8 Top MSW Programs in Milwaukee (2026 Rankings & Expert Guide)
Want to kickstart your career with an MSW program in Milwaukee? Social work careers are booming right now. Mental health and substance abuse social work positions will grow by 11%, which is by a lot more than other jobs.
Milwaukee’s MSW programs give you great training options and flexibility to prepare for this growing field. Your MSW degree can boost your earning potential throughout your career – with median annual salaries of $61,330. The job market looks promising with 7% growth expected through 2033. BSW graduates can complete their MSW in just one year through accelerated programs.
Milwaukee’s graduate social work programs let you specialize in clinical practice, substance abuse counseling, or trauma-informed care based on your goals. UW-Milwaukee stands out with Wisconsin’s rare Department of Public Instruction approved school social work programs. They also provide specialized training in substance abuse and trauma counseling. These programs blend strong academics with hands-on clinical training. This ensures you’re ready to affect positive change in your community when you graduate.
Herzing University MSW Program
Herzing University’s fully accredited clinical social work degree makes it unique among MSW programs in Milwaukee. The program welcomes both seasoned professionals and newcomers to the field. The Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation has given full accreditation to the program, proving it right as a leader in social work education.
Key features
The Master of Social Work program at Herzing offers a detailed 60-credit curriculum that centers on clinical social work practice. Students can balance their lives with education through asynchronous online courses and hands-on clinical field practicums.
The program’s clinical focus sets it apart. Students learn advanced skills in multi-dimensional assessments and evidence-based interventions with individuals, families, and groups. The curriculum builds strong foundations in social justice, teaching future social workers to get into systems and promote change for oppressed populations.
The program has been selected as one of ten programs nationwide to join the CSWE Substance Use Disorders Education and Leadership Scholars (SUDEALS) program. A $33,000 grant to improve education around substance use disorders shows Herzing’s dedication to meeting critical needs in social work.
Specializations
Students can choose from three specialization paths, each requiring 9 semester credit hours:
- Mental Health – Students learn to work with clients of all ages using various therapeutic methods. Graduates work as trauma therapists, substance use therapists, forensic social workers, and crisis response social workers.
- Medical Social Work – Students gain skills needed in medical settings and community health agencies. Career paths include pediatric medical social work, oncology social work, hospice care, and emergency room social work.
- Children, Family and Aging Services – Students learn about social problems throughout life stages. They study trauma-informed care and prepare for roles as child advocates, domestic violence social workers, family therapists, and geriatric social workers.
Each specialization has a clinical focus that prepares students for high-demand positions after graduation.
Field practicum
Field education is crucial to Herzing’s MSW program that connects classroom learning with professional practice. The program takes a well-laid-out approach to field education:
- Generalist Practicum: Traditional program students complete 400 clock hours over two semesters, spending about 14 hours weekly in supervised practice.
- Specialized Practicum: Traditional and Advanced Standing students complete 500 clock hours over two semesters in their chosen area, with approximately 17 hours weekly in supervised practice.
Students start with an 8-week field readiness training and work alongside the Director of Field Education to find the right placement sites. A dedicated Practicum Liaison—a faculty member and licensed social worker—supports students through three virtual site visits each semester.
Students can complete field placements in a variety of settings like government agencies, hospitals, schools, residential treatment centers, mental health facilities, and family support programs. Herzing helps students find agencies in their communities for practicum completion and guides them through the process.
Tuition and financial aid
The Master of Social Work program costs $675 per credit. The full 60-credit program needs substantial investment, though BSW holders can take the Advanced Standing option with just 36 credits.
Herzing University gave more than $19 million in scholarships and grants to students in 2024. Students can access financial help through:
- University scholarships and grants
- Federal and private loans
- VA/military benefits (Veterans and Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers might get 10-20% tuition discounts)
The Financial Aid team helps students estimate costs, check aid eligibility, and create customized funding plans. This integrated approach to financial support shows Herzing’s dedication to making quality social work education available to students from different backgrounds.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee MSW Program
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Helen Bader School of Social Welfare has one of the most complete MSW programs in the Milwaukee region. We focused on giving graduates specialized knowledge for advanced practice and leadership roles. This CSWE-accredited program teaches students to work with people from many backgrounds and communities.
