Frequently Asked Questions – Part-Time MSW

Yes. The beautiful UW-Madison campus is architecturally and historically rich. You can sign up for an official UW-Madison tour through Campus and Visitor Relations: http://info.wisc.edu/plan-your-visit/.

To request more information about the Part-Time MSW Program, you can sign up for a Group Information Session.

No. It is not possible to transfer between the Full-Time and Part-Time MSW programs.

You can, however, reapply to the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work for acceptance into the other MSW program.

Part-Time MSW Program course sequencing means that applications from Part-Time MSW students seeking entry into the Full-Time MSW Program can only be considered if the applicant has completed the generalist foundation course sequence (years 1 & 2) and is ready to enter the Full-Time MSW Program at the start of the advanced practice year (year 3). Thus, Part-Time MSW students would apply to the Full-Time MSW Program in the fall of their second year.

Current students considering reapplying to the other MSW program in the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work are required to meet with their advisor as soon as possible.

Admissions for the Part-Time MSW Program is highly competitive. The Part-Time MSW Program follows the same admissions review process as the Full-Time MSW Program. The only difference in the admissions process between the two programs is that the Part-Time MSW Program has a later application deadline. It should be noted that the slots for the Part-Time MSW Program fill quickly as the deadline approaches. To prepare a competitive application, carefully follow all of our application instructions.

Everyone interested in our MSW Program must apply to our program.  You must complete and submit a full application.  Once the Admissions Committee reviews and selects you for admission into our program, you will confirm your attendance, then the process of evaluating your past coursework begins by you submitting a course exemption form requesting a review for exemptions, based on prior coursework. Any generalist MSW coursework you completed with a grade of B or better will be considered by our faculty for equivalence to comparable generalist coursework in our program and may be permitted for transfer credits or exemption. Eligible coursework must have been completed at a CSWE-accredited MSW Program within the last five years.

Yes, applicants whose accredited BSW degree is older than five years can exempt and receive credit for some Generalist coursework by passing exemption exams.

For information about classroom course exemptions, go to the MSW Exemption Exams page.

If you meet the following criteria you are eligible to complete a portfolio field exemption exam to exempt from (but not receive credit for) Generalist field coursework:

1. You have post-BSW Social Work practice experience, the equivalent of two full-time years in the last five years;
2. You graduated from an accredited Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) school of social work more than five years from the academic year of graduation to the academic year of enrollment in the MSW Program; and,
3. Your field grade was a “B” or better or a “Pass” at a “B” or better level.

See the Field Handbook chapter titled “Policy for MSW Program Exemption from the Generalist Year of Field SW400 & SW401” for details.

Our accrediting body, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), does not permit us to give academic credit for life or prior work experience.

No. The Social Work field course is an educationally directed experience not a work experience. It involves educational and professional social work learning experiences, as well as a level of autonomy beyond existing job descriptions and/or goals of an individual agency. Fieldwork, employment, or volunteer experience that was not obtained while attending an accredited Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) BSW program will not qualify you for an exemption from the Generalist Practice field placement and field seminar.

The length of time it takes to complete the program depends on prior academic degree and number of exemption exams passed successfully.

•  Applicants who hold or are currently completing a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE accredited institution and who qualify for Advanced Standing can complete the program in two years
• Applicants without a BSW can complete the program in four years

The U.S. Department of Education regulations include a federal definition of a credit hour. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than: One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester.

UW-Madison’s Policy on the Credit Hours:

2 credit course: 2 hours in class + 4 hours outside classroom work = a minimum of 6 hours total academic work per week

3 credit course: 3 hours in class + 6 hours outside classroom work = a minimum of 9 hours academic work per week

Students in field should refer to the Field Program FAQs for information on how much time is spent in field placement during field years.

No. However, Part-Time Program classes are delivered in a hybrid manner: using in-person sessions and online technology.  Some courses are designed as blended courses with a mix of online learning and in-person sessions while others are taught as online courses. In-person sessions take place every other Saturday on our Madison campus. Students should plan to be on campus each semester.

Depending on the course, class size can range from 10 to 20.

Depending on the Field Seminar, class size can range from 8 to 16.

The Part-Time Master of Social Work Program has around 100 students across four years of study.

The School offers incoming MSW students SW 705, an online summer statistics course . You should speak to the Part-Time Program Academic Advisor for enrollment information. 

