The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has a legacy of preparing future social workers to make a difference in the lives of individuals, families, organizations and communities.
With the launch of the new online Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, UW-Stevens Point looks to expand on the foundation of its strong undergraduate program. The new master’s degree will address workforce needs in child and family social work, mental health and health care systems, the field of substance use disorders and other segments of society. The program aims to generate skilled advanced practice social workers who can serve as collaborative organization leaders who advocate for social, economic, racial and environmental justice and the development of responsive social policies, programs and services.
This graduate program is 100 percent online. Professor and MSW Program Director Amy Zlimen Ticho describes the program as “online but engaged,” noting the need for aspiring social workers to have opportunities to interact with their peers and instructors to develop the interpersonal and collaborative skills necessary for effective social work practice. Course offerings include asynchronous and synchronous components.
Applications are now open for this fall. The Fall 2025 cohort will be comprised of part-time students who do not already possess an undergraduate degree in social work. Future cohorts will include both full and part-time options, as well as opportunities for both students with and without an undergraduate social work degree.
The MSW Program aspires to unlock opportunities for those ready to advance their social work careers by opening doors to high caliber positions in varied areas of practice that require a master’s degree. This includes students coming directly out of an undergraduate social work program and those who have already been working in the field. The online nature of the program lends itself well to those who have not had the opportunity to continue their education due to work, personal responsibilities or their location.
Students will choose a pathway, or specialty track with options in school, clinical or medical social work. There is also a pathway option for students outside of those specialty areas.
Graduates of the MSW program are eligible for employment in a wide range of fields including child welfare, youth justice, schools, mental health, substance use disorders, health care, aging, developmental disabilities, criminal justice and more. Many take on administrative and supervisory roles within their organizations, while some focus their careers on addressing issues of inequality or injustice through advocacy, community organizing or policymaking.
The program hopes to expand students’ skill sets to work in rural environments as well.
“There are a lot of skills that are necessary in rural environments that aren’t always part of the generalist social work learning experience,” said Assistant Professor and MSW Field Director Olivia Gerrish. “There is an added element of creativity and critical thinking necessary to figure out how do to make sure that clients have what they need within a limited environment of resources while maintaining professional boundaries in small, close-knit communities.”
Faculty are also building the program based on feedback from prospective students who are looking for a more engaged experience from a graduate program.
“We hear that students don’t always feel like they’re a part of something when they’re in an online program,” said Zlimen Ticho. “Our goal is to foster a sense of community and belonging and help students feel like they’re taking their MSW journey in partnership with other students and with the faculty in the program. We are building virtual components in an intentional way so students can build their skills and feel like they’re part of our UWSP family.”
The MSW program strives to ensure courses are continuously relevant for students as time goes on to accommodate the changing demands of the workforce.
“We are designing the program to meet students where they are today but also thinking about what they’ll need down the road,” said Gerrish. “We are doing it by building on the incredible work social work educators have been doing for decades while taking their experience and combining it with some fresh ideas to create something really powerful.”
A field education component will also be required during the program. Students will gain supervised social work experience within an agency/organization within or close to their own community. The program will rely on some of its existing agency partners developed for the undergraduate social work program, while building relationships with new agency partners throughout Wisconsin and beyond.
“We have gathered a lot of insights into what makes a field placement transformative,” Gerrish said, adding, “and plan to use that knowledge to guide our students, while also recognizing that everyone’s journey to and in social work is their own. That is why we are so passionate about creating opportunities that are not only effective but also deeply personalized. We want to find the best possible match for a student’s passions and strengths.”
Faculty within the MSW program are eager and enthusiastic to begin this journey with a bright new cohort of aspiring social workers.
“I’m excited to be able to build this opportunity for students who may not otherwise have it,” Zlimen Ticho said.
“Social workers have the opportunity to create positive change in the lives of many people in many different contexts. This program offers students who may not have had the opportunity to engage with social work to become involved in the work and offer new perspectives to the field,” said Gerrish.
The program is the next addition to come out of UW-Stevens Point’s Growth Initiative, an aspect of the university’s strategic plan that has faculty working to create programming that meets the needs of today’s professionals and the global economy.
To learn more or apply for the Master of Social Work graduate program, go to www.uwsp.edu/programs/degree/master-of-social-work/, attend one of the many upcoming information sessions or contact either Nick Schultz, graduate recruitment coordinator, at graduateprograms@uwsp.edu or Amy Zlimen Ticho at azlimen@uwsp.edu.
