Online Master's Degrees > Best Online MSW Programs: Master's Degree in Social Work

ONLINE MASTER'S DEGREE INSOCIAL WORK

Table of Contents

TOP ONLINE SCHOOLS: MASTER'S IN SOCIAL WORK

Our Methodology and Sources

Methodology

To be included in the rankings, all colleges had to meet the following criteria:

Offer the particular graduate program online
Enroll full-time or part-time graduate students
Have at least 1 percent of their graduate students enrolled in distance education classes
Have awarded at least one graduate degree in any related subject between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016

Once we had our list of schools for each subject and degree level, we ranked them on four criteria:

Affordability, based on the in-state average tuition for full-time graduate students, National Center for Education Statistics, 2016
Flexibility, based on the percentage of graduate students enrolled in any distance education courses, National Center for Education Statistics, 2016
Program Prominence, The ratio of the number of students receiving master’s/doctoral degrees in that program to the total number of graduate students awarded a degree, National Center for Education Statistics, 2015-16
Related Degrees, based on the number of programs the school offers that are in this particular subject and similar subjects, National Center for Education Statistics, 2016

Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2016-17, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Article Sources

Requirements and Curriculum, Master's Degree in Social Work, Colorado State University, http://www.online.colostate.edu/degrees/social-work/curriculum.dot
Master of Science Program, Columbia University, http://socialwork.columbia.edu/academic-programs/master-science-program
Curriculum, Master of Social Work, Walden University, http://www.waldenu.edu/masters/master-of-social-work/curriculum
Master of Social Work, Wayne State University, http://socialwork.wayne.edu/msw/index.php
Foundation Curriculum, School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, http://www.socialwork.pitt.edu/academics/msw/foundation-curriculum
Area of Emphasis, MSW, Rutgers University, http://socialwork.rutgers.edu/Academics/MSW/AreaofEmphasis.aspx
Accreditation, Council on Social Work Education, accessed November 16, 2015, http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation.aspx
Social and Community Service Managers, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, accessed November 16, 2015, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, accessed November 16, 2015, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Community-and-Social-Service/Probation-officers-and-correctional-treatment-specialists.htm
Social Workers, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Community-and-Social-Service/Social-workers.htm
Social Workers, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-5
Social Workers, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, 2014, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211029.htm
Social Work, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, http://www.edinboro.edu/academics/schools-and-departments/graduate-studies/programs/social-work/
Generalist and Advanced Generalist Practice, Encyclopedia of Social Work, http://socialwork.oxfordre.com/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.001.0001/acrefore-9780199975839-e-160

Accreditation, Council on Social Work Education, accessed November 16, 2015, http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation.aspx
Application Requirements, Boston University, Accessed May 2019, http://www.bu.edu/ssw/admissions/msw/requirements/
Area of Emphasis, MSW, Rutgers University, http://socialwork.rutgers.edu/Academics/MSW/AreaofEmphasis.aspx
Association of Social Work Boards, Accessed May 2019, https://www.aswb.org/
Council on Social Work Education, Accessed May 2019, https://www.cswe.org/
Clinical Social Work Association, Accessed May 2019, https://www.clinicalsocialworkassociation.org/
Curriculum, Master of Social Work, Walden University, http://www.waldenu.edu/masters/master-of-social-work/curriculum Dual Degrees, University of Southern California, Accessed May 2019, https://dworakpeck.usc.edu/academics/msw-
on-campus/dual-degrees
Field Education, Azusa Pacific University, Accessed May 2019, , https://www.apu.edu/bas/programs/msw/internship/
Foundation Curriculum, School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, http://www.socialwork.pitt.edu/academics/msw/foundation-curriculum
Generalist and Advanced Generalist Practice, Encyclopedia of Social Work, http://socialwork.oxfordre.com/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.001.0001/acrefore-9780199975839-e-160
Majors and Specializations, Boston University, Accessed May 2019, https://www.bu.edu/ssw/academics/msw/majors/
Master of Science Program, Columbia University, http://socialwork.columbia.edu/academic-programs/master-science-program
Master of Social Work, Wayne State University, http://socialwork.wayne.edu/msw/index.php
MSW Program Overview, Tulane University, Accessed May 2019, https://socialwork.tulane.edu/msw-overview
National Association of Black Social Workers, Accessed May 2019, https://www.nabsw.org
National Association of Social Workers, Accessed May 2019, https://www.socialworkers.org
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, accessed November 16, 2015, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Community-and-Social-Service/Probation-officers-and-correctional-treatment-specialists.htm
Requirements and Curriculum, Master's Degree in Social Work, Colorado State University, http://www.online.colostate.edu/degrees/social-work/curriculum.dot
School Social Work Association of America, Accessed May 2019, https://www.sswaa.org
Social and Community Service Managers, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, accessed November 16, 2015, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm
Social Workers, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Community-and-Social-Service/Social-workers.htm
Social Workers, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-5
Social Workers, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, 2014, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211029.htm
Social Work, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, http://www.edinboro.edu/academics/schools-and-departments/graduate-studies/programs/social-work/

