phd social work mn

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Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

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School of Social Work

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• Doctor of Social Work

Earn Your Doctor of Social Work Degree

The St. Thomas DSW is the first online DSW program to focus on preparing social work faculty and practitioners specifically for university-level teaching and leadership. Experienced social work educators and practitioners with an MSW degree will gain the skills and credentials to teach and lead in the social work profession and become stewards of the discipline. The online delivery format makes this program accessible to working professionals throughout the country and graduates will be prepared to:

• Engage in transformative teaching
• Develop an identity as a scholar practitioner
• Pursue social justice through service and leadership
• Write for publication

The expansion of bachelor’s and master’s programs in social work has created a strong demand for faculty who hold doctorates. Strong practitioners, adjunct faculty and clinical faculty need teaching skills, writing and publication skills, a full understanding and integration of the roles of the professoriate, and credentials to confidently teach and lead in university settings.

Online, with two-week on-campus residency each year.

Cohort starts in July.

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Banded Dissertation

Degree details, coursework overview.

Students complete the required 45 credit hours of DSW coursework in three years.

• Online course instruction is supplemented with 2-week on-campus summer residencies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN.
• Students take one course at a time.
• Fall and Spring semesters are comprised of successive, 8-week sessions.
• All courses are 3 credit hours
• Banded dissertation
• Cohort model for experienced social work practitioners and teachers

3-day Orientation in Minnesota 2 Week On-Campus Residency, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN

DRSW 700: History of Social Work and Social Work Education

SEMESTER I, FALL

8-Week Online Courses

DRSW 710: Social Work Education DRSW 720: Social Work Theoretical Perspectives

SEMESTER II, SPRING

8-week Online Courses

DRSW 728: Research and Scholarship I DRSW 729: Research and Scholarship II

2 Week On-Campus Residency, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN

DRSW 727: Banded Dissertation and Scholarship

SEMESTER III, FALL

DRSW 717: Pedagogies in Social Work Education: Theory and Practice DRSW 721: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in Social Work Education

SEMESTER IV, SPRING

DRSW 723: Engaged Scholarship DRSW 718: Mission and Purpose through Curriculum

2 Week On-Campus Residency, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN DRSW 725: Career Development Practicum

SEMESTER V, FALL

DRSW 726: Writing for Publication Elective Course, choose from: DRSW 731: Grant Writing DRSW 734: Leadership, Mentorship and Faculty Development DRSW 735: Independent Study

SEMESTER VI, SPRING

8-Week Online Courses DRSW 800: Banded Dissertation DRSW 801: Banded Dissertation II: Defense

Earning a Doctor of Social Work

The expansion of bachelor's and master's programs in social work nationally has created a strong demand for faculty who hold doctorates. Our school's leadership has long recognized that the nation's doctoral programs are not graduating enough individuals to replace retiring faculty or to staff the expansion of social work programs across the country. We developed this program in response to inquiries from our graduates and others in the social work field who were interested in pursuing a doctorate and careers in higher education, specifically in teaching-intensive universities.

This is the nation's first online program specifically designed for those with a master of social work degree who are either currently teaching at the bachelor's or master's level - or plan to do so - and who are seeking a doctorate in order to further develop the skills needed to excel as teachers and to advance in their university careers. Most universities have moved beyond the requirement of the MSW as the terminal degree for most tenure-track positions. To help fill this gap, our doctoral program focuses on teaching, scholarship, service and leadership, rather than a traditional focus on research or advanced clinical practice.

Applied learning

Students in the Doctorate in Social Work program must complete a banded dissertation - a series of three written works of scholarship that are linked by issue, theme, pedagogy, or population. This work is done during the second and third years of the program.

Summer Residency

Our faculty are recognized scholars, researchers and engaged practitioners, committed to mentoring relationships and community engagement.

Dr. Catherine Marrs Fuchsel

Dr. Marrs Fuchsel is the DSW program director and a professor. An experienced social work practitioner and scholar, her research focuses on supporting Latina women who experience complex trauma, and on the development and implementation of prevention programs with immigrant communities.

Dr. Kingsley Chigbu

Dr. Chigbu is an assistant professor who teaches in the MSW and DSW programs. His research focuses on the individual, familial, group, social, and environmental factors that enhance the prevention and mitigation of organized violence, mental illness, substance abuse, and human/sexual trafficking and abuse. His backgrounds in law and diplomacy and social work inform his interest and belief in interdisciplinary approaches to human problem-solving.

Dr. Robin Whitebird

Dr. Robin Whitebird is a professor and researcher with expertise in mixed methods, qualitative research, and clinical trials. Much of her research is in health care, where she consults on studies focusing on patient reported outcomes and strategies for organizational change.

• See All Faculty

Upcoming Events

Alumni testimonials, dsw vs ph.d..

