Minnesota Social Work License Requirements & Programs: Become a Social Worker in MN
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Minnesota’s healthcare and social assistance positions is projected to grow nearly 13% from 2020 through 2030. The state offers different pathways to social work licensure for individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher. This guide explains Minnesota’s social work license types and requirements, accredited programs, and career information.
Popular Online Social Work Programs
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Minnesota Social Work Licensing Requirements
The Minnesota Board of Social Work (The Board) regulates social work licensure and practice throughout the state. The Board offers licensing options for individuals with a bachelor of social work or master of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or another state-approved agency.
Depending on your education and experience, you may qualify for one of four license types in Minnesota: licensed social worker (LSW), licensed graduate social worker (LGSW), licensed independent social worker (LISW), and licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW).
Licensed Social Worker
The LSW credential is the quickest way to qualify for employment as a social worker, with less stringent eligibility requirements than the other license levels. In Minnesota, you can apply for the LSW license after earning your bachelor’s degree.
This entry-level designation allows you to engage in non-clinical social work practice in various settings and gain the work experience you need to qualify for higher license levels.
Minnesota licensure requirements for LSW include:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work accredited by the CSWE or similar board-approved agency
- Passing score on the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) bachelor exam
- At least 100 hours of supervision following licensure
Licensed Graduate Social Worker
The LGSW credential allows you to practice non-clinical social work independently or clinical social work under the supervision of a licensed independent clinical social worker. The LGSW license authorizes a broader scope of practice and opens up career opportunities in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, corrections facilities, and independent practice.
Minnesota licensure requirements for LGSW include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work accredited by the CSWE or similar board-approved agency
- Passing score on the ASWB master exam
- At least 100 hours of supervision following licensure
Licensed Independent Social Worker
Similar in scope of practice to the LGSW, the LISW authorizes you to practice social work without supervision in non-clinical settings, or under the supervision of a LICSW in clinical settings.
Unlike the LGSW, the LISW requires you to complete supervised experience before receiving your license. However, you may practice non-clinical social work without supervision immediately upon earning your license.
LISWs can find employment in various organizations, providing counseling to clients and working in case management, administration, and educational services.
Minnesota licensure requirements for LISW include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work accredited by the CSWE or similar board-approved agency
- Passing score on the ASWB advanced generalist exam
- At least 4,000 hours of professional experience, including 100 hours of supervision
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
This designation is the highest level of social work licensure in Minnesota, leading to diverse employment opportunities in healthcare organizations, social service agencies, and private practice.
The LICSW covers the same scope of practice as the LISW but authorizes you to practice both clinical and non-clinical social work without supervision. LICSWs also supervise LSW, LGSW, and LISW applicants completing their clinical experience requirements.
Minnesota licensure requirements for LICSW include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work accredited by the CSWE or similar board-approved agency, including at least 360 clock hours of clinical training
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
- At least 4,000 hours of professional experience, including 100 hours of supervision
Social Work License Reciprocity in Minnesota
Minnesota is a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact, which will offer multistate licenses in 2025. These multistate licenses will enable social workers to practice across Compact member states.
Until then, out-of-state social workers may apply for a Minnesota social work license by endorsement as long as their license fulfills equivalent requirements for the same license level in Minnesota. Candidates for licensure by endorsement must meet educational prerequisites for their intended license level and demonstrate a passing score on the appropriate ASWB exam.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Minnesota
You need to renew your Minnesota social work license every two years before the last day of your birth month. Within each two-year period, you must complete a total of 40 continuing education (CE) hours, including at least two hours in ethics and four hours in cultural responsiveness.
For LICSWs, the 40 CE requirements must include 12 hours in clinical content. Licensing supervisors must complete six hours in supervision content. Licenses may be renewed online or via mail.
