Have you been dreaming of a career that allows you to make a real difference? If so, then social work might be your perfect fit. Understanding the importance of CSWE-accredited online MSW programs is crucial, as they ensure a quality education that meets the standards set by the Council on Social Work Education.
These programs deliver a top-notch social work education with flexibility. Whether you’re balancing work or family life, you can pursue your passion for helping others on your own schedule. This article explores the best CSWE-accredited MSW programs. Read on to find the perfect fit to launch your social work career.
Article Navigation: Types of CSWE-Accredited Online MSW Programs | CSWE-Accredited Online MSW Programs – 12 Top Schools | Accreditation, Certification and Licensing: Essential Steps for Your Social Work Career | Admission Requirements for MSW Programs | Is Getting an Online CSWE-Accredited MSW Worth It? | Get Started on an Online MSW Program Today!
Types of CSWE-Accredited Online MSW Programs
CSWE-accredited online MSW programs offer different focus areas to cater to your career goals. Here’s a breakdown of the 3 general types.
GetEducated's Picks
- Grand Canyon University Master of Social Work
- University of Kentucky Master of Social Work (Advanced Standing)
- Winthrop University Master of Social Work
Micro Social Work (Clinical Practice)
Focus: Providing direct therapy and counseling services to individuals, families, and groups. Advanced clinical practice plays a crucial role in enhancing the skills necessary for these clinical settings.
Best For: Those interested in working in mental health settings, hospitals, private practice, or with specific populations like children, veterans, or substance abusers.
Learning Outcomes: Develop skills in conducting assessments, creating treatment plans, crisis intervention, and utilizing various therapeutic approaches.
Requirements: May require additional in-person components for clinical practicum hours, depending on the program.
Coursework: Human behavior, psychopathology, evidence-based practice, diagnosis, and treatment modalities.
Macro-Level Social Work
Focus: Working with large-scale systems and institutions to create change on a community or policy level.
Best For: Those passionate about social justice, public policy, community organizing, advocacy, or program development.
Learning Outcomes: Develop skills in research, analysis, program evaluation, grant writing, and influencing social policy.
Requirements: May involve internships or projects with community organizations. In-person components are less common but might be required for specific programs.
Coursework: Social policy, community organizing, program design and evaluation, research methods, and advocacy strategies.
Key Feature: Equips graduates with the tools to address social problems at the systemic level, promoting positive change for entire communities.
Advanced Generalist Track
Focus: Provides a broad foundation in both clinical and macro social work, preparing students for diverse practice settings.
Best For: Those unsure of a specific specialization, wanting flexibility in their career, or aiming for generalist social work positions in various agencies.
Learning Outcomes: Develop a strong understanding of both direct practice methods and systems-level interventions.
Requirements: May include some clinical and macro-focused coursework alongside generalist practice experiences.
Coursework: Blends clinical practice courses (assessment, intervention) with macro-level courses (policy, community organizing)
Key Feature: Offers a versatile skillset applicable to a wider range of social work careers.
By understanding the unique strengths of each specialization, you can choose the CSWE-accredited online MSW program that aligns best with your career aspirations and personal goals.
CSWE-Accredited Online MSW Programs – 11 Top Schools
This list highlights 11 top schools offering accredited Masters of Social Work programs. These are carefully chosen based on a combination of factors including affordability, program prestige, educational quality, and student support services. We hope this information will help you choose the best MSW program online for you. Some of the top schools offer advanced standing programs that allow for faster completion of the MSW degree, potentially in as little as one year.
University of Kentucky – Master of Social Work (Regular & Advanced Tracks)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CSWE
Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $703 per credit hourWhat Makes it Great: UK offers an esteemed program with both standard and fast-track formats. Their online platform provides flexibility for working professionals. Online students can take advantage of in-state rates, no matter where they live. Tuition blocks can save even more on fees.
Need to Know: Admission to the program is competitive. Students being admitted for the standard track need a 3.0 GPA, while advanced track applicants need a 3.5 GPA. Another key point to note is that a GRE isn’t required for entrance to this program. Finally, both tracks require completion of an internship.
Program Structure: The regular track caters to students with any bachelor’s degree, while the advanced track is designed for grads with a CSWE-accredited BSW. Advanced track students can complete their MSW in as little as 1 year, while the traditional track takes 2 years. Both offer concentrations in areas like Child Welfare, Military Social Work, and School Social Work. Start dates are offered throughout the year.