The DSW is an advanced practice degree, and in the case of the St. Thomas DSW, the form of practice is education. Our degree is designed to prepare experienced social work educators and practitioners to teach and lead in higher education. The St. Thomas DSW has a strong emphasis on teaching pedagogy, curriculum development and the type of scholarship that faculty in teaching-intensive universities will be expected to produce throughout their careers.

The Ph.D. is a research degree and Ph.D. students are trained in rigorous research methods and pedagogy. Research-intensive universities (generally considered "Doctoral Universities" with moderate to high research activity as detailed by the Carnegie Basic Classification Description) will likely require tenure-track faculty to have a Ph.D., as this is the standard research degree, and the expectation of their faculty is that they will be doing large-scale research.

If there are specific schools you are targeting for employment, it is best to explore their specific hiring requirements before choosing which type of doctoral program is the best fit for you. Some universities will hire a combination of Ph.D.s and DSWs (or other practice doctoral degrees) depending on their areas of expertise and needs at the program level, while other universities will require a research focused (Ph.D.) degree only.

Latest DSW News

Spring 2023 Professional Notes

DSW students and alumni share their accomplishments of spring 2023.

CSWE APM Presentations

Congratulations to the Doctor of Social Work students, alumni and faculty who presented at the 2022 Council on Social Work Education's (CSWE) Annual Program Meeting (APM)!

DSW Featured in NASW Social Work Advocates

Read about the National Association of Social Worker (NASW) coverage of our Doctorate in Social Work program.

Read Past DSW Professional Notes

Catch up on past professional notes from DSW students and alumni.

• Spring 2022

Accreditation

The St. Thomas Doctorate in Social Work program has been approved by our institutional accrediting organization, the Higher Learning Commission. At this time, doctoral programs - both DSW and PhD programs - are not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). However, in June of 2020 CSWE approved accreditation standards for practice doctorates. For further information about the piloting of the accreditation process, please review the CSWE website.

• LEARN ABOUT CSWE DOCTORAL STANDARDS
• DOCTORAL ACCREDITATION PILOT FAQ (PDF)

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Degree Levels

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Masters of Social Work (MSW)

The MSW is an Advanced Generalist Program that prepares students for both advanced direct and indirect practice opportunities in a wide variety of public and private social service, medical, behavior health, and educational settings.

Program Highlights

• Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Students completing the program and passing the licensure exam are eligible to apply for the LGSW level social work licensure in Minnesota and throughout the United States, which is required to practice social work in most settings.
• The cost of the program is less than comparable public universities and less than private colleges in Minnesota.
• The program features smaller class sizes allowing more interaction with faculty and the development of a cohesive student cohort.
• An MSW degree allows graduates to have jobs with greater responsibilities including supervision and management.
• Advanced generalist social work prepares students to practice with a variety of populations and fields within social work, including clinical practice.

Application Requirements

Completed a bachelor degree.  For Traditional Program (TR) a BA or BS in any major or discipline.  Course content in human services, social sciences, health sciences, political science, or related studies is beneficial.  For the Advanced Standing (accelerated program), you need to have a bachelor's degree from a CSWE accredited social work program (BS, BA, BSW, BSSW). If not completed when making application, verify that, if admitted, your degree will be earned by the beginning of the first semester in the program. 

Earned GPA of at least 3.0 on 4-point scale. Applications are considered if GPA is below 3.0.  Provide a letter explaining your GPA and your preparedness for graduate level education.  

• Documented experience  in the human or social services, corrections, education, public health, health/mental health care, public policy, non-profit or public administration, or community work as a paid staff member, intern, consultant, or volunteer. 
• Three letters of academic and/or professional recommendation . 
• An Application Essay of five pages that responds to the five application prompts and is grounded in an understanding of social work.  Refer to the  NASW  Code of Ethics ,  NASW  Standards and Indicators for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice , and Minnesota State University  MSW program vision, mission, goals and advanced generalist  social work orientation.  The application essay is used to assess your written academic ability, understanding of social work, and goodness-of-fit with our advanced generalist MSW program.  Applicants are expected to adhere to the following academic formatting: cover page (not included in the 5-pages), double-spaced, one-inch margins, page number in the upper-right hand corner, and as applicable citations and a references page (preferably  APA style ). 

Additional Requirements for International Applicants:

• Minimum TOEFL iBT score of 79 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5
• Credential Evaluation prepared by a National Association of Credentials Evaluation Service member.

Application Deadlines

Time to Completion for Traditional Program: 2 years

Time to Completion for Advanced Standing Program: 1 year

Graduate Coordinator Contact

Dr. Nancy Fitzsimons [email protected] 507-389-1287

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Social Work M.S.W.

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About this Program

We prepare you for the full range of social work practice.

The UMD Department of Social Work offers Advanced Generalist and Generalist programs that will prepare you for a wide range of social work roles. Both programs are ideally suited for both urban and rural social work, and include a special focus on American Indian social services. Coursework in both the Generalist and Advanced Generalist program can be used to meet the educational  requirements for becoming a clinical social worker in Minnesota and many other states.

