Best Online Master’s in Social Work Degree Programs

The University of Texas at Arlington boasts 180 degree programs including full-time and part-time online MSW options accredited by the Council of Social Work Education.

UTA offers both non-cohort and cohort tracks, including accelerated options for advanced standing students who have already earned a BSW. Non-cohort plans include web-based and face-to-face components delivered in 16-week courses. Cohort plans feature a fully online curriculum where a group of students progress together via synchronous courses. Learners complete the program requirements in 16-26 months depending on enrollment status and their chosen plan. Students in the accelerated option can complete all coursework in 12 months.

Distance learners pursuing the online MSW may select one of three direct-practice specializations: children and families, mental health and substance abuse, and aging. Currently, admission to the MSW online degree program is restricted to Texas residents.

UTA holds regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The University of Denver offers an MSW online through its Graduate School of Social Work. The school provides two MSW concentration options. A mental health and trauma specialization prepares students for clinical practice that focuses on assessment and advanced interventions. A health and wellness option provides students with integrated approaches to healthcare emphasizing the mind-body connection. Both concentrations promote culturally responsive critical practice.

The traditional MSW track, for students without a BSW, requires 90 credits of coursework. Learners can earn the degree in 21-48 months. Students with a BSW can enroll in the 60-credit advanced standing track, typically completing the requirements in 18-24 months.

In addition to taking asynchronous courses, students participate in live classes a maximum of four hours per week. Although synchronous courses require participation at set times, online students can select from multiple class sessions to best fit their schedules.

The school's online social work programs are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. DU holds regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.

Florida State University has developed part-time, online MSW programs to meet the needs of working professionals. Both the advanced standing MSW program and the traditional option provide a clinically focused curriculum and field placements that lead to Florida state licensure upon graduation.

Students without a BSW can enroll in the 61-credit traditional program. Learners typically complete the degree requirements in three years. A weekend residency is usually scheduled for the second or third semester of the curriculum.

The 39-credit advanced standing option, designed for students who possess a BSW, can be completed in as little as two years. Distance learners take most courses asynchronously, working at their own pace.

The university's online MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education FSU holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Boston University has offered graduate degrees in social work since 1918. In addition to its on-campus programs, the school provides a master's in social work online with two major options. A clinical major prepares students for social work practice and state licensure. A macro practice major focuses on policy and change initiatives in community and organization settings. Both majors emphasize social and economic justice.

Applicants to the program enter one of three tracks. The 65-credit traditional track, for students with a bachelor's degree but no social work experience, can be completed in nine semesters. Students who have acquired at least two years of supervised professional experience may enroll in the 65-credit, nine-semester human service experience track. The advanced standing MSW, an accelerated option for applicants with a BSW, requires 40-43 credits over six semesters.

The course curriculum consists primarily of asynchronous classes. However, students must attend one synchronous class session each week.

The online MSW programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. BU holds regional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Located in the metropolitan Orlando area, the University of Central Florida serves over 68,000 students on campus and online. UCF provides two social work master's programs online. Both options offer concentrations in behavioral health and child welfare services.

The 62-credit MSW, designed specifically for students without a BSW, delivers courses in two seven-week terms each semester. Students with a BSW earned within the last six years can enroll in the 32-credit, advanced standing MSW program.

Learners progress through the degree in cohorts, taking one asynchronous course at a time with the same group of classmates. Students also complete a field experience at a service provider in their local community. Graduates of these programs meet the educational eligibility criteria for Florida state licensure. All online MSW students pay the same tuition rate.

The online MSW programs are accredited by the Council of Social Work Education. UCF holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Rated by U.S. News & World Report as a top public institution, the University of Buffalo boasts more than 125 undergraduate degrees and more than 325 graduate-level programs. Since 2013, UB has offered an online MSW that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

UB's part-time master's in social work offers two tracks: a traditional online program and an advanced standing, accelerated program for students with a BSW. Students can complete the traditional online degree in three years; the advanced MSW program takes 18 months to complete. Both programs feature asynchronous and synchronous course delivery formats.

The curriculum focuses on the intersection of traumatic experiences with human rights violations, in local and global contexts. The program allows students to customize their coursework through a wide variety of elective classes.

UB holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

In 1915, Case Western Reserve University established the first school of social work in the United States. The Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences offers a master of science in social administration (MSSA) online, recognized as equivalent to an MSW program by other universities, employers, and state licensing boards. The MSSA holds accreditation from the Council of Social Work Education.

The Mandel School provides two MSSA options. The 36-credit, advanced standing program awards up to 24 credits to students who have completed a BSW. Full-time, advanced standing students typically complete the degree in two years over six semesters. The traditional track requires 60 credits taken over eight semesters. Online learners may choose from three practice concentrations: children, youth, and families; adult mental health; and community practice for social change.

