Best Online MSW Programs (Master of Social Work)
Earning a master’s in social work online can unlock new career opportunities and help you make a positive impact in your community. Read our guide to learn what this advanced degree is all about, explore top-ranked programs, and get answers to our readers’ most common questions.
Best Online MSW Programs
Social work professionals with an MSW degree play a crucial role in assisting individuals in the community who are facing some of the most challenging experiences in their lives. These experiences may include mental health emergencies, domestic abuse, financial hardships, and deaths in their families.
We have compiled a list of the country’s top online MSW programs that are all accredited to assist prospective graduate students in finding the right school to prepare them for the challenges of social work. This list can help individuals in their search for the most important school qualities, such as accreditation, affordability, and student benefits. Afterward, they can sort schools to compare what they have to offer, making the process of finding the right school much easier.
Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois
Private
Fort Hays State University
Hays, Kansas
Public
Brescia University
Owensboro, Kentucky
Private
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Private
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke, North Carolina
Public
University of St Francis
Joliet, Illinois
Private
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota
Public
Bethel University
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Private
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
Public
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, Florida
Private
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida
Public
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina
Public
Limestone University
Gaffney, South Carolina
Private
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas
Public
Angelo State University
San Angelo, Texas
Public
Concord University
Athens, West Virginia
Public
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia
Public
Albany State University
Albany, Georgia
Public
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Public
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Public
University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
Public
Western New Mexico University
Silver City, New Mexico
Public
University of Maine
Orono, Maine
Public
University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida
Public
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia
Public
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Public
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Public
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota
Public
University of Massachusetts Global
Irvine, California
Private
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Public
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona
Public
Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas
Public
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Public
New York University
New York, New York
Private
University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
Public
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, Michigan
Public
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Collins, Colorado
Public
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Public
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, Connecticut
Private
Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, Texas
Private
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Public
Simmons University
Boston, Massachusetts
Private
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, Pennsylvania
Public
University of North Alabama
Florence, Alabama
Public
Regis College
Weston, Massachusetts
Private
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Honolulu, Hawaii
Public
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
Private
Yeshiva University
New York, New York
Private
The University of West Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Public
Texas A & M University-Commerce
Commerce, Texas
Public
Familiarizing Yourself with the Online MSW
Individuals who pursue a master’s in social work online typically complete the program within two years and are equipped with advanced knowledge of social work theories and practices, enabling them to provide services to diverse client populations. Students in these programs take courses that enable them to refine their leadership skills, utilize industry research and data to make decisions about the services they deliver, and understand the legal and ethical standards associated with their work.
Due to the fact that many of the topics that students study in MSW programs can be learned online, there are distance education options available for individuals seeking to incorporate their education into their busy lives. These programs can be conducted entirely online or delivered in a blended format, which may require students to attend some on-campus classwork in addition to their online coursework.
Explore Accredited Online MSW Programs in Popular Areas
- MSW Programs in California (Online & Campus)
- MSW Programs in New York City (Online & Campus)
- MSW Programs in North Carolina (Online & Campus)
- MSW Programs in Texas (Online & Campus)
Program Options for Online MSW Degrees
Online master’s in social work programs are designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in the field. As a result, it’s essential for individuals interested in pursuing these degrees to understand their options and choose a program based on their professional interests and goals. The following provides an overview of the typical online MSW programs that students can choose from and the knowledge and skills they can expect to gain upon enrollment.
Standard MSW Online
Standard MSW degree programs are for students who have bachelor’s degrees in a discipline other than social work. Since students are just beginning their social work education, these programs generally take longer to complete than advanced standing MSW programs. As a result, part of the curriculum covers basic social work concepts, such as human behavior, social policy and services, and diversity. As the program progresses, students study more advanced topics like research methods, leadership in social work organizations, social work in a forensic context, and psychopharmacology.
In addition, students are required to participate in field experiences, so they have the opportunity to apply what they have learned to a real-world social work environment. During this time, students work in an agency setting where they get practical experience helping individuals and families under the supervision of a seasoned social worker.
