Wisconsin has 7 CSWE-accredited MSW programs anchored by the nationally ranked University of Wisconsin-Madison and supported by a network of four additional UW System campuses spread across the state. UW-Madison's Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work holds the 20th national ranking by U.S. News and World Report, making it one of the top 20 graduate social work programs in the country and the only nationally ranked program in Wisconsin. The school's dual-degree portfolio, which includes joint degrees with Medicine and Veterinary Medicine alongside the more common Law and Public Health partnerships, reflects UW-Madison's uniquely comprehensive interdisciplinary infrastructure as a flagship land-grant R1 university.
The four other UW System MSW programs, at Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Green Bay, and Whitewater, provide geographically distributed access to accredited graduate social work education across the state. UW-Milwaukee, the second-largest UW campus and an R1 urban research university, adds dual-degree options with Criminal Justice and Non-Profit Management and has the longest accreditation history among the regional campuses (since 1963). UW-Oshkosh and UW-Green Bay both received accreditation in 2003 through a multi-campus collaborative, with UW-Oshkosh offering the broadest concentration menu of any Wisconsin regional campus.
Wisconsin's social work licensing structure uses the ISW (Independent Social Worker) credential at the master's level rather than the LMSW designation used in most states. MSW graduates apply for the ISW after passing the ASWB Master's examination, then accumulate 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over at least 24 months before qualifying for the LCSW. The state also issues a bachelor's-level SW credential, creating a three-tier structure. Licensing is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.
All 7 CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in Wisconsin
Scored on the same seven-factor model used in the national ranking. All data sourced from the CSWE accreditation directory and official program pages (.edu). Accreditation years are Initial Accreditation Dates from the CSWE directory. UW-Madison CSWE accredSince listed as "1947; 1922-1937"; 1947 used as current continuous date. UW-Oshkosh and UW-Green Bay accredited since 2003 as part of a UW System collaborative; independent accreditation since 2017. UW-Madison national ranking (#20) confirmed from socwork.wisc.edu, May 2026. Concordia University Wisconsin moved fully online in 2022.
- #1 National #20
University of Wisconsin-Madison Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work
Madison, WI · On-Campus or Online
9.2
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 1947Why It Ranks Here
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work is ranked 20th nationally by U.S. News and World Report, the highest confirmed national ranking of any Wisconsin program and one of the top 20 graduate social work programs in the United States. CSWE accreditation has been continuous since 1947, with an earlier accreditation period from 1922 to 1937 through CSWE's predecessor body. An Advanced Generalist concentration is offered, preparing graduates for practice across direct service, policy, and leadership roles. The dual-degree portfolio is among the most extensive nationally: joint programs are available with Law (JD), Public Health (MPH), Medicine (MD), Veterinary Medicine (DVM), and additional graduate programs across the university. The inclusion of dual degrees with Medicine and Veterinary Medicine is exceptionally rare among MSW programs and reflects UW-Madison's position as a comprehensive R1 research university with deep interdisciplinary infrastructure. Advanced Standing is available. The program currently operates from the Madison campus with online delivery available; a satellite campus in Eau Claire operated from 2009 through 2022. UW-Madison is Wisconsin's flagship land-grant university, consistently ranked among the top public universities in the country.
Public (University of Wisconsin-Madison, R1 flagship). Contact the program for current in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.
View program page → - #2
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Helen Bader School of Social Welfare
Milwaukee, WI · On-Campus or Online
7.5
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 1963Why It Ranks Here
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Helen Bader School of Social Welfare has held CSWE accreditation since 1963, making it the second-oldest continuously accredited MSW program in Wisconsin. Two concentrations are offered: Advanced Generalist, which prepares graduates for versatile practice across populations and settings; and School Social Work, which trains graduates for educational environments and prepares them to meet Wisconsin school social work endorsement requirements. Dual-degree programs are available with Criminal Justice and Non-Profit Management, both uncommon combinations that expand practice scope for graduates interested in forensic social work or nonprofit leadership. Online delivery has been available since 2021. Advanced Standing is available. UW-Milwaukee is an R1 urban research university and the second-largest campus in the UW System, situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin's largest city and primary social work labor market. The urban campus location provides access to an extensive practicum network across Milwaukee County's healthcare systems, behavioral health agencies, child welfare organizations, and social services nonprofits.
Public (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, R1 urban research university). Contact the program for current in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.
View program page → - #3
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Department of Social Work
Oshkosh, WI · On-Campus
7.0
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2003Why It Ranks Here
The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Department of Social Work received CSWE accreditation in 2003 as part of a multi-campus UW System collaborative and has operated under independent accreditation since 2017. Three concentrations are offered: Advanced Generalist, Clinical or Direct Practice, and Mental Health, the broadest specialization menu among Wisconsin regional campuses. The Mental Health concentration is particularly relevant given Wisconsin's documented behavioral health workforce shortages, particularly in Fox Valley communities east of Madison. No online option is listed in the CSWE directory; delivery is currently on-campus in Oshkosh. Advanced Standing is available. UW-Oshkosh is a public university in Winnebago County in northeast Wisconsin, providing accessible graduate social work education to students in the Fox Valley corridor who might otherwise travel to Milwaukee or Madison for MSW training.
Public (University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh). Contact the program for current in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.