Program highlights
The Master of Social Work program at UWM builds on strong coursework in human behavior, practice methods, research, and policy. Students can choose between two tracks: a 34-credit Advanced Curriculum for those with social work backgrounds, and a longer option that has a 24-credit Professional Foundation for people changing careers.
Students love the program’s flexibility. They can earn their degree on campus or through a fully online asynchronous option. The online program delivers the same quality as on-campus learning while students balance their education with life’s demands.
The program helps you meet state certification requirements. You can become eligible for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential in Wisconsin. UWM also offers a coordinated MSW/MPH degree program that brings together public health and social work points of view.
Specializations and certificates
Students can choose from various specialization paths. Beyond core courses, they pick electives that line up with their career goals in areas including:
- Behavioral and mental health
- Child and family well-being
- Clinical social work practice
- Gerontology
- Physical health
- School social work
- Substance abuse counseling
- Trauma-informed care
UWM has been a leader in trauma-informed care practice and research since 2013, when it started offering a Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care. The Youth-Oriented Substance Use and Trauma Counseling Program (YOSUT) gives special training in substance abuse and trauma counseling that focuses on at-risk youth and young adults.
The school is popular for its expertise in gerontology. The Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology gives students knowledge about biological, psychological, social, policy, and ethical aspects of aging.
Practicum and fieldwork
Field education is important to UWM’s social work program. Students apply classroom learning to real-life practice. The required field education hours vary based on student status:
Foundation MSW students must complete 915 hours across four semesters with two placements of two semesters each. Advanced Standing students need at least 700 hours over three consecutive semesters. Each field course needs 14-25 hours weekly at placement sites.
Students work with field instructors who have MSW degrees and at least two years of post-master’s experience. UWM field liaisons help students create personalized field practicum plans for both online and traditional on-campus learning.
Students can work with hundreds of agencies across Wisconsin and nearby states. This gives them experience to apply social work theory while building competencies set by the Council on Social Work Education.
Tuition and scholarships
Online MSW students pay $675 per credit whatever their residency status. UWM makes education available through many financial aid options.
The Helen Bader School of Social Welfare has several funding options for MSW students, especially in specialized areas. Students can get gerontology scholarships like the Helen Bader Age and Community Scholarship and the Irene Frye Scholarship for Gerontology.
Child welfare students might qualify for the IV-E Public Child Welfare Training Program. This covers tuition/fees, gives book allowances, and placement stipends. YOSUT program participants receive fellowship support.
Graduate students can also apply for Advanced Opportunity Program Fellowships, Distinguished Graduate Student Fellowships, and Graduate Student Travel Awards. The school’s dedication to financial access shows its mission to prepare skilled, culturally competent social workers who lead social justice practice.
Mount Mary University MSW Program
Mount Mary University offers a distinctive approach to social work education through its fully online MSW program. The program emphasizes specialty training and hands-on learning. The Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation currently has this program in candidacy for accreditation. Students learn advanced professional practice skills with a strong emphasis on social justice and human rights.
Program structure
The Master of Social Work program at Mount Mary provides two enrollment options based on your background. Students who have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) can finish the program in one year through advanced standing. Those without a BSW typically need 2-3 years with full-time enrollment.
Students must complete 57-61 total credits for the standard track or 28 credits for advanced standing, depending on prerequisites. The university’s published plans of study determine the sequence of all coursework.
The program is notable with its fully online format. Students attend both live and self-paced courses taught by resident faculty and licensed social work professionals. This setup gives students flexibility while ensuring academic excellence through student-centered learning and supervised clinical training.
Specialty tracks
The MSW program features two specialized tracks:
- Clinical Social Work – Students learn advanced therapeutic skills to work with individuals and groups in clinical settings
- Child & Family Social Work – Students gain specialized knowledge to work with children and families in various contexts
Students can also earn optional certificates in:
- Forensic social work
- Veterinary social work
The program teaches students to become advanced practitioners who respect diversity, champion human rights, understand ethical frameworks, and use research-based practices. Mount Mary strives to promote human well-being and eliminate poverty and racism through social, economic, and environmental justice.
Practicum experience
Hands-on experience is necessary to Mount Mary’s MSW education. Students strengthen their skills under professional guidance through supervised clinical training integrated throughout the curriculum.
Each student works directly with the university to find internship placements that match their career goals. These practical experiences help students apply classroom knowledge in real-life settings while receiving guidance from experienced professionals.
