Best Online (MSW) Master’s in Social Work Programs of 2023

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• An MSW from an accredited school is a qualifying requirement for licensure as a social worker.
• Getting your MSW doesn't need to take over your life: Online programs are a great choice for people who need a flexible degree program.
• Online MSW students will likely graduate into a rapidly growing job market.

Some folks spend their careers behind a computer screen. But social workers spend their careers elbow-deep in the rawest and most vulnerable moments of other people's lives.

In a world where people feel increasingly disconnected from the suffering of others and helpless in the face of societal problems like poverty, loneliness, oppression, or addiction, social workers are the ones who know what to do.

If you want to be a social worker, you have to have what it takes to fight for people, said MSW student Bridget Washington. I've always known that was my calling. If you see what's wrong in the world and want to use the light inside you to fix some of the darkness, go into social work.

If that sounds like you, all you need is the right training. Check out these top online programs to start earning your degree on your own terms.

Why Should I Get an Online Master of Social Work?

A social work bachelor's degree qualifies you for entry-level positions. But a social work master's degree can prepare you for better opportunities, better pay, and greater impact.

You'll have far fewer opportunities, professionally, without a graduate degree, said Ada Dye, LCSW, MBA.

Read More:

• How to Become a Social Worker
• Clinical vs. Direct Practice Social Work: What's the Difference?

What Are the Best Accredited Online MSW Programs?

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How Much Does an Online Master's Degree Cost?

Read More:

• How Much Does Online College Cost?
• Scholarships for Social Work Majors

How Long Does an Online MSW Program Take?

Without a Bachelor's Degree

If you don't have a bachelor's degree in social work, MSW coursework typically takes about two years of full-time study to complete.

With a Bachelor's Degree

If you do have a bachelor's degree in social work, you may qualify for an accelerated master's program, which often takes 12 months of full-time study to complete.

How Much Money Will I Make With a Master's Degree in Social Work?

As you probably already know, social worker salaries aren't exactly famous for being high-paying compared to the national average.

It's not the most lucrative field, but that's also not why people choose it. This is heart-work, said Kenna Hamm, LMSW. If you want a six-digit starting salary, you're going to be disappointed. But that doesn't mean you'll be financially insecure, either. I love my job, I'm fulfilling my purpose, and I make enough to take care of my family.

Child and family services is the most common field of practice for MSW graduates. Social workers in this field tend to earn lower salaries than those in healthcare or private practice.

Hover over the map to see how much child, family, and school social workers made in your state in 2021:

How to Consider Your ROI

Even though you're probably not pursuing an MSW to get rich, it's still important to consider the return on your investment:

• Will your starting salary cover student loan payments, rent, and groceries?
• Will you be able to meet your life goals, as well as your career goals?

Keep in mind that your ROI can also be influenced by further licensing, which is often compensated at a higher rate, said Melissa Goolsaran, LCSW.

Read More:

• How to Become a Licensed Social Worker
• How to Become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker

What Jobs Can I Get With a Master's Degree in Social Work?

Social work is a vast profession with a ton of job options.

Since earning my MSW, I have worked in an outpatient clinic, a group home, treatment for foster care, schools, a university, and my own private therapy practice, said Wendy B. Pitts, LCSW-C. So: Do your research, decide what you want to do, and take classes that will help you reach that goal.

Here are eight common fields of social work for MSW graduates:

Read More:

• 15 Social Work Jobs
• Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Social Work: What's the Difference

Job Outlook for Social Workers

The job outlook for social workers is strong and growing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 9% job growth for social workers from 2021-2031, which is faster than the average 5% growth rate for all U.S. jobs. Certain specializations have even better projections:

An MSW can also make you more competitive for jobs outside the social work field.

The skills and experience social workers bring to the table are becoming more and more valuable across the board, said Dye. After a decade of practice, I went back to school for an MBA. I wanted to bring my insight as a healthcare social worker to bear on the business side of hospital administration, to see if I could make a bigger systemic impact. And that's exactly what I'm doing.

Read More: Featured MSW Programs

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CSWE Accreditation for Social Work Programs

It's vital that you choose an MSW program that is CSWE-accredited*, for three reasons:

1. Quality Assurance: Accreditation ensures that you are receiving a high-quality education in your field.
2. Professional Standing: A degree in an accredited program is a qualifying requirement for licensure as a social worker.
3. Job Opportunities: Graduates from accredited schools can be confident their training will meet job requirements and standards — giving them more mobility and access to job opportunities nationwide.

*Note: All of the online programs we have ranked on this page are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which is the only accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) for graduate programs in social work.

Social Work Licensing and Certifications

All 50 states and the District of Columbia require social workers to graduate from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and pass a licensure exam. Additional social work requirements vary by state.

Licenses available to MSW graduates include:

• Licensed master of social work
• Licensed master social worker, advanced generalist
• Licensed clinical social worker
• Licensed social worker, administration

Read More:

• How to Prepare for the ASWB Exam
• How to Become a Licensed Social Worker: State-by-State Requirements

Master's in Social Work Curriculum and Continuing Education

Though your MSW coursework will vary depending on your school and specialization, you can expect to take some version of these core classes during your first year:

• Social welfare policy
• Interventions in clinical social work
• Poverty and inequality
• Human behavior in the social environment
• Social work research

In your second year, you'll branch out into more specialized coursework — which will help give you a sense of your preferred area of practice.

Also, keep in mind that most states require social workers to complete continuing education credits to maintain licensure. Check out the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) for more details.

Master's degree-holders who want to land even more advanced clinical positions can pursue a doctoral degree in social work.

Read More: Online Doctorate in Social Work Programs

The Business Side: Preparing for Private Practice

I was lucky to have an instructor in my master's program who had a private practice. She emphasized that we needed to be thinking about the business side of opening our own practice. That means finding out how to get insurance, marketing your business, and networking with people who can help you get things off the ground, said Sue English, MSW, LCSW, CADC.

If your program offers a course on building a private practice, take it. If not, consider getting a few course credits from the business program at your school.

Compassion Fatigue: Awareness and Prevention

We get it: You're fired up. You want to change the world. But social work is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding work. Have you thought about how to prepare yourself for the long haul?

It's so common for social workers to experience compassion fatigue and to feel exploited by the systems they have to operate within, said English. These are problems you need to anticipate and prepare for ahead of time. As you empower your clients to set healthy boundaries and prioritize their own well-being, you must commit to doing the same for yourself.