You can self-select from three areas of study based on your interests:

• Child welfare
• Mental health/clinical social work
• Macro/community-based social work practice.

What is unique about UMD’s MSW?

• We offer a hybrid model of course delivery, meaning most students are only on campus 1 day a week, and the majority of courses are taught by Full Time Faculty.
• We have a special commitment to American Indians with strong linkages to the American Indian community and  specialized   course content . UMD is also home to the  Center for Regional and Tribal Child Welfare , which offers stipends, coursework and other cultural and experiential learning opportunities in the Child Welfare field.
• The program allows the flexibility to pursue your areas of interest by tailoring electives and field placements.
• Approximately 60% of our MSW students receive scholarships to help pay for their education.
• Graduates find work as therapists and case managers, community organizers and administrators. Specialized courses and field placements are available in areas such as clinical and child welfare practice, and American Indian social services. Content on developing cultural competence is integrated across the curriculum.
• We are a small, student-centered program with individualized faculty-student interaction. Our multi-racial/multi-gender faculty have expertise in serving culturally and socially diverse populations.

Program Learning Outcomes

Career Possibilities

Recent UMD Graduates Job Placement Data

Admissions and Scholarships

• In 2020/2021, 60% of our MSW students received funding through a scholarship or stipend while earning their MSW.  
• Students interested in child welfare practice can apply to become a   child welfare scholar .  Students receive scholarship funds, a stipend, and support specialized to child welfare practice.
• Students interested in clinical social work practice can apply for the  clinical scholars program .  We currently have 10 clinical scholars and future funding will be contingent on federal funding availability.
• Students are also eligible to apply for the College of Education and Human Service professions specific scholarships, as well scholarships available through the graduate school.  To learn more, please visit the  funding and scholarships page  on our website.

Requirements

In addition to the  general application instructions  provided by the Graduate School, visit the Social Work program page for  specific application instructions  and deadlines related to the program. Also visit the catalog requirements page linked above for additional information.

Related Programs

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College of Education and Human Service Professions

Department of Social Work

Welcome to the department of social work.

UMD social work graduates are prepared to work in a challenging and diverse field, addressing critical social problems and making a difference in people's lives.

The UMD Department of Social work has two fully accredited programs: the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW). Both programs emphasize social justice and culturally responsive practice. Graduates leave with a broad base of skills that can be applied to a range of settings. Our alumni are community leaders, therapists, administrators, child welfare practitioners, and policy advocates .

Why choose a UMD social work program?

• We offer dedicated faculty, small class sizes, and student-centered learning.
• We teach culturally responsive social work practice.
• Our students have access to meaningful research opportunities as well as rich field and clinical experiences.
• Financial aid is available to many of our students. About 60% of UMD MSW students receive scholarships to help pay for their education.

We offer a cutting-edge curriculum and unique expertise.

• Our curriculum is informed by Indigenous perspectives. Our programs are among few in the country to emphasize social work practice with American Indians.
• The UMD Department of Social Work houses  The Center for Regional and Tribal Child Welfare Studies (CRTCWS), which is recognized as a national leader in improving American Indian child welfare practice.
• Students interested in child welfare have the opportunity to learn from experts at CRTCWS and work with American Indian families.

We are part of a larger community.

The UMD Department of Social Work is integrally connected to the Twin Ports community. This translates to meaningful opportunities for our students and helps our graduates secure great local job opportunities.

Duluth is a great place to live!

The University of Minnesota Duluth  overlooks Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world. Voted the "Best Outdoor Town in America" in 2014 by Outdoor Magazine , Duluth is the gateway to the north woods in an urban area of 86,000 people, with excellent recreational and cultural activities.

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Social Work

College of Allied Health and Nursing | Social Work

Your desire to help people and passion for social justice has a home in the Department of Social Work at Minnesota State University, Mankato! We will help prepare you for a professional career in social work, utilizing your knowledge, values, and skills to improve the lives of others. Find out how our accredited BSSW and MSW programs can provide you with the education you need to make a difference in your community.

Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Master of social work.

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Upcoming Events

Rural Mental Health Training

09:00 AM - Online via Zoom

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05:30 PM - In Person or online I Open to all

The Rural SUD Workforce: Recruit, Retain, Sustain

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Social Work News

Social Work alumni finds her voice

Virtually Beneficial: New equipment gives Social Work students a new perspective

Social Work graduate named Distinguished Young Alumni

Save the Date!

Social work baccalaureate program's 50th anniversary.

Saturday, April 20, 2024 3:00-6:00 p.m. Centennial Student Union Ballroom, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Get details and learn how you can help celebrate

Connect With Us

Learn how academic and professional advising supports you in your progress towards graduation and helps you prepare for professional practice and advanced study.

Scholarships & Financial Assistance

Explore the scholarships and financial stipends opportunities awaiting you as a qualified BSSW and MSW student.

