Master of Social Work (MSW)

Earn your graduate degree in Social Work

Why Pursue a Master of Social Work?

The master of social work at Mount Mary offers two specialty tracks: clinical and child & family. Additionally, you can earn an optional certificate in forensic social work. Both tracks offer student-centered learning experiences that integrate rigorous academics and experiential classroom learning with supervised clinical training.
To accommodate all student types, schedules and lifestyles, this curriculum is offered fully online.

Start your journey at Mount Mary.

REQUEST INFO Schedule a Visit

Program Mission

The graduate social work program at Mount Mary University is committed to preparing students for advanced professional social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities with specialties in clinical social work and social work with children and families in a person-in-environment context.

It is aligned with the purpose, values and ethics of the social work profession: service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, human rights, and scientific inquiry. A hallmark of the program is
an appreciation and respect for persons of all genders, diverse populations and those who live in poverty.

Further, the program aims to prepare students to advance human rights which is also intrinsic to the mission of the university. The overarching and ultimate goal of the graduate program is to promote human and community well-being and the elimination of poverty and racism, through the pursuit of social, economic and environmental justice locally and globally.

Mount Mary’s Master of Social Work Program Goals:

Intrinsic to the mission of the MSW program is the ultimate goal of social and economic justice. The goals of the MSW social work program are to:

Prepare students for advanced social work practice including engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation through clinical social work or child & family social work.
Prepare students to practice social work with respect for diversity and difference.
Enable students to understand and advance human rights and racial, social, economic, and environmental justice.
Prepare students to understand frameworks of ethical decision making and how to apply principles of critical thinking in practice, research, and policy arenas.
Prepare students to engage in practice informed research, research informed practice, and policy practice.

Resident faculty and licensed or certified social work professionals teach 100% of courses online in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. The clinical training experiences are designed to allow students to acquire in-depth knowledge and skills that provides graduates flexibility across differing employment settings.

Practicum and intern placements provide students with opportunities to strengthen their clinical social work skills under the supervision of skilled professionals.

Graduates of the MSW program child & family specialty track will meet the education requirements for initial certification as a Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker (CAPSW) in the State of Wisconsin by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (http://dsps.wi.gov).

Features of the Master’s in Social Work Program

Small class sizes that make interaction with fellow classmates and faculty easier
Fully online curriculum, offering synchronous and asynchronous courses
Individuals with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)** can complete the program in one year with advanced standing. Those without a BSW can complete the program in 2-3 years (full-time enrollment).
Preparation to apply for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker (CAPSW) in Wisconsin.
Select from specialty tracks in:
- Clinical
- Child & family
- Certificate in forensic social work

More About Master's of Social Work

Curriculum

The MSW has a fall entry term. Complete applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Qualified applicants are admitted until enrollment capacity in the program is reached. Apply early to increase the chance that your application will be considered for admission.

Admission Requirements - Advanced Standing (Requires CSWE-accredited BSW degree)

Admission Requirements - Traditional

How to Apply

How to Apply

Complete and submit the online Graduate Student Application.
Submit the nonrefundable application fee. You can submit the payment online by credit card or e-check through the application portal. Note: The application fee is waived for Mount Mary alumni. Contact your graduate admission counselor to obtain the waiver code for alumni.
Submit your official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. You will need to contact each institution (typically the registrar’s office) to have your transcript sent directly to Mount Mary University. If you are in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree, send your current transcript at the time of application and then send your final transcript once your degree is conferred. If you previously attended Mount Mary, you do not need to request Mount Mary transcripts, but you should provide transcripts from other schools, if applicable. Official transcripts can be submitted via mail or electronically to:
- Graduate Admission Office, Mount Mary University, 2900 N. Menomonee River Parkway, Milwaukee, WI 53222-4597
- mmu-admissop@mtmary.edu

Submit three letters of recommendation. At least one academic instructor and one professional reference (field, volunteering, and/or work). Recommendation forms and instructions are provided in the Graduate Student Application.
Personal statement. Please address the following topics:
- What are your professional social work goals and how might the Mount Mary MSW Program best provide you with the preparation to achieve those goals?
- Anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion are major aspects of social work practice. Discuss your conceptualization of these aspects of social work and give an example of how you have participated in working towards these goals. Be as descriptive as possible.
- Social workers may encounter experiences that conflict with their own personal values. Discuss how you might resolve such conflicts. Give an example of when you were confronted with a situation that conflicted with your values and how you resolved the conflict.
- Discuss how you deal with stressful situations. Describe an example and how you responded to the stressful incident.

Accreditation

MSW Forensic Social Work Certificate

Contact us to hear from your Admission Counselor:

Our admissions team is here to help

The best way to get started is to get in touch. We’ll answer your questions, help you explore programs and walk you through the admissions and financial aid process.