Best Master of Social Work Programs of 2025

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.

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.

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.

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.

Many social work programs offer concentrations that allow you to tailor your degree to your goals and interests. Common concentrations include:

There are three major types of social workers: macro, direct services, and clinical. We explore these categories below.

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.

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 license can practice clinical social work under the supervision of an LCSW. They must earn licensure to practice independently.

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.

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.