Best Online Master’s in Social Work Programs
An online master’s degree in social work may be a great option for people who are committed to social justice, family welfare and caring for others. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook from 2014-2024 is projected to increase 12 percent, about double the national average. The social work field can include careers like school social workers, substance abuse counselors, professors and policy makers. Find programs, discover what a typical timeline for an online master’s degree in social work looks like and learn how a master’s degree in social work can help professionals advance their careers and expand their ability to impact others.
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Best Online Master’s in Social Work Degrees
The flexibility of online programs offers prospective master’s in social work students the ability to continue to work in the field and maintain family commitments while obtaining an advanced degree. Because a prolific number of online programs exist, students may be overwhelmed when looking for an online master’s in social work program. Take a look at the rankings list below to help aid your decision-making. The list is based on a number of criteria, including public and not-for-profit status, graduate tuition and fees, student support services, job placement rates and peer-based value.
Students can pursue a master of social work at Western New Mexico University both on campus or online. The program is open to graduate students even if they haven't already earned a BSW. The professors who instruct students are licensed professional social workers. The program, which is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, focuses on the governing principles of social work, including human worth, compassion, service and social justice. Upon graduating, students will be prepared for work in a variety of fields and industries, including corrections, mental health clinics, schools, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, drug-treatment facilities and outpatient clinics.
The master of science in social administration at Case Western Reserve University is offered to graduate students completely online. The degree is equivalent to an MSW, and is recognized by licensing boards, employers, schools and the Council on Social Work Education. The interdisciplinary program incorporates policy, practice, theory, research and advocacy. The program, which is offered through the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Students can choose from two distinct concentrations: direct practice and community practice for social change.
Program outcomes in the University of Southern California's Master of Social Work program is to prepare adults for clinical social work. As they work their way through the studies, students have access to instructional support in the form of academic counselors, writing tutors and mentors. Online and in-person instruction delivery options are available. Study areas in the program are geared toward healthy aging, youth and families, business innovation and organizations and community. Class sizes are small. After enrolling in the program, adults can expect to learn in a seminar based environment.
Graduate students pursuing a master of social work degree can choose to study full time or part time with no required campus visits. The program, which culminates in the same degree as its on-campus counterpart, prepares students to address and mitigate the effects of violence, exploitation, poverty, addiction, social inequity and social injustice as they relate to vulnerable populations. There are two tracks, one of which is designed for students who have already earned a BSW, and one that requires no experience or educational background in social work. Since classes are asynchronous, students are not required to log in at any particular time or on any set schedule.
The online MSW degree has a special focus on advanced clinical practice. The program, which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education, is also available in an accelerated format. Advanced courses explore clinical practice with families and couples, especially as it applies to ethnicity, gender, multiculturalism, the elderly, oppressed groups, and military service members and their families. Students will have to meet once a week for evening webcam classes, and will have to be present for one weekend seminar on campus. The two-year, 63-credit program is designed for students who earned a bachelor's degree in social work within the last five years.
Students who graduate with a master's degree in social work will be prepared to enter the field of clinical social work. Students may apply to the program, which is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, whether or not they have a bachelor's degree in social work. Coursework is centered around the clinical curriculum, which incorporates ecological and empowerment strategies. Since so many at-risk people require both social and legal help, Washburn University offers a dual degree that culminates in both a master of social work degree and a juris doctorate degree.
Students who graduate with a master of social work degree through the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work at the University of Hawaii at Manoa will be prepared to work with both families and individuals, as well as communities, groups and organizations. Students will be able to choose between four fields of service, including health, gerontology, children and families, and behavioral mental health. The program acclimates students with the 10 areas of expertise listed as critical by the Council on Social Work Education. Advisors will help students choose the right classes and help them fulfil their graduation requirements.
Online students may pursue a master of social work degree through the Worden School of Social Service. Active since 1942, the the Worden School was the first in the state of Texas dedicated solely to social work. The first track, which takes two years to complete, is designed for students who have already achieved a bachelor's degree in social work. The second track, which takes just over three years to complete, is intended for students who have an undergraduate degree in something other than social work. Graduates will be able to pursue leadership roles in social service agencies, as well as governmental agencies.
Students who pursue a master of social work online receive the exact same education as students who attend the three campus locations. The program offers concentrations in research, leadership, clinical and macro practice. Students will have opportunities to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting through supervised field placements. Current social workers can pursue specialized study plans, and transfer students and students who already have a bachelor's in social work can choose an accelerated degree path. There are joint degree programs available in several specialties, including divinity, public health, law and psychotherapy.
