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About OnlineMSWPrograms.com. OnlineMSWPrograms.com was created to help students find and research online Master of Social Work (MSW) programs. For students who are considering or have already decided to pursue a MSW online, we have everything you need to know about online MSW programs. For professionals who already work in the field or for individuals looking for a career change, a MSW is required to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or a Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW).

*These schools require students to make a limited number of visits to the campus during the program.

(T) = School offers an online MSW program for traditional students

(A) = School offers an online MSW program for advanced standing students

All accredited online MSW programs must meet the same CSWE accreditation standards as campus-based programs. Currently, there are 223 universities with accredited MSW programs and an additional 12 schools that have programs in the candidacy phase of accreditation. Through our research, we have identified 25 schools that offer CSWE accredited MSW programs online and at least 16 schools that offer hybrid MSW programs, which combine online and campus-based instruction.

For students who earned a Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE accredited undergraduate program, some graduate schools offer students the ability to enter an online MSW program as an advanced standing student. Typically, advanced standing students are able to waive the first year of classes which are also known as foundation classes at many institutions. From our research, there are 17 schools that currently offer advanced standing MSW programs online. Most schools offer both degree options; however, some schools only offer an advanced standing program while others only offer a program designed for traditional students (students who do not have a BSW).

When researching online MSW programs, it is important to understand the different delivery methods that are being used by universities and how they impact the student. We classify online programs into two categories: online and hybrid. Online programs are further broken down by whether or not the program requires students to visit the campus during the program. Programs that require students to visit the campus two or less times per year are still classified as online programs on OnlineMSWPrograms.com. As noted above, all online MSW programs have a field education component that requires students to work in a local health services agency during their schooling.

Be Informed. Several online MSW programs have geographic restrictions and do not accept students from all 50 states. Check out our Eligibility and Admission Requirements page for more information.

• Online MSW Programs with Classes 100% Online. As the classification suggests, these programs have classes that are entirely online and do not require students to travel to campus at all during the program. These programs are especially convenient for students who have travel or financial restrictions and cannot be away from their home for any period during the year. Most masters in social work online programs make it a point to ensure that online students have access to the same resources as campus-based students. As mentioned above, all online MSW programs still require students to complete field education at a local health services agency.

• Online MSW Programs with a Campus Requirement. A small subset of schools that offer online masters in social work programs will require students to visit the campus a limited number of times during the program. Based on our research, 6 out of the 25 online MSW programs have this requirement and the campus visits range from one visit, usually for a week or a weekend, during the entire length of the program to one to two times per year. Online programs with a campus requirement are clearly noted on the site.

  For students who want the convenience of online programs, but who would also like to meet and network with classmates and professors face-to-face, this type of program provides that option. In addition, for some students, visiting the campus can help them connect more with the university. However, travel expenses are usually not covered with tuition costs and university fees, so there will be some additional expenses with these types of programs.

The structure of hybrid MSW programs varies widely from institution to institution. Consequently, some of the programs classified as hybrid on OnlineMSWPrograms.com are actually called online programs by the university, even though they use a combination of online and on-site instruction. For simplicity, we have sorted hybrid programs into two basic categories: blended MSW programs and distance education MSW programs.

• Blended MSW Programs. Blended programs typically combine online and on-campus instruction in one of two ways: 1) students take courses online with a limited number of campus visits each semester, or 2) students take a combination of on-campus and online courses during their degree program.

• Distance Education MSW Programs. The term distance education has historically been used as a synonym for online education. However, it appears that the majority of MSW programs which use this term have a similar format. This format involves on-site instruction at an off-site location. In many cases, the off-site location may be another college or university and classes are conducted using interactive television.

In addition to the different delivery methods described above, online MSW programs have different class structures and instruction methods. It is important to understand these differences when researching online degree programs, since they impact how and when students attend classes.

• Cohort Model. The majority of online MSW programs use a cohort model where students are accepted into a specific class of students that proceed through the program together. Schools that employ the cohort model typically have a set schedule of courses that must be followed in a specific order; otherwise, students can get out of sync as they proceed through the program. Programs that use a cohort model may still allow students to take elective courses, but they are typically taken during specific semesters. One of the advantages of the cohort model is that students can become very familiar with their classmates a student’s cohort becomes his or her professional network and support group.

• Flexible Course Scheduling. MSW online programs with flexible course scheduling allow students to choose courses like a traditional undergraduate degree program. Individual courses may still have prerequisites, but there is no set structure where students must take a specific number of courses per session or semester. Schools with this format usually set a limit on the number of years during which students must complete the degree program and graduate. One advantage of flexible scheduling is that students can vary their course load from semester to semester depending on how much time they have to pursue their degree during that time period.

