Best Online Master’s in Social Work MSW

BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN SOCIAL WORK (MSW)
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Find top-ranked online master’s in Social Work (MSW) degree programs for students wanting to qualify for careers as social workers and healthcare administrators.

Top 10 Online MSW – Master of Social Work Degrees

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  1. University of Southern California
  2. Boston University
  3. University of Missouri
  4. Florida State University
  5. Fordham University
  6. University at Buffalo
  7. University of Alabama
  8. University of Kentucky
  9. Bryn Mawr College
  10. University of Houston
  1. Portland State University 98%
  2. University of Maine 96%
  3. Concord University 96%
  4. University of Kentucky 94%
  5. University of Texas at Arlington 93%
  6. Virginia Commonwealth University 93%
  7. University of Alabama at Birmingham 89%
  8. California State University, Northridge 88%
  9. University of Nevada, Reno 88%
  10. Aurora University 86%
  1. University of Central Florida 31 to 1
  2. California State University, Northridge 28 to 1
  3. University of Texas at Arlington 24 to 1
  4. University of Houston 23 to 1
  5. Florida State University 21 to 1
  6. Northern Michigan University 20 to 1
  7. Aurora University 20 to 1
  8. University of Alabama at Birmingham 20 to 1
  9. University of Alabama 20 to 1
  10. University of Louisville 19 to 1
  1. University of Southern California $61,503
  2. Boston University $59,816
  3. Bryn Mawr College $56,320
  4. Fordham University $56,161
  5. Baylor University $50,232
  6. Loyola University Chicago $47,808
  7. Yeshiva University $47,500
  8. Simmons University $43,062
  9. Adelphi University $42,475
  10. Our Lady of the Lake University $29,926
  1. University of Southern California $60,446
  2. Boston University $58,560
  3. Bryn Mawr College $48,328
  4. Adelphi University $43,040
  5. Baylor University $37,674
  6. Yeshiva University $34,800
  7. Fordham University $23,112
  8. Simmons University $21,384
  9. Loyola University Chicago $18,990
  10. Rutgers University–Camden $18,168
  1. Concord University
  2. Our Lady of the Lake University
  3. Aurora University
  4. Saint Leo University
  5. Northern Michigan University
  6. Simmons University
  7. University of Texas at Arlington
  8. Rutgers University–Camden
  9. Adelphi University
  10. University of Alabama at Birmingham
  1. University of Southern California 13%
  2. Boston University 19%
  3. University of Central Florida 36%
  4. Florida State University 37%
  5. Bryn Mawr College 39%
  6. Baylor University 57%
  7. Fordham University 58%
  8. Yeshiva University 63%
  9. Our Lady of the Lake University 66%
  10. University of Houston 66%
  1. Yeshiva University 7 to 1
  2. Bryn Mawr College 8 to 1
  3. University of Southern California 9 to 1
  4. Simmons University 9 to 1
  5. Boston University 10 to 1
  6. Our Lady of the Lake University 11 to 1
  7. Adelphi University 12 to 1
  8. Fordham University 13 to 1
  9. Loyola University Chicago 14 to 1
  10. University at Buffalo 14 to 1
  1. University of Central Florida $4,478
  2. Florida State University $4,640
  3. California State University, Northridge $5,742
  4. University at Buffalo $7,070
  5. University of Nevada, Reno $7,923
  6. Portland State University $8,106
  7. Concord University $8,130
  8. University of Alabama at Birmingham $8,568
  9. University of Houston $8,685
  10. University of Texas at Arlington $9,206
  1. University of Nevada, Reno $5,625
  2. University of Central Florida $6,916
  3. California State University, Northridge $7,176
  4. University of Alabama at Birmingham $8,100
  5. University of Houston $8,713
  6. Concord University $8,730
  7. University of Texas at Arlington $9,015
  8. Florida State University $9,684
  9. University of Maine $9,738
  10. Northern Michigan University $9,792

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Work-MSW Degrees

Pursuing a master’s in social work requires a combination of compassion, professionalism, and hard work.

How long does it take to get a master’s in social work?

This degree, commonly referred to as an MSW, typically consists of about 60 credits, though some programs require as few as 30 credits. Students can pursue this advanced degree either online or in person. Most students will require between two and four years to complete their MSW program.

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What topics do courses cover?

Courses cover topics such as professional ethics, systemic racism, and family therapy. Students may also choose a specialization, like clinical social work, family counseling, child development, or addiction. Additionally, many programs require a thesis and/or a practicum.

