Social Work (MSW)
Master's
PROGRAM SNAPSHOT
Earn your master’s to become a licensed trauma-informed clinical social worker and work in various fields, such as mental health, healthcare, and child welfare.
As mental health is recognized more as a prevalent and serious global issue, younger generations are becoming louder advocates for a holistic view of health and well-being.
According to the World Health Organization, nearly 970 million individuals worldwide experienced an emotional disorder in 2019. Among the most common were anxiety and depression, and only one-third of people with the latter receive mental health care.
People need greater access to qualified professionals who can help them cope with their trauma. Become an independent clinical social worker with the Master of Social Work program at Winona State.
The MSW degree offers students many opportunities to achieve up to 1,000 hours of hands-on field experience from long-established agency partners throughout the nation.
With online learning, flexible labs, and a unique concentration in trauma-informed clinical social work, this program is for students who are ready to take the lead and take their skills to the next level.
This degree is offered through WSU’s Department of Social Work and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
In Spring 2023, more than 60 Master of Social Work students graduated—making it the program’s largest graduating cohort yet.
Learn more about how the MSW program has grown over the years and how it continues to make a difference in local communities.
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As a Master of Social Work student, you’ll learn about a holistic approach to help heal child, adult, and family trauma.
You’ll also:
- explore the complexity of mental illness
- develop your critical thinking and supervisory skills
- understand the connection between social injustice and trauma
- know the influence of physical and social environments on human behavior
Your coursework will prepare you for a career in workplaces such as hospitals, medical centers, schools, and social service agencies to family support centers, hospice providers, and small and large psychotherapy practices.
Real-World Training
Your classes are offered in 7-week blocks, allowing you to focus deeply on just a few areas at a time. This also speeds up your graduation date because you can take more classes each semester.
Coursework is delivered entirely online, making the MSW program perfect for anyone who wants to fit their education into their personal and professional lives.
And with all asynchronous classes, you can complete your assignments anywhere.
Be one step closer to becoming a leader in social work by getting the real-world preparation you need along with your degree.
The MSW program curriculum prepares you to pursue the highest level of professional licensure: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
In addition to your classes, you’ll also attend one virtual Professional Development Lab each semester on a weekend.
You’ll network with other MSW students, hear from guest speakers who are experts in the field, and even prepare for the LICSW licensure exam.
These online labs are live and have an asynchronous component.
Beyond the Classroom
You’ll complete an intensive practicum to get essential on-the-job training while still a student.
Your admission status will determine how many hours of practical and clinical experience at a mid-level social work setting you’ll need to graduate.
These practicum experiences will let you get hands-on, faculty-supervised practice with a variety of target populations and in a variety of workplaces throughout the nation.
With more than 140 field partners, our program is known for helping many students earn jobs before they graduate.
Stand out on job applications even further with an impressive volunteer experience.
Bridge the gap in access to health care through Bridges Health, a clinic that provides free services to community members.
Hear from recent alumni about the impact that working at Bridges Health had on their Warrior journeys.
There are 2 ways to be admitted to the Master of Social Work program.
For those who earned a non-Social Work undergraduate degree, you’ll be assigned Regular Standing status.
This pathway to admission includes both generalist and trauma-informed social work curriculum.
You’ll also complete 400 hours for your foundation practicum and an additional 600 hours for your clinical practicum.
If you already have an undergraduate Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program, this pathway to admission allows you to earn your MSW in less time.
As an Advanced Standing student, you’ll focus on only trauma-informed social work curriculum.
For your practicum, you’ll complete 600 clinical hours.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, marriage and family therapist positions are expected to grow 14% in the next 10 years.
Rehabilitation counselor jobs also anticipate an 11% growth by 2031.
This program does not meet F-1 visa requirements for international students.
However, more than 90% of Winona State’s majors and programs meet F-1 visa criteria.
Learn More about International Services
Other Program Info
The WSU MSW Program has been awarded full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) through 2030.
This guide is provided for students planning to graduate from Winona State University’s MSW program that leads to licensure.
Standard licensure titles among U.S. states and territories include Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW), and Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW).
The U.S. Department of Education, under regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v), requires Winona State to disclose whether or not our programs will meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in all the U.S. states and territories. However, please note that licensing requirements can vary drastically by state and change over time.
While Winona State University researches licensure requirements frequently, the MSW program cannot guarantee licensure for any student. In addition to educational requirements for licensure, other requirements such as exams, specialized training, supervised post-graduation clinical experience, criminal background checks with fingerprinting, U.S. citizenship, and extra requirements may apply.
We encourage students who may live out-of-state or intend to test or apply for licensure or certification outside of Minnesota to review the educational program licensure requirements in the state they intend to practice and share the out-of-state information with College representatives and program officials.
Last revised: July 15, 2025
Where the MSW Program Meets Licensure Requirements
Winona State’s MSW program meets licensure requirements for the following states or U.S. territories: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida (LCSW & Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern), Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Where the MSW Program Does Not Meet Licensure Requirements
Winona State’s MSW program does not licensure requirements for the following states or U.S. territories: Florida (Certified Master Social Worker), Indiana, and Maine.
Master's
Master's
Master's