• Synchronous Instruction. Online courses with synchronous instruction require students to log in and attend classes at specific times. Classes are conducted in real-time where students watch lectures and can interact with teachers and classmates. For programs that have synchronous instruction, a web camera is often recommended. Typically, class times are set before the course starts and are included in the syllabus. Programs with synchronous instruction are ideal for students who want a classroom environment, but who cannot attend a traditional on-campus program.

• Asynchronous Instruction. Online courses with asynchronous instruction do not require students to attend classes in real-time. Instead, students can log in and view lectures or other class materials at times that are convenient for them. Classes with asynchronous instruction still have deadlines for assignments and tests that students must meet in order to pass. Programs with asynchronous instruction are ideal for students who do not have set schedules and need the flexibility to view lecture materials at times that work best for them.

For some masters in social work online programs, the type of instruction depends on the professor who is teaching the course. Other programs use exclusively synchronous or asynchronous instruction methods. Independent of the type of instruction method used, most online programs utilize an online environment or course management system where students can find course information, view lectures and submit assignments. In addition, students interact with classmates and teachers through forums or discussion boards.

Students interested in earning a Masters in Social Work online have a variety of options in terms of program length, depending on how much time they have to dedicate to their studies. While some schools offer both full-time and part-time programs, others only offer one option. Most schools that offer full-time programs do not recommend students to work full-time while they pursue their degree. Full-time online programs are demanding due to the combination of coursework and field education, and students who cannot dedicate that much time to the program should consider a part-time option instead.

• Full-Time Programs. A full-time online masters in social work program typically takes approximately two years to complete for traditional standing students and one full year (three semesters) to complete for advanced standing students.

• Part-Time Programs. Traditional part-time programs can take two and a half to four years to complete depending on the structure of the curriculum, while advanced standing programs are typically one and a half to two and a half years. The majority of part-time programs still use the cohort model; students simply take fewer courses per session or semester.

Find Graduate Schools Offering Full-Time or Part-Time Online MSW Programs

Field education, sometimes called a field internship or field practicum, is a key component of all online MSW programs. During field education work, students are placed at a local health services agency where they will work closely with field instructors who mentor them on the practical applications of social work. Field education allows students the opportunity to apply their classroom education to real-world situations in a controlled and supervised environment. All field instructors are required to have earned a MSW and typically have at least two years of experience post graduation, so they can directly relate to MSW students. Local agencies may include (but are not limited to):

• Community organizations
• Addiction treatment centers
• Mental health facilities
• Family counseling centers
• Medical care facilities

Students enrolled in MSW programs must complete a required number of field education hours in order to graduate. For traditional students, field education requirements typically range from 900 to 1,200 hours depending on the program. For students in advanced standing programs, the requirements range from 450 to 900 hours. Online MSW programs typically have set semesters when students complete their field education requirements which vary depending on the length of the program.

The number of hours students spend in field education per week depends on whether they are enrolled in a full-time or part-time program. Students in full-time programs typically need to spend 16 to 20 hours per week to meet the requirements during their two year degree program. The structure of field education in part-time programs is more varied. Since these programs are tend to be longer, there is more time for students to complete the requirement. Typically, part-time students can expect to spend at least one day per week at an agency during semesters where they take field education classes.

Check out our Field Education page for more information about field education placements, internships and practicums.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are two main categories of social workers: direct-service social workers and clinical social workers. Direct-service social workers help people solve everyday problems, from accessing government assistance programs, to adopting a child, to helping people deal with life changing events like losing a job. Clinical social workers diagnose and treat patients who are experiencing behavioral issues like anxiety or depression. They use psychoanalysis and psychotherapy and can treat patients individually or in group sessions.

Both direct-service and clinical social workers are employed in a variety of settings including health services agencies, hospitals and other medical facilities, mental health clinics, and schools. Students interested in specific fields of social work should consider an online MSW program with a concentration that matches their interest. In general, one downside of online MSW programs is that there are fewer concentration options when compared to campus-based programs. However, students still have a variety of concentration options to choose from, including:

• Advanced Generalist (with or without sub-specializations)
• Clinical Social Work Practice
• Administrative Leadership
• Children, Youth and Family Social Work
• Community Organization, Planning and Administration
• Community Social Work
• Mental Health and Adult Social Work

For students interested in clinical social work. licensing requirements are determined by state specific licensing boards; therefore, licensing requirements are different for each state. For some states, it may be necessary to earn a MSW with a clinical concentration; for other states, it may not. Students should review the requirements for their state of residence before deciding on the best online MSW program for them. For states that have specific course requirements, students may be able to complete those requirements by taking additional classes post-graduation.

Check out our online MSW concentrations page for more information about the different concentration options and about the MSW concentrations offered by each university.