After graduation, students meet Wisconsin’s educational requirements for initial certification as a Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker (CAPSW). The program prepares students to pursue Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credentials once they gain the required post-graduation experience.
Cost and financial aid
Mount Mary University helps make education affordable through several financial aid options. The specific MSW program tuition rates are not mentioned in the provided information.
Students can access:
- Merit-based scholarships for academic excellence
- Special scholarships for transfer students, legacy students, and specific majors
- Graduate assistantships and tuition discounts
- Federal and state grants based on FAFSA results
- Student loans from federal government and other sources
Students need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using Mount Mary’s school code (003869) to qualify for aid. The financial aid team helps create personalized funding plans that make education achievable.
Student loans require at least half-time enrollment status and must be repaid with interest after graduation. Mount Mary’s commitment to affordability shows in its mission to provide quality education to students from all backgrounds.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater MSW Program
UW-Whitewater runs one of Wisconsin’s oldest social work education programs. The university has offered this major without interruption since 1971. The program has managed to keep its Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation since 1974. This makes UW-Whitewater the core of social work education in the Milwaukee region.
Program overview
The MSW program at UW-Whitewater uses an Advanced Generalist approach. Social workers train like general practitioners in medicine. This detailed framework helps graduates work as clinicians, group facilitators, supervisors, researchers, and promote positive change. The program builds on core social work values:
- Service and social justice
- Human dignity and relationship importance
- Integrity and competence
- Human rights and scientific inquiry
Students can choose between two tracks based on their education background. Students without a social work bachelor’s degree need 56-58 credits in the traditional MSW program. BSW holders from CSWE-accredited programs can take the Advanced Standing option with just 32 credits. Students who start in summer can finish within one academic year.
Students can specialize through electives in:
- Addictions and mental health
- Military social work
- Physical disabilities
- School social work
Online learning options
Students now have a choice between fully online or traditional face-to-face classes. Both options have similar CSWE accreditation and academic standards. The online MSW program started in 2022. Students can complete all coursework online, but field internships need physical presence.
The online program uses two formats. Students can complete assignments and watch lectures at their convenience in asynchronous classes. Some courses need attendance during specific evening sessions in a synchronous format.
Online students get detailed support including:
- Library and technology resources
- Student organization participation opportunities
- Assistance from the Center for Students with Disabilities
- Support services through the Dean of Students office
The university’s excellence in online education spans 25 years of creating engaging, rigorous online courses.
Practicum structure
Field education is vital to UW-Whitewater’s MSW program. Students apply classroom knowledge in real-life situations. Practicum requirements differ based on student status:
Advanced Standing MSW students complete 500 field experience hours under a masters-level social worker’s supervision. This practicum takes one academic year. Students spend about 16 hours weekly plus a 2-hour integrative seminar each week.
Non-Advanced Standing MSW students need 980 total field experience hours over two academic years. The first year gives broad exposure to social work roles. The second year focuses on advanced generalist practice.
MSW-level practicing social workers supervise students as field instructors. Field placements are a great way to get professional skills through advanced generalist social work practice.
Tuition and aid
UW-Whitewater provides budget-friendly value compared to other regional MSW programs. Wisconsin residents pay $585.75 per credit ($5,271.73 full-time) for graduate tuition. Non-residents pay $1,200.20 per credit ($10,801.78 full-time). Minnesota residents get reduced rates through reciprocity agreements.
Students can reduce educational costs through several options:
- Graduate assistantships that pay $11,200 yearly (20 hours weekly) for 2025-26
- Fee remission benefits for eligible assistants when funds permit
- Health, dental, and life insurance for students with two-thirds assistantship awards
- Federal and state financial aid through FAFSA
The university removes non-resident tuition costs for qualified graduate assistants with two-thirds awards. Students who get spring semester fee remissions might qualify for summer session out-of-state tuition waivers.
The program is known as one of Wisconsin’s most affordable MSW options. Annual in-state graduate tuition costs $9,307.
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay MSW Program
UW-Green Bay’s MSW program is respected among Milwaukee’s available options with its dedication to social justice advocacy and leadership training. The program, which started in 2015 after working with UW-Oshkosh since 2003, prepares graduates to work as advanced generalists in a variety of environments.