Advanced Standing MSW
Advanced standing social work master’s degrees are designed to provide a deeper understanding of the social work field to those who already have prior education experience in the field. As a result, these programs only admit students who have earned a bachelor’s in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Since students are already coming into the program with an understanding of social work basics, they are able to complete their studies in a shorter period of time—generally a year—than they would in a standard program.
During their studies, students in online advanced standing MSW programs learn practical applications for higher-level social work theories, which may include how to work with a specific population in the community, like military personnel, as well as how to run a social service agency. As with their counterparts in standard MSW programs, students earning advanced standing degrees are required to complete a field education component, where they continue building on their existing knowledge and skills in a practical context.
Online MSW Programs with No GRE Required
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is a standardized test often required for admission to graduate programs. However, more schools, including those that offer online graduate social work degrees, are choosing to waive the GRE requirement as performance on the test may not accurately reflect how well students will ultimately perform. As a result, individuals interested in earning an online MSW may save time and stress by applying to a school that does not require the GRE for admission, but still provides the same quality education as programs that do require it.
Popular Specialization Tracks for MSW Students
Social work is a diverse field that allows professionals to specialize in several different areas. Students in online MSW programs who know what part of the field they want to pursue can enroll in a specialization track to build their expertise in that subject. Here are examples of some common specializations that can be found in online masters in social work programs.
Mental health social work
Students who enroll in this specialization take coursework that prepares them to diagnose people with mental health issues and provide the counseling they need to live a productive life. In addition, those who are interested in this area may learn how to work with people struggling with substance abuse disorders.
Medical and public health social work
Medical and public health social work programs prepare students to work in substance abuse treatment facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, and home health agencies by teaching them the clinical skills they need to work with vulnerable communities. These programs may familiarize students with how to help those with chronic illnesses, mental health problems, and physical disabilities.
Children, families, and couples
This specialization focuses on the needs of families who may be dealing with various problems related to abuse, trauma, depression, and behavioral disorders. The curriculum is designed to train people to work in child welfare and community social service agencies, as well as the juvenile justice system.
Social work administration
Those who aspire to take administrative positions—such as social work supervisor and program director—can enroll in this concentration in order to gain the leadership skills they need to be successful. Coursework covers topics such as advocacy, grant writing, social problems, public policy, and issues in social work.
Military social work
This specialization teaches students how to address the needs of the military community, from active duty soldiers to reserve military personnel to veterans. In order to do this, the curriculum addresses the specific needs of this community and the interventions that are most effective when providing services to them and their families.
What You’ll Study in an Online MSW Program
The following sections provide more in-depth information about the specific curriculum that can be found in online MSW programs.
While the exact courses may vary depending on which online MSW program students choose, the objectives of these degrees tend to be similar since departments craft a curriculum to help students become leaders in the field. In order to do this, schools instill advanced knowledge, skills, and competencies in students—such as the ability to assess individuals, groups, and families in order to provide the interventions that will help them with their unique challenges; use social-work related laws and ethical standards when deciding how to meet clients’ needs; and apply their knowledge of social work concepts to achieve social and economic justice for the community.
Core Online Classes for MSW Programs
Online MSW programs offer diverse coursework in order to prepare students for higher-level positions in the field. The following are examples of classes they may be required to complete.
School Social Work Practice
These courses cover how to deliver interventions in a school setting. Students may learn how to work with young people who are members of vulnerable groups, such as those with physical or mental disabilities. In addition, these classes may teach students about the federal and state legislation that protects school children.
Assessment and Diagnosis
Clinical social workers have expertise in evaluating and diagnosing people based on diagnostic categories in the DSM-5, and this class is designed to help students develop these skills. Topics covered may include the types of assessment methods social workers use and how social and cultural factors may influence a particular diagnosis.
Program Management and Leadership
The administrative side of the social work field is explored in this course. Students learn how to identify goals and execute plans in a social work organization, manage and motivate staff, and effectively handle the complicated issues that social work administrators face.