View program page → - #4
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Social Work Program
Green Bay, WI · On-Campus or Online
6.8
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2003Why It Ranks Here
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Social Work Program received CSWE accreditation in 2003 as part of the same UW System multi-campus collaborative as UW-Oshkosh, achieving independent accreditation in 2017. An Advanced Generalist concentration is offered. Online delivery was added in 2023, expanding access beyond the Green Bay campus to students across northeast Wisconsin and in communities bordering Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Advanced Standing is available. UWGB is a public university in Green Bay, the third-largest city in Wisconsin and the hub of a regional social services market spanning northeast Wisconsin's mix of urban, suburban, and rural practice settings. The program's Advanced Generalist framework reflects the generalist workforce demands of both Brown County social services and the surrounding rural and tribal communities.
Public (University of Wisconsin-Green Bay). Contact the program for current in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.
View program page → - #5
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Social Work Program
Whitewater, WI · On-Campus or Online
5.8
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2018Why It Ranks Here
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Social Work Program received CSWE accreditation in 2018, making it among the newer programs in the UW System. An Advanced Generalist concentration is offered. Online delivery has been available since 2021, complementing the on-campus Whitewater option. Advanced Standing is available. UW-Whitewater is a public university in Walworth County in southeastern Wisconsin, midway between Milwaukee and Madison. The program serves students in the Rock, Jefferson, and Walworth county corridor, a region with documented social worker shortages in child welfare, mental health, and aging services. The 2018 accreditation date accounts for the lower state ranking relative to the longer-established UW System programs.
Public (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater). Contact the program for current in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.
View program page → - #6
Concordia University Wisconsin
Online, WI · Online
5.5
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2017Why It Ranks Here
Concordia University Wisconsin's MSW program received CSWE accreditation in 2017 while operating from its Mequon, Wisconsin campus and transitioned to fully online delivery in 2022. An Advanced Generalist concentration is offered. Advanced Standing is available. Concordia is a private Lutheran-affiliated university; the MSW program does not require faith-based coursework and graduates are fully prepared for licensure and employment in secular settings. The fully online format provides access to an accredited private-university MSW for students across Wisconsin and nationally who prefer a smaller, faith-affiliated institutional context. Students arrange local field placements in their home communities.
Private (Concordia University Wisconsin, Lutheran-affiliated). Contact the program for current tuition rates.
View program page → - #7
Herzing University
Online, WI · Online
5.0
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2022Why It Ranks Here
Herzing University's MSW program received CSWE accreditation in 2022 and operates entirely online. A Clinical or Direct Practice concentration is offered. Advanced Standing is available. Herzing is a private university with a primarily online, career-focused delivery model. The 2022 accreditation date is the most recent among Wisconsin programs, placing it in the early years of established CSWE standing. Students arrange local field placements in their home communities. The program provides an additional fully online option for students in Wisconsin and nationally seeking a clinically focused MSW through a private career-oriented university.
Private (Herzing University). Contact the program for current tuition rates.
View program page →
Job Market for MSW Graduates in Wisconsin
Milwaukee is Wisconsin's largest social work labor market. Major healthcare employers include Froedtert Health, Advocate Aurora Health Care, Children's Wisconsin, and Rogers Behavioral Health, the latter a nationally recognized psychiatric hospital system headquartered in Oconomowoc with multiple metro-area campuses. Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services is the primary public-sector child welfare and adult protective services employer in southeastern Wisconsin. Wisconsin Community Services, Meta House, and United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County anchor a large nonprofit sector that employs significant numbers of MSW-level practitioners across mental health, housing, substance use, and family services programs.
Madison is Wisconsin's second social work labor market and the center of state government employment. UW Health, Meriter Health (now UnityPoint Health-Meriter), and SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital are the major healthcare employers in Dane County. The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) are headquartered in Madison, employing social workers across child protective services, juvenile justice, economic support, and behavioral health policy. Dane County Human Services operates the primary county-level direct services system. The Madison market also includes a growing nonprofit sector driven by the university's presence and state capital functions.
Green Bay and the Fox Valley are Wisconsin's third significant social work market. Bellin Health and Aurora BayCare Medical Center are primary healthcare employers in northeast Wisconsin, while Brown County Health and Human Services administers child welfare, aging, and mental health programs for the region. The Fox Valley, spanning Appleton, Oshkosh, and the surrounding Winnebago and Outagamie county communities, has a documented shortage of behavioral health and clinical social workers.
Rural northern Wisconsin presents persistent social work workforce challenges. Communities in the Northwoods, the Driftless region, and counties bordering Minnesota and Michigan's Upper Peninsula have limited access to mental health and clinical social work services. Several federally recognized Ojibwe and Menominee tribal nations operate tribal social services departments across northern Wisconsin with ongoing workforce needs. Programs at UW-Green Bay and UW-Oshkosh, and the online options at Concordia and Herzing, are the primary pipelines for social workers serving these communities.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Wisconsin; Wisconsin DSPS, Social Worker Credentials.
How We Ranked These Programs
Each program is scored on the same seven-factor model used in the national ranking. The state ranking uses identical criteria and weights. No Wisconsin-specific adjustments are made. Programs are ordered by composite score. For the full methodology, see our ranking methodology page.
- CSWE Accreditation (25%): Active accreditation status and continuous accreditation history.
- Program Leadership (15%): Faculty credentials, research output, and peer-assessment scores.
- Pathways (15%): Concentration variety, Advanced Standing availability, and dual-degree options.
- Delivery Format (15%): Online, hybrid, and in-person availability; start-term flexibility.
- Employer Signal (15%): Field placement hours required, practicum site depth, and documented placement infrastructure.
- Cost & Affordability (10%): Published tuition per credit or per year, in-state vs. out-of-state differential.
- Reputation (5%): U.S. News peer-assessment scores and institutional recognition.