Best Online Master’s in Social Work (MSW) Programs
See today’s top schools, review the best online programs, and learn what it takes to get in and graduate.
Do you see yourself working in a professional role where you can help people, families, and children overcome short-term and long-term challenges? Do you have an interest in researching or treating behavioral, emotional, or mental issues for a diverse population of patients? A master’s degree in social work (MSW) may be an excellent choice for you.
Now that you have an MSW on your mind, how do you find the right school? Which colleges and universities offer the best combinations of affordability, student support, and academic rigor? EduMed.org analyzed more than 7,700 accredited institutions across the U.S. to see which schools have online MSW programs that really stand out. See who is earning top honors this year.
Western New Mexico University
Silver City, New Mexico
Public
Fort Hays State University
Hays, Kansas
Public
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke, North Carolina
Public
Brescia University
Owensboro, Kentucky
Private
Concord University
Athens, West Virginia
Public
Albany State University
Albany, Georgia
Public
Angelo State University
San Angelo, Texas
Public
University of Massachusetts Global
Irvine, California
Private
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Scottsdale, Arizona
Public
University of North Alabama
Florence, Alabama
Public
University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
Public
University of St Francis
Joliet, Illinois
Private
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, Florida
Private
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, Indiana
Private
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Private
Bethel University
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Private
Texas A & M University-Commerce
Commerce, Texas
Public
The University of West Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Public
Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois
Private
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
Public
Jackson State University
Jackson, Mississippi
Public
University of Southern Maine
Portland, Maine
Public
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina
Public
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
Arcata, California
Public
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Public
Troy University
Troy, Alabama
Public
Simmons University
Boston, Massachusetts
Private
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas
Public
Regis College
Weston, Massachusetts
Private
University of Maine
Orono, Maine
Public
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Public
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Public
Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, Texas
Private
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Public
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, Hawaii
Public
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Public
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Public
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, Texas
Public
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, Michigan
Public
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota
Public
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Public
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia
Public
Salisbury University
Salisbury, Maryland
Public
Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas
Public
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio
Public
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Public
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, Colorado
Public
Boise State University
Boise, Idaho
Public
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, California
Public
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia
Public
In the Know: Inside Online MSW Programs
Course options and program strength vary among schools. It’s important that you know the ins-and-outs of a program before you spend time on your application. It can be helpful for aspiring graduate students to get the answers to key questions regarding a school’s curriculum, costs, and he careers they can expect to pursue when they finish. Here are some answers to questions frequently asked by prospective social work students.
What do you learn in an online MSW program?
Colleges and universities play to their specific strengths, which influences their courses and how its faculty teach their graduate students. In this way, every program is unique. Many online social work programs have similar foundational courses, however, that help their students build basic skills for careers in the field. As you search through online programs, you will find comparable courses and expected learning outcomes for all master’s programs in social work. Let’s take a look at some of the main goals and learning outcomes for MSW programs today.
- Follow professional social work standards and conduct: Social workers often work with vulnerable populations who need support and consultation in times of need. You will learn how to be an advocate for clients while following standard ethics and protocols for treatment and advising.
- Critical-thinking and communication: Social work graduates possess the ability to think through complex problems by using sound logic and scientific reasoning. You will also be able to communicate effectively with, and provide considered advice and guidance for, individuals, families, and groups.
- Respect and engage with diverse populations: You will develop the necessary skills to understand human experience from an unbiased perspective. While working with clients of all backgrounds, social workers remain sensitive to others’ life experiences, including poverty, addiction, marginalization, and oppression.
- Understand and promote human rights: As an advocate for your clients, social workers have a duty to promote human rights, including social, economic, and racial justice. In this way, graduate students understand histories of oppression, injustices, civil rights, and social inequity.
- Scholarly research and writing abilities: In a social work program, you will learn how to critically engage scholarly research and materials to better inform your own social work practices. Additionally, MSW graduates can conduct scholarly research of their own that contributes to their own work and the field as a whole.
Courses in Social Work Master’s Programs
Specializing when earning a master’s in social work online
Some bachelor’s programs in social work today allow undergraduate students to take classes in a predetermined concentration area or a series of designated electives. With these classes, you can further define your skill set and stand out from the crowd in the competitive job market. Additionally, a social work specialization can help you hone in on particular careers upon graduation.