Students complete all coursework synchronously in live sessions that allow for real-time interaction with faculty and peers. Degree candidates working in a clinical setting can fulfill the program's field experience requirement at their current place of employment.

CWRU holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, Fordham University's Graduate School of Social Service has offered social work programs for more than a century. Students earning the master's degree in social work online complete asynchronous, self-paced coursework through weekly live classes providing real-time feedback from faculty. For local students, Fordham also offers a hybrid MSW combining online courses with on-campus classroom sessions.

Full-time students can complete the 66-credit, traditional online MSW option in two years or take an accelerated 16-month track. Part-time students typically finish the traditional program over 32 months. The advanced standing online MSW for BSW holders permits students to skip foundational coursework and complete their degree in as few as eight months of full-time enrollment.

The MSW online program enables students to focus on one or more practice areas including individuals and families, organizations and communities, evaluation, and policy practice and advocacy. Students complete their fieldwork placements at approved agencies in their local communities.

Fordham holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Established in 1899 in Boston, Massachusetts, Simmons College became Simmons University in 2018. The school's clinically focused online MSW, accredited by the Council of Social Work Education, incorporates a strong emphasis on social justice and multicultural perspectives.

The MSW program provides three tracks. The 65-credit accelerated program provides a fast-paced option that learners can complete in 15 months. Students enrolled in the standard full-time program can complete the curriculum in less than two years. The extended program enables students to spread out their courses over 32 months of part-time study.

Learners can customize the degree and earn certifications in specific practice areas including groups and families, mental health, and trauma. In addition, students may choose to focus on one of four clinical specializations: child and family, trauma and interpersonal violence, mental health and addictions, and health and aging.

Simmons holds regional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education.

The University of New England developed the nation's first asynchronous online MSW program accredited by the Council of Social Work Education. The fully online master's in social work shares the same curriculum as the campus-based degree, preparing its graduates for state licensure in Maine.

UNE offers two tracks with full- or part-time options. The 64-credit traditional MSW consists of 20 courses and two field practicums that students can complete in three years of full-time enrollment or four years of part-time study. For students who possess a BSW, the 35-credit advanced standing track requires 11 courses and one field practicum. Learners typically enroll part time and complete the degree in approximately two years.

Students enrolled in either track may choose from three concentrations. The clinical practice specialization emphasizes advanced practice with individuals, families, and groups in a variety of organizational settings. The community practice option prepares graduates for program development, policy, advocacy, and administrative roles. The integrated practice concentration combines foundational courses from both the clinical and community practice specializations.

UNE holds regional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education.

With programs accredited by the Council of Social Work Education since 1970, the University of Houston administers a 63-credit master of social work through the Graduate College of Social Work. In addition to a campus-based program, UH provides an entirely online MSW and a hybrid program combining web-based and on-campus courses. Both options offer advanced standing for students with a BSW, requiring only 38 credits and reduced field placement hours.

Part-time students in the online MSW program can earn their degree in 30-36 months. Distance learners take most courses asynchronously with some classes featuring synchronous elements. The program offers students two areas of specialized practice. The clinical practice option focuses on intervention, treatment, and assessment in a variety of settings. The macro practice option trains students to work with diverse and vulnerable populations in public and private organizations.

The university is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education. UH holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The University of Alabama School of Social Work offers a primarily online MSW designed especially for working professionals. The program prepares graduates to advocate on behalf of vulnerable populations, emphasizing evidence-based and culturally competent practice.

Applicants to the MSW online program may choose from two program tracks. A 42-credit advanced standing option enables students with a BSW to graduate in 18-24 months. A traditional 60-credit track typically takes full-time students two years to finish, with part-time students requiring approximately four years to fulfill the requirements.

Students can choose from two concentrations under each program track: social work with children, adolescents, and their families; and social work with adults and their families.

Learners in the program take web-based courses along with face-to-face skills labs held at the Tuscaloosa campus on designated Saturdays.

UA holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Through the Tseng College, CSUN offers a full-time MSW online degree based on a community-oriented, urban practice model emphasizing a commitment to social justice and sensitivity to diversity. The program prepares graduates for clinical and supervisory roles in a variety of settings including healthcare facilities and school, government, and community organizations.

Students progress through the 60-credit MSW degree curriculum in a cohort, working on group projects in addition to their individual studies. The degree takes four semesters or 2-3 years to complete, depending on enrollment status. Each semester comprises two sessions, with students taking three classes per session.

The required field practicum provides the guided practice needed to prepare MSW students for employment in advanced social work positions. The program strongly encourages students to participate in field placements in new settings instead of at their current workplace.

The online MSW is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. CSUN holds regional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Located in the Chicago metropolitan area, Aurora University offers several degree-completion programs, master's degrees, and endorsements in completely online formats, including a master's degree in social work online. The program features five distinctive concentrations in faith-based social work, forensic social work, healthcare, leadership administration, and school social work. The school social work concentration leads to a professional educator license. Online students may also pursue MSW/MBA and MSW/MPA dual-degree programs.

