Those seeking the best opportunities for professional advancement in the world of social work will want to pursue a higher degree. Masters in Social Work Online are an excellent way for busy professionals to enhance their prospects. These Online Master of Social Work Programs are rigorous degree programs that prepare master’s students to handle a much wider variety of responsibilities, as well as provide a pathway to learning about areas of specialization, such as child and family social work, mental health or advocacy.
Though going back to school is almost always worth it, there is a substantial financial and time commitment involved. Fortunately, there are many Master of Social Work (MSW) online programs that provide plenty of flexibility to accommodate grad students who might have family or professional obligations in addition to their school responsibilities. This guide focuses on those valuable online Master of Social Work programs options, provides a good overview on how to select the best program, what enrolling in one will entail and what kind of professional opportunities graduates can expect.
There are plenty of ways for students to decide what are the top online msw programs. Here are some of the factors – job placement and career services, higher graduation rates, strong faculty and staff, accreditation, flexible online options, reasonable admissions rates, ease of completing fieldwork, challenging programs etc. Considering all these, we have created a list of the Best Online Master of Social Work Programs:
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College Name & Address | Tuition | Graduation Rate |
---|---|---|
#1 Ohio State University 190 N. Oval Mall, Columbus, Ohio 43210 | $11,560 | 86% |
#2 University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 601 E John Street, Champaign, Illinois 61820 | $14,997 | 85% |
#3 Rutgers University 83 Somerset St, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901 | $17,736 | 84% |
#4 Florida State University 222 S. Copeland Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32306 | $9,684 | 83% |
#5 Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan 48824 | $18,858 | 81% |
#6 Indiana University, Bloomington 107 South Indiana Ave., Bloomington, Indiana 47405 | $9,501 | 79% |
#7 Columbia University in the City of New York West 116 St and Broadway, New York, New York 10027 | $47,600 | 95% |
#8 University of Southern California University Park, Los Angeles, California 90089 | $46,272 | 92% |
#9 Boston University One Silber Way, Boston, Massachusetts 02215 | $54,720 | 88% |
#10 Case Western Reserve University 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44106 | $46,524 | 84% |
#11 Tulane University of Louisiana 6823 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118 | $54,918 | 86% |
#12 Simmons University 300 The Fenway, Boston, Massachusetts 02115 | $21,654 | 81% |
#13 University of South Florida 4202 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, Florida 33620 | $8,350 | 75% |
#14 University of Denver 2199 S. University Blvd, Denver, Colorado 80208 | $51,336 | 77% |
#15 University of Buffalo 12 Capen Hall, Buffalo, New York 14260 | $11,310 | 75% |
#16 Fordham University 441 E Fordham Rd, Bronx, New York 10458 | $34,608 | 83% |
#17 University of Central Florida 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32816 | $6,916 | 72% |
#18 University of Iowa 101 Jessup Hall, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 | $10,079 | 72% |
#19 Temple University 1801 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122 | $16,956 | 74% |
#20 The University of Tennessee, Knoxville 527 Andy Holt Tower, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 | $11,468 | 72% |
#21 University of Missouri 105 Jesse Hall, Columbia, Missouri 65211 | $9,264 | 71% |
#22 University of Kansas Strong Hall, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd, Room 230, Lawrence, Kansas 66045 | $9,989 | 67% |
#23 University of Houston 212 E. Cullen Building, Houston, Texas 77204 | $8,370 | 61% |
#24 California State University, San Bernardino 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, California 92407 | $7,176 | 55% |
#25 Louisiana State University One University Place, Shreveport, Louisiana 71115 | $6,196 | 31% |
Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available
There are several factors to look into that determine which school is the right one for a student’s personal needs and career goals. But before students decide to pursue Online MSW Programs, it is essential to have a deep understanding of the programs and reason why anyone should get a masters in social work online degree. In this section we will walk you through all aspects of masters in social work online programs.
A master’s degree is essential for anyone who wishes to move beyond macro-level social work. If a social worker wishes to switch gears and move on to micro-level work, such as helping individuals and small groups (clinical social work), then a master’s degree is required. There’s also the question of licensure; all states require clinical social workers to be licensed, and this almost always requires obtaining a master’s degree. This higher degree also opens opportunities for positions in leadership and administration.
Accreditation is the process by which an independent organization certifies that a school’s curriculum meets a minimum level of quality. Basically, it confirms that a degree from an institution means something. But in addition to schools, specific programs can be accredited as well.
The Council on Social Work Education, or CSWE, is the primary accrediting body for social work programs. Before applying to an online MSW program, future students should make sure the program is accredited by the CSWE. Without this accreditation, the MSW degree will be worth very little, because obtaining licensure will be difficult, if not impossible. Additionally, obtaining financial aid will be hard to do, since most providers will require that recipients attend an accredited program or institution. Read more about CSWE Accredited Social Work Programs. Read about general Accreditation.