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Master of Social Work (Regular Standing)Winthrop University – Master of Social Work (Regular & Advanced Standing)
Accreditation: CCSACS, CSWE
Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $699 per credit hourWhat Makes it Great: Winthrop boasts a strong reputation for its social work program and offers financial aid options for online students. Their 100% online format is flexible, while still meeting CSWE standards.
Need to Know: Both programs require internship completion. Specifically, students on the regular track should expect 900 hours of supervised field work over 77 weeks. Advanced track students will have already fulfilled some of that, so they will need to complete 660 hours over 56 weeks.
Program Structure: The regular track prepares students for generalist practice, while the advanced track caters to BSW graduates seeking specialization. Start dates are offered in Fall and Spring semesters. Students have dedicated field placement assistance.
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Master of Social WorkCampbellsville University – Master of Social Work (Clinical, Faith-Based, Foundation, Substance Use Disorder, School Social Work)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CSWE
Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $603 per credit hour (in and out of state)What Makes it Great: Campbellsville offers accredited online MSW degree programs catering to students with specific interests. For example, students can choose to focus on clinical practice, addiction treatment, or faith-based work. Advanced track students can complete the program in a year, while students on the standard track can complete the program as soon as 21 months.
Need to Know: MSW programs require a 3.0 GPA, and tuition is the same of in-state residents and non-residents. All programs require 900 hours of internship. In this program, students must find and secure their own field placements.
Program Structure: Campbellsville allows students to tailor their MSW with various specializations. The online social work programs offer start dates during fall, spring, and summer semesters.
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Master of Social WorkAurora University – Master of Social Work (Gerontology, Health Care, Leadership Administration, Military & Veteran Social Work)
Accreditation: HLC, CSWE
Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $618 per credit hourWhat Makes it Great: Aurora University focuses on specializations relevant to contemporary social work needs, like military and veteran social work.
Need to Know: Programs require a 3.0 GPA, statement of purpose, 2 letters of recommendation, and a resume.. All programs require internship completion.
Program Structure: Aurora University’s accredited MSW programs online allow students to specialize in areas of high demand. Start dates are offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. While all coursework is online, students can also expect to complete 1,050 hours of supervised fieldwork during the course of their MSW.
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Master of Social WorkFairleigh Dickinson University – Master of Social Work (Advanced or Traditional Track)
Accreditation: MSCHE, CSWE
Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $891 per credit hourWhat Makes it Great: FDU’s fully self-paced online program offers maximum flexibility for busy professionals. Their curriculum emphasizes social and economic justice and human rights.
Need to Know: FDU offers an advanced generalist MSW program. No prior BSW is required for the traditional track, and incoming students need a 2.75 GPA. Advanced track students with a Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program and a 3.0 GPA can complete this degree in just 30 credit-hours.
Program Structure: The program equips graduates with a broad foundation in social work practice across diverse settings. Start dates are offered throughout the year.
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Master of Social WorkUniversity of West Florida – Master of Social Work (Traditional or Advanced Track)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CSWE
Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $450 per credit hourWhat Makes it Great: UWF’s online MSW program is known for its affordability and strong focus on social justice and advocacy. At just $450 per credit hour, it’s one of the most affordable online MSW programs.
Need to Know: This is a clinically-focused MSW program, preparing grads for practice as an LCSW. Both traditional and Advanced track candidates need a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission to the program. In similar fashion to most of the online MSW programs on the list, candidates with a BSW can enter into the Advanced Track and complete the program in 30 credit hours. Meanwhile, the traditional track consists of 60 credit-hours.
Program Structure: The program prepares graduates for clinical practice. Students, will engage in practice with individuals, families, and groups. Start dates are offered in Fall, Spring, or summer semesters.
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Master of Social WorkCarlow University – Master of Social Work (Direct Practice, Macro Practice, MSW/MBA Dual Degree) Track
Accreditation: MSCHE, CSWE
Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $650 per credit hourWhat Makes it Great: Carlow University offers accredited online MSW programs with the option to specialize in direct practice, or macro practice. In addition, they even offer an MSW/MBA dual degree that provides valuable skills like grant writing and project management.
Need to Know: Carlow’s programs use a trauma-informed lens to prepare grads for future advanced-level social work practice. Advanced standing students (those with a BSW) can complete their program in just 39 credit-hours, while the regular tracks consists of 60 credit-hours. The MSW/MBA dual degree requires a slightly longer commitment, between 63-84 credit hours. Those holding a BSW will fall on the lower end of the range. All candidates need to have a 3.0 GPA for admission to either program, letters of recommendation, a personal essay, and resume.
Program Structure: Carlow University offers an MSW program with opportunities to focus on specific areas through elective coursework. These degrees have start dates in fall, spring and summer semesters.
