MSW Social Work at University of Missouri-Columbia

Programme overview

The University of Missouri’s Master of Social Work (MSW) Program prepares competent, effective and ethical social work professional leaders for social change. The MSW Program emphasizes a commitment to enhancing human well-being by alleviating social problems, embracing diversity and promoting social and economic justice with systems of all sizes through advanced clinical social work practice and policy planning and administration in human services.

Faculty: College of Health Sciences | Department: Social Work | Duration: 600 credit hours | Location: Columbia, MO, United States

What you will study

On Campus MSW Program courses are primarily offered in-person. A few foundation, concentration and elective courses are offered online through Canvas, a learning management system licensed to the University of Missouri for online courses.

Career pathways

Your references should be professionals (e.g. professors or other academic sources, practicing social workers, employers, supervisors, or volunteer coordinators) who can speak to your intellectual ability, interpersonal skills, potential for graduate education, and potential for professional social work practice. For example, one letter from a former employer, and two from former professors is acceptable (or vice versa), but three letters from only former employers or three letter from former professors is strongly discouraged.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Summer/Fall deadline: January 15 (early priority), March 15 (final) Spring deadline: September 15 (early priority), November 15 (final) Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with the applicant’s undergraduate transcript reflecting a sound liberal arts foundation, including courses in the humanities, as well as in the social and behavioral sciences. All International students must submit Internet-based (iBT) TOEFL scores, IELTS scores, PTE scores or C1 Advanced scores. No waivers will be given. Personal statement (4 pages, click here for more information about the content required)

USD 39,180 for the whole programme (2026-27). Estimated total tuition for the online programme (60 credit hours at $653.00 per credit hour), as illustrated by Mizzou Online for 2026-27; the page states online students pay online tuition regardless of residency. Excludes application fee, textbooks, co Source

Graduate and online programmes bill for Summer, Fall and Spring terms; each programme sets its own application requirements and deadlines, which are programmed into the application for admission.

Degree-seeking graduate applicants pay a non-refundable application fee of $75 (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) or $100 (nonresident internationals); graduate certificate and non-degree applicants pay $40. Applications are valid for three semesters after the original application term.

Graduate programmes apply through the Graduate School online application for admission, which requires a qualifying bachelor degree and at least a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of baccalaureate coursework; School of Law, School of Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Occupational Therapy Doctorate have their own application processes.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.missouri.edu/admissions/

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