Real-World Experiences

Attending a University is more than time spent in a classroom. Explore the real-world experiences that make being a social work student extraordinary.

Careers & Specialties

Take your social work preparation almost anywhere you want to go! Learn about the wide variety of opportunities for social work practice.

Start your career in social work here! The Bachelors in Social Work Program (BSSW) prepares ethical and competent generalist social work professionals who are committed to enhancing human well-being and supporting social, economic, and environmental justice for all.

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Build on the solid foundation you already have and take your career to the next level! The Master of Social Work (MSW) Program prepares students with an advanced generalist education, expanding your knowledge and your career opportunities.

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Social Welfare Minor

The Social Welfare minor is a five-course, 19-credit program that allows you to dive deeper and learn more about the issues that are important to you. This program complements majors like corrections, psychology, gender and women studies, and many healthcare majors well.

The Child Welfare program (CWP) is the place to ignite your passion for working with and advocating for at-risk children. CWP is open to current BSSW and MSW students.

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About Social Work

Your desire to help people and passion for social justice has a home here! Learn more about the programs, faculty, and staff who will support you as you pursue your academic and career goals.

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Engage with an academic advisor to ensure you’re on path and on time for graduation.

Learn about licensure and exam preparation from the Minnesota Board of Social Work.

Stay connected after graduation! We want to know how you are turning your education into action, and appreciate your continued involvement in our programs.

Career Opportunities

Your social work education will allow you to work with almost any setting with almost any population, making it an exciting path to making a difference in your community. Learn more about the many opportunities available to you upon graduation.

Real World Experiences

Get involved with the social work profession through student organizations and domestic or international travel.

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Scholarships and Financial Assistance

Opportunities for scholarships and stipends are available to support you as you pursue your degree.

Contact Social Work

Our faculty and staff are here to help you find your passion within social work. Contact us to learn more and get your questions answered.

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Social Work (MSW)

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program offers a full-time blended in-person and online classroom experiences. The focus on Advanced Generalist social work practice, with an emphasis on the uniqueness of small and rural communities, prepares students for both advanced direct practice and indirect practice in a wide variety of public and private social service, healthcare, clinical and educational settings. Students learn from faculty dedicated to high quality social work education through extensive field work, innovative teaching techniques, and applied learning opportunities. Once students complete the program and pass the entry-level MSW licensure exam, graduates are eligible to apply for the LGSW level social work licensure in Minnesota and throughout the United States, which is required for most advanced practice social work. Students are provided with core clinical content knowledge and skills to pursue clinical social work licensure.

For MSW Program policies refer to the MSW Student Handout .

Master of Social Work

Government and public administration.

This program satisfies licensure-to-practice standards for Minnesota and may satisfy standards for other states or US territories.

Program Requirements

Research/methods course(s), sowk 669 advanced social work evaluation 3 credits.

Prerequisites: none

Restricted Electives

Foundation Core - Required of all students admitted into the Traditional Program (TR)

SOWK 601 Foundations of Generalist Social Work Practice 3 credits

Sowk 603 human behavior in the social environment 3 credits, sowk 605 social welfare policy and services 3 credits, sowk 609 culturally responsive communication in social work practice 3 credits, sowk 611 mezzo-macro social work practice 3 credits, sowk 615 generalist practicum and seminar i 5 credits, sowk 625 generalist practicum and seminar ii 5 credits, sowk 629 applied social work research 3 credits.

Advanced Standing Core - Required only for students admitted into the Advanced Standing Program (AS)

SOWK 650 Advanced Standing Preparation Seminar 3 credits

Specialization Core - Required of all students

SOWK 651 Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals 3 credits

Sowk 655 advanced social work policy practice 3 credits, sowk 660 advanced social work practice with couples and families 3 credits, sowk 661 advanced social work practice administration 3 credits, sowk 663 advanced social work practice with groups 3 credits, unrestricted electives.

Students must complete a 3-credit elective from the approved elective list or students may propose a substitute elective requiring approval of the MSW Program Director or their MSW Academic Advisor.

CSP 647 Crisis Intervention Strategies 3 credits

Csp 648 counseling in a multicultural society 3 credits, csp 650 child and adolescent counseling techniques 3 credits, csp 652 human development through the family life cycle 3 credits, csp 654 play therapy theories and techniques 3 credits, ethn 650 helping across cultures 3 credits, ethn 660 cross-cultural training and diversity management 3 credits, gero 600 gerontology theory and practice 3 credits, mba 642 management of human resources 2 credits, mba 651 managing behavior in a changing world 2 credits, mba 665 leadership 2 credits, mba 667 organizational development and change 2 credits, npl 673 nonprofit management and leadership 3 credits, pol 662 human resource management 3 credits, psyc 533 child psychology 4 credits, psyc 536 adolescent psychology 4 credits, psyc 555 abnormal psychology 4 credits, soc 517 program administration 3 credits, soc 566 program planning and evaluation 3 credits, sowk 515 child-family welfare services 3 credits, sowk 517 co-morbidity of mental health & substance use disorders in social work 3 credits, sowk 519 social work and aging 3 credits, sowk 522 social work and chemical dependency 3 credits, sowk 525 social work health care setting 3 credits, sowk 527 social work and intimate partner violence 3 credits, sowk 530 social work in the school setting 3 credits, sowk 532 social work and disabilities 3 credits, sowk 653 advanced child welfare practice 3 credits, sowk 667 clinical social work practice with infants, children, and adolescents 4 credits, urbs 553 grants administration 3 credits, urbs 602 planning process 3 credits, capstone course.