Most master’s students choose an online academic program for convenience and flexibility. Specifically, distance learning provides several advantages over a traditional on-campus program.
Because the MSW is a graduate level degree, it’s common for students to have concurrent professional and family obligations. Therefore, the convenience of fitting coursework into an already busy schedule makes an online program perfect for the typical student. Instead of attending class at a specific time of day, online learning often lets master’s students “attend” class on their own schedule. In courses where students must be present online at a certain time, they can sign onto video chat, discussion rooms, streaming video and other formats that allow them to communicate with professors and peers in real time.
Some travel is needed to complete fieldwork portions of the curriculum. But this travel is limited, thanks to the fact that Master of Social Work students can arrange to complete their fieldwork requirements at approved locations close to home. In most online programs, students do not have to live close to campus to attend the Master of Social Work program. This saves time and money, and prevents disrupting the student’s already existing personal and professional life. Hence, online degrees is the way to go for a master’s in social work.
One good reason to earn an online master’s degree in social work is the chance to specialize – something that is not often offered with the bachelor’s program. Commonly available areas of specialization include:
Even though the faculty and program administrators can customize the curriculum of their Master of Social Work online program, there will usually be some similarities in the types of courses available to students. These courses will cover largely the same concepts, but have different names. Below are a few that a student can expect to take during the course of the Master of Social Work online program.
Social Work Mental Health Practice | Advanced Social Work Practice | Human Behavior and the Social Environment | Social Policy, Analysis and Practice | Field Practicum |
---|---|---|---|---|
Students will learn about providing social work services within the mental health treatment setting. | A second year course, this class teaches Master of Social Work students how to apply theoretical principles to practical issues in client systems. | One of the core courses of any Master of Social Work program, this class teaches basic knowledge about human behavior at the individual and group levels. | A broad overview of how the field works and research work, including policy making, funding and analysis of social programs. | Students will work at an assigned and approved social services organization in either a clinical or macro practice while under the supervision of a qualified field instructor. |
Each school reserves the right to set their own admissions standards, but most requirements include possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA and completion of a number of prerequisite courses before applying or before beginning master’s level social work courses. Some schools may also have standardized testing requirements, such as GRE or GMAT test scores.
Incoming master’s students who already have some experience in the field should expect to complete their online Master of Social Work degree in about 35 credit hours; those with little to no training in social work might need to complete up to 60 credit hours. Overall, most Master of Social Work students will spend about two years earning their degree. Students with advanced standing (due to having a bachelor’s degree in social work or enrollment in an accelerated program) may be able to reduce this time to as little as one year. In addition to the credit hour requirement, Master of Social Work students will also need to complete up to 1,000 hours of fieldwork before graduation.
Even for students who enter with advanced standing, licensure and graduation from an accredited Master of Social Work program will require completion of about 900 hours of fieldwork at an approved site. Many of these acceptable sites are located near the school, but online students can work with program administrators to find locations closer to home.
A student with a bachelor’s in social work from a CSWE-accredited program may receive advanced standing status in an online MSW program, which allows them to graduate more quickly. Typically, an MSW takes two years of full-time study to complete, but advanced standing program usually allow students to graduate within one year.
Online Masters Programs play an important role in providing the lift for careers. Social Work professionals who want to see their careers grow or are looking to become social work professionals choose online Master of Social Work programs. But in today’s world, universities have strict admission requirements. This is especially true for masters in social work online programs. Most universities want to see a GRE test score along with the applications. Luckily, some universities do not need a GRE score for their online Master of Social Work programs. Here are a few online Master of Social Work programs no GRE programs:
Through Tseng College, master’s students at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) can earn their Master of Social Work through a generalist curriculum approach. Instead of asking students to focus on concentration and risk pigeonholing their careers, Master of Social Work students at CSUN receive a comprehensive education that allows them to become fully prepared for any social work position. This might include working with individuals and families at the micro level, groups at the mezzo level or with societal and policy ideas at the macro level.
Coursework is available online through both asynchronous and synchronous learning. However, some of the synchronous learning is optional and provides a weekly opportunity for master’s students to engage in interaction with their instructor and classmates. Grad students with very busy schedules who have trouble attending these live weekly sessions need not worry and may watch the recorded lecture at a later time. Fieldwork components of the curriculum are not online, but program administrators are usually able to find approved fieldwork locations within a one-hour drive of the student’s home or office.
Designed as a full-time program, students usually take two years to earn their Master of Social Work degree. CSUN also utilizes a cohort model so students advance with fellow classmates and obtain a more collegial level of learning that fosters professional relationships. No GRE Requirement.
