Master of Social Work (MSW): Advanced Standing

Overview

The justice-informed MSW advanced standing program builds on CSWE's nine core generalist competencies and prepares graduate students for advanced, justice-informed, ethical, and professional social work practice and licensure while emphasizing the commitment to the values of social work practice. With its emphasis on clinical practice, the justice-informed curriculum is based on nine specialized competencies and meets the Minnesota Board of Social Work's requirements for the 360-hours of clinical content required to sit for the ASWB clinical licensure exam including differential diagnosis, clinical treatment planning, clinical intervention methods, evaluation methodologies, social work values/ethics, and culturally specific assessment and intervention. For additional details, please refer to the Minnesota Board of Social Work website.

With an ecosystems perspective, students learn to apply advanced critical thinking skills at micro, mezzo, and macro levels while pursuing human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice in both local and global contexts. The program fosters a dynamic social imaginary that engages clients and constituencies as experts in their own experiences, building upon the strengths and resilience of all individuals. With a focus on the development of the knowledge, values, and skills required to be effective practitioners in clinical and community professional settings, the program emphasizes the ability to navigate the complexities of trauma and its impact on individuals, families, and systems. Students are equipped to practice advanced justice-informed social work rooted in scholarship, service, justice, and leadership. Graduates of the program are well-prepared to engage in systems-level work across diverse and challenging contexts.

Admission Requirements

The Master of Social Work: Advanced Standing Program will consider applicants who:

Meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School.
Submit an official transcript (U.S. schools) or NACES or AICE evaluation (international schools) showing an earned baccalaureate or higher degree and official transcripts or NACES or AICE evaluations from all graduate schools attended.
Have earned a baccalaureate degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution.
Submit three current professional Admission References.
Submit a written Statement of Purpose.
Submit a current resume.
Interview with the program director.

Students who have not achieved the minimum GPA, grade standards, or other assessment criteria may still apply to be considered for provisional acceptance. See Admission Categories.

Degree Requirements