Most Affordable Online Master's in Social Work Programs

IUPUI offers an online master of social work (MSW) that students can complete entirely online. Applicants need a bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited institution. The 60-credit MSW program prepares students for advanced generalist practice in communities, organizations, and societies. The program prepares students for social work licensure and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education

Students complete 30 credits each of core and special practice coursework. The program offers specializations in areas such as mental health, addictions, and telebehavioral health social work. The curriculum includes coursework in diversity, human rights, and social justice; social policy analysis and practice; assessment in mental health and addictions; and community and global theory and practice.

Out-of-state enrollees complete fieldwork requirements locally after securing their program director's approval.

CSUSB's 60-credit online master of social work (MSW) program takes three years to complete. The program prepares students for social work licensure in California and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Applicants need a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Administrators often prioritize applicants with a strong academic background in behavioral and social sciences. However, applicants can possess a degree in any field. Applicants need an undergraduate 3.0 GPA or higher and preferably a full year of professional experience in the field.

The MSW program includes foundation and specialization coursework as well as two years of precepted fieldwork. Students complete at least 20 hours of fieldwork each week for a minimum of 1,080 hours by the end of the program.

Enrollees can specialize in a field such as child welfare or mental health, or work with a specific client population like the elderly or minorities. MSW candidates can also specialize in a social issue such as homelessness, domestic violence, or sexism.

Appalachian's online master of social work (MSW) program accepts applications from graduates of an accredited bachelor of social work program. Applicants need a 3.2 GPA or higher in their undergraduate social work courses and must have earned the degree within seven years of applying. The MSW program prepares students for licensure and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Most students graduate within two years.

The 33-credit MSW curriculum includes courses in advanced social work practice with children and adolescents, community social work practice, leadership in health and human service organizations, and program development and evaluation. MSW candidates can specialize in individuals and families or in community and organizational practice. Courses follow a hybrid delivery system with onsite classes held in the evenings. MSW candidates complete at least 500 practicum hours prior to graduating.

The online master of social work (MSW) program at UA Little Rock accepts applications from Arkansas residents only. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and meets the academic requirement for social work licensure in Arkansas.

Applicants need a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and an overall 3.0 GPA or higher. The 60-credit MSW degree includes 36 credits of foundation and concentration courses and six elective credits. Enrollees complete 18 fieldwork credits, or 1,200 practice hours.

The curriculum includes courses in assessment and differential diagnosis, social welfare policies and services, statistics for social work, and diversity and oppression. Students meet for five synchronous online sessions for each course every semester.

The MSW field coordinator determines appropriate field placements for each enrollee. Whenever possible, students are assigned to locations near their home. Most MSW candidates graduate from the program within three years.

WU offers a 66-credit online master of social work (MSW) degree for applicants with an accredited bachelor's degree in a non-social work field. Full-time enrollees typically graduate in five semesters.

Applicants with a bachelor of social work (BSW) earned within 10 years of applying usually qualify for the advanced-standing MSW program. BSW degree-holders can transfer up to 33 credits toward the MSW, which allows many to graduate in three full-time semesters.

The MSW curriculum includes field education hours. Non-BSW degree-holders complete at least 1,120 hours of fieldwork, while advanced-standing students complete 720 hours. Coursework covers subjects such as social policy and programs, dimensions of professional social work practice, clinical assessment and diagnosis, and qualitative and quantitative social work research.

Students can specialize in school or in healthcare social work or pursue a concurrent degree in law. WU's MSW degree is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and prepares graduates for initial licensure in the field.

UI's online master of social work (MSW) program follows a cohort model of education and has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1951. Applicants need a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with an undergraduate 3.0 GPA or higher. UI currently accepts applications for the 60-credit MSW program only from residents of Iowa and bordering states.

MSW courses follow asynchronous and synchronous delivery formats and require enrollees to meet with other local students at least once each semester. MSW candidates must also attend a summer institute that runs 2-3 days at the university.

The curriculum includes coursework in organization and community practice; discrimination, oppression, and diversity; integrated social work theory and practice; and human behavior in the social environment. MSW candidates complete foundation (27 credits) and advanced classes (33 credits) in addition to fieldwork hours in approved sites within their geographical area.

WKU's online master of social work (MSW) program focuses mostly on non-urban areas that comprise much of Kentucky and neighboring states. The College of Health and Human Services houses the MSW program, which is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The college accepts applications from graduates of an accredited bachelor of social work (BSW) program as well as non-BSW degree-holders.

BSW-trained applicants usually enroll in the 33-credit advanced-standing program, while non-BSW degree-holders pursue the 60-credit traditional program. BSW degree-holders must complete the degree within seven years of applying to the MSW program.

The curriculum includes classes in rural community organization and development, social work clinical assessment and intervention, foundations of social welfare policy, and social work in diverse rural areas. MSW candidates complete fieldwork hours locally after securing their program coordinator's approval.

A liberal arts university steeped in Catholic tradition, Marywood offers a 60-credit online master of social work (MSW) program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Marywood participates in the Child Welfare Education for Leadership program, which means students who work at a county child welfare agency may qualify for tuition reimbursement.

Students begin the program by enrolling in foundation courses, including ethical issues in social work practice, human behavior, and social work research. As students advance in the program, they can choose a specialization by enrolling in electives and completing fieldwork assignments in their preferred practice area. Specializations include behavioral health, administration, or child and family studies.

