Minnesota · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Minnesota
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Minnesota, and How Do You Get Licensed?
15 schools in Minnesota offer 17 MSW programs we verified, including Augsburg University, Bethel University and Capella University. 12 can be taken online and 16 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $21,794 to $55,500 before fees. After the MSW, Minnesota's clinical license is the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB exam (Masters)For the LGSW
- Log supervised clinical hoursAt least 200 hours of supervision, at four to eight hours per 160 hour…
- Earn the clinical license (LICSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Minnesota
- 17
- schools
- 15
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 14
- offer advanced standing
- 16
- online programs
- 12
The Minnesota Social Work License Path
Minnesota Social Work Licenses
Minnesota Board of Social WorkLicensed Social Worker
- Degree
- Baccalaureate degree in social work from a program accredited by CSWE, the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, or a similar body the board designates
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Graduate Social Worker
- Degree
- Graduate degree in social work from a program accredited by CSWE, the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, or a similar body the board designates, or a doctorate in social work from an accredited university
- Exam
- ASWB Masters
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Independent Social Worker
- Degree
- Graduate degree in social work from a CSWE (or CASSW or board-designated) accredited program, or a doctorate in social work from an accredited university
- Exam
- ASWB Advanced Generalist
- Supervised experience
- At least 100 hours of supervision during 4,000 hours of postgraduate social work practice, with at least four hours of supervision during every 160 hours of practice
- Independent practice
- Yes
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Graduate degree in social work from a CSWE (or CASSW or board-designated) accredited program, or a doctorate in social work from an accredited university, plus 360 clock hours in specified clinical knowledge areas
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- At least 200 hours of supervision, at four to eight hours per 160 hours of practice, in not less than 4,000 and not more than 8,000 hours of postgraduate clinical practice, including at least 1,800 hours of direct clinical client contact
- Independent practice
- Yes
- Social Work Licensure Compact
- Listed by the Social Work Licensure Compact as a jurisdiction that has passed the compact language; the Compact states multistate licenses are not yet being issued
From Minnesota Board of Social Work, reviewed 2026-09-30. Rules change; confirm with the board before you plan your supervised hours. Plan your own timeline with the license pathway planner.
Minnesota Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capella UniversityMinneapolis · Private for-profit | 2 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $25,920 |
| University of MinnesotaMinneapolis · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $48,389 |
| Augsburg UniversityMinneapolis · Private nonprofit | 1 | Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $47,270 |
| Bethel UniversitySaint Paul · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $46,312 |
| Minnesota State University MoorheadMoorhead · Public | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $21,794 |
| Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato · Public | 1 | Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $36,400 |
| Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud · Public | 1 | Campus, Online, Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $34,087 |
| Saint Mary's University of MinnesotaWinona · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $55,500 |
| St Catherine UniversitySaint Paul · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $38,760 |
| The College of Saint ScholasticaDuluth · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $48,951 |
| University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluth · Public | 1 | Hybrid, Online | CSWE | Yes | $39,693 |
| University of St ThomasSaint Paul · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus, Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $49,000 |
| Walden UniversityMinneapolis · Private for-profit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $52,440 |
| Winona State UniversityWinona · Public | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $44,814 |
| Concordia College at MoorheadMoorhead · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus, Online | Candidacy | Yes | $42,160 |
From each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published total.
Every MSW Program in Minnesota
17 programs in Minnesota
- FormatOnline900 field hoursCredits92quarter creditsEst. tuition$52,440$570/creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (MSW), on Campus at University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota · MinneapolisFormatOn campus1,020 field hoursCredits53Est. tuition$48,389$913/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnline1,020 field hoursCredits53Est. tuition$48,389$913/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (MSW), Online at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota · WinonaFormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$55,500$925/creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus, Hybrid400 field hoursCredits56Est. tuition$49,000$875/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus900 field hoursCredits51Est. tuition$38,760$760/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatHybrid920 field hoursCredits58Est. tuition$47,270$815/creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (MSW) at Minnesota State University-Mankato
Minnesota State University-Mankato · MankatoFormatHybridCredits59Est. tuition$36,400$617/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (MSW) at the College of Saint Scholastica
The College of Saint Scholastica · DuluthFormatOnline900 field hoursCredits63Est. tuition$48,951$777/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (MSW) at University of Minnesota-Duluth
University of Minnesota-Duluth · DuluthFormatHybrid, Online500 field hoursCredits51Est. tuition$39,693$778/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (MSW) at Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud State University · Saint CloudFormatOn campus, Online, HybridCredits59Est. tuition$34,087$578/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineCredits56Est. tuition$46,312$827/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineCredits88quarter creditsEst. tuition$47,520$540/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineCredits48quarter creditsEst. tuition$25,920$540/creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (MSW) at Concordia College at Moorhead
Concordia College at Moorhead · MoorheadFormatOn campus, OnlineCredits62Est. tuition$42,160$680/creditAccreditationCandidacyMaster of Social Work (MSW) at Minnesota State University Moorhead
Minnesota State University Moorhead · MoorheadFormatOnlineCredits31Est. tuition$21,794$703/creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnline1,000 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$44,814$747/creditAccreditationCSWE
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published program total; "resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What an MSW Costs in Minnesota
17 Minnesota programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $21,794 at Minnesota State University Moorhead to $55,500 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. The Minnesota median is $46,312, against $40,180 nationally.
Public universities' figures are usually the in-state rate. Turn any program into a full cost and loan estimate with the MSW cost and loan calculator.
Largest MSW Programs in Minnesota
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Walden University has Minnesota's largest program, followed by University of Minnesota and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online MSW Options for Minnesota Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Minnesota: 249 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Minnesota residents online and arrange your field placement in Minnesota.
| Lowest-cost CSWE-accredited online programs elsewhere | Est. tuition |
|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic University: Master of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced StandingMaster of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced Standing · Florida | $11,155 |
| Appalachian State University: Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online)Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online) · North Carolina | $11,359 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Maestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / PresencialMaestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / Presencial · Puerto Rico | $12,939 |
| University of North Alabama: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) · Alabama | $14,850 |
| University of Arkansas: Online Advanced Standing Master of Social WorkOnline Advanced Standing Master of Social Work · Arkansas | $15,151 |
| East Carolina University: Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing)Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing) · North Carolina | $16,624 |
Compare every option on the online MSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Social Worker Pay in Minnesota
| Occupation | Minnesota median | U.S. median | Jobs in Minnesota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $67,450 | $59,550 | 6,540 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $73,970 | $67,880 | 2,430 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $75,020 | $60,280 | 3,590 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $79,790 | $71,900 | 7,270 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with an MSW.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Minnesota?
We verified 17 MSW programs at 15 schools in Minnesota; 14 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Minnesota Issue?
Minnesota's board (Minnesota Board of Social Work) issues LSW, LGSW, LISW and LICSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), after At least 200 hours of supervision, at four to eight hours per 160 hours of practice, in not less than 4,000 and not more than 8,000 hours of postgraduate clinical practice, including at least 1,800 hours of direct clinical client contact.
Can Minnesota Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Minnesota's own programs, 249 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Minnesota residents and place you in a field practicum in Minnesota. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Minnesota?
Estimated tuition for Minnesota programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $21,794 to $55,500 before fees. Public universities usually charge nonresidents more, and advanced standing cuts the total for BSW graduates.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 15 Minnesota schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Minnesota Board of Social Work
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025