Sort By ::

Rank	School	Tuition	% Grad Students in Online Courses	% Grad Degrees Conferred	Related Degrees
2.	Arizona State University-Skysong	Tuition$6,024	% Grad Students in Online Courses97.7%	% Grad Degrees Conferred5.19%	Related Degrees1
3.	Missouri State University-Springfield	Tuition$4,644	% Grad Students in Online Courses44.23%	% Grad Degrees Conferred3.09%	Related Degrees1
4.	Salisbury University	Tuition$6,858	% Grad Students in Online Courses34.95%	% Grad Degrees Conferred43.91%	Related Degrees1
8.	The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley	Tuition$5,439	% Grad Students in Online Courses29.57%	% Grad Degrees Conferred4.23%	Related Degrees1
12.	Washburn University	Tuition$8,250	% Grad Students in Online Courses40.3%	% Grad Degrees Conferred24.64%	Related Degrees1
16.	Saint Leo University	Tuition$9,630	% Grad Students in Online Courses82.82%	% Grad Degrees Conferred5.02%	Related Degrees1
19.	Tennessee State University	Tuition$8,380	% Grad Students in Online Courses28.01%	% Grad Degrees Conferred4.98%	Related Degrees1
20.	Colorado State University-Fort Collins	Tuition$9,628	% Grad Students in Online Courses37.51%	% Grad Degrees Conferred3.04%	Related Degrees1
34.	Rutgers University-New Brunswick	Tuition$16,536	% Grad Students in Online Courses19.24%	% Grad Degrees Conferred21.33%	Related Degrees1
35.	University of Hawaii at Manoa	Tuition$15,288	% Grad Students in Online Courses15.9%	% Grad Degrees Conferred10.4%	Related Degrees1
5.	Metropolitan State University of Denver	Tuition$7,568	% Grad Students in Online Courses38.01%	% Grad Degrees Conferred46.7%	Related Degrees1
6.	Humboldt State University	Tuition$6,738	% Grad Students in Online Courses30.9%	% Grad Degrees Conferred22.69%	Related Degrees1
9.	University of Central Florida	Tuition$6,916	% Grad Students in Online Courses39.4%	% Grad Degrees Conferred5.73%	Related Degrees1
10.	Edinboro University of Pennsylvania	Tuition$8,694	% Grad Students in Online Courses88.37%	% Grad Degrees Conferred27.49%	Related Degrees1
14.	University of Maine	Tuition$7,524	% Grad Students in Online Courses29.06%	% Grad Degrees Conferred11.36%	Related Degrees1
17.	Campbellsville University	Tuition$11,904	% Grad Students in Online Courses83.78%	% Grad Degrees Conferred23.86%	Related Degrees1
18.	Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis	Tuition$8,331	% Grad Students in Online Courses21.92%	% Grad Degrees Conferred16.34%	Related Degrees1
21.	Our Lady of the Lake University	Tuition$15,390	% Grad Students in Online Courses55.47%	% Grad Degrees Conferred45.23%	Related Degrees1
24.	University of Houston	Tuition$7,956	% Grad Students in Online Courses10.43%	% Grad Degrees Conferred7.85%	Related Degrees1
29.	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville	Tuition$11,044	% Grad Students in Online Courses17.32%	% Grad Degrees Conferred13.7%	Related Degrees1
37.	Fordham University	Tuition$32,160	% Grad Students in Online Courses10.33%	% Grad Degrees Conferred25.1%	Related Degrees1
38.	Boston University	Tuition$49,176	% Grad Students in Online Courses18.79%	% Grad Degrees Conferred5.43%	Related Degrees1
