prepare you for LCSW credentialing in Wisconsin. Here are the predetermined elective courses:

• Psychopathology
• Development of Family Over the Lifespan
• Practice Skills and Concepts for Aging and Health
• Trauma I: Theory and Research
• Trauma II: Diagnosis and Treatment

Your program length and total credits might increase if you pursue specializations like School Social Work or Applied Gerontology. These specializations may cost more than the standard pricing. LCSW coursework isn’t automatically included, so you’ll need your advisor’s help to add the right clinical courses.

Starting Fall 2026, you can choose between full-time and part-time enrollment. This online program offers an efficient path to earning your MSW while focusing on practical application and professional development.

Accreditation

Quality accreditation is a vital marker for your social work education at UW-Milwaukee. The MSW program has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Your degree meets professional standards nationwide. This accreditation covers all approved program locations and delivery methods, including the online MSW option.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, a regional agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This dual accreditation shows that both the institution and your program meet high educational standards.

CSWE accreditation plays a critical role in your future career. Social worker certification and licensing across the United States needs a BSW or MSW from a CSWE-accredited program. UW-Milwaukee’s accredited MSW program prepares you to meet these basic professional requirements in Wisconsin and other states.

CSWE accreditation goes beyond being just a credential—it shows a steadfast dedication to quality. Programs in the CSWE directory go through regular reviews and keep specific status based on their educational standards. These regular assessments will give a solid education that matches current professional expectations.

UW-Milwaukee’s MSW program got its full CSWE accreditation in February 2020, which covers graduates since August 2018. The program received CSWE approval to move to a fully online, asynchronous format in September 2022. This shows the program’s success in keeping quality standards across different teaching methods.

The program has more than CSWE accreditation. The MSW curriculum in Behavioral and Mental Health, with specialized electives, has Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services approval. Students can meet educational requirements for substance abuse counselor certification. UW-Milwaukee also offers one of Wisconsin’s only graduate programs with Department of Public Instruction approval for school social work.

Accreditation matters when you look at social work programs in Milwaukee. An accredited program gives you strong academic preparation and helps graduates meet professional licensing standards. This ended up making you more credible in today’s competitive job market.

Admission Requirements

UW-Milwaukee’s MSW program selects candidates through a competitive process. The selection team reviews each applicant’s academic background, personal qualities, work experience, and their potential success in graduate-level social work.

The MSW program only accepts students for fall semester entry. Applications open on October 1 each year. Students should submit their applications by January 3 to meet the priority deadline. Some sources list March 1 as the final date, while others mention April 15. The competitive nature of admissions makes early submission a smart choice.

Applicants must meet these simple requirements:

• A cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale from all attended institutions
• 21 semester credits in social and behavioral sciences like psychology, sociology, political science, economics, or anthropology
• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution before starting the program

Students need to submit one application that covers both the Graduate School and MSW program through UWM Graduate School Admission Application. A complete application package needs:

• Official transcripts from schools where you earned or will earn a bachelor’s degree
• Two recommendation letters
• A complete narrative statement
• A detailed professional resume

UW-Milwaukee takes a different approach from many graduate schools. The MSW program doesn’t require GRE or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores. They focus on your academic record, work experience, and future potential instead of test scores.

The Graduate School keeps all submitted materials as their property. They cannot return, forward, or copy these documents. Your application materials stay on file for one year. After that, you’ll need to submit fresh documentation if you want to apply again.

The MSW program looks at more than just these qualifications. They review your overall readiness for graduate social work education. This includes your personal growth, volunteer work, job experience, and how well you might fit in professional practice.

Tuition

Planning your MSW education at UW-Milwaukee requires a clear understanding of the financial investment. The program has different tuition rates that depend on how you enroll and where you live.

The online MSW program keeps things simple with a flat rate of $675 per credit for all students. You won’t pay any extra fees, and your location doesn’t affect the price. You can easily calculate your total cost based on the credit requirements – 36 credits for Advanced Standing and 60 credits for the Foundation track.

Your residency status determines the on-campus MSW tuition rates for 2025-2026. Wisconsin residents pay graduate tuition of about $12,728. Students from Minnesota get a special rate through the Minnesota-Wisconsin Tuition Reciprocity Agreement at $21,606. The Midwest Tuition Rate of $18,278 applies to students from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and South Dakota. Students from other states pay around $26,158.

You should also budget for these yearly expenses:

• Books and course materials: $800
• Housing: $14,068 for graduate students living on or off campus
• Meal plan: $4,680
• Transportation: $1,716
• Personal expenses: $2,000

Many financial support options help make your education more affordable. The IV-E Public Child Welfare Training Program helps students interested in child welfare careers with tuition, books, and field placement stipends. You can also explore scholarships, grants, loans, federal work-study positions, part-time jobs, and military education benefits.

The Helen Bader School of Social Welfare provides several scholarships throughout the year. Most financial awards need your FAFSA submission by April 15. Graduate assistantships, fellowships, and field-related internships can provide extra support.

UW-Milwaukee’s MSW courses stick to regular tuition without any differential tuition or special course fees.

Additional Information

UW-Milwaukee goes beyond regular coursework to help MSW students succeed in their educational trip. The Student Support Services Program partners with eligible students. They help develop complete collegiate and professional success skills through proactive integrated coaching and personalized counseling.

The university’s library system gives MSW students specialized resources, particularly those studying online. Students in the online program get full access to print and electronic collections. They also receive research consultations and database access. These resources are a great way to get scholarly articles, learn proper citation, and study evidence-based practices in social work.

Here are the vital deadlines to remember for field placement applications:

• Fall Semester: May 15th (February 15th for placements outside Milwaukee County, Veteran’s Administration, and School Social Work)
• Spring Semester: September 15th
• Summer Semester: February 15th

The Helen Bader School provides several funding options through scholarships with different deadlines throughout the year. The IV-E Public Child Welfare Training Program helps with tuition, book allowances, and stipends during field placement for students who want child welfare careers.

Students can access note-taking services and alternative exam formats through the Accessibility Resource Center. The Student Health and Wellness Center provides counseling and mental health resources. These complete support systems give you every chance to succeed in your MSW program at UW-Milwaukee.