The UW-Whitewater Master of Social Work (MSW) program offers an Advanced Generalist curriculum that prepares students for diverse fields of social work practice, including clinical social work. For more details of the curriculum and the required courses: <ul> <li><a href="https://uww-public.courseleaf.com/graduate/letters-sciences/social-work/masters-in-social-work-msw/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Masters in Social Work Requirements</a></li> </ul> Advanced Standing Applicants with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program who meet additional criteria may qualify for Advanced Standing, allowing them to bypass foundational generalist coursework. Graduate certificates: Students may choose to add a certificate as a part of their MSW program. <ul> <li><a href="https://uww-public.courseleaf.com/graduate/letters-sciences/social-work/gerontology-certificate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gerontology</a></li> <li><a href="https://uww-public.courseleaf.com/graduate/letters-sciences/social-work/school-social-work-certificate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">School Social Work</a> (Students pursuing School Social Work licensure are required to add this certificate)</li> <li><a href="https://uww-public.courseleaf.com/graduate/letters-sciences/social-work/20substance-abuse-counseling-certificate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Substance Abuse Counseling</a></li> </ul> Post-MSW School Social Work certificate: UW-Whitewater may offer a School Social Work program for students who have already obtained an MSW but are interested in school social work. Please note that the Post-MSW School Social Work program is not offered every year. We recommend contacting the program coordinator to confirm its current availability. <ul> <li><a href="https://uww-public.courseleaf.com/graduate/letters-sciences/social-work/post-msw-school-social-work-certificate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Post-MSW School Social Work</a></li> </ul> Social Work Licensure: By completing specific program requirements, students may meet the educational qualifications for various social work licenses or credentials, such as Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), School Social Worker, or Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC). Additional examinations, supervised practice, or other requirements may be mandated by the professional licensing or certifying body. To learn more about the educational requirements for social work licensure in different states, please see <a href="/irap/external-reports/nc-sara-professional-licensure">Professional Licensure Disclosures</a>. Minimum requirements <ul> <li>Transcript demonstrating a bachelor's degree from a 4-year college or university accredited by a recognized regional accrediting association</li> <li>Students who have a BSW degree from an accredited undergraduate social work program are eligible for the advanced standing</li> <li>Students pursuing a School Social Work license must choose the School Social Work certificate in their application.</li> <li>Minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (you may apply if your GPA is less than 2.75, but you would be placed on probation status if admitted) <ul> <li>School Social Work certificate program applicants need to have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA for all of their undergraduate coursework, including transfer courses and courses taken at any post-secondary institution, and cannot be admitted to the program on a probationary status. For advanced-standing students, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required in all core social work courses</li> </ul> </li> <li>Completion of an Introductory statistics course (200-level or higher) with a grade of C or better (this prerequisite may be taken at UW-Whitewater the term before your MSW program begins).</li> <li><a href="documents/colleges/cls/Departments/socialwork/PersonalStatementGuidelinesMSW.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Personal statement [PDF]</a> and resume</li> <li>3 positive references <ul> <li>If you graduated in the last 5 years: <ul> <li>At least one academic reference (i.e., reference from an academic instructor);</li> <li>One academic reference or a professional reference (i.e., reference from field internship, volunteering, or work); and,</li> <li>The third reference can be an academic reference, a professional reference, or a personal reference</li> </ul> </li> <li>If you graduated more than 5 years ago: <ul> <li>One academic reference or a professional reference;</li> <li>One academic reference or a professional reference; and,</li> <li>The third reference can be an academic reference, a professional reference, or a personal reference</li> </ul> </li> <li>Note: A reference from a family member is not permitted</li> </ul> </li> <li>Background check to be completed prior to your field placement. It is not part of the application process (unless you are pursuing school social work).</li> </ul> Instructions for applying <ul> <li><a href="https://www.uww.edu/graduate-studies/graduate-admissions#x357858">Apply by the application deadline</a></li> <li><a href="/graduate-studies/graduate-admissions">Apply online through the School of Graduate Studies</a></li> <li>Prerequisite courses, such as Statistics, may be taken at UW-Whitewater the term before your admission to the MSW program.</li> <li>The GRE test is NOT required for the MSW program application.</li> </ul> Advanced Standing for <a href="/global-education/international-students/international-admissions">international students</a> Advanced standing is awarded to graduates holding degrees recognized through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Services or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors. To apply for the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Services, please see the <a href="https://www.cswe.org/accreditation/scopeandservices/international-degree-review/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Degree Review</a>.