Required of all students

SOWK 665 Advanced Practicum and Seminar I 5 credits

Sowk 675 specialization practicum and seminar ii 5 credits.

For all MSW Program policies refer to the MSW Student Handbook .

Admission Requirements

In addition to completing the admission requirements for the College of Graduate Studies and Research, the following are required:

• Completed a bachelor’s degree. For the Traditional Program (TR) a BA or BS in any major or discipline. Course content in human services, social sciences, health sciences, political science, or related studies is beneficial. For the Advanced Standing (AS) (accelerated program), a bachelor's degree from a CSWE accredited social work program (BS, BA, BSW, BSSW). If the degree is not completed when making application, verify that the degree will be earned by the beginning of the first semester in the program (summer semester for the AS program and fall semester for the TR program).
• Earned GPA of at least 3.0 on 4-point scale. Applications are considered if GPA is below 3.0. Submit a letter explaining GPA and preparedness for graduate level education in the online application system.
• Documented experience in the human or social services, corrections, education, public health, health/mental health care, public policy, non-profit or public administration, or community work as a paid staff member, intern, consultant, or volunteer.
• Three letters of academic and/or professional recommendation . Provide names and email addresses for three recommenders in the online application system.
• Upload an Application Essay of five pages that responds to the five application prompts and is grounded in an understanding of social work in the online application system. Refer to the NASW Code of Ethics , NASW Standards and Indicators for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice , and Minnesota State University MSW program vision, mission, goals and advanced generalist social work orientation. The application essay is used to assess written academic ability, understanding of social work, and goodness-of-fit with our advanced generalist MSW program. Applicants are expected to adhere to the following academic formatting: cover page (not included in the 5-pages), double-spaced, one-inch margins, page numbers in the upper-right hand corner, and, as applicable, citations and a references page (preferably APA style ).
• Upload a Resume via the online application system.

MSW Program Scholastic Standards Policy

It is the expectation of the MSW program that students earn a grade of “B-” or better in all required MSW courses and in the course selected/approved to fulfill the 3 elective credits. A letter grade of “C” or below result in academic warning, probation, and/or dismissal as outlined in the MSW Program Scholastic Standards Policy.

Students admitted to the Advanced Standing (AS) program must pass SOWK 650: Advanced Standing Preparation Seminar with a grade of “B” or better to remain in the program. Students earning a “B-” or less in SOWK 650 will automatically be dismissed from the Advanced Standing program.

Refer to the MSW Student Handbook for information about academic warning, probation, and dismissal.

Graduation Requirements

To earn the MSW degree in the Traditional (TR) 2-year program requires completion of 59 credits, including 3 elective credits and 20 credit hours of practicum and seminar.

To each the MSW degree in the Advanced Standing (AS) program requires 34 credits, including a 3-credit advanced standing preparation seminar, 3 elective credits, and 10 credit hours of practicum and seminar.

A student may graduate from the MSW program under academic warning or academic probation status. A student in the Advanced Standing program in the last semester of study will not graduate from the MSW Program with a second incidence of a grade of “C” in a required MSW course. A student in the Traditional program in the last semester of study will not graduate from the MSW Program with a third incidence of a grade of “C” in a required MSW course. A student in the last semester of study in the MSW program who is out of compliance with the Scholastic Standards Policy can request an incomplete from the respective course instructor or make a written grade appeal.

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PhD in Social Work

Baylor's Social Work PhD program is designed to develop  leaders  and  educators  who can lead visionary social work education or service programs and conduct original research addressing the complex social issues of our world. The program provides a distinctive focus on the  integration of religion and faith  with the ethics, values and practices of the social work profession.

The application for the Summer 2023 cohort of the PhD in Social Work program is now closed. The application for the Summer 2025 cohort is expected to open in Fall 2024.

Baylor University is an NC-SARA approved institution.

What can you do with a PhD in Social Work?

Graduates from the social work PhD program are uniquely prepared to: • Serve in academic research and teaching posts in social work programs • Provide leadership in government and private agency contexts around the world

Program Format

Baylor's online PhD in social work is primarily taught in a synchronous video classroom that utilizes high-definition technology to connect students and the instructor in real-time. Classes are conducted much as they would be on campus, except the students are able to participate from anywhere in the world.

