Online MSW Programs: Everything You Need To Know

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Online MSW programs have been popping up at many different schools and universities recently. An MSW is a Master’s of Social Work degree. It is an advanced degree in the social services field, allowing one to become licensed in social work and obtain employment in a variety of places including schools, jails, non-profits, rehab centers, and more.

There are many pros and cons to online MSW  programs. Obviously, the convenience of your courses being accessible at all times, from anywhere in the world, is a huge advantage. However, you also need to remember, you will not be able to talk to your professors in person. Another big issue  with online MSW programs is that they require quite a bit of time in internship and apprenticeship activities. By going to a school which is not local, you may not be able to use their resources to find placement for these activities.

When looking for online MSW programs, look for one which is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The following schools all offer online MSW programs, make sure to do your research to find the best one for you.

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List of Online MSW Programs

St. Leo University

The classes at St. Leo university’s online MSW program are presented live via webcam to students. This program is a full time program which requires students to be available for weekly classes as well as attend a field placement. This is a two-year, 62 credit program. If you already have a Bachelors of Social Work degree, then you may be able to attend their one year, advanced standing program. This year, they have started a slower paced, three year program, for those who cannot keep the pace of the two-year program. All students are required to attend a one weekend on-campus seminar.

The MSW program is only available to students who are residents and physically living in the states of Florida, Georgia, and Virginia.

University of Southern California

The Online MSW program at USC offers several different concentrations. These are: Families and Children, Mental Health, Military Social Work, and Community Organization, Planning and Administration (COPA).

The program offered is identical to the in-person program at USC. The admission standards are the same as well. The only difference is in the tuition. The tuition may be different for on-campus students than for online students. Tuition is currently $1,420 per unit, and the estimated total cost for a student in the MSW program will be between $82,000 and $86,000.

This online MSW program requires the completion of 60 credits. It can be completed in two years full time, to up to four years part time. As part of the program, you will be spending 20 hours per week in a field placement. This can make it difficult to hold down a full time job while studying.

There are no prerequisites to this program. The applicant simply needs a bachelor’s degree and 18 credits in liberal arts coursework.

Many of the courses are offered in a video format. For examples of these videos, click here.

Florida State University

This schools actually offered the very first accredited online MSW program in the country.  This is a 61 credit program which can be completed, full time, in two years. You can choose from a Clinical Social Work Concentration or Social Policy and Administration Concentration.

This online MSW program is asynchronous. This means that you do not have to be available for classes at certain times of day, or certain days of the week. You can study and take the classes when it works best for you.

This program is only for those who have a BSW or who are transferring from an accredited program and have a full year completed. It is also only available in the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Boston University

This online MSW program offers two different programs. One is for people new to the social services profession, which includes two field placements. This is the traditional route. For those who ahve over two years supervised experience in social services, you can elect not to do one of the field placements. This program offers a concentration in Clinical Social Work Practice and a comprehensive, multidisciplinary curriculum for experienced social workers.

University of New England

The University of New England online MSW program offers two options. The first one for students with a BSW-advanced standing, and only a one year program. And, secondly, for those without a BSW, the two year program.

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Do you have any questions about online MSW programs that I didn’t answer? Please ask them in the comments, and I will add it to this article.