Program coordinators work with MSW candidates to identify appropriate fieldwork placements within their home region. Students working in a social service agency may be able to complete fieldwork requirements at their workplace.

WVU offers a completely online master of social work (MSW) program through the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. The MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and prepares graduates for licensure in West Virginia. The program only accepts part-time enrollees.

Applicants with an accredited bachelor of social work (BSW) degree earned within eight years of applying to the MSW typically apply for the advanced-standing program. Graduates of a non-BSW program, or individuals who earned the degree more than eight years from the application date, apply for the regular-standing program. Advanced-standing students enroll in 36 credits and complete 600 fieldwork hours. Most learners graduate within two years. Regular-standing enrollees take 60 credits and complete 900 fieldwork hours. Enrollees typically graduate within three years.

The MSW curriculum includes coursework in assessment and diagnosis, practice with families and groups, organizational administration and leadership, and social welfare policy and programs. Students pay in-state tuition regardless of residency.

UMaine offers an online master of social work (MSW) program for state residents and applicants who live in Vermont and New Hampshire. Applicants with an accredited bachelor of social work (BSW) degree enroll in the advanced-standing program, while non-BSW degree-holders can apply to the regular program. The MSW program follows a cohort model of education and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The program meets the academic criteria for social work licensure in Maine.

Advanced-standing enrollees complete 46 credits, 500 field hours, and graduate within two years. Students enrolled in the regular program take 63 credits, 900 field hours, and graduate within three years. While MSW courses typically run asynchronously, some classes include synchronous components that require enrollees to meet online at specific times. The curriculum includes coursework in psychopathology, generalist practice with organizations and communities, social policy, and social work research.

LSU's online master of social work (MSW) program comprises 60 credits for enrollees with an undergraduate degree in a non-social work field. Students complete a generalist year consisting of foundation classes and a specialist year featuring advanced coursework. Graduates of a bachelor of social work (BSW) program qualify for advanced-standing status and enroll only in specialist classes (30 credits). Advanced-standing students can graduate from the program in just 9-12 months.

The MSW offers thesis and non-thesis options and meets the academic requirement for licensure in Louisiana. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Classes follow seven-week asynchronous delivery schedules.

The curriculum includes coursework in social welfare history and policy, human diversity and oppression, differential diagnosis, and community and agency contexts for direct practice. Students complete fieldwork hours locally.

EWU's online master of social work (MSW) program welcomes applications from graduates of an accredited bachelor of social work (BSW) program and non-BSW degree-holders. The MSW follows a cohort model of education and prepares students for the licensure exam in Washington. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Non-BSW degree-holders enroll in a 90-quarter-credit program (60 semester credits) and earn the MSW within two years. BSW graduates enroll in 51 quarter credits (34 semester credits) of advanced coursework only and can complete the program after one year of full-time enrollment. Part-time advanced-standing enrollees typically take 1.5 years to graduate.

MSW candidates enroll in classes in organizational and community practice, social work assessment and practice with individuals and families, human development in contemporary environments, and clinical diagnosis and evidence-based treatments. Students must present a comprehensive research project during their final semester to earn the MSW.

CSUN offers an online master of social work (MSN) program with a focus on urban community practice. The program maintains a generalist approach that trains students to work and deliver services at the micro (individuals/families), mezzo (groups/community), and macro (society/policy) levels. The MSW program meets the educational criteria for state licensure and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Applicants need an accredited bachelor's degree, preferably in the liberal arts, with an undergraduate 3.0 GPA or higher. The program requires applicants to have at least one year of professional experience. The MSW curriculum includes classes in psychosocial assessment and diagnostic formulation; family crisis, trauma, and grief; social work practice in multicultural contexts; and social welfare policy and services. For the program's culminating activity, enrollees submit a research paper and present a poster in a school-sponsored community event.

UB's online master of social work (MSW) program integrates current perspectives on human rights and trauma and prepares graduates for state licensure. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Students with an undergraduate degree in a non-social work field enroll in the traditional 60-credit MSW program. The program admits students on a part-time basis only and takes up to three years (nine semesters) to complete. Bachelor of social work (BSW) degree-holders enroll in the 35-credit, advanced-standing program that takes 1.5 years, or five semesters, to complete.

Some MSW courses include asynchronous and synchronous components, which professors explain at the beginning of each term. Out-of-state enrollees pay resident tuition only if they take all their classes online. The MSW curriculum includes courses in theories of human behavior and development, scientific methods in social work, social welfare policy and history, and diversity and oppression.

The online master of social work (MSW) program at Nazareth prepares graduates for New York state licensure and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Students can pursue two tracks of study. The 60-credit traditional track accepts applications from graduates of an accredited non-social work undergraduate program. Individuals with a bachelor of social work (BSW) degree apply to the 36-credit, advanced-standing track.

Full-time MSW students enrolled in the traditional track typically graduate within two years, or four semesters. Part-time enrollees can take up to three years (with summer enrollment) to complete the program. BSW degree-holders can apply to the advanced-standing program only if they completed their degree within eight years from the application date.

Fieldwork comprises an integral component of the MSW program. Traditional-track students complete 900 hours of fieldwork, while advanced-standing enrollees complete 500 hours. Online students pay the same tuition as in-state residents regardless of residency.