How long does it take to earn an online master’s degree in social work?
One of the primary factors that influences time to completion is whether you possess a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) already. Incoming students with a BSW can enter advanced standing master’s programs that require fewer credits than traditional-track programs. This allows advanced standing students to graduate more quickly. Full-time advanced standing students often complete the degrees in 12-16 months, while full-time traditional-track learners need 20-24 months.
Also, full-time students can finish the program more quickly than part-time learners. Enrolling as a full-time student, however, is not always an option, especially if you are an adult student with familial obligations or a job outside of school. If you have the ability to enroll as a full-time student, be on the lookout for full-time accelerated programs. In these cases, you may be able to complete a master’s degree in approximately 16 months.
Can I get into an online MSW program?
Similar to other master’s degrees, online MSW programs require applicants to possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. These students can apply for advanced standing social work master’s programs. If you have a bachelor’s degree in another field, you will apply to online traditional-track social work programs. Even though you are pursuing an online degree, bear in mind that these programs are still highly competitive and require you to put your best foot forward in each application.
Regardless of the track, MSW applicants can expect to submit:
- Official undergraduate transcripts
- Personal statement
- Letters of recommendation
- Standardized test scores from the GRE
Social work master’s programs often require additional application materials, including:
- Transcripts reflecting a 3.0 or higher GPA
- Documentation of sufficient undergraduate training and social welfare studies, social sciences, and humanities
- Proof of volunteer experience or paid employment in a human services or social welfare organization
- Outline of career goals and why you wish to pursue training in a career in social work
How much does an online master’s in social work cost?
An online MSW is a significant investment. The overall cost of your degree depends on several program- and school-specific elements: whether the school is public or private, where you live, and the primary delivery mode. Additionally, how much you pay depends on the time it takes you to finish degree requirements and how much funding or financial aid you’ve secured to put toward your education.
Arizona State University
Online Master of Social Work
Total Credits: 60
$532/credit Arizona resident,
$809/credit non-resident
Fordham University
Online Master of Social Work
Total Credits: 66
$963/credit
Simmons University
Online Master of Social Work
Total Credits: 65
$1,100/credit
What are “field education” requirements for MSWs?
Field education in social work master’s programs refers to hands-on clinical training and interactive online learning modules. This type of training is one of the foundational components of virtually every MSW program and allows students to apply your book and classroom knowledge in real-life. Depending on the program, schools may require MSW-seekers to complete a generalist field experience and additional fieldwork in a specialized area. The field education part of your degree may also be referred to as a practicum.
What is clinical social work vs. social work?
Social workers in both areas of the field perform duties and support clients in-person and in one-on-one settings. The master’s degree, however, prepares you for clinical social work options where you have more professional authority and can offer diagnosis and treatments for mental and behavioral disorders. Clinical social work requires state licensure and includes positions such as substance abuse counselors, mental health counselors, and group therapists. Non-clinical social work, often referred to as direct services social work, typically requires professionals to possess only a bachelor’s degree and includes career paths such as case manager, community health worker, and care coordinator.
Funding Your Online Master’s Degree in Social Work
MSW applicants have a number of financial aid options to help fund their education. Any undergraduate or graduate student planning to take college courses should submit a FAFSA every year. This important government document ensures that you receive consideration for federal funding based on your financial situation and level of need. Additionally, you can consider:
Learn more about financial aid options for your online MSW degree.
Master’s in Social Work Accreditation
There are both institutional and programmatic accreditations at play in social work. At the school level, regional accreditation usually goes to academically focused, nonprofit schools with a wide range of degree offerings. The school you choose for an MSW should have regional accreditation from a body recognized by the Department of Education.
Not all majors or departments of regionally accredited schools will seek out programmatic accreditation. Social work happens to be a field where programmatic accreditation is important and something you should consider a necessity. Master’s programs in social work should hold programmatic accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which is the primary accrediting association for higher education programs in the field.
What’s Next? After Your Online MSW
After you earn your master’s degree in social work, you can look forward to exciting career possibilities. Although an MSW degree does not guarantee you a job or a certain amount of income, there are many possible career paths you can take with your credentials. Depending on the particular social work career you wish to pursue, you may need to obtain a specific license in order to practice.
Do I need licensure with a master’s in social work?
