Begin your career as a social worker alongside the waters of Minnehaha Falls, the nation’s second-largest state fair, and a statewide network of approximately 19,630 social workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  

This guide for how to become a social worker in Minnesota explains educational requirements, how to get licensed, social work organizations to join and more. Once you complete the steps to become a social worker in Minnesota, you can embark on a meaningful, fulfilling career helping others in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Information below was retrieved February 2026 and is only meant to be a high-level overview. Requirements may change, always check with the state licensing board for complete and up to date information.

Sponsored Online Social Work Programs

University of Denver

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

The University of Denver’s Online MSW Program is delivered by its top-ranked school of social work and offers two programs. Students can earn their degree in as few as 12 months for the Online Advanced-Standing MSW or 27 months for the Online MSW.

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Syracuse University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Syracuse University’s online Master of Social Work program does not require GRE scores to apply and is focused on preparing social workers who embrace technology as an important part of the future of the profession. Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks are available.

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Simmons University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Aspiring direct practitioners can earn their MSW online from Simmons University in as few as 9 months. GRE scores are not required, and the program offers full-time, part-time, accelerated, and advanced standing tracks.

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Howard University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

The online Master of Social Work program from Howard University School of Social Work prepares students for advanced direct or macro practice in culturally diverse communities. Two concentrations available: Direct Practice and Community, Administration, and Policy Practice. No GRE. Complete in as few as 12 months.

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Hawaii Pacific University

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Master of Social Work

The online Master of Social Work prepares aspiring social work leaders to develop a multicultural social work practice, advocate for social and economic justice, and empower diverse communities affected by systemic inequities within civilian and military-focused areas. 

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Common Steps to Become a Minnesota Social Worker

Before becoming a social worker in Minnesota, you must obtain a bachelor’s degree or higher in social work and a social work license applicable to the career path you choose. Minnesota offers four types of social work licenses that vary depending on education and experience. There may be additional requirements, such as a background check and clinical supervision, based on your goals. 

Below are the steps for obtaining licenses in Minnesota, summarized from the Minnesota State Board of Social Work.

1. Earn a CSWE-Accredited Social Work Degree

To become a licensed social worker in Minnesota, you must complete a CSWE-accredited social work degree that matches the license you’re pursuing, typically a BSW for the LSW and an MSW (or doctoral social work degree) for the LGSW, LISW, and LICSW. 

2. Fulfill your social work supervised experience requirement and pass your national/state exams

Minnesota has four levels of social workers, according to the state’s licensing board, with increasing requirements:

Licensed social worker (LSW): A person with a CSWE-accredited BSW who has passed the ASWB Bachelors exam (plus the Board’s standard application requirements). 

Licensed graduate social worker (LGSW): A person with a CSWE-accredited MSW (or doctorate in social work) who has passed the ASWB Masters exam (plus the Board’s standard application requirements). 

Licensed independent social worker (LISW): A person with a qualifying graduate social work degree who has passed the ASWB Advanced Generalist exam and completed the Board’s required 4,000 hours of supervised nonclinical practice (documented per Board supervision requirements).

Licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW): A person with a qualifying graduate social work degree who has passed the ASWB Clinical exam and completed the Board’s clinical supervised practice requirements (including required supervision and direct clinical client contact hours) plus 360 clinical clock hours in the six knowledge areas required by the Minnesota Board of Social Work.

3. Get Licensed

Once you meet the requirements for your intended license type, you can apply through the Minnesota Board of Social Work, LSW/LGSW applicants typically apply by exam after completing the required degree, while LISW/LICSW applicants also submit documentation of required supervised practice (and LICSW clinical clock hours) as part of the application.

Learn more on how to become a social worker.

Minnesota is home to 18 CSWE-accredited BSW programs and 14 CSWE-accredited MSW programs (with one additional MSW program in candidacy), and program counts can change, so it’s smart to confirm current listings in the CSWE Accreditation Directory.  With a CSWE-accredited BSW, you may qualify for an advanced standing MSW track, which at some schools can be completed in as little as about one year, depending on the program structure and whether you attend full-time.