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Master of Social WorkOur Lady of the Lake University – Master of Social Work (Traditional or Advanced Track)
Accreditation: SACSCOC, CSWE
Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $981 per credit-hourWhat Makes it Great: Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU), a private Catholic university, boasts the first graduate-level social work program in Texas and offers a strong focus on serving Hispanic/Latino communities.
Need to Know: OLLU offers separate tracks for students with (Advanced Standing) and without (Foundation) a BSW. Both require completion of a field placement, and a 3.0 GPA for admission.
Program Structure: The Advanced Standing program requires 500 hours of supervised field work, while the Foundation program requires a total of 950 hours of supervised field work for those new to social work. Start dates are offered throughout the year.
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Master of Social WorkGrand Canyon University – Master of Social Work
Accreditation: HLC, CSWE
Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $590 per credit hourWhat Makes it Great: Grand Canyon University offers a faith-based perspective on social work, while still maintaining a CSWE-accredited program in its advanced generalist MSW.
Need to Know: National tuition rates apply, regardless of location. The program is specifically for undergrads from other majors besides social work. For instance, field instruction credits don’t transfer, and social work students cannot repeat material, so this program isn’t ideal for BSW grads.
Program Structure: Grand Canyon University’s MSW program puts an emphasis on Christian values and social work ethics. Most courses range between 4 and 8 weeks in length. 240 hours of field instruction are included in each of the programs 4 semesters, so students can fulfill licensure requirements. Start dates are offered on a rolling basis throughout the year.
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Master of Social WorkSt. Mary’s University of Minnesota – Master of Social Work (Traditional or Advanced Track)
Accreditation: HLC, CSWE
Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $895 per credit-hourWhat Makes it Great: St. Mary’s University’s accredited MSW online offers a small class size and personalized approach to online learning, ideal for students interested in seeking a more intimate learning environment.
Need to Know: SMUM offers both traditional and advanced standing tracks. The advanced standing track, for students with a BSW, is 30 credit-hours, while the traditional track is 60. Full-time students can complete the programs in 3 or 5 semesters, respectively.
Program Structure: The program equips graduates with generalist social work skills while allowing some specialization through electives. Start dates are offered in Fall and Spring semesters.
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Master of Social WorkSacred Heart University – Master of Social Work (Traditional or Advanced Track)
Accreditation: NECHE, CSWE
Tuition (In-State & Out-of-State): $840 per credit hourWhat Makes it Great: Sacred Heart University is a private Catholic university based in Connecticut. Its CSWE-accredited MSW program emphasizes social justice and advocacy, preparing graduates to be effective change agents.
Need to Know: The program is open to students with a BSW (Advanced Standing), or from other majors (traditional track). Both tracks require a 3.0 GPA, letters of recommendation, personal essay, and a resume. Students can choose to specialize in direct clinical practice or direct community practice. Advanced track students will complete 500 hours of field work in their chosen area, while those on the regular track will complete 500 hours of field work in both generalist and specialized fields.
Program Structure: The program equips graduates with generalist social work skills while fostering a strong sense of social justice and advocacy. This program only enrolls new students in the fall semester.
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Master of Social Work
Accreditation, Certification and Licensing: Essential Steps for Your Social Work Career
Before diving into the rewarding world of social work, understanding accreditation, certification, and licensing is crucial for building a successful and legally compliant career. It’s important to recognize that both online CSWE accredited programs and their on-campus counterparts equally meet the stringent licensure requirements, ensuring that students are well-prepared for professional roles in social work.
Why CSWE Accreditation Matters
To emphasize, getting your MSW from a CSWE-accredited program is the first step toward a career in social work. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the national accrediting body for social work education programs in the United States. Besides ensuring that the program meets rigorous standards, CSWE-accreditation is required to sit for most state board exams.
To sum up, CSWE-accreditation:
- Fulfills licensure requirements: In most cases, states require social workers to hold a degree from a CSWE-accredited program to be eligible for licensure.
- Ensures quality education: CSWE accreditation signifies a program that provides a strong foundation in social work knowledge, skills, and ethics.
- Enhances career opportunities: All in all, employers prioritize candidates with degrees from CSWE-accredited programs.
Beyond Accreditation: Certification and Licensure
While a CSWE-accredited MSW equips you with the necessary foundation, some social workers may choose to pursue additional certifications or licensure to further specialize and advance their careers.
Certification: Certain social work specializations offer voluntary certifications demonstrating advanced knowledge and skills in specific areas like gerontology, child welfare, or school social work. Certification requirements vary by organization but often involve additional education, experience, and passing an exam.