Yes, you will most likely need to become licensed in order to work in a specialized area of the field. The most common licensures for MSW-holders include licensed social worker (LSW), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW), and licensed independent social worker (LISW). To obtain licensure, some states require that you possess an MSW and pass the designated exam for your desired area of the field. Other states require licensure-seekers to have 1-2 years of documented or supervised work experience before they can sit for the licensure exam. In addition to qualifying you to work in specialized social work roles, licensure also makes you a more marketable candidate in the competitive job market.
What can you do with an online MSW?
After you earn your master’s degree in social work, you can pursue a variety of exciting careers as counselors, community and service social specialists, school social workers, and healthcare social workers, to name a few. Professionals with this degree often work in individual and family services, nonprofits, community centers, local and state governments, and ambulatory healthcare services. Social workers who specialize in behavioral disorders, substance abuse, and mental health counseling often work in outpatient mental health and substance abuse clinics, hospitals, and substance abuse facilities.
The job outlook for social workers with master’s degrees looks bright across the board. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), professional social workers and a variety of specialty areas can expect a 5%-12% increase in available positions by 2028. If you become a professional working in substance abuse counseling, behavioral disorders, or a related area, BLS projects that jobs will grow by 12-22% by 2028.
In the diagram below, we offer a few possible career paths for those with a master’s in social work. We also illustrate potential career choices for master’s degree holders who wish to pursue a doctorate in social work.
Salaries with a master’s degree in social work
Graduate training in social work can prepare you for a variety of solid career opportunities working with children and families, clients with medical conditions and addictions, special populations, and more. Your overall salary potential will vary based on your level of experience, area of expertise, and location. Here’s the national salary statistics for three popular careers for MSW degree-holders.
| Career | Median National Annual Salary (2019) | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $47,390 | $30,870 | $78,230 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $56,750 | $35,000 | $86,130 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $46,650 | $29,540 | $80,900 |
Furthering Your Social Work Education
Your master’s degree in social work means building a diverse skill set, including excellent counseling, communication, interpersonal, and research skills. After completing your program or working in the field for a few years, you may want to shift gears and pursue a role in a related field that still fits your training. There are many opportunities to advance your career and find an appealing job with continuing education and advanced degree programs in related areas that you can consider. Take a look at a few of the degree options below that may be a good fit.
Continuing Education with an MSW
One of the more common advanced degrees that MSW degree-holders choose to pursue is the doctor of social work. In addition to expanding your specialized skill set, the DSW allows you to develop advanced organizational leadership, decision-making, administrative, and communication skills. The degree can also prepare you for top jobs in the field such as nonprofit director, social work administrator, and college professor.
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (PhD)
Like all PhDs, this is an academically focused research degree that prepares learners for top academic and teaching jobs. Many students earn this degree in order to qualify for professorships at colleges and universities. Alternatively, PhDs can conduct research that helps inform and influence policies and practices that ultimately shape the ways social workers across the country carry out their job duties.
Degrees Related to the MSW
Similar to an MSW, a master’s in psychology can position you for public and private sector careers where you work with clients one-on-one in schools, nonprofit organizations, group homes, healthcare agencies, and more. Additionally, psychology degrees can also prepare you for research and managerial jobs as a market researcher, research assistant, data analyst, project coordinator, and human resource manager.
This degree prepares you to help individuals and communities by improving environmental health and addressing economic and social issues like trauma and violence, food insecurity, access to healthcare, and more. The MPH is suitable for students from all types of backgrounds and is a viable option for most bachelor’s degree-holders regardless of their major.
Master of Arts in Sociology
A sociology master’s program helps you obtain the necessary skills to study social behaviors, collect data based on observations, and generate reports or educational documents. Professionals with this degree find themselves in a wide variety of roles since these skills are so widely applicable. The degree prepares you for careers in the public and private sectors, including academia, nonprofit organizations, and research institutions. Professionals with this degree sometimes work in educational and research roles as college lecturers and research assistants. They may also find work as data analysts, market researchers, policy analysts, statisticians, and grant writers.
Additional Resources for Social Work Students
American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
American Clinical Social Work Association
Association for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues in Counseling
Associated Clinicians for the Underserved
Council for Exceptional Children
National Association of Black Social Workers
National Association of Social Workers
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