In today’s busy world, time is short, and tasks are long. Professionals that already have a job and a career are busy as well. Given all this, most people don’t want to spend many years trying to get an online MSW degree. Some universities will let students graduate from Master of Social Work online programs in 1-year. Here is a list of universities that offer 1 year Master of Social Work programs online:
Choosing from a variety of specializations is one of the major advantages of the graduate degree. So it’s no surprise that the multiple levels of specialization available at the University of Southern California’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work make it a popular choice among social work students.
Before master’s students even begin their studies, they must choose an area of academic focus from among the following three departments: adult mental health and wellness; children, youth and families; or social change and innovation. Students will plan their curriculum based on this decision. But the opportunity to specialize doesn’t stop here. Students have the option of choosing between the military social work and school social work program tracks.
Like many other online MSW degree programs, USC has two basic curriculum tracks: traditional and advanced standing. Traditional consists of 60 units and is for master’s students who do not have an undergraduate degree in social work. Advanced standing is only 37 units and is generally reserved for those with a bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited post-secondary institution.
While the bulk of the coursework is available for completion online, all master’s in social work students must complete 790 hours of fieldwork at a program-affiliated site. Students who lack advanced standing must complete an additional 210 fieldwork hours for a total of 1,000 hours. However, to offer maximum convenience, students may complete those 210 additional fieldwork hours online. This is possible through the use of a virtual field practicum where students engage in clinical simulations utilizing an actor as a mock client. Can be finished in 1 Year
For most online MSW students, the primary sources of financial aid will be scholarships, grants and loans. Scholarships and grants, while technically two different things, are very similar in practice in that they are usually awarded based on academic merit or financial need (or sometimes both). These are the best forms of financial aid because they do not need to be paid back. Scholarships tend to be offered by colleges, universities and charitable organizations, while grants can come from the same institutions, as well as the state and federal government.
Loans are the next primary financial option. While private loans are always available for consideration, most master’s students will want to apply for state or federal school loans. These tend to have more favorable terms than most private loans, such as deferred payments or low interest.
Regardless of how a graduate student seeks to pay for the online MSW degree, there are two things they need to keep in mind. First, they need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ® ). This is required for anyone seeking not just federal financial aid, but state and school based financial aid as well. And in some cases, scholarship organizations require the FAFSA ® (especially those that are need-based).
Second, online MSW program students must ensure their school is accredited. Almost all forms of financial aid, especially government-based aid, will require attendance at an accredited school. To find out if a particular school is accredited, students can go to the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Post secondary Institutions and look for their school. Keep in mind that the U.S. The Department of Education itself doesn’t accredited schools but does recognize independent organizations that provide accreditation of schools and programs.
Paying for online masters programs can get very expensive. Online MSW programs are also not inexpensive. The tuition fee can get expensive. Luckily there are scholarships available for online MSW program students. It is important to note that these scholarships may not fully pay the entire tuition fee, but they reduce the burden. Here are a few scholarships for which online MSW program students can apply for.
Social workers seeking employment in clinical social work, school social work, and similar fields need licenses. Each state issues its own social work licenses and sets specific licensure requirements. Generally, a licensed social worker (LSW) needs to hold an MSW and meet supervised experience requirements, though some states only require a bachelor’s degree.
Social workers licensed in one state can often apply for a reciprocal license in other states, but reciprocity isn’t automatic. They may need to meet additional requirements, depending on the state. Learn more about social work licensure with the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensing guide.
Most graduates of an online MSW program will probably seek licensure after graduation. While the exact eligibility requirements vary by state, students can expect to possess the following elements for licensure:
Almost all jurisdictions will require licensed social workers to take continuing education courses for license renewal. However, each state will have its own requirements as to the number of hours needed and the types of courses licensees should take. For example, some states require 20 hours each year while others require 25 hours every other year. States may also require a certain number of the continuing education hours to be in ethics. Then there’s the fact that states differ in how they define an “hour”, such as a clock hour or a contact hour. To learn more, students should visit their state licensing board.
Advanced generalist programs are designed for students who wish to engage in both micro and macro social work, and who want to learn about and gain training in a number of different social work fields.
In general, this type of program helps prepare students to implement interventions External link at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels, and to work with both individual clients and larger communities. In this way, advanced generalist programs may be considered an intermediate between direct practice/clinical social work programs, which typically focus on individual work with clients, and community planning and organization programs, which focus mainly on larger communities and macro-level change.
Prospective students who wish to enroll in an advanced generalist program should research the exact curricula and course offerings of the programs that interest them in order to choose a program that meets their academic and professional goals.
