Wisconsin · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Wisconsin
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Wisconsin, and How Do You Get Licensed?
9 schools in Wisconsin offer 11 MSW programs we verified, including Concordia University-Wisconsin, Herzing University and Mount Mary University. 7 can be taken online and 9 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $39,200 to $48,510 before fees. After the MSW, Wisconsin's clinical license is the Social Worker - Licensed Clinical (LCSW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB exam (Masters)For the APSW
- Log supervised clinical hours3,000 hours of clinical social work practice, including at least 1,000…
- Earn the clinical license (LCSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Wisconsin
- 11
- schools
- 9
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 7
- offer advanced standing
- 9
- online programs
- 7
The Wisconsin Social Work License Path
Wisconsin Social Work Licenses
Wisconsin Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board - Social Work Section (Department of Safety and Professional Services)Social Worker
- Degree
- Bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program, or completion of the Social Worker Training Certificate (SWTC)
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Social Worker - Advanced Practice
- Degree
- Master's or doctorate degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Exam
- ASWB Masters
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Social Worker - Independent
- Degree
- Master's or doctorate degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Exam
- ASWB Advanced Generalist
- Supervised experience
- Two years of supervised practice, including a minimum of 3,000 hours, while holding an Advanced Practice Social Worker credential
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Social Worker - Licensed Clinical
- Degree
- CSWE-accredited master's or doctorate in social work with a concentration in clinical social work, including one psychopathology course, two theory and practice courses, and a supervised clinical field placement (or 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience outside the degree)
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- 3,000 hours of clinical social work practice, including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact, accrued only while holding an active APSW or ISW under a qualified, board-approved supervisor, with at least one hour of face-to-face supervision per week of practice (may be averaged). Applicants without a clinical field placement in the degree need 1,500 additional hours (at least 4,500 total)
- Independent practice
- Yes
- Social Work Licensure Compact
- Listed by the Compact Commission among jurisdictions that have passed the compact language (AB 80 enacted April 9, 2026); the Commission's May 2026 FAQ says multistate licenses are not yet issued, with no definite date but likely within 9-12 months
- State exam
- Wisconsin Statutes and Rules exam required for APSW, ISW and LCSW
From Wisconsin Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board - Social Work Section (Department of Safety and Professional Services), 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.
Wisconsin Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison · Public | 2 | Campus, Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $39,200 |
| University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $40,500 |
| Concordia University-WisconsinMequon · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $48,510 |
| Herzing UniversityMadison · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $40,500 |
| University of Wisconsin-Green BayGreen Bay · Public | 1 | Online, Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| University of Wisconsin-OshkoshOshkosh · Public | 1 | CSWE | |||
| University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| Mount Mary UniversityMilwaukee · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | Candidacy | Yes | $43,320 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointStevens Point · Public | 1 | Online | Candidacy | $41,280 |
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 Wisconsin
11 programs in Wisconsin
Social Work MSW (on Campus) at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee · MilwaukeeFormatOn campusCredits34Est. tuition$6,541per term · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWEOnline Master of Social Work at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee · MilwaukeeFormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$40,500$675/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEFull-Time Master of Social Work at University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Madison · MadisonFormatOn campusCredits49Est. tuition–AccreditationCSWEPart-Time Master of Social Work (Phased Closure) at University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Madison · MadisonFormatHybridCredits49Est. tuition$39,200$800/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay · Green BayFormatOnline, On campusCredits56Est. tuition$10,591per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Face-to-Face or Online) at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater · WhitewaterFormatOn campus, OnlineCredits32Est. tuition$626per credit · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- Format–Credits–Est. tuition$695per creditAccreditationCSWE
Online Master of Social Work at Concordia University-Wisconsin
Concordia University-Wisconsin · MequonFormatOnlineCredits63Est. tuition$48,510$770/creditAccreditationCSWEOnline Master of Social Work (for Non-BSW Students) at Herzing University
Herzing University · MadisonFormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$40,500$675/creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineCredits57Est. tuition$43,320$760/creditAccreditationCandidacy
Master of Social Work (Online) at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point · Stevens PointFormatOnlineCredits64Est. tuition$41,280$645/credit · resident rateAccreditationCandidacy
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 Wisconsin
6 Wisconsin programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $39,200 at University of Wisconsin-Madison to $48,510 at Concordia University-Wisconsin. The Wisconsin median is $40,500, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Madison: Part-Time Master of Social Work (phased closure)Part-Time Master of Social Work (phased closure) | 49 | $39,200 | $24,000 |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: Online Master of Social WorkOnline Master of Social Work | 60 | $40,500 | $24,300 |
| Herzing University: Online Master of Social Work (for non-BSW students)Online Master of Social Work (for non-BSW students) | 60 | $40,500 | $24,300 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) | 64 | $41,280 | |
| Mount Mary University: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) | 57 | $43,320 | |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin: Online Master of Social WorkOnline Master of Social Work | 63 | $48,510 | $27,720 |
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 Wisconsin
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has Wisconsin's largest program, followed by University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online MSW Options for Wisconsin Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Wisconsin: 254 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Wisconsin residents online and arrange your field placement in Wisconsin.
| 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 Wisconsin
| Occupation | Wisconsin median | U.S. median | Jobs in Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,280 | $59,550 | 5,710 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $66,910 | $67,880 | 3,770 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $61,860 | $60,280 | 1,880 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $62,830 | $71,900 | 1,860 |
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.
MSW Programs Near Wisconsin Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Wisconsin?
We verified 11 MSW programs at 9 schools in Wisconsin; 7 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Wisconsin Issue?
Wisconsin's board (Wisconsin Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board - Social Work Section (Department of Safety and Professional Services)) issues SW, APSW, ISW and LCSW. Clinical practice requires the Social Worker - Licensed Clinical (LCSW), after 3,000 hours of clinical social work practice, including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact, accrued only while holding an active APSW or ISW under a qualified, board-approved supervisor, with at least one hour of face-to-face supervision per week of practice (may be averaged). Applicants without a clinical field placement in the degree need 1,500 additional hours (at least 4,500 total).
Can Wisconsin Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Wisconsin's own programs, 254 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Wisconsin residents and place you in a field practicum in Wisconsin. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Wisconsin?
Estimated tuition for Wisconsin programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $39,200 to $48,510 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 9 Wisconsin schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Wisconsin Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board - Social Work Section (Department of Safety and Professional Services)
- 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