Learn more about the Program of Study . 

Program Requirements

Admission to the PhD program is a highly selective process. The admissions committee selects up to seven students every other year that have:

• Clear interest in developing theory, policy, and research skills in a substantive area relevant to the field of social work
• A superior academic record in all previous work
• The maturity, intellectual ability, and readiness for doctoral study

Explore admissions requirements at how to apply .

What was your first impression of the Garland School of Social Work?

Online  - the information is clear and robust. The chairs were easy to communicate with and faculty was available to answer any questions. In person  - I cannot give enough positive feedback about my experience at the Garland School of Social Work. The staff and faculty were warm, interested, and invested in us individually and as a cohort from the moment we walked in. I felt known. I felt spurred on in my research interests. I felt heard by every person I encountered. I left feeling connected to my educational goals, the university, the school of social work, my cohort, and the faculty. —Dr. Brianna Garrison, PhD '21

• Diana R. Garland School of Social Work

811 Washington Ave. Waco, TX 76701

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Watch CBS News

Law enforcement swarm home of Trump rally shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, in Bethel Park

By Meghan Schiller , Patrick Damp

Updated on: July 14, 2024 / 10:32 AM EDT / CBS Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Law enforcement swarmed a Bethel Park home believed to be connected to the shooter in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump . 

Public records show the home, located on Milford Drive in Bethel Park, is that of 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, who federal law enforcement officials identified as the shooter who opened fire at the rally in Butler on Saturday evening.

We are out here in Bethel Park near the home of the gunman, 20 year old Thomas Matthew Crooks. We are live with new details that came in while you were sleeping starting at 6:30 on @KDKA pic.twitter.com/nrwRFNKXce — MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) July 14, 2024

The road to the home was shut down on Sunday and neighbors have been evacuated.

One neighbor, who lives only a few homes down the road from the gunman, said police evacuated from her home in the middle of the night. She was told noon on Sunday was the earliest she could be allowed back into her home.

#BREAKING : Two of my contacts in Bethel Park just sent me two recent yearbook photos of the gunman, Thomas Crooks. We are LIVE outside the street where he lived, as law enforcement swarms his neighborhood after evacuating those who live nearby. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/lFi1OtW5Yu — MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) July 14, 2024

"They asked us to leave our house. They told us it was a state of emergency, no warning, just a knock on the door in the middle of the night," Kelly Little said. "They told us we could come back in a couple of hours, likely." 

Bethel Park Police said there is a bomb investigation surrounding Crooks's home. 

Bethel Park School District confirms Crooks was a 2022 graduate

In a statement provided to KDKA from Bethel Park School District, they said that Crooks was a 2022 graduate and pledged to work with law enforcement as the investigation continues. 

Their full statement is below. 

Bethel Park School district can confirm that the alleged shooter in the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump is a graduate of Bethel Park High School. Thomas Matthew Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High with the Class of 2022.  The school district wishes to express its sincere wishes for a speedy and full recovery for Mr. Trump and for those in attendance at the Saturday event who may have been physically harmed or emotionally impacted by these tragic events. We offer special condolences to the family of at least one attendee who was killed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Our school district will cooperate fully with the active law enforcement investigation surrounding this case, and as such, we are limited in what we can publicly disclose.  Moving forward, we will work closely with law enforcement investigators and share information as appropriate with respect to school district policies, the active investigation, and law enforcement protocols.

Gunman identified, killed by Secret Service

The gunman, Crooks, who tried to assassinate the former president was a registered Republican but previously made a $15 donation to a Democratic-aligned group, according to public records. 

Crooks opened fire with an AR-style rifle from about 400 feet away from the rally stage with video showing his position on a roof outside of the security perimeter. 

One attendee said he saw the suspect. 

"We noticed the guy crawling, bear-crawling, up the roof of the building beside us," he said. "We're standing there, we're pointing at the guy crawling up the roof. He had a rifle, we could clearly see him with a rifle." 

A Secret Service sniper shot and killed Crooks. 

At this time, the FBI Pittsburgh has not yet identified or released a motive. 

This is a developing story, stay with CBS Pittsburgh for the latest.  

• Pennsylvania
• Donald Trump
• Butler County

Meghan Schiller is an Emmy-nominated journalist who joined KDKA in October 2017. She's thrilled to be back in her hometown and reporting at the station she grew up watching.

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Trump pays tribute to Pennsylvania firefighter killed in rally shooting

Local police told Secret Service it could not secure building Trump rally shooter used

Marc Fogel's mom was set to take stage with Trump at Butler rally before shooting

Trump shooter searched for rally site photos, used encrypted platforms, sources say

A Father’s Last Act: Shielding His Family From Gunshots

Relatives and friends described Corey Comperatore, who was fatally shot at a Trump rally, as a devoted father who served as a volunteer firefighter and loved to fish.

