Department of Social Work, 220 Bohannon Hall, 1207 Ordean Court, Duluth, MN 55812 (218-726-7245; fax: 218-726-7185)

The master's of social work (M.S.W.) program offers an advanced generalist practice curriculum that prepares students to practice in a variety of human service settings. Graduates undertake a variety of professional social work roles ranging from counselor and case manager to community organizer and administrator. The curriculum has a special focus on services to American Indians and their communities. In addition to the 51-credit generalist program, a 34-credit advanced generalist program is available to applicants with a bachelor of social work degree from a program accredited by the Council of Social Work Education. Students can complete additional coursework towards optional emphases in child welfare practice and clinical social work. Completion of the M.S.W. can satisfy all or a majority of clinical content hours for licensure.

Other requirements to be completed before admission:

Completion of at least 6 semester credits in two or more social science disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, economics, anthropology, or political science is required. Admitted applicants must complete a college-level biology course with content on human anatomical and physiological development or developmental psychology and a college-level statistics course. The biology/psychology course must be completed before registering for the first semester in the M.S.W. program, and the statistics course must be completed before registering for the first research course. Interested persons can apply and be admitted before completing the enrollment prerequisites.

Applicants should be knowledgeable about diverse cultures; social problems; social conditions; and the social, psychological, and biological determinants of human behavior. Applicants with undergraduate degree majors in social work or a related field or discipline are given preference over applicants with other majors. Applicants should show potential to contribute to the social work profession. Preference is given to applicants with professional experience in human service settings, particularly when this experience involves working with underrepresented and protected classes. Course credits are not awarded for non-academic or professional "life experience." Applicants with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a program accredited by the Council of Social Work Education are eligible for the Advanced Generalist Program. The following must be submitted through the online application: the Department's Supplemental Application form, a personal statement, a writing sample, and a resume. Three letters of recommendation are required on department's recommendation form. Generalist Program students are admitted in the fall semester only. Advanced Generalist Program students have the option of starting either in the summer or fall semester. • The UMD MSW program does not accept 4000 or 5000 level coursework at the pre-baccalaureate level to be applied to a graduate degree. Post-baccalaureate social work courses from a CSWE accredited program may be considered to meet generalist program requirements (waiving a course) or possible elective credits equivalent to a 5000 level, or at the discretion of the DGS. Courses can be completed as a non-degree seeking student. Courses must be taken for credit and an official grade received. Audited coursework will not be considered.

The UMD Department of Social Work was designed to help students meaningfully integrate, on an ongoing basis, the knowledge and skills they acquire throughout the master's curriculum. Specialized papers on: professional competencies, social justice, ethical practice, and effective practice in working with diverse communities are integrated into specific course assignments. All MSW graduates must demonstrate competence in those learning areas believed to be key to quality master's-level social work practice, and in conjunction with standards identified by the Council on Social Work Education. The Generalist Program requires two field placements in human service agencies; the Advanced Generalist Program requires one field placement. A level of personal and professional competencies is demonstrated by proficiency in social work courses and field placement evaluations. • All MSW students must complete a minimum of 20 Social Work Graduate credits through University of Minnesota CSWE accredited programs. This means admitted Generalist students can transfer in up to 31 credits from another CSWE accredited institution, provided they left that program in good standing. Students will be required to provide documentation, such as syllabi and official transcripts, to verify their coursework. It is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation as requested. Students are appraised that variations in credit content may not transfer equally to the UMD MSW degree requirements, and they may need to complete additional credits to meet minimum credit or field practicum requirements. Additionally, the UMD Department of Social Work is not responsible for determining clinical content hours as required for licensing for coursework completed at other programs. • All students must complete the CSWE minimum requirement for practicum hours. Transfer students from other institutions must provide a copy of their Field I practicum final evaluation and provide official documentation of hours completed. Field II practicum hours also require such documentation. The Field Director will review all documentation of practicum completion in determination of potential transfer of credits. It is the students responsibility to obtain these documents. • Graduate credits earned while enrolled in another U of M graduate program may only be considered as potential elective courses. Up to 6 elective credits outside of Social Work may be approved by the DGS. Up to 3 additional elective credits outside of social work may be considered, but must be approved by the advisor and the DGS. The student must provide syllabi from the other graduate coursework for review by designated faculty in the Department of Social Work. The Department is not responsible for determining whether these electives would meet criteria for clinical content with regard to Clinical Social Work licensing requirements. For students seeking a second graduate degree, the Department may consider up to 6-9 credits of elective courses, as previously noted, to apply to a degree in Social Work.