Best Master of Social Work Programs
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Social workers play an important role in connecting a vast array of communities and systems with local resources. Their duties may include counseling couples working through relationship issues or helping kids deal with bullying at school. They can also help diagnose and treat mental health issues.
Social work master’s programs qualify you for professional licensure and most clinical social work jobs. Possible careers for graduates with this degree include clinical social worker, community services manager, and psychotherapist. You can work with individuals, couples, and families; advocate for social policies; research social welfare; or become a social program administrator.
This page details master of social work (MSW) programs, social work careers, and the salary potential for different careers in this field.
Featured Online MSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best MSW Programs
The school and/or program descriptions below were drafted using natural language generation technology and have been edited for clarity and accuracy. The data is primarily sourced from government databases such as IPEDS – see sources section for more details.
Tennessee State University
- Nashville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,854
- Out-of-state$20,574
- In-State$9,276
- Out-of-state$19,752
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled7,615
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
Texas A&M University-Commerce
- Commerce, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,790
- Out-of-state$17,060
- In-State$3,630
- Out-of-state$10,992
- Retention Rate58%
- Acceptance Rate60%
- Students Enrolled12,249
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment89%
- AccreditationYes
Stephen F. Austin State University
- Nacogdoches, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,842
- Out-of-state$18,858
- In-State$5,262
- Out-of-state$13,524
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled12,620
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
Boise State University
- Boise, ID
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,532
- Out-of-state$22,452
- In-State$7,110
- Out-of-state$24,030
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled24,069
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- AccreditationYes
Tulane University of Louisiana
- New Orleans, LA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$54,766
- Out-of-state$54,766
- In-State$59,090
- Out-of-state$59,090
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate11%
- Students Enrolled13,927
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
Social Work Master’s Program Overview
Pursuing a master’s degree in social work equips you with a comprehensive understanding of essential skills and knowledge for social work jobs, including counseling approaches, cognitive treatment methods, and clinical assessment techniques. Beyond coursework, you also complete fieldwork, which offers hands-on experience in actual social work settings.
Generally, MSW programs take two years of full-time study. Some social work programs may take less time to complete. For example, if you already have a bachelor of social work (BSW), you may be able to graduate from an MSW program in just one year.
MSW Cost
The cost of an MSW program can vary depending on factors such as institutional prestige, location, and delivery format. In 2020, the average tuition and fees for an MSW was $18,523, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Many social work programs offer financial aid, scholarships, and assistantships to help defray the cost of earning your master’s degree.
Accreditation for MSW Programs
To qualify for social work licensure, you need to earn your MSW from a programmatically accredited school. Many employers only hire candidates with an accredited degree.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) grants programmatic accreditation to MSW degrees. The organization evaluates programs based on curricula, field experience, and faculty. Programs must undergo review regularly to keep their accreditation.
MSW Concentrations
Many social work programs offer concentrations that allow you to tailor your degree to your goals and interests. Common concentrations include:
- Child and family social work
- School social work
- Healthcare social work
- Community and social systems
- Social policy
- Social work administration
Three Types of Social Workers
There are three major types of social workers: macro, direct services, and clinical. We explore these categories below.
1. Macro Social Workers
Macro social workers work with communities, large groups of people, major institutions, and cities. Depending on their position, these social workers may advocate for large-scale social policy change, lobby to change healthcare laws, or organize statewide activist groups. They may also engage in research or work as managers and administrators for community programs.
2. Licensed Clinical Social Workers
Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders. They can offer therapy to individuals, groups, or families. Their workplaces include hospitals, community centers, rehabilitation facilities, and private practices.
The job title for social workers with a clinical social work license varies by state. States may use titles such as LCSW, licensed independent social worker, or licensed independent clinical social worker.
Clinical social workers without a licensecan practice clinical social work under the supervision of an LCSW. They must earn licensure to practice independently.
3. Direct Service Social Workers
Direct service social workers connect individuals with relevant resources and services. They may also provide limited counseling services, but they cannot provide psychotherapy. Depending on their role, these professionals can perform intake screenings, refer clients to relevant services, provide mediation services, and work in case management.
How Much Do Social Workers Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median social worker salary was $58,380 in 2023. Social work salaries depend on factors like location, degree, and industry.
For example, professionals with a master of social work usually earn higher wages than professionals with only a bachelor’s degree in the field. Similarly, clinical social workers generally earn higher salaries than nonclinical social workers.
As with other fields, social workers often see an increase in their earning potential after gaining experience, earning an advanced degree, and/or learning specialized skills.
Social Workers Salary Outlook
Careers in Social Work | Median Annual Salary (2023) |
---|---|
Social and Community Service Managers | $77,030 |
Healthcare Social Workers | $62,940 |
Marriage and Family Therapists | $58,510 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $55,960 |
Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $53,940 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Social Work Master’s Programs
An MSW is a master of social work—a graduate-level degree in social work. In most states, licensed social workers need an MSW.