What careers are available with an MSW in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is facing a shortage of social service providers, including licensed social workers, to support the needs of its aging population and those dealing with mental health challenges. Between 2023 and 2025, Projections Central projects jobs for healthcare social workers and mental health and substance use social workers in Pennsylvania to grow by 1.4% and 1.7%, respectively — faster than the total projected growth for all jobs in the state (1.1%).

What skills will you learn with an MSW in Pennsylvania?

MSW programs provide training in areas like social work theory, research, and practice; social welfare policy; advocacy; and laws and ethics. You'll acquire the skills needed to assess and intervene with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Programs also include real-world experiences in field placements.

What are the benefits of earning an MSW in Pennsylvania?

Earning an MSW in Pennsylvania broadens your salary and career opportunities, propelling you into advanced social work positions. Earning an MSW is a key step to obtaining licensure as an LCSW, preparing you for clinical practice and higher-paid administrative roles.

Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Pennsylvania

Updated on June 28, 2024

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Interested in getting your MSW in Pennsylvania? This directory of the state’s accredited programs shares what to expect from a master’s program in social work.

Pennsylvania offers CSWE-accredited MSW programs in both traditional campus-based and online formats.
Depending on your educational credentials and program requirements, you may be able to complete an MSW in two years or less.
Pennsylvania ranks among the top five states for the employment of child, family, and school social workers and mental health and substance use social workers.

By earning your MSW, you can become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or licensed social worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania. Our guide to the state’s accredited MSW degrees can help you find a program that fits your personal and professional needs. Learn more about what to expect from a master’s in social work and what you can do once you earn your degree.

Featured Online Social Work Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in Pennsylvania

In most states, you need a degree from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to qualify for a social work license. Pennsylvania offers 16 CSWE-accredited MSW programs.

Pennsylvania MSW Programs
University	Location	Available Concentrations	Enrollment Type
Alvernia University	Reading, PA	Addiction & Mental Health, Advanced Generalist	Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Bryn Mawr College	Bryn Mawr, PA	Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems	Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing Option
Carlow University	Pittsburgh, PA	Clinical or Direct Practice, School Social Work, Macro Social Work	Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year
Eastern University	St. Davids, PA	Advanced Generalist	Full-Time, Online
Kutztown University	Kutztown, PA	Advanced Generalist, Children, Youth, and Families	Full-Time, Part-Time, Online, Advanced Standing Option, Weekends/Evenings
La Salle University	Philadelphia, PA	N/A	Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Weekends/Evening
Lancaster Bible College	Lancaster, PA	Children, Youth, and Families, Clinical or Direct Practice	Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year, Weekends/Evening
Marywood University	Scranton, PA	Advanced Generalist	Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing Option, Weekends/Evenings
Millersville University of Pennsylvania and Shippensburg University Collaborative	Millersville, PA	Advanced Generalist	Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year, Weekends/Evenings
Pennsylvania Western University	Edinboro, PA	Trauma	Full-Time, Part-Time, Online, Advanced Standing Option, Multiple cohorts per year
Slippery Rock University	Slippery Rock, PA	Children, Youth, and Families, Clinical or Direct Practice	Full-Time, Part-Time, Online, Advanced Standing Option, Weekends/Evenings
Temple University	Philadelphia, PA	Clinical or Direct Practice, Macro Social Work	Full-Time, Part-Time, Online, Advanced Standing Option
University of Pennsylvania	Philadelphia, PA	Clinical or Direct Practice, Macro Social Work	Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing Option
University of Pittsburgh	Pittsburgh, PA	Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems	Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing Option
West Chester University	West Chester, PA	Clinical or Direct Practice	Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing Option
Widener University	Chester, PA	Clinical or Direct Practice	Full-Time, Part-Time, Online, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year, Weekends/Evening

What to Expect From an MSW Program in Pennsylvania

If you are considering an MSW in Pennsylvania, 16 CSWE-accredited programs provide several options to help you achieve your career goals and accommodate your personal needs.

You can choose from programs based in major urban centers, like those at the University of Pennsylvania or the University of Pittsburgh, or at schools in smaller towns throughout the state.

In addition to full-time, campus-based programs, several schools provide part-time and online formats designed for students with work or family responsibilities. Pennsylvania offers several advanced-standing MSW degrees for students who have completed their bachelor’s in social work, enabling them to finish their master’s in one year instead of two.

You can also find programs that offer specialty areas aligned with your career interests. For example, you can choose a curriculum that emphasizes direct practice, macro practice, or clinical practice. You can also find concentrations in areas like addiction and mental health.

How to Apply to an MSW Program in Pennsylvania

Because each MSW program sets its own requirements, you should check with your intended school to ensure you have the necessary credentials. However, common requirements include:

A BSW with a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 or a bachelor’s degree in a field related to social work, such as psychology, sociology, or counseling
Official transcripts
A resume or personal statement
An application fee
GRE scores
An interview

What You Can Do With an MSW in Pennsylvania

You must complete an MSW from a CSWE-accredited school to qualify for a social work license in Pennsylvania. The LSW license allows you to practice under the supervision of a more advanced clinical social worker or prepare for licensure in clinical practice. The LSW requires an MSW and a passing score on the master’s examination administered by the Association of Social Work boards.

The LCSW license qualifies you for independent clinical practice without supervision. It requires an MSW, completion of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, and a passing score on the ASWB clinical exam. Both levels of licensure require passing an FBI criminal background check.

Social work salaries vary depending on your employer and specialization. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare social workers and child, family, and school social workers rank among the highest-paid in the U.S. (May 2023). In Pennsylvania, healthcare social workers earn a median salary of $62,200 per year, while child, family, and school social workers make $50,140 annually.

Everything Else You Need to Know About MSW Programs in Pennsylvania

Most MSW programs require two years of full-time study, including field experience requirements. If you pursue an advanced-standing MSW in Pennsylvania after already earning your BSW, you may be able to complete your degree in one year.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed May 8, 2024.

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