To obtain other licenses in Minnesota, a minimum of an MSW is required. Some individuals bolster their education and experience in social work by pursuing Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degrees.

Minnesota is home to 14 CSWE-accredited MSW programs and one additional MSW program in candidacy (program counts may change; confirm the most current list in the CSWE Accreditation Directory).

Minnesota students have multiple options for earning a CSWE-accredited MSW, either online or in a hybrid format, through Minnesota-based universities and fully online institutions. CSWE accreditation applies to the degree program (including approved delivery methods), and online/hybrid MSW programs still require supervised field education (fieldwork), typically arranged in the student’s local area. Because online availability and delivery formats can change from year to year, the most reliable way to confirm current options is the CSWE Accreditation Directory. 

Minnesota has four types of social work licenses: licensed social worker (LSW), licensed graduate social worker (LGSW), licensed independent social worker (LISW), and licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW). The LSW is the bachelor’s-level license, while LGSW, LISW, and LICSW are graduate-level licenses that require a CSWE-accredited MSW (or a qualifying doctoral social work degree). Clinical and independent practice pathways also have specific supervision and eligibility requirements defined by Minnesota law and administered by the Minnesota Board of Social Work.

The Minnesota LSW credential authorizes you to practice social work, but LSWs must not engage in clinical social work practice under Minnesota law.

Becoming an LGSW allows you to practice social work in Minnesota. Clinical social work practice is allowed only under the supervision of an LICSW (or a Board-approved licensing supervisor), and Minnesota law also requires licensing supervision after licensure in certain settings (including for LGSWs in nonclinical practice during required supervised practice hours).

Becoming an LISW allows you to practice independent, nonclinical social work in Minnesota. If an LISW engages in clinical social work practice, Minnesota law requires ongoing licensing supervision until the LISW is issued an LICSW.

Becoming an LICSW enables you to practice both clinical and non-clinical social work with independently in Minnesota

Information on the above social work salaries in Minnesota was retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: Minnesota in February 2026.

If you’re starting your path to social work in Minnesota, you can find financial support through university-based scholarships and (for some eligible professionals) state loan repayment/forgiveness programs. Scholarship availability and criteria vary by school and may change year to year, so always confirm details on the official program page before applying.

Examples of Minnesota-based scholarship opportunities (University of Minnesota Duluth – Social Work):

There are countless local and national associations and organizations that promote, develop and protect the practice of social work and social workers. Better social work means better solutions for welfare, child welfare, elderly welfare, health care reform, and other issues affecting disadvantaged people in Minnesota and beyond.

Minnesota does not have blanket “reciprocity” agreements; instead, the Minnesota Board of Social Work offers licensure by endorsement for social workers who hold a current, active license in another state or jurisdiction. To apply, you generally must submit an application and fee, complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check (for initial Minnesota licensure), and have your license verification (sent directly from the other licensing board) and an official transcript sent to the Minnesota Board. Endorsement applicants must apply for the Minnesota license type comparable to the license they currently hold.

Minnesota social workers renew their licenses every two years. For each two-year renewal term, licensees must complete 40 hours of continuing education, including at least 2 hours in social work ethics and 4 hours in cultural responsiveness. Up to 50% of the 40 hours may be completed through independent learning. (Additional topic requirements apply for some licensees, e.g., LICSWs must include 12 hours of clinical content, and licensees providing licensing supervision must include 6 hours in supervision content.) To renew, complete the Board’s online renewal process and pay the required renewal fee.

The best way to verify a Minnesota social work license is to use the Minnesota Board of Social Work’s Public License Lookup tool. You can search by name (or license number) to view the licensee’s license type, license number, status, expiration date, and any public actions listed on the record.  

Information last updated: February 2026