Corey Comperatore was a firefighter with the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company. He was fatally shot at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. Credit... Kristian Thacker for The New York Times

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By Ernesto Londoño ,  Isabelle Taft ,  Christina Morales and Brian Conway

Ernesto Londoño reported from Minneapolis, Christina Morales and Isabelle Taft in New York, and Brian Conway in Sarver, Pa.

• July 14, 2024

Corey Comperatore, 50, was a family man who loved to fish. He worked at a plastics manufacturing company, volunteered as a firefighter and went to church.

An “avid supporter” of Donald J. Trump, as Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania put it, Mr. Comperatore attended the former president’s campaign rally in Butler, Pa., on Saturday with his family, alongside thousands of fellow fans who gathered on a sweltering evening.

When a gunman fired shots from the roof of a nearby building, Mr. Comperatore threw himself over his family members to shield them, according to the governor. Mr. Comperatore was shot in the head and died at the scene , authorities said. Two other rally attendees were critically injured in the shooting.

Officials and Mr. Comperatore’s sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, confirmed his identity on Sunday. “We watched him die on the news,” she said in a phone interview, through tears. “That’s how we found out.”

Mr. Shapiro, a Democrat, said on Sunday that Mr. Comperatore “died a hero,” adding that “Corey was the very best of us.”

Mr. Comperatore, of Sarver, Pa., had two daughters — Allyson, 27, and Kaylee, 24. He and Jeff Lowers, a longtime friend, were volunteer firefighters together, and Mr. Lowers said that Mr. Comperatore’s quick instincts appeared to come into play during the shooting. Mr. Lowers said he learned about his friend’s actions from Mr. Comperatore’s wife, Helen.

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College of Education and Human Development

School of Social Work

Applying to the Master of Social Work Program

Priority application deadline:.

January 15, 2024, at 5:00 P.M. CST. All required application documents must be received by January 15, 2024. Applicants who apply by January 15 will receive class-registration, financial aid, and practicum-placement priority over applicants applying after this deadline.

Applications received after our priority deadline (January 15) and before May 31, 2024, will be reviewed on a space available basis only. Please note that interested applicants who apply and are accepted after January 15 may not be able to enter fall-spring practicum placements during their first year in the program.

2024 Admissions Timeline

• January 15, 2024, Priority deadline, end of business day (5:00 P.M., CST ): MSW program application deadline
• Mid- to late-January: Application reviews begin
• Late February/Early March: Notification of admission decisions for priority applicants
• May 31, 2024: Final deadline for applicants if space is available

NOTE: Applications for the 2024-2025 program are now being accepted.

For more information about Graduate Admissions, and additional tips for applying, visit the Graduate Admissions page .

To learn more about our process, consider attending an information session:

04/17/2024: 12:00 PM 05/15/2024: 06:00 PM 06/13/2024: 01:00 PM 07/17/2024: 06:00 PM

Application Requirements

Personal statement.

In contrast with the formal academic writing sample, we use the personal statement to get to know you a little better. The personal statement should be a maximum of 1700 words and should address the following four questions:

• What is your understanding of social work as a profession, and its role in creating a just society?What experiences (both personal and professional) have helped you prepare to work across differences and in multicultural environments?
• What challenges will you face in preparing for and doing this kind of work?
• What are your short- and long-term professional goals, and how do you see the MSW degree contributing to your professional preparation?

Formal Academic Writing Sample

Students in the MSW Program will have a significant amount of writing in their graduate program, and we expect students to enter with strong writing and analytical skills. We ask all applicants to submit a formal writing sample that will allow faculty reviewers to assess your readiness for graduate-level writing.

Prepare an essay that addresses the following prompt, using no more than 1250 words. In this writing sample you should draw from outside sources, you should cite your sources, and you should include a reference page. We encourage applicants to use APA style; however, you can use other citation styles as long as you are consistent throughout the writing sample. The essay should be typed double-spaced. In your writing sample:

• Present a social problem and describe how it is relevant to the practicum of social welfare and the social work profession.
• Briefly summarize two or more reputable and credible sources that have researched and analyzed this problem. Reputable sources can include, for example, research studies, editorials, government publications, etc.
• Draw from these sources to suggest next steps for addressing this issue via social policy, social work practice, and/or social work research.

Extenuating Circumstances Statement (Optional)

We look for an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. We invite you to submit a statement of extenuating circumstances that may have affected your overall undergraduate performance, particularly if your GPA is less than 3.0.

Résumé or CV

Submit a professional résumé or CV that includes details for each professional human service position you have held. Include position title, name of agency, address, and the number of hours worked weekly.

Three Letters of Recommendation

We ask that at least two of the letters be from professionals who are able to comment on your human service experience, including your skills and preparedness to enter advanced social work training in an internship.

Recommendation requests will come directly to the recommender from the Graduate School application site, once you’ve identified who will provide your letters.

