Best Online Master’s in Social Work Programs
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Are you ready to discover your college program?
If you want a career in mental health, substance misuse, or social work, you’ll likely need a master’s degree in social work (MSW). Consider an online MSW program if you want the flexibility to continue working while attending school.
Learn more about the top online MSW programs, the factors to consider when choosing a program, and the careers you can pursue after graduation.
Popular Online Social Work Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below
Best Online Master’s in Social Work Programs
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,559
- Out-of-state$15,473
- In-State$8,350
- Out-of-state$19,048
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate49%
- Students Enrolled50,626
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment90%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Edinburg, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,233
- Out-of-state$17,049
- In-State$6,458
- Out-of-state$13,820
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate82%
- Students Enrolled32,441
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
California State University-Northridge
- Northridge, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$16,680
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled40,381
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment98%
- AccreditationYes
The Ohio State University
- Columbus, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,615
- Out-of-state$32,599
- In-State$11,560
- Out-of-state$36,276
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled61,369
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment94%
- AccreditationYes
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,478
- Out-of-state$19,810
- In-State$6,916
- Out-of-state$25,759
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate45%
- Students Enrolled71,881
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment9%
- AccreditationYes
Why Get an Online Master of Social Work Degree?
- An MSW is the minimum degree requirement to practice clinical social work or independently practice generalist social work.
- An MSW offers career opportunities in mental health, substance misuse, and forensic social work.
- MSW graduates make an average of $3,000 more per year than social workers with only a bachelor’s degree, according to Payscale data from June 2023.
- An online degree allows you to study around your work schedule and other commitments.
- An online degree can save you money on housing, transportation, and some on-campus fees.
How Much Does a Master’s in Social Work Cost?
A master’s degree costs around $10,000 to $16,000 for the school year, according to 2023 data from SocialWorkLicensure.org. This figure does not include costs for books and other school supplies, like computers or smart devices, that you may need to complete your coursework.
As an online student, you may save money on transportation and campus-based fees. You can also save money by attending a public rather than a private school. Master’s degrees at public universities cost about $14,000 less per year than private universities, according to the NCES.
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Social Work?
The most in-demand and highest-paying jobs in social work usually require a master’s degree in the field. However, you can become a social and community service manager and make a median salary of $74,240 per with only a bachelor’s degree in social work.
| Social Work Jobs | Median Annual Pay | Job Outlook (2022-2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $56,570 | +15% |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $59,860 | +3% |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,240 | +9% |
| Social Workers | $55,350 | +7% |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $49,710 | +18% |
Common Social Work Concentrations
An MSW opens you up to various specialties in social work once you become licensed to practice in your state. You can work with children, families, victims of crimes, and people with mental health or substance misuse conditions.
Children and Families
A children and families social work concentration examines mental health among children. You learn to assess children, provide early intervention services, and offer clinical treatment for children and families. The concentration emphasizes mental health support, protective factors, and risk factors.
Clinical Social Work
This concentration trains social workers to help people facing mental and emotional challenges. You examine counseling practices, including identifying and evaluating challenges and individual and group treatment approaches. You also explore behavioral issues, professional challenges, and family conflicts. After graduation, you can pursue careers in clinical social work.
Community and Social Systems
A community and social systems concentration focuses on macro-level social welfare organizations. You examine social systems to identify potential improvements or policy needs. You also learn to conduct macro assessments and evaluate social problems. The concentration prepares you for roles in social work policymaking and social welfare institutions.
Forensic Social Work
This concentration covers social work tools to address problems in the legal system. Forensic social workers represent clients within the justice system, acting as consultants or advocates in legal settings. A forensic social work concentration includes training in the criminal justice system and social services.
Master’s in Social Work FAQs
Page last reviewed June 30, 2023. All rankings and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by the TBS Rankings Team.
