Online learning has gained global recognition, enabling individuals to earn their master’s degree from any location. Also, there are several online programs for master’s in social work.
A career in social work assists adults, children, families, and communities to enrich their lives. They protect and support human well-being. These professionals are generally required to pursue specialized education, train in the field, and gain licensure to practice.
Online MSW programs enable students to work toward earning this degree from anywhere. So, if you are an aspiring social worker who wants to earn an MSW degree in social work, this article is for you. You will get to learn about the best online programs for a master’s in social work.
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What Are The Admissions Requirements For Accredited Online Programs For Masters In Social Work?
All universities with master’s in social work have admission requirements. However, they share several commonalities. The average online Master of Social Work requires around 30 to 50 credit hours of study.
If you study full-time, you can earn your degree in just two years. There are also accelerated programs that will let you earn your credentials in a year or less.
The admission requirement for an Online MSW program is that you need to have a bachelor’s degree in social work and meet certain GPA requirements (usually a 2.7 or higher on a scale of 4.0). Additionally, you may need to have related professional or volunteer experience.
Online Programs For Masters In Social Work
Here are some of the best online programs for masters in social work:
1. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
A renowned research institution, the University of South Florida is home to 14 colleges, offering undergraduate, graduate, specialist, and doctoral-level degree programs. It offers some of the best online programs for master’s in social work.
University of South Florida offers a master’s in social work online, and it is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
The 60-credit online master’s in social work program is built upon a core of information on social work practice, followed by an advanced scholarly study in preparation for clinical work.
This program requires applicants to have completed a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) with an overall GPA of 3.0 or a B-. GRE scores are not required.
2. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
A highly reputable private research institution since 1880, The University of Southern California is home to one library arts school, the Dornsife College of Letters, arts, and Sciences, and 22 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools. The school offers some of the best online programs for master’s in social work.
The University of Southern California offers a master’s in social work online program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The program is a 60-unit course that can be completed in either campus-based and some online classes (university of Park campus) or all online classes via the internet (virtual academic center).
The MSW program can be completed in a full-time (four semester) program or part-time/expanded (five or more semesters) program.
The MSW online program curriculum is organized around three specializations. The Children, youth, and Families (CYF) prepares graduates to address the needs of vulnerable children, youth, and families. The coursework focuses on promoting wellness and preventing trauma.
The Adult Mental Health and Wellness (AMHW) curriculum offers coursework in mental health, substance use, integrated primary and healthcare, wellness and recovery, and more. The Social Change and Innovation (SCI) prepares students to lead bold solutions to social problems and provide positive change in businesses and government agencies.
3. UNIVERSITY OF DENVER
The University of Denver is a private research university in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 1864, it is the oldest independent private university in the Rocky Mountain Region of the United States. The university offers some of the best online programs for master’s in social work.
University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work offers a master’s in social work online program, that is consistently ranked among the nation’s top social work graduate programs and offers two completion options: Full-time and part-time.
The school offers two concentration options. A mental health and trauma specialization, this focuses on comprehensive assessment, advanced intervention based on cognitive approaches, and trauma-informed care.
The Health, Equity, and Wellness option covers the history of health, health disparities, and culturally competent social work practice. Each concentration prepares graduates to help people, improve the system, and advance social and racial justice in their community.
The Master’s in Social Work degree program includes an advanced standing option for students who have a BSW degree to complete 60 credits of coursework and students can complete the requirements in 18-24 months.
It also includes a Traditional MSW option for students with a BSW degree to complete 90 credits of coursework. Students can earn the degree in 21-48 months.
The master’s in social work online is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
4. UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
Located in Memphis, Tennessee, The University of Memphis is a public research university founded in 1912. The University boasts a 90% pass rate for graduate programs and has a student satisfaction rate of 65%.
The University of Memphis offers a master’s in social work program in several formats, including Full-time and part-time, extended study, and distance learning.
Except for advanced-standing learners, all MSW students complete 60 credits to earn the degree. Advanced standing learners complete 37 credits.
Note that, the full-time MSW learners are on the ground in daytime classes. All students must be available for a weekday, daytime field placement internship. While Distance learning students need to find their field placement internship.
The MSW program at the University of Memphis offers one specialization: Advanced Practice Across Systems. This specialization focuses on advanced assessment, evidence-based interventions, relationship-building, evaluation of practice, and lifelong professional development.
5. BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Boston University boasts bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctorates, medical, business, and law degrees through 17 schools and three urban campuses. The university offers an online program for a master’s in social work with two specialization options.
A clinical social work option, which prepares students for social work practice, clinical practice, and licensure. A Macro social work, which covers specific learning opportunities, including systems analysis, community assessment, community development, leadership, asset mapping, budgeting and financial management, grassroots fundraising, and many more. This specialization focuses on change in community and organizational settings.
