MSW Programs in Wisconsin

There are nine master of social work (MSW) programs in the state of Wisconsin. Six of these programs have been accredited by the CSWE, two of the programs are in the candidacy stage of accreditation, and one is in the pre-candidacy stage. This article will review each of the WI social work programs and what they offer. The MSW programs in WI might be for you if you want to work in the social work field, or if you are already employed in a social services position but want to expand your career and income opportunities. 

Social workers play a significant role in helping individuals, groups, and families overcome difficulties ranging from homelessness and poverty to stress and mental illness. There are many different organizations that employ social workers, including hospitals, rehab centers, psychiatric units, Veteran associations, and even corporations. One type of social worker, called a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) has the credentials to provide mental health therapy to clients.

According to Wisconsin news sources, social issues that were the biggest issue included the economy, healthcare, and crime. These are all issues in which a social worker might become involved in one way or another. They might play a role by helping a family who is struggling due to the economy find things like housing and food. In regards to healthcare, a social worker might help a client find affordable treatment, apply for insurance, or help a family navigate the experience of having a sick family member in the hospital. Regarding crime, some social workers help rehabilitate individuals who have been in prison. For all of these issues, some social workers play a role in the big-picture by advocating for policy change in their community. 

A Wisconsin master’s degree in social work has a great potential to expand career and income opportunities as well as the ability for an individual to become more involved in the issues described above. A Wisconsin social worker with a master’s degree might do any of the above, and/or become a supervisor of a social services agency or one of the other organizations where a social worker is employed. If someone earns their master’s degree in social work and goes on to become licensed, they might also be able to open up their own private practice to provide mental health therapy.

Below are some statistics from O*Net Online to give you an idea of what a social worker in Wisconsin makes, and how fast the career is growing. It’s important to remember that these averages include all social work careers, including those at a bachelor’s level, so it may not be representative of the potentially higher opportunities available for those with a master’s degree. 

• Child, Family, and School Social Workers
  • Projected Growth: 11% (faster than average growth) 
  • Average Annual Wages: $52,010
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
  • Projected Growth: 11% (faster than average growth) 
  • Average Annual Wages: $51,540
• Healthcare Social Workers
  • Projected Growth: 7% (faster than average growth) 
  • Average Annual Wages: $60,980
• Social Workers, All Other
  • Projected Growth: 9% (faster than average growth) 
  • Average Annual Wages: $57,360
• Social and Community Service Managers
  • Projected Growth: 6%
  • Average Annual Wages: $77,270

Below is information on various MSW programs so you can make the best choice of where to attend if social work is a good career for you.

Wisconsin Online Masters in Social Work

There are seven universities in Wisconsin that offer an online version of the MSW program. Many of these also have an on-campus option. Students may choose to enroll in an online program for a number of reasons. Often, online programs benefit students who have to work while attending school or need a flexible curriculum for other reasons, such as family. Some of the universities offer asynchronous courses, which allow a student to complete class on their own time. Others offer synchronous courses, which means there are scheduled times that a video lecture takes place. Online courses means that the coursework is usually completed online as well. However, each program has a practicum requirement, which must be completed in person at an agency local to the student. Some schools may also require the student to visit in person once or twice a semester. 

Accredited online programs are typically equal in quality to their in-person counterparts. If you live a busy life, are employed full-time, live far away from your preferred university, or simply prefer an online format, considering an online MSW program might be for you. 

Below are the MSW programs in Wisconsin that offer an online option.

CSWE Accredited MSW Programs in Wisconsin

There are six MSW programs that have been accredited by the CSWE. The other three are candidates for accreditation, which means they aren’t currently accredited, but may be in the future. The six WI MSW programs thatare accreditated include:

• Concordia University Wisconsin
• University of Wisconsin, Green Bay
• University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
• University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
• University of Wisconsin, Madison
• University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh

The first four were reviewed in previous sections, and the other two will be reviewed below. 

Accreditation is an important feature to look for in any university that you are considering. For social work programs, accreditation is awarded by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The goal of the CSWE is to innovate social work education and provide professional development opportunities for social workers and social work students, and they apply this goal when analyzing MSW programs to determine if they should be accredited. Accreditation guarantees consistency across educational institutions across the USA. It benefits students because it provides them with a high-quality education that will provide them with the knowledge needed to take any social work licensing exams. It also provides students for their future careers. 

Below are the CSWE-accredited MSW programs in Wisconsin.

No GRE Required MSW Programs in Wisconsin

None of the MSW programs in Wisconsin require the GRE, or Graduate Record Exams. This is common for most MSW programs, as more and more are choosing to not have this requirement for applying. The GRE is a standardized exam that is intended to test a student’s skills in things like math, critical thinking, vocabulary, and more. Some STEM or other programs may still require this, depending on the university. However, social work programs are choosing to admit students based on multiple factors including their work or volunteer experiences, references, GPA, and responses to any essay questions that might be asked. Other requirements may be added depending on the program.

Wisconsin MSW Programs with Accelerated Advanced Standing Options

Each of the MSW programs discussed above offer an MSW program with an advanced standing option. This includes: 

• Concordia University Wisconsin 
• Herzing University 
• Mount Mary University 
• University of Wisconsin, Green Bay 
• University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
• University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
• Alverno College – Online

Advanced standing MSW programs in Wisconsin can be beneficial for students who qualify, as it allows them to complete the program in about half the time of the standard program. For those attending full-time, this usually means one year instead of two. For those attending part-time, this usually means two years instead of three or four. 

However, to qualify for the advanced standing program, you need to have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited institution. Psychology, sociology, counseling, or any other major do not work to enroll in advanced standing, only social work does. Additionally, some programs may require the applicant to have a higher undergraduate GPA to apply for the  advanced standing program, although this varies by university.

Affordable MSW Programs in Wisconsin

While affordability is subjective, there are a few things you can do to better pay for school. For one, applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA, is a great way to start. This application has helped millions of students across the US pay through school by providing federal loans or grants based on the student’s income, family size, and more. Additionally, looking into scholarships might be another great way to pay for school. The CSWE offers scholarships, for example. Another great place to  apply for scholarships is through your university of choice. The way to do that is by searching through the university website to find their financial aid page, or contacting the university’s financial aid department. 

Another way to find affordable education is looking into state universities. State universities frequently feature lower tuition rates, especially if you are a resident of that state. 

Below are some examples of affordable MSW programs in Wisconsin. 

• University of Wisconsin, Green Bay
  • Tuition: $569 per credit hour
• Herzing University
  • Tuition: $625 per credit
• University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
  • Tuition: $675 per credit

Conclusion

There are many reasons to earn a master of social work degree in Wisconsin. Along with it being a rewarding career that helps others, the job is also highly in demand in the state. This means that you may have an easy time finding a job placement after graduation. If you already work in the field, a master’s degree may expand your career and income opportunities. You will learn advanced skills and knowledge in the MSW program that will benefit you all through your future while helping your community. There are many great options to choose from, with six programs in WI being CSWE-accredited and three candidates. With these to choose from, you are sure to find an MSW program that will help you reach your career goals.