Licensure: While obtaining a social work license is required for independent practice in most states, the path to clinical social work licensure involves additional hurdles. Licensure requirements vary by state but typically involve passing a national exam, meeting specific education and experience benchmarks, often focused on clinical practice. CSWE accreditation remains a prerequisite for licensure in most states, ensuring your social work education meets the rigorous standards for clinical practice.
Admission Requirements for Online MSW Programs
Admission requirements for CSWE-accredited online MSW programs can vary slightly, but some common threads exist. Most programs require a bachelor’s degree, transcripts, a statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation.
Advanced Track MSWs are offered to those who’ve graduated from an accredited Bachelor of Social Work program (BSW). Advanced track students have already completed many of the core courses and supervised clinical hours during their BSW. Because of that, they can complete their MSW in just another year or so.
Minimum GPA requirements are often 3.0, though some schools offer flexibility for applicants with strong experience.
GetEducated's Picks
- Grand Canyon University Bachelor of Social Work
- Our Lady of the Lake University Bachelor of Social Work
- King University Bachelor of Social Work
Is Getting an Online CSWE-Accredited MSW Worth It?
An online CSWE-accredited MSW can be a valuable investment for those seeking a rewarding career in social work. This degree opens doors to diverse career paths, strong earning potential, and the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives. The increase in online degree programs across the United States, including online master programs in social work, has made this valuable education more accessible than ever.
Social work degree programs offer a variety of options that ensure the quality and relevance of your education.
Careers With a CSWE-Accredited MSW:
Clinical Social Workers: Provide therapy and counseling services in various settings, including hospitals, mental health clinics, and private practice. The median salary for this job is $73,701, with a faster than average job growth of 19%. While the demand is high in most cities and suburbs, California, Washington D.C. and Texas have the highest median salaries.
School Social Workers: Support the academic, social, and emotional well-being of students within the school environment. Their median Salary is $70,070 and the job growth outlook is 5%, which is about average. Elementary and Secondary Schools are the main employers nationwide, with the highest paid school social workers in Washington D.C., New York and New Jersey.
Medical Social Workers: Assist patients and families in navigating healthcare systems, addressing psychosocial issues related to illness. Their median salary is $62,940. This career is growning faster than average at 14%. Medical social workers are in demand in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. The highest-paying states are California, Washington D.C. and Oregon.
Child, Youth, and Family Social Worker: Work with families and children facing challenges like abuse, neglect, and poverty. Salary Range: $35-$85k, Median: $53,940, High: $82,000+ Outlook: Growing faster than average (14%) High Demand: Child welfare agencies, community centers.
Substance Abuse Counselor: Evaluate and provide care for individuals dealing with mental, emotional, or substance abuse issues, such as alcohol, tobacco, or drug abuse. Services may involve individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client support, prevention, and educational programs. The median salary for this position is $55,960. Job growth is slightly above-average at 7%. Treatment centers, hospitals and clinic employ substance abuse counselors, with the highest demand in urban areas. The top-paying states are New York, California and Connecticut.
Career Advancement
An MSW degree provides a strong foundation for career advancement in social work. Here are some possibilities:
- Supervision: In time, social workers can pursue licensure and qualify to supervise new professionals.
- Management: MSW graduates with leadership skills can move into management positions within social service agencies.
- Private Practice: Licensed social workers can establish private practices and offer therapy or counseling services directly to clients.
- Policy and Advocacy: Social workers with a passion for macro-level change can pursue careers in policy development or advocacy work.
Other Career Considerations
Salaries and job growth can vary depending on location. Generally, urban and suburban areas with higher costs of living tend to offer higher salaries for social workers. Certain regions with high concentrations of social needs or underserved populations may also experience higher job demand.
One of the effects of increased demand is that there aren’t enough new social workers entering the field to keep up with the need for services. This is especially true in rural areas, where populations have become increasingly underserved. Consequently, many states are using federal grant money to put more social workers in schools, hospitals, and mental health settings. So, what does it all mean? It means that an accredited MSW online program is a worthwhile investment if you want a meaningful career path that’s highly valued and needed in today’s society.
Get Started on an Online MSW Program Today!
Ready to embark on a journey of helping others while building a fulfilling career? Completing a CSWE-accredited MSW program online equips you with the knowledge, skills, and flexibility to make a real difference. With a growing demand for qualified social workers and diverse career paths to explore, now is the perfect time to take the first step. Research the programs highlighted here, find the perfect fit for your goals, and invest in your future – and the future of those you’ll serve. The opportunity to make a lasting impact awaits!