Social Work Practice Research
Those who want to contribute to the knowledge base of the field can learn how to conduct qualitative and quantitative social work research in this course. Topics may include research design, ethical considerations researchers are professionally bound by, and software programs that help researchers analyze data.
Social Work Policy
Students in this course learn how to advocate for policies that advance the field and the well-being of the communities they serve. Coursework may cover policy analysis strategies, the relationship between social policy and power, and the legislative process.
Social Work Interventions
This class helps students cultivate the skills to provide interventions to clients with various problems. The curriculum may teach students how to work with those with drug abuse disorders, mental health issues, and child abuse backgrounds.
Field Education Requirements for MSW Students
To reinforce the concepts learned in their classes, MSW students must participate in field education, where they work in an agency setting under the supervision of an administrator or experienced social worker. During this time, students complete approximately 1,000 hours of hands-on training working directly with clients to develop competencies such as assessment, intervention, and service evaluation skills. Additionally, students refine their empathy skills and ability to consider the diverse backgrounds of clients when providing services.
Some standard MSW programs may require students to complete a virtual fieldwork experience before working with clients in the real world. During this virtual experience, students work with actors who simulate the role of clients in crisis and practice interventions they would provide. After each roleplaying exercise, students receive feedback from their supervising professor and peers.
FAQs About Earning a Master’s in Social Work Online
Online social work degrees at the master’s level prepare students to play an important role in the community, and as a result, people who enter these programs are expected to meet high standards and understand what is entailed in earning these degrees. The following FAQs address some of the important questions people should know as they navigate their way through the process of applying for, and working toward, these degrees.
What are the admissions requirements for an MSW?
When evaluating schools, hopeful MSW students should pay close attention to the specific admissions requirements of the programs they’re interested in. Generally, social work master’s degree programs expect applicants to:
Can you get an MSW without a BSW?
Yes, people who want to earn and MSW can enroll in a program without having a BSW. In these cases, they will enter a standard MSW program, where they will take core classes that teach them the basic tenets of the social work profession.
How long does it take to get an MSW online?
It typically takes students between one and two and a half years to complete their MSW degree online, depending on the type of program they enroll in and their previous academic background. Standard MSW programs typically take two years to complete while students in advanced standing MSWs can usually finish their coursework in a single year. Whether the program is full-time or part-time will also greatly affect the required time.
What type of accreditation should my online MSW have?
People who are interested in earning their masters in social work online may have various career goals and educational needs, but what they all have in common is that they should only enroll in a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The organization, which accredits almost 300 MSW programs, evaluates social work schools based on their curriculum, mission, and goals in order to ensure they are training students to work up to the high standards expected of professionals in the industry. In addition to receiving the high-quality education that students deserve, attending an accredited school ensures that they will be able to obtain a license from their state after they have completed the program.
A full list of accredited online MSW programs can be found on CSWE’s website.
What are some career options after I graduate with an MSW degree?
There are several career options for graduates of online MSW programs. For example, people who are interested in working with children may work as a child welfare case worker or school social worker. Professionals who are interested in treating people with mental health issues may decide to get a job as a clinical mental health social worker. Other jobs these professionals occupy include health care administrator and public health social worker. More in-depth information about jobs for MSW graduates can be found on our what you can do with a degree in social work page.
How much does it cost to get your MSW?
The exact cost of online MSW degree programs vary from one school to another. Some of the most affordable online MSW programs have very reasonable costs, for example. In order to make an informed decision about what school to attend, prospective students should research not only what different programs have to offer, but also their cost. The following table provides a glimpse at how much some MSW programs cost, as well as the number of credits that are required to complete the degree.
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Est. Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | 60 | $576 | $34,560 |
| Walden University | 92 quarter credit hours | $535 per quarter hour | $49,220 |
| The University of Southern California | 48 | $2,201 | $105,648 |
| Boise State University | 61 | $495 | $30,195 |
*Note: This data represents tuition costs only. Additional fees will likely apply. Check individual college websites for complete cost figures.