39.	Case Western Reserve University	Tuition$42,576	% Grad Students in Online Courses11.56%	% Grad Degrees Conferred11.21%	Related Degrees1
1.	New Mexico State University-Main Campus	Tuition$4,088	% Grad Students in Online Courses41.24%	% Grad Degrees Conferred8.58%	Related Degrees1
7.	The University of Texas at Arlington	Tuition$7,141	% Grad Students in Online Courses48.99%	% Grad Degrees Conferred11.15%	Related Degrees1
11.	Delaware State University	Tuition$5,160	% Grad Students in Online Courses10.75%	% Grad Degrees Conferred18%	Related Degrees1
13.	University of Arkansas at Little Rock	Tuition$7,680	% Grad Students in Online Courses36.19%	% Grad Degrees Conferred13.62%	Related Degrees1
15.	California State University-Northridge	Tuition$6,738	% Grad Students in Online Courses13.65%	% Grad Degrees Conferred8%	Related Degrees1
22.	The University of Alabama	Tuition$10,470	% Grad Students in Online Courses37.22%	% Grad Degrees Conferred13.21%	Related Degrees1
23.	University of New England	Tuition$19,936	% Grad Students in Online Courses51.77%	% Grad Degrees Conferred44.29%	Related Degrees1
25.	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College	Tuition$9,132	% Grad Students in Online Courses13.32%	% Grad Degrees Conferred8.64%	Related Degrees1
26.	Montclair State University	Tuition$10,464	% Grad Students in Online Courses18.19%	% Grad Degrees Conferred5.54%	Related Degrees1
27.	Simmons College	Tuition$20,556	% Grad Students in Online Courses76.56%	% Grad Degrees Conferred16.68%	Related Degrees1
28.	Widener University	Tuition$24,800	% Grad Students in Online Courses45.03%	% Grad Degrees Conferred25%	Related Degrees1
30.	University of Louisville	Tuition$12,246	% Grad Students in Online Courses16.17%	% Grad Degrees Conferred15.68%	Related Degrees1
31.	Virginia Commonwealth University	Tuition$10,976	% Grad Students in Online Courses10.63%	% Grad Degrees Conferred10.2%	Related Degrees1
32.	University of New Hampshire-Main Campus	Tuition$13,840	% Grad Students in Online Courses21.62%	% Grad Degrees Conferred9.01%	Related Degrees1
33.	Portland State University	Tuition$13,248	% Grad Students in Online Courses16.13%	% Grad Degrees Conferred14.58%	Related Degrees1
36.	University of Denver	Tuition$45,288	% Grad Students in Online Courses26.47%	% Grad Degrees Conferred13.2%	Related Degrees1

HOW LONG DO MSW PROGRAMS TAKE TO COMPLETE?

Students can opt for a full-time or part-time online MSW program. Those who go the full-time route can typically complete their degree program in four semesters or 15 months while those who enroll part-time may earn their degree in eight semesters or 32 months. Students who work and/or have family duties often prefer a part-time program.

WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS?

Most MSW programs have certain graduate school admission requirements that applicants must meet. Applicants are typically required to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or be enrolled in a program that can result in one before they begin their MSW program. Official transcripts from their undergraduate institution will likely need to sent as well.