The school offers three options to complete the MSW program: The 65-credit traditional track, for students with a bachelor’s degree but no experience in social work, can be completed in nine semesters.
Applicants who have a minimum of two years of human service experience with weekly supervision may enroll in the 65-credit, nine-semester human service experience track. The advanced standing MSW is an option for applicants with a BSW degree. It requires 40-43 credits over six semesters.
The MSW online program at Boston University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
6. UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND
University of New England (UNE) offers an online program for a master’s in social work that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The program focuses on preparing its graduates for state licensure.
The program is offered under two admission rules with full-time or part-time options. The 64-credit traditional MSW program consists of 20 courses and two field practicums that can be completed in three years of full-time study or four years of part-time study.
For students who have a BSW degree, the 35-credit advanced standing track requires 11 courses and one field practicum. Students can enroll in part-time study and complete the degree in two years.
Students in the University of New England’s Master of Social Work program can choose one of three concentrations: Clinical practice, community practice, and Integrated practice.
7. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
The University of Hoston is a public research university in Texas, offering a completely online MSW degree, a face-to-face program, and a hybrid program that combines web-based and on-campus courses.
A minimum of 51 semesters is required for the MSW degree. All students are required to complete the 15-credit hour foundation semester plus 36 credit hours in the student’s concentration and electives.
Both Hybrid and online enrollment options offer advanced standing for students with a BSW, requiring 38 credits and reduced field placement hours. The full-time MSW program is available only to applicants of the face-to-face enrollment option and can be completed in two years of full-time study.
The part-time MSW program is available in Online and hybrid options and can be completed in three years of part-time study. The university offers two specialization options for its MSW program: Clinical Practice and macro practice.
8. AURORA UNIVERSITY
Ranked among the top private universities, Aurora University boasts more than 55 Undergraduate majors and minors, and a wide variety of master’s degrees.
The school offers several graduate certificates in education and social work and online doctoral degrees in education and social work.
Aurora University offers an online MSW that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The program features six distinctive concentrations in social work, including forensic social work, healthcare, Child warfare social work, Military and veteran social work, leadership administration, and school social work.
The school’s social work concentration will help you strengthen your knowledge in specific areas of the field and will lead to a professional educator license. Students can also pursue a Dual MSW/MBA, or MSW/MPA Dual degree program online.
The MSW program at Aurora University is a 60-credit online program that can be completed in three years.
9. UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
The University of Central Florida offers two online programs for master’s in social work, with both options offering concentrations in mental health and child warfare services.
The MSW program prepares you to become a licensed clinical social worker to provide preventive and therapeutic interventions to enhance human functioning and quality of life.
The University of Central Florida offers several tracks that provide you with the flexibility to best fit your schedules. This includes an advanced standing track for students with a BSW degree, which covers 62 credits and delivers courses in seven-week terms each semester. Students who earned their BSW degree within the last six years can enroll in the advanced standing track.
The online MSW programs are accredited by the Council of Social Work and are devised to provide you with all the requirements for licensure in the state of Florida.
10. UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO
University at Buffalo offers an online MSW program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
The university’s MSW program does not require any time on campus, and the program’s curriculum emphasizes commitment to the promotion of social justice, the protection of human rights, and the necessity of addressing structural oppression, inequities in power, and resources.
The program offers two tracks: a traditional online program and an advanced standing, accelerated program for students with a BSW degree. Students can complete the traditional online program in three years. The advanced MSW degree requires 18 months to complete.
List Of Schools that Offer Online Programs For Masters In Social Work
Below is a list of other schools that offer online programs for masters in social work:
- Fordham University (Bronx)
- Ohio State University (Columbus)
- Our lady of the lake university (San Antonio)
- Rutgers (New Brunswick)
- Simmons College (Boston)
- The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
- The University of Tennessee (Knoxville)
- The University of Texas (Arlington (Arlington)
- University of Central Florida (Orlando)
- University of Illinois (Illinois)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
IS AN ONLINE MSW PROGRAM DIFFICULT
Yes, because no school program/course is without its difficulty, so expect your Master of Social Work to challenge you. Most MSW programs include 60 credits of coursework and 1,000 hours of supervised field experience.
HOW LONG IS THE MASTER'S PROGRAM FOR SOCIAL WORK?
Master's in social work usually requires 1.5 to two years to complete. However, most online programs for master's in social work require one to two years.
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CONCLUSION
To obtain social work licensure, you must first complete a Master of Social Work (MSW), whether through online or physical classes. Online classes help to save time and also provide extensive knowledge. That is why this article has provided some of the best online programs for master’s in social work, and we hope they help you decide.