Program features
The MSW curriculum at UW-Green Bay builds on social work values. Students learn through a mission that emphasizes partnerships “in solidarity with diverse and self-determined communities to advance decolonization, seek justice from oppressive systems, and promote human dignity”. The program uses a cohort model that promotes strong bonds between students and faculty.
Students have the flexibility to choose full-time or part-time study. The complete curriculum needs 56 credits, though students with qualifying BSW degrees can finish with just 30 credits through advanced standing. Students without a BSW typically need two calendar years to graduate, while advanced standing students complete the program in one year.
The curriculum develops nine core competencies:
- Ethical and professional behavior
- Human rights and justice advancement
- Anti-racism and inclusion engagement
- Research-informed practice
- Policy practice
- Engagement with individuals and communities
- Assessment across systems
- Intervention strategies
- Practice evaluation
Areas of focus
The program starts with Advanced Generalist practice for all students. They take the same core courses but can choose from various electives and practicum placements later. Students wanting more specific requirements can pursue individualized areas of emphasis (IAE) including:
- Clinical Mental Health
- Child Welfare
- School Social Work
- Student-defined Individual Area of Emphasis
This structure helps students build strong generalist foundations while developing expertise that matches their career goals.
Field education
Field education serves as a key learning method in the MSW curriculum. Students gain hands-on experience under professional supervision. The practicum spans two consecutive semesters or one summer block placement, with students working about two days weekly in supervised settings.
Students complete eight credits of fieldwork during the Generalist year and ten credits in the Specialized year. Preparation begins in January, followed by referrals in March/April, interviews in April/May, and confirmed placements by May/June. Field coordinators help students find placements that match their professional interests and educational goals.
Cost and scholarships
The program costs $569.00 per credit hour, making it one of Wisconsin’s most affordable MSW options. Online classes cost an extra $25.00 per credit for distance education.
Financial assistance options include:
- Child Welfare stipend program to support students interested in public or tribal child welfare
- Ada E. Deer MSW Annual Scholarship of $1,000.00
- Graduate assistantships for MSW students
- Federal student loans and other financial aid
The Child Welfare Education Program offers grant-funded support with a post-graduation commitment to work in a public or tribal child welfare agency. Students in this program take specialized courses combined with supervised practicum in northeast Wisconsin agencies.
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh MSW Program
UW-Oshkosh offers a strengths-based MSW program that prepares students for advanced professional practice. The program emphasizes evidence-based knowledge and social justice values. This CSWE-accredited program through 2025 gives you the skills to meet social service needs in Northeast Wisconsin and beyond.
Program overview
The MSW program at UW-Oshkosh shapes leaders for both local and global social work. The curriculum lines up with the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards of the Council on Social Work Education. Here are the program’s main goals:
- Preparing advanced degree social workers to lead in clinical/mental health and advanced direct practice settings
- Creating professionals who help improve social policy
- Building strategic collaborations to make communities better
- Supporting teaching, research and evaluation activities that lead to best practices
Classes usually meet in the evening (5pm or later), which works well for working students. Each class meets in person at least once a week to build essential interpersonal skills.
Curriculum and electives
Students can choose between two concentrations: Clinical Mental Health and Advanced Direct Practice. The program offers two tracks based on prior education – full program (Generalist) or Advanced Standing. Students in the Generalist track must complete foundation courses before moving to Advanced Curriculum.
Students need to complete one 3-credit elective during their program. MSW advisors help students create schedules that fit their required coursework and electives.
Practicum details
Field experience plays a crucial role in MSW education. Students strengthen their classroom learning through hands-on practice. They must complete placements at two different agencies – one in the Generalist year and another in the Advanced year.
The Generalist field placement needs 14 hours weekly for two semesters. This helps students develop their generalist practice skills. The Advanced placement requires 15 hours weekly for two semesters, focusing on specialty areas in advanced direct practice or mental health.
Tuition and financial support
Students pay tuition per credit, plus student fees if they’re Wisconsin residents. Credit plateau pricing doesn’t apply to MSW courses. Students taking courses in other departments pay those programs’ tuition rates.
The university provides various financial support options through loans, scholarships, traineeships, and tuition waivers. Students seeking financial awards should submit FAFSA applications by March 15. The university’s steadfast dedication to affordable education shows in the $19 million it awarded in scholarships and grants to students in 2024.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside MSW Program
University of Wisconsin-Parkside is launching a 60-credit Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program to expand its mental health professional education. This program prepares students to become licensed Professional Counselors in Wisconsin and Illinois, offering an alternative to a traditional MSW.