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What can you do with a master’s in social work?

The MSW may qualify students for careers as social workers and healthcare administrators.

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Learn more about what you can do with a master’s degree in social work.

Best Online Master's in Social Work-MSW

Median Salaries of Similar Careers in the U.S.

The following graph depicts the average salaries of similar occupations to Healthcare Social Workers in the U.S.

Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Annual Salary
49730Counselors, All Other
53490Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
54880Child, Family, and School Social Workers
57800Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
62310Healthcare Social Workers

30 Best Online Master’s in Social Work - MSW Degree Programs

  1. #1

    University of Southern California

    Los Angeles , CA
    #13 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023 #16 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023 #18 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023 #2 Best Private Colleges in California 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    38K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1435/32

    Online Degrees

    MSW in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 3.5-4.5 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  3. #3

    Boston University

    Boston , MA
    #19 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023 #21 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023 #3 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts 2023 #3 Best Colleges in Massachusetts 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    19%

    Graduation

    89%

    Student body

    32K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1405/32

    Online Degrees

    MSW in Social Work
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  4. #4

    Florida State University

    Tallahassee , FL
    #12 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2023 #24 Most Affordable Graduate Schools Ranked for 2023 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Florida 2023 #2 Best Public Colleges in Florida 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    37%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    41K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1285/29

    Online Degrees

    MSW in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 39-61
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  9. #8

    Loyola University Chicago

    Chicago , IL
    #1 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2023 #5 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees #11 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2023 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Illinois 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $48K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1230/28

    Online Degrees

    MSW in Social Work- Bilingual Spanish
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: 2.5 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  13. #11

    University of Alabama

    Tuscaloosa , AL
    #10 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #1 Best Grad Schools in Alabama 2023 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama 2023 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    35K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1200/27

    Online Degrees

    MSW in Social Work

    Concentrations

    • Children
    • Adolescents and Their Families or Adults and Their Families
    • Required Credits: 42-60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  14. #12

    Aurora University

    Aurora , IL
    #4 Best Online Colleges for Students Who Work Part-Time #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Illinois #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Social Work Degree Programs Ranked for 2023 #15 Best Online MBA Programs in Illinois
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $27K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1060/21

    Online Degrees

    MSW/MPA in Social Work and Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 96
    • Completion time: 4-5 Years
    • Format: Online
    MSW in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 3 Years or less
    • Format: Online
    MSW/MBA in Social Work and Business Management
    • Required Credits: 96
    • Completion time: 4-5 Years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  15. #13

    University of Kentucky

    Lexington , KY
    #14 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #1 Best Grad Schools in Kentucky 2023 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023 #1 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1175/25

    Online Degrees

    MSW in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  19. #16

    Baylor University

    Waco , TX
    #1 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2023 #4 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees #10 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2023 #2 Best Christian Colleges in Texas 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $50K

    Acceptance

    57%

    Graduation

    82%

    Student body

    18K

    Online Degrees

    MSW in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  21. #18

    University of Missouri

    Columbia , MO
    #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri 2023 #1 Best Public Colleges in Missouri 2023 #2 Best Research Universities in Missouri 2023 #2 Best Grad Schools in Missouri 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    26K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1215/26

    Online Degrees

    MSW in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 39
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  22. #19

    University of Louisville

    Louisville , KY
    #2 Best Grad Schools in Kentucky 2023 #2 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2023 #2 Best Colleges in Kentucky 2023 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    17K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1160/24

    Online Degrees

    MS in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MS in Social Work - Advanced Standing
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  23. #20

    University of Central Florida

    Orlando , FL
    #3 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2023 #5 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2023 #19 Most Affordable Graduate Schools Ranked for 2023 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Florida 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    36%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    63K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1250/27

    Online Degrees

    MSW in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  25. #21

    Saint Leo University

    Saint Leo , FL
    #18 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2023 #5 Best Christian Colleges in Florida 2023 #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Florida #3 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Computer Science
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    71%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    9K

    Online Degrees

    MSW in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  31. #26

    University of Alabama at Birmingham

    Birmingham , AL
    #3 Best Grad Schools in Alabama 2023 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama 2023 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023 #3 Best Research Universities in Alabama 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1209/26

    Online Degrees

    MPH in Social Work

    Concentrations

    • Population Health
    • Required Credits: 90
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school

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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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