A social worker talks with a child at a table.

Become a clinical social worker

Master of Social Work

Maximize your future career opportunities in social work.

The St. Thomas School of Social Work is home to the premier clinical master of social work (MSW) program in Minnesota. Get on track toward your post-master's clinical licensure requirements in Minnesota with our MSW, and take advantage of added support through our Path to Licensure program.

The application opens in September, and the priority application deadline is January 10.

Why choose St. Thomas for your MSW?

You’ll find the perfect balance of big-school resources and small-school support, including:

A large selection of curricular options, professional mentors and career resources
Small class sizes and a supportive community focused on student development and 1:1 mentoring
On-campus (weekday/evenings in St. Paul) and hybrid (online with just three Saturdays on-campus each semester) completion options for students and working professionals throughout the region
New online course offerings available to all Regular and Advanced Standing students (visit our Class Finder to browse all courses)
Fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Now offering an MSW/LADC Pathway, a new track supported by a Minnesota Department of Human Services grant, allowing you to complete all required coursework for both the MSW and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC), without extending your time in the program.

Become a Clinical Social Worker

For almost 30 years, our MSW has exclusively focused on preparing graduates for clinical social work practice and licensure.

Discover your unique contribution in this high-growth, high-impact field, in areas of study such as practice with people within specific age groups:

Children and adolescents
Older adults
People of immigrant and refugee backgrounds

As well as how to work with people who may be experiencing stressors related to:

Grief and loss
Trauma
Mental health and substance use concerns
Health or medical related concerns

Why clinical social work?

Clinical social workers are the largest and most versatile group of mental health service providers in the nation. Licensed clinical social workers are prepared to practice psychotherapy, counseling and much more. You'll be prepared to support individual, family and community health and well-being while advancing social justice. Plus, many areas of practice are expected to grow by nearly 20% in the coming decade.

Am I eligible for this MSW program?

If you have a four-year undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited school – regardless of major – you can join our MSW program. We offer full- and part-time completion tracks for:

Advanced Standing: Students who have a bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree
Regular Standing: Students who have a degree in any other major

Make a difference at our Interprofessional Center

Interested social work students at St. Thomas can apply to do their field placement work at the Interprofessional Center, a free clinic at St. Thomas helping people and communities who face complex social, psychological and legal issues, but who lack the resources to pay for the professional services they need. Social work students gain critical interprofessional skills working with graduate psychology and law students to provide these services.

Application Requirements

The MSW admissions process is based on a holistic review of all materials submitted.

Application requirements will include a review of the applicant's academic record, prior experience, two letters of recommendation, personal statement, and fieldwork evaluation (for advanced standing applicants only).