The Master of Social Work (MSW) is an a professional graduate degree that prepares people to work as professional social workers in a wide range of public and private social service agencies, in health care and public schools, with clients ranging from infants to senior citizens, from agencies to communities, and with challenges such as poverty, mental illness, disabilities, health problems, chemical dependency, abuse, and many others. MSWs work directly with clients in direct practice capacities, serve as program directors, supervisors, agency administrators, and also work in applied research and social welfare policy areas. Students should look for a program that is accredited or in the process of becoming accredited so that they are eligible for professional licensure when they complete there degree.
The MSW Program at Minnesota State University, Mankato focuses on preparing Advanced Generalist social worker practitioners with expertise in practice in small and rural communities. To become licensed there are additional criteria including national exams, supervised work experiences, and background checks. The Department of Social Work offers an Advanced Generalist Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is built upon several years of needs assessment and planning, as well as over 35 years of offering an accredited social work degree at the undergraduate (BSSW) level. Our Department's MSW program was formally granted candidacy status from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in October 2007.
The MSW Program graduated 26 new MSW students from our program in July 2009. Students presented their final Capstone Projects at a public forum on July 23. A Recognition Celebration was held for this group of students on July 25, 2009. This is the very first group of students who have earned a Master of Social Work from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Look for future pages about their Capstone Projects. Congratulations to them all!
The MSW Application for Admission for 2010 is now OPEN. You may go to the Admissions and Forms page of this website by following the link at the left to find admission information, application instructions, and application forms. Follow the Important Dates link in the left frame to see when the MSW Program Information sessions will be held. The Application Deadline is January 31, 2010 to begin in summer 2010 (advanced standing, 1-year) or fall of 2010 (traditional, 2-year). If you have questions about the admission process contact: Dr. Nancy Fitzsimons, Associate Professor, MSW Program Director.
We are not hiring full-time faculty at this time. If you are interested in part-time adjunct/community faculty opportunities in the Department of Social Work, contact Dr. Bill Anderson, Department Chair. If you are interested in Graduate Assistant positions and are a graduate student or have been accepted into a graduate program, contact Dr. Nancy Fitzsimons, MSW Program Director.
Dr. Nancy M. Fitzsimons, MSW Program Director
Email: nancy.fitzsimons@mnsu.edu
Phone: 507-389-6504; 800-627-3529 or 711 (MRS/TTY)