Distance learners can complete the program primarily online, but once admitted, they must continue the program through the online format unless they receive permission to switch. The first part of the program, which consists of 60 semester hours for everyone except for advanced-standing students, is professional foundation content. Next, they enroll in advanced courses, including elective and concentration courses. Although most full-time students complete the program in four years, students can also pursue the program on a part-time basis. The program includes education placements across the state, and a pre-orientation is designed specifically for distance learners.
Timeline to an Online Social Work Master’s Degree
Applicants for online master’s programs in social work should typically have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. In some cases, master’s programs will accelerate the curriculum for bachelor’s degree holders if they graduated in the field of social work with a high enough GPA. By itself, an online master’s degree in the field may take 18 months to three years to complete. All accredited master’s programs, online and traditional, will likely have a mandatory clinical practicum or fieldwork to complete.
After Your Degree: What to do with a Master’s in Social Work
Graduates of a master’s in social work program typically have a diverse field from which to choose a career. Students who enjoy the classroom and research may follow a path to teaching social work. Those who enjoy working with children may want to work in schools, while others may choose to help people overcome addiction. Below are a few potential career options and their statistics.
Browse Master’s in Social Work Careers
School Social Worker
School and family social workers typically work to provide social services and help to ensure high social and emotional functioning of children and their families. A primary goal of professionals in this field is to help children function at a high level at school and in academics. Professionals may deal with children in abusive settings, may arrange adoptions and may find foster homes. In schools, they are often helping teenagers who face issues like drugs and alcohol, pregnancy and truancy.
Mean Annual Wage: $46,610
Growth Potential: 6%
Substance Abuse Social Worker
Professionals in this niche of the field are usually tasked with treating people with mental, emotional and substance abuse problems. This includes alcohol, tobacco and illegal substances. Social workers in this area will likely use tools like group therapy, intervention, prevention and education as means to help their patients.
Mean Annual Wage: $47,190
Growth Potential: 19%
Social Work Teacher
Social workers may opt to teach students who are heading into the field. Instructors will often work at the post-secondary level in the university or college environment. Teachers are usually responsible for passing on information for the next wave of professionals as well as continuing research to further develop the field.
Mean Annual Wage: $69,030
Growth Potential: 14%
Source: BLS
Core Principles and Skills Learned in an Online Social Work Program
Courses students take during an online master’s in social work program will often differ depending on the concentration. However, there are a few principles and theories that are typically common to all degree programs.
Master’s in Social Work
- Introduction to Social Work: Students are usually introduced to the history of the field and the profession, theory of practice, and professional values and ethics. Other topics may include current issues facing the field and requirements and challenges that practicing social workers face.
- Communication Skills: Social workers are often required to communicate with others. In their master’s courses, students typically learn to engage with patients, listen actively and interview constructively. They are usually expected to understand how to engage with people while maintaining boundaries and a professional demeanor.
- Social Policy, Welfare and Change: Students typically explore the role of social workers in development and implementation of social welfare policies. Other topics may include history of social welfare and programs and policies that address poverty, healthcare and child welfare.
- Psychopathology: Students typically gain an understanding of how to best help their patients. To do this well, they usually learn how patients view and represent themselves and how race, gender, socioeconomic status and other factors influence that representation. With this knowledge, students can design interventions, therapies and solutions for their patients.
Additional Resources
Masters students of social work can utilize additional resources that will help during their time as students and as they transition into the professional arena. Many member-based organizations may offer internship and volunteer opportunities, financial aid and professional development. Some resources often help students determine insurance needs and give policy updates, and many offer discounts for educational materials and national conferences.
American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work
The organization is membership-based and offers regional and national conferences, outreach to new professionals and discounts on industry books and journals.
Clinical Social Work Association
This association works to provide services, products, support and a national identity for professionals in the field of clinical social work. This is a membership-based organization that is dedicated to protecting the interests of licensed professionals. It provides advocacy, representation and free consultative services for legal questions, and discounted comprehensive liability insurance.
Council on Social Work Education
This non-profit organization offers professional education to its members and is major accrediting agency for social work education.
National Association of Social Workers
The largest member-based organization, with 132,000 members in the field, this association focuses on professional development, policy and ethics and has a student center that is committed to financial aid, internships and education.
Social Work Licensure
This state-by-state guide updates students on licensure requirements for their area as well as provides information about master’s degrees in social work and ways to further careers after graduation.