Please ask your recommenders to address the following:

• Circumstances in which they are familiar with your work, and the nature of the work that you performed.
• Your capacity to engage clients, to demonstrate empathy and rapport with clients, your level of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, and your ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• If applicable, your academic potential for starting graduate school; your capacity for engaging in academic and scholarly work.

Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended (including the University of Minnesota). Please see the Graduate School's transcript instruction page for information on submitting transcripts with your application.

Applicants must have a master’s degree in social work, social welfare, or a related field, preferably from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Applicants may be enrolled in a master’s program when they apply for the PhD program, but the program must be completed before they begin doctoral studies. Master’s degrees in related disciplines are considered, but students may be required to complete some MSW coursework as a condition for enrollment.

Additional Requirements for Advanced Standing Applicants

Students applying for Advanced standing to the MSW program who do not have at least one year of post-BSW full time practice must submit the following as part of their application:

• BSW practicum evaluation OR
• Letter of reference from BSW practicum supervisor OR
• Letter of reference from BSW Field Faculty OR
• Letter of explanation as to why one of the above cannot be submitted

Questions About General Admissions, Advanced Standing, and Prerequisites

If your undergraduate degree is in a discipline other than social work, you should apply for the Full Program track. If your undergraduate degree is a bachelor’s in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), you can apply for the Advanced Standing track.

The Advanced Standing track is for students who have a bachelor’s in social work or social welfare from a program accredited through the Council for Social Work Education (CSWE). Only students who have BSWs are eligible to enter as an Advanced Standing student. This is a policy established by CSWE and all accredited social work programs follow this policy.

The UMN Twin Cities MSW program no longer requires incoming students to complete a human biology, or introduction to statistics, course before starting the MSW program. Advanced Standing students must still complete a research methods course as part of their BSW programs — or prior to entering the MSW program. 

Licensure standards and requirements vary by state and are not related to standards and policies for social work education. The Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] sets standards with which accredited American MSW programs must comply. CSWE is very clear that only students entering with a BSW or equivalent degree, such as social welfare, from a CSWE accredited program are eligible to enter as Advanced Standing.

Though you have knowledge and practice experience that will help you in the MSW program, we can only accept students who have earned a BSW from an CSWE accredited program into the Advanced Standing program.

In some situations, applicants with BSWs who graduated more than seven years ago can be accepted as an Advanced Standing student. Applicants who have been in social work practice since graduating with their BSW and/or are licensed at the BSW level and are able to demonstrate a strong undergraduate academic performance will be considered for admission as Advanced Standing.

Yes. The University of Minnesota Graduate School Admissions has information for international students interested in applying to UMN programs, including the MSW program. That information can be found on the Graduate School Admissions page.

You will need to submit separate applications to both the School of Social Work and the other program. Once accepted to both programs, our program will work with the other program and with you to plan your schedule.

Though you can still enroll in many of your required courses, depending on when you apply, you may miss the deadline for a practicum placement and to apply for internal School of Social Work funding.

Students who apply by the priority deadline and who are accepted are able to enroll in MSW program courses, including some classes that fill up quickly. You will also have the opportunity to participate in the practicum matching process starting in spring, which increases your ability to be placed in a fall to spring practicum placement. Additionally, applying by the January priority deadline ensures that you are able to apply for funding available through the School of Social Work. Forms for SSW scholarships and fellowships are sent to current and incoming students in the spring.

Full Program students generally complete 53 credits over the duration of two years, which is usually 4-5 semesters. Advanced standing students generally complete 34 credits over the duration of 3 semesters.

The latest information about tuition for all School of Social Work programs can be found on the OneStop website.

Not necessarily. Selecting your specialization really depends on where you see yourself practicing in a few years. Students who are interested in specializing in Health, Disability, and Aging or Families and Children earn clinical clock hours in their classes, which can be applied to your requirements for clinical licensure. If you aren’t sure which specialization makes sense for you, email the MSW Program Director, Suzanne Shatila at [email protected] . She can talk to you about which option makes the most sense based on your career goals.

No, we do not have a combined MSW/PhD program. Applicants must have a master’s degree in social work, social welfare, or a related field, preferably from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Applicants may be enrolled in a master’s program when they apply for the PhD program, but the program must be completed before they begin doctoral studies.

An MSW program is an advanced professional practice degree geared towards preparing social work practitioners for work in direct practice social work or community practice social work. Our MSW graduates secure positions in a variety of areas, including clinical social work, case management/care coordination, advocacy, community organizing, planning, or leading. A PhD program is a research degree that focuses on the development of advanced research, theoretical and teaching skills. Most of our PhD graduates work in academia or research positions.

Yes! Your GPA is just one measure of your academic abilities. We recognize that students experience challenges in college and that people grow and change over time. If your GPA is less than 2.8, we recommend you include some information in your application addressing this. You can write a short statement discussing what factors contributed to your undergraduate GPA and what supports you have now that will help you be successful in graduate school.