BSW Programs Available in Minnesota
- Augsburg University — Minneapolis (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $22,326 per semester
- Bemidji State University — Bemidji (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Addictions
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $4,497 per semester
- Bethel University — St. Paul (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $25,990 per year
- College of Saint Scholastica — Duluth (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Medical Social Work
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $1,280 per credit hour
- Concordia College — Moorhead (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $30,400 per year
- Metropolitan State University — St. Paul (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Child Welfare
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $286 per credit hour
- Minnesota State University, Mankato — Mankato (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $327 per credit hour in state, $703 per credit hour out of state
- Minnesota State University, Moorhead — Moorhead (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $295 per credit hour
- North Central University — Minneapolis (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $15,175 per semester
- Southwest Minnesota State — Marshall (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $305 per credit hour
- St. Catherine University — St. Paul (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $25,280 per semester
- St. Cloud State University — St. Cloud (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Child Welfare
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $341 per credit hour
- St. Olaf College — Northfield (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $59,760 per year
- University of Minnesota, Duluth— Duluth (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $498 per credit hour in state, $711 per credit hour out of state
- University of Saint Thomas — St. Paul (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $52,820 per year
- Walden University — Minneapolis (Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $340 per quarter credit hour
- Winona State University — Winona, Rochester (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $4,194 per credit hour in state, $7,560 per credit hour out of state
MSW Programs Available in Minnesota
- Augsburg University — Minneapolis (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Addictions, Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems, Management or Administration, Mental Health, Macro Social Work, Leadership
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $773 per credit hour
- Bethel University — St. Paul (Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $780 per credit hour
- Capella University — Minneapolis (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $540 per credit hour
- College of Saint Scholastica— St. Paul (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $725 per credit hour
- Minnesota State University, Mankato — Mankato (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $621 per credit hour in state, $876 per credit hour out of state
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, Winona (Online)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $895 per credit hour
- St. Catherine University — St. Paul (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $760 per credit hour
- St. Cloud State University — St. Cloud (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist, Child Welfare
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $537 per credit hour in state, $816 per credit hour out of state
- University of Minnesota, Duluth— Duluth (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $727 per credit hour
- University of Minnesota,Twin Cities — St. Paul (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Children, Youth, and Families, Clinical or Direct Practice, Management or Administration, Mental Health, Aging and Gerontological Practice, Public Health, Public Policy, Urban Planning
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $1,665 per credit hour in state, $2,601 per credit hour out of state
- University of Saint Thomas — St. Paul (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice, Aging and Gerontological Practice, Immigrants and Refugees
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $850 per credit hour
- Walden University — Minneapolis (Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist, Child and Family, Trauma, Military, Medical Social Work
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $535 per credit hour
- Winona State University — Winona, Rochester (Online)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice, Trauma
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $731 per credit hour
Minnesota Social Worker Career and Salary Information
The job prospects for licensed social workers in Minnesota look promising. Between 2022 and 2032, the state is projected to add about 170,000 jobs,reports the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Mental health and substance use social workers earn one of the highest salaries in the state. Social workers in this specialization earn an average annual salary of almost $70,000, compared to the national average of $62,880, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Close behind is Minnesota’s healthcare social workers, who earn just over $69,000 a year compared to the national average of $67,430.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $68,510 | $32.94 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $69,250 | $33.29 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $71,080 | $34.17 |
Social Work Associations in Minnesota
- The National Associationof Social Workers (NASW), Minnesota: The Minnesota chapter of the NASW offers news, volunteer and job opportunities, and networking for its members, while advocating for the profession across the state.
- Minnesota Society for Clinical Social Work (MSCSW): The MSCSW works to advance clinical social work through professional development, endorsement of ethical standards, and legislative advocacy. The organization provides a variety of resources for its members.
- Minnesota School Social Workers Association (MSSWA): The MSSWA provides information about job descriptions and benefits, networking, workshops and conferences, and other resources related to school social work.
- Minnesota Nursing Home Social Workers Association (MNHSWA): The MNHSWA offers consultation, mutual support, and resource materials for social workers employed in nursing homes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Social Work
What are the different types of social workers in Minnesota?
Minnesota authorizes four license levels. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational requirement for the licensed social worker (LSW) designation. The licensed graduate social worker (LGSW), licensed independent social worker(LISW) and licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) levels require at least a master’s. Of these, only LICSWs may engage in direct clinical practice without supervision.
How do I get licensed as a social worker in Minnesota?
To work as a licensed social worker in the state, you must submit an application to the Minnesota Board of Social Work. Depending on your intended license level, you need to fulfill specific degree and supervised experience requirements and achieve a passing score on the appropriate Association of Social Work Boards examination.
How much do social workers in Minnesota make?
Average social worker salaries in Minnesota range from $68,000 to $71,000 a year. However, social workers just beginning their careers earn less than those with experience. Clinical social workers typically earn higher salaries than non-clinical social workers. Minnesota’s major metropolitan areas, such as Minneapolis-St.Paul, tend to offer higher salaries than rural areas.
How long does it take to become a social worker in Minnesota?
The shortest path to becoming a social worker in Minnesota is to earn a BSW degree, which typically takes four years, and apply for the LSW license. To qualify for the LGSW license, you will need an MSW, which takes 1-3 years. LISWs need an MSW and two years of supervised experience. LICSWs require an MSW and four years of supervised experience.