In most cases, MSW programs also require applicants to pay a non-refundable application fee and submit a personal statement, resume or CV, and three references from a supervisor or a faculty member from their undergraduate institution. Some colleges that offer MSW programs may require phone, online video calls, or in-person interviews.

MASTER'S IN SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM DETAILS

Many online master's degree programs in social work culminate in an MSW degree, but some institutions style their credentials as a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) or a Master of Arts in Social Work (MASW). A Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA) is another typical variation of the name of a master’s program in social work.

The exact curriculum offered to graduate students depends on the school's course offerings and a student's chosen specialty, but there are a few common concepts shared among a large percentage of programs at this level:

Social welfare policy
Research methods in social science
Individual social work practice
Group social work practice
Diversity and multicultural environments
Human behavior

MSW Students are also typically invited to specialize their social work education in order to better align their studies with a particular avenue of practice in the professional world. Specialty courses taken alongside the core social work curriculum tend to include the following:

Clinical social work
Medical social work
Children, families and couples
Crisis and trauma
Community development
Social administration
Mental and behavioral health

FIELD-BASED EDUCATION AND CAPSTONE PROJECTS

Most online MSW programs feature field-based education and capstone projects. Field-based education can allow students to integrate social work theory and practice in a supervised field setting such as a counseling center, healthcare facility, human services organization, or hospice facility. It can give them the chance to develop their social work skills outside of the classroom.

A capstone project is usually required during the last year in the MSW program and is typically completed through a field education agency and gives students the chance to contribute their knowledge of social work in a written project and/or presentation.

MORE CERTIFICATE AND DEGREE OPTIONS FOR MSW STUDENTS

While some online MSW programs can offer specializations or concentrations, others feature certificates or formal dual degree programs. Programs with specializations or concentrations may require students to enroll in electives and sometimes complete a seminar and/or advanced field placement.

Those with graduate certificate programs usually focus on social behavior, communication techniques, and other topics related to social work. While a specialization or concentration can require students to follow a series of courses relevant to their specialization area, a certificate program can typically be completed in 3 to 4 courses. Both of these options may allow students to tailor their education in social work to meet their particular interests and career aspirations.

Dual degree programs are also available and designed for students who would like to study social work in addition to another discipline such as education, business, law, or public health. An MSW and Master of Business Administration (MBA) and MSW and Master of Public Health (MPH) may be widely seen at many schools that offer MSW dual degree programs.

WHAT LICENSES ARE NEEDED FOR SOCIAL WORK CAREERS?

To pursue a career in social work, MSW students must receive a license. Although license requirements can vary from state to state with each state having its own social work licensing board, here is a brief overview of the most common licenses that may be required.

Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW)
Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
Licensed Independent Social Workers (LISW)
Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW)
Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW)
Provisional Licensed Clinical Social Worker (PLCSW)
Licensed Advanced Macro Social Worker (LAMSW)
Social Service Worker (SSW)

The Association of Social Work Boards creates the social work licensing exams and delivers information about each of the state requirements for licensing and Continuing Education. The organization also has resources regarding legal practices, and can provide preparation materials for the licensing exam.

HOW TO PAY FOR YOUR MSW

Although an MSW can be expensive, financial aid can help reduce costs. Scholarships, government grants, and federal loans are examples of financial aid resources that can assist MSW students who meet the criteria for funding. Those who have served in the military may qualify for additional financial aid resources.

TOP CAREERS IN SOCIAL WORK

Graduating with an online master's degree in social work can lead to a wide range of jobs. Here are a few top positions for social work graduates, according to information published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

1. Social Services Director

Social services directors administrate social service programs and lead community organizations that work to help particular groups of people better meet their needs. At larger organizations, social services directors may take responsibility for a single program division and report to an upper tier of management, while positions at smaller agencies may be largely self-supervisory and consist of a more diverse range of duties. Most social services directors oversee teams of staff members to implement and monitor social initiatives.

