Master of Social Work program adapting to online format to meet growing demand

The College of St. Scholastica is excited to announce that its Master of Social Work (MSW) program will transition to a primarily online format beginning this May. This strategic move is designed to increase the program’s regional competitiveness and provide greater flexibility for working professionals dedicated to social and ecological change.

While the delivery method is changing, the program’s core identity remains the same. The MSW will continue to offer its signature clinical focus, specializing in areas such as somatic therapy, trauma-informed care, and rural mental health. The new format will feature weekly evening online classes, complemented by an intensive three-day summer residency at the Duluth main campus.

Competence and compassion

“Our mission has always been to prepare social workers who are ready to meet the complex needs of their communities with both competence and compassion,” said Program Director Nicholas Navarro. “By moving to an online format, we allow the best and brightest from across the region to join St. Scholastica without having to leave the areas they serve.”

The transition comes at a pivotal time for the healthcare industry. “The landscape of clinical practice is changing, so must our approach to social work education,” Navarro continued. “This new format mirrors the modern workplace, integrating advanced digital literacy with the deep, relational work that is at the hallmark of our MSW program.”

Two pathways to completion

The MSW program offers two flexible pathways to completion:

• Advanced Standing Track: Designed for those with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), this 38-credit track can be completed in as little as one year, with the next cohort beginning this May.
• Regular Standing Track: A 63-credit, two-year program for students with undergraduate degrees in other fields, beginning each September.

Prospective students are encouraged to apply by the April 15 final deadline for the May Advanced Standing cohort. For more information on the program or to register for an upcoming virtual information session, visit css.edu/msw.