Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis

The Brown School at WashU in St. Louis offers nationally recognized Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Social Policy (MSP) programs that prepare students to lead change within communities, organizations, and systems. As one of the nation’s oldest schools of social work, the Brown School brings more than a century of leadership, excellence, and innovation to the field.

Our faculty are engaged in field-defining research, exploring critical questions such as, “How do we build social and economic wellbeing?” and “How do we ensure the best possible care for all?” With a customizable curriculum, robust hands-on learning, and pioneering leadership in areas like evidence-based clinical practice, international social work, implementation science, and social and economic development, the Brown School fosters a collaborative environment where students build the knowledge, skills, and values to become effective, ethical clinicians, advocates, and policy leaders.

The MSW program offers eight concentration options and multiple pathways, including a traditional two-year full-time track and a part-time option, as well as accelerated advanced standing options. The one-year MSP is designed to equip you with skill to impact the U.S. policy ecosystem, offering focused, flexible training for those pursuing policy careers with impact.