We highly encourage students to NOT work 40 hours a week while in graduate school. That being said, some of our students are able to balance their schedule and continue to work full-time. Please note, however, that field placements offering night and weekend hours are very limited. This is due to the fact that most social work agencies only provide services during business hours. Therefore, it is important to consider the flexibility of your work schedule with regard to participating in field education during years 2 and 4.

Yes. To read more about the Madison Campus Office of Child Care & Family Resources, please go to their website: occfr.wisc.edu, where you will also find information on a childcare financial assistance program.

Yes. Health insurance benefit options are available for domestic partners through Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).

No. It is not possible to transfer between the Full-Time and Part-Time MSW programs.

You can, however, reapply to the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work for acceptance into the other MSW program.

Part-Time MSW Program course sequencing means that applications from Part-Time MSW students seeking entry into the Full-Time MSW Program can only be considered if the applicant has completed the generalist foundation course sequence (years 1 & 2) and is ready to enter the Full-Time MSW Program at the start of the advanced practice year (year 3). Thus, Part-Time MSW students would apply in the fall of the second year to the Full-Time MSW Program.

Current students considering reapplying to the other MSW program in the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work are required to meet with their advisor as soon as possible.

Advanced Standing is granted to students who have obtained exemptions from the first year (Generalist Year) of the MSW Program. To qualify, an incoming student must have completed a BSW degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program within five years from the academic year of graduation to the academic year of enrollment in the MSW Program.

For more information, see Advanced Standing MSW.

We offer the advanced generalist specialization with focus areas in:

• Child, Youth, and Family Welfare
• Mental Health

No, students can only choose one focus area, however there are sub-focus areas you can choose to pursue:

• Child Welfare
• School Social Work
• Health and Aging
• Substance Use Disorders

Students in this program cannot enroll in other graduate programs. All MSW requirements must be met by taking courses in the Part-Time MSW Program. You must consult with an advisor prior to taking any coursework outside of the Part-Time MSW Program.

Class hours are listed in the plan charts found at the Part-Time MSW Program.

For approximate course dates, review the University Academic Calendar. Due to a Saturday class schedule, the Part-Time MSW Program academic calendar may differ from the University academic calendar. Contact an advisor for specific dates.

We highly encourage students to NOT work 40 hours a week while in graduate school. That being said, some of our students are able to balance their schedule and continue to work full-time. Please note, however, that field placements offering night and weekend hours are very limited. This is due to the fact that most social work agencies only provide services during business hours. Therefore, it is important to consider the flexibility of your work schedule with regard to participating in field education during years 2 and 4.

Per university policy, non-traditional students enrolled in programs like the Part-Time MSW Program are permitted to hold TA/RA/PA positions (including those above 33%) but will not receive the tuition remission that is typically part of the compensation package for a graduate assistantship.

Visit the Registrar’s Office page on Residence for Tuition Purposes for information relating to residency, appealing nonresident status, and information on Minnesota reciprocity.

Please note that beginning Summer 2020, newly admitted Part-Time students will pay $800 per credit tuition (plus fees) regardless of state residency.

Students seeking financial assistance can visit the following websites:

• Office of Student Financial Aid
• Grants Information Collection
• UW-Madison Student Job Center
• Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work Scholarships, Awards, and Fellowships

Costs are based on number of credits taken. We have prepared a sample chart specific for the Part-Time MSW Program.

Tuition rates, fees, and payment schedules can be found on the Bursar’s Office Tuition and Fees website. Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid to find out more about the cost of graduate school at UW-Madison.

Yes. Students in our professional programs are charged a lab fee of $110.00 per semester enrolled in field. This fee is used to provide students with supplemental experiences and information designed to shape “the professional character and competence” of students and to help promote a culture “congruent with the values of the profession and the mission, goals and context of the program.” (2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, Implicit Curriculum, Council on Social Work Education).

Yes. To read more about the Madison Campus Office of Child Care & Family Resources, please go to their website (occfr.wisc.edu) to find information on a childcare financial assistance program.

Although neither campus has normal business hours on Saturday, both campus childcare centers report that if there is enough interest, they will consider opening a center on Saturday. To read more about the Madison Campus Office of Child Care & Family Resources, please go to their website: occfr.wisc.edu, where you will also find information on a childcare financial assistance program. For information on the Eau Claire Campus Children’s Center, visit their website at www.uwec.edu/Children/.

Yes. There are health insurance options available for domestic partners through Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).

Please refer to our resource on the Student Resources page regarding Reporting Issues.