Curriculum Details for Advanced Generalist Programs
Accredited online advanced generalist programs have similar curriculum structure, courses, and field education requirements as on-campus programs. As with other types of MSW programs, advanced generalist programs are generally comprised of a core set of foundational courses, and a set of concentration or elective courses (also known as advanced standing courses). While course titles and content vary across programs, sample classes may include:
Some online Master of Social Work (MSW) degree programs use a cohort model of instruction where students enter as a group and take a predetermined schedule of classes. There are some online programs that have flexible scheduling that allow students to pick and choose which classes they take each quarter or semester. With the exception of programs that offer multiple concentrations or electives, where students have the option to customize their degree program during the advanced standing year.
A cohort functions as a student’s support group during the program, allowing opportunities to form closer bonds with their classmates, and often starts their professional network following graduation. In addition, several programs that use a cohort model have some class sizes and limit the number of students per cohort to create a cohesive student group. Finally, with a set curriculum of classes, students do not have to worry about getting the classes they need to graduate.
One disadvantage of the cohort model is that all classes in the program may not be offered every semester or quarter. Therefore, if a student needs to take a leave of absence for personal reasons, they may have to wait sometime before continuing their degree program. This is typically true for online MSW programs that only accept incoming students once a year. This is not as much of a concern for programs that have multiple start dates as there is a higher chance that courses will be offered more than one time per year.
For students who are not familiar with the terms synchronous versus asynchronous, online programs typically use one of three methods for instruction:
Some students may prefer classes with synchronous instruction so that they may interact with professors and classmates. Other students may enjoy the flexibility of asynchronous instruction; however, it is important to stay on track and keep up with coursework and assignments.
For students who are not sure which method is right for them, we suggest reaching out to a couple of schools to ask more questions about the different methods.
For students who are considering attending a full-time online MSW program, we recommend asking an admission advisor what happens if a student needs to take some time off during the program for an unforeseen circumstance.
Core courses in master’s in social work online programs teach interpersonal and behavioral skills that expand on the building blocks of undergraduate courses and prepare graduate students for more advanced social work careers.
Course subjects include clinical and therapeutic services, community development, organizational planning and social policy analysis. These skills train students to meet the needs of citizens and clients.
The curriculum emphasizes core social work values of service, the importance of human relationships, and social justice and integrity. These skills help social workers find fulfillment in a wide variety of settings, including community mental health clinics and nonprofit organizations.
An online Master of Social Work program prepares students to work in many different settings, including schools. Students must earn an MSW to work in clinical, specialist and advanced practice roles. Social workers often find jobs through online job listings, but networking can boost their chances of finding a job that suits them perfectly. A good networking strategy includes joining a professional organization, such as the National Association of Social Workers or contacting alumni through the school’s alumni association. Another strategy is to apply for post-graduate fellowships. They provide decent pay, give valuable experience and allow graduates to establish connections that can be beneficial for years to come.
When most people think of a social worker, they think of professionals who help individuals, families or groups of individuals work through a specific problem, such as abuse, academic struggles, addiction or mental health issues. These are commonly referred to as micro-level and mezzo-level social workers. But there are also social workers who focus their time at the macro level. These include public policy, administrative and research social workers. These types of social workers look at the “big picture” and try to help society through programs and policies that affect large groups of people.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook from 2016 to 2026 is very promising for social workers, with an anticipated growth of 16 percent. This is more than double the national average for all occupations of 7 percent.
What kind of salary can social workers expect to make after they graduate? Though pay depends greatly upon where a person works, their geographical location, total amount of experience and specializations, among other factors, the following table provides a rough idea of what to expect:
Social Worker Type | 10th percentile | 25th percentile | 50th percentile | 75th percentile | 90th percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Child, family and school social worker | $28,520 | $35,070 | $44,380 | $58,050 | $75,940 |
Healthcare social worker | $33,260 | $42,510 | $54,870 | $67,850 | $81,560 |
Mental health and substance abuse social worker | $27,230 | $33,610 | $43,250 | $57,930 | $76,020 |
Social workers, all other | $34,640 | $44,360 | $61,980 | $76,970 | $86,760 |
Source: BLS (OES)
Students choose an online MSW program to grow careers. But it is also important to network with other social work professionals, organizations, and associations. By getting involved with the organizations, students can interact with other professionals to help students keep up with ongoing changes in the field and open up many career opportunities. Here are some resources that will help online MSW program students:
Reviewing the basics of graduate-level social work programs, as this guide has detailed, is just the beginning. It’s important to continue researching the best online MSW program, tips for the most affordable programs, and ways to ensure a school is offering accredited programs. To learn more about these topics, check out these other resource guides on social work:
Professional Associations in Social Work Students and recent graduates of online master’s in social work programs could benefit from membership in professional organizations, which offer access to research and networking opportunities.
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