Distance learners typically complete the 60-credit online MSW in less than three years. The curriculum consists of self-paced, asynchronous courses delivered in eight-week sessions and 1,050 hours of required fieldwork.

Applicants to the online MSW program must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. In addition to official transcripts, students must also submit a professional resume, personal statement, and two letters of recommendation. AU charges all online students a flat, per-credit tuition rate.

The school's MSW online is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. AU holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Operating under the guidelines of the Council on Social Work Education, Ohio State University boasts the longest continually accredited public social work program in the U.S.

The College of Social Work administers two online MSW program options. The traditional program requires 63 credits and can be completed in two years of full-time study. The 43-credit advanced standing alternative for BSW degree holders requires three semesters of full-time study. Students may enroll part time in either option. The curriculum allows students to select specializations in aging and health, health and substance abuse, child and youth services, and community and social justice.

Students primarily take asynchronous courses, completing assignments during one-week windows. Some classes include a live, synchronous component that provides the opportunity to interact with faculty and other distance learners. Students must complete fieldwork placements. The program's field education office works with over 800 agencies nationwide to place students within a 50-mile radius of their local communities.

Ohio State holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Located in Detroit, Wayne State University established its School of Social Work in 1935. The school offers offers full-time and part-time study programs leading to an online master's in social work, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

The online MSW degree requires a minimum of 60 credits of coursework. The full-time program consists of four semesters including fieldwork. Students who hold a BSW may be admitted with advanced standing and exempted from core classes. The advanced standing MSW requires 38 credits.

The program's core curriculum covers social work practice, human behavior, policy and services, research, and field education. Students select from advanced classes in one of two concentrations: interpersonal practice or innovation in community, policy, and leadership.

WSU holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

The University of North Dakota began offering social work education in 1989, with its MSW program continuously accredited by the Council of Social Work Education since 1993. UND offers two online MSW options: a distance concentration and a distance foundation.

The distance concentration, designed for students with a BSW, requires 36 advanced standing credits and 500 hours of field experience. This concentration takes 1-2 years to complete. Learners with a bachelor's degree in a related field can enter the 60-credit distance foundation option. Part-time students typically need three or more years to finish the program, including the mandatory 950 fieldwork hours.

Classes are synchronous web sessions during evenings or on weekend days, with students advancing through the curriculum in a cohort. The program requires one on-campus residency for advanced standing students and two for traditional students, each lasting 5-6 days.

UND holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Established in 1896, New York-based Adelphi University serves approximately 8,000 students in more than 60 undergraduate and 65 graduate programs. The university offers a master's in social work online designed for working professionals.

The standard MSW and the program for human service professionals each require 64 credits. Most students complete their selected program in three years, taking up to 10 credits each semester. An advanced standing MSW, for students who have earned a BSW, exempts applicants from first-year foundation courses, enabling them to complete all requirements in approximately 15 months.

Adelphi's online MSW uses a blended structure, composed of web-based courses that run from 8-15 weeks and two annual on-campus residencies. Distance-learning components include both synchronous and asynchronous elements, allowing students to fit classes into their work schedules while providing opportunities for classroom interactions online.

Adelphi holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The online MSW is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville has offered social work education since 1942. The master of science in social work (MSSW) degree at UT Knoxville, equivalent to an MSW program, is the state's first and oldest program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Students interested in the online MSSW can select from one of three formats.

The full-time and the part-time extended study programs each require 60 credits. Students can complete the full-time option within two years and the extended study program in three or four years. The 36-credit advanced study program, designed for learners who have a bachelor's in social work, exempts students from foundational classes. Full-time students typically complete this program in one year; part-time learners take two years on average.

The curriculum features both asynchronous and synchronous components. Distance learners may choose a clinical concentration in evidence-based interpersonal practice or a macro-focused concentration in organizational leadership. Students can also pursue specialized certificates in gerontology, school social work licensure, trauma, and veterinary social work.

UT Knoxville holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Our Lady of the Lake University is home to the highly regarded Worden School of Social Service, the oldest school of social work in Texas. Accredited by the Council of Social Work Education, the Worden School offers one of the only MSW programs in the nation with an emphasis on serving the Hispanic community. The university's part-time online MSW caters to working professionals.

Students enroll in one asynchronous course per term in eight-week sessions. OLLU provides two study plans for the degree: a 57-credit foundation MSW for students with undergraduate degrees in fields other than social work, and a 30-credit advanced standing concentration program for BSW holders. Online learners can complete the foundation MSW in a little over three years; students with advanced standing can earn their MSW online in 20 months.

The curriculum also includes a field education component where students gain real-world experience under the guidance of a social work supervisor and faculty liaison.

OLLU holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.