Program structure
UW-Parkside will begin offering both on-campus and fully online options for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program in September 2025. Students can complete the program online with the same rigorous curriculum taught by UW-Parkside faculty, and they can fulfill their required practicum and internship experiences near their location. Working professionals seeking advanced mental health credentials find this flexibility valuable since they don’t need to relocate to Milwaukee.
Specialization options
The program helps students become skilled at critical clinical areas including assessment, diagnosis, intervention, advocacy, and program evaluation. Graduates can build careers working with children, families, adults, couples, and groups in settings of all types including outpatient care, hospitals, clinics, agencies, integrative care settings, and private practice.
Fieldwork and internships
Students get hands-on experience through supervised practicum and internship placements. UW-Parkside’s students can apply their clinical skills under licensed faculty supervisors’ close guidance. The university works together with students to find practicum placements that match their clinical training needs and career goals.
Tuition and aid
UW-Parkside’s graduate tuition rates are among the lowest in the UW System. Wisconsin residents pay $494 per credit, while non-residents pay $1,084.39, and Midwest Rate students pay $741. Credit load determines additional fees. UW-Parkside awards over $1 million in scholarships each year and helps students secure another $400,000 in private scholarships. Students from neighboring Midwest states might qualify for lower tuition through the Midwest Tuition Rate or Minnesota Reciprocity programs.
University of Wisconsin-Stout MSW Program
UW-Stout stands out with its Social Work Professional Certificate program, offering an alternative to traditional MSW degrees. This program gives professionals valuable credentials they need for social work positions across Wisconsin.
Program highlights
The Social Work Professional Certificate at UW-Stout helps professionals gain disciplinary knowledge that complements their existing education and career. Wisconsin’s social work licensure becomes accessible to graduates through this certificate. The program’s all-encompassing approach connects classroom learning with real-world professionalism. Students develop their skills through applied learning, research, and critical thinking.
Online and hybrid options
The program employs a flexible online/hybrid model where students complete most coursework online. Each course includes a daylong campus session to practice methods. Students can finish the program in just one year through eight-week courses. The customized instruction model keeps tuition rates the same whatever your residency, without extra university-based semester or technology fees.
Practicum and field placement
Field education is the substance of social work education that gives students supervised opportunities to build their knowledge and skills. Students earn academic credit while training under experienced social workers in settings that line up with their career goals. The core team takes a collaborative approach to supervision, and all licensed staff provide continuous support.
Tuition and financial aid
Wisconsin residents pay approximately $11,196 per year in graduate tuition, while out-of-state students pay around $20,188. Total costs reach $24,107 for in-state and $32,671 for out-of-state students when including housing and other expenses. Students can access need-based scholarships averaging $9,368 in their first year. About 46% of students receive need-based financial aid.
Choose a Milwaukee MSW Today
Your career in social work starts with picking the right MSW program. The field shows remarkable growth and offers substantial professional rewards. This piece explores eight exceptional MSW programs available to Milwaukee students. Each program offers unique specializations, flexible learning formats, and complete field experiences.
These programs give you multiple paths to success. You can choose Herzing University’s clinical emphasis, UW-Milwaukee’s trauma-informed specializations, or Mount Mary’s unique veterinary social work certificate. Most programs also offer both traditional and accelerated options. BSW holders can finish their master’s degree in just one year instead of two.
Field education is essential to every featured program that connects classroom theory with ground practice. Students complete between 500-980 supervised hours. This helps them build valuable experience and professional networks before graduation.
These programs are worth the investment, given the projected 11% growth in mental health and substance abuse social work positions through 2033. Wisconsin residents pay affordable tuition rates at state universities. Private institutions like Herzing and Mount Mary offer substantial scholarship opportunities to help with costs.
Your MSW trip ends up preparing you for licensure as a Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker (CAPSW). You can become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) after gaining post-graduation experience. This credentialing, combined with specialized knowledge in trauma counseling, geriatric care, or school social work, sets you up to make an immediate effect in your community.
Note that you should assess not only academic offerings but also practicum opportunities, online flexibility, and financial aid packages. The right MSW program will line up with your career goals and provide the complete education needed in this faster-growing profession.