Average Salary

$72,900

Projected Job Openings

17,800

Job Growth Potential

13%

2. Medical Social Worker

Medical social workers work as auxiliaries within the healthcare industry, helping people weather the mental and emotional difficulties that accompany illness and disease. They typically work in hospitals and assist individuals during transitions from inpatient to outpatient status, connecting newly released patients with support groups or community organizations in their area. Other duties may include conducting follow-up visits to help patients get settled in and providing strategies for lifestyle adjustment during periods of rehabilitative therapy.

Average Salary

$59,300

Projected Job Openings

22,200

Job Growth Potential

17%

3. Probation Officer

Functioning as a liaison between the criminal justice system and the social services field, probation officers work with people who have been legally sentenced to a period of supervised release, or probation, instead of being sent to prison. The job consists primarily of meeting with clients regularly to ensure that they follow their court-ordered treatment or rehabilitation plan and continue to stay out of trouble. Probation officers may choose to work with either adult or juvenile offenders and typically specialize in one or the other.

Average Salary

$59,910

Projected Job Openings

8,200

Job Growth Potential

3.3%

ASSOCIATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

National Association of Social Workers (NASW): MSW students may find the NASW valuable as it offers continuing education resources and hosts virtual career fairs.
Clinical Social Work Association (CSWA): CSWA offers educational workshops and resources to students who would like to offer psychotherapy services to children, teens, adults, and families.
School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA): Students who would like to pursue social work careers in school environments may benefit from SSWAA, which offers webinars and continuing education support.
National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW): NABSW is designed for African American social workers who would like access to a virtual career center, books, and other resources.

ADDITIONAL SOCIAL WORK JOBS AND SALARIES

JOB TITLE	AVERAGE SALARY	PROJECTED JOB OPENINGS	JOB GROWTH POTENTIAL
Social Workers, All Other	$61,750	6,600	5.6%
Marriage and Family Therapists	$54,590	7,500	22.3%
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers	$51,670	15,500	17.8%
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	$51,030	36,900	7.3%
Counselors, All Other	$48,800	3,500	10.5%

Social Workers, All Other

AVERAGE SALARY$61,750

PROJECTED JOB OPENINGS6,600

JOB GROWTH POTENTIAL5.6%

Marriage and Family Therapists

AVERAGE SALARY$54,590

PROJECTED JOB OPENINGS7,500

JOB GROWTH POTENTIAL22.3%

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

AVERAGE SALARY$51,670

PROJECTED JOB OPENINGS15,500

JOB GROWTH POTENTIAL17.8%

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

AVERAGE SALARY$51,030

PROJECTED JOB OPENINGS36,900

JOB GROWTH POTENTIAL7.3%

Counselors, All Other

AVERAGE SALARY$48,800

PROJECTED JOB OPENINGS3,500

JOB GROWTH POTENTIAL10.5%

SOCIAL WORK SALARIES BY STATE

Average Salary for Social Work

Average Annual Job Openings

Hourly Mean Wage

TOP

ONLINE MASTER'S DEGREE INSOCIAL WORK

EARNING A MASTER’S IN SOCIAL WORK

WHY IS ACCREDITATION IMPORTANT FOR AN MSW PROGRAM?

TOP ONLINE SCHOOLS: MASTER'S IN SOCIAL WORK

HOW LONG DO MSW PROGRAMS TAKE TO COMPLETE?

WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS?

MASTER'S IN SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM DETAILS

FIELD-BASED EDUCATION AND CAPSTONE PROJECTS

MORE CERTIFICATE AND DEGREE OPTIONS FOR MSW STUDENTS

WHAT LICENSES ARE NEEDED FOR SOCIAL WORK CAREERS?

HOW TO PAY FOR YOUR MSW

TOP CAREERS IN SOCIAL WORK

ASSOCIATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

ADDITIONAL SOCIAL WORK JOBS AND SALARIES

SOCIAL WORK SALARIES BY STATE