Best Master's in Social Work (MSW) Programs

Applicants to MSW programs can have a background in any field. However, it is most likely that applicants already have a background in social work or another related social science area. Students with a background in social work are at an advantage, as they can apply to advanced standing tracks in programs and earn their master's degree faster. Students in the social sciences can also be at a slight advantage for programs that require prerequisite courses that are likely to be completed in these fields.

Admissions requirements for social work master's programs vary by school and standard programs versus advanced standing programs. Applicants to MSW programs must have at least a bachelor's degree, and those applying for advanced standing must have a BSW, typically an accredited one. Some programs require prerequisite coursework in areas such as psychology, statistics, and sociology. Students could also need to meet a minimum GPA requirement, which may vary based on the standard track vs. advanced standing track. For example, one school requires students in the standard track to have a 2.7 or higher GPA, while advanced standing students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Application materials for applicants to either track can be similar and may include transcripts, letters of recommendation, an essay/personal statement, or a resume. Some programs require an interview process.

There are several key features of different MSW programs that students should consider when selecting a program. Students can begin the process by examining the different formats of programs and choosing a program that is right for them. Standard programs usually take 2 years or more, while advanced standing programs can be completed faster. Many schools also offer flexible formats to allow students to continue working while earning their degree, such as full-time and part-time formats and weekend or evening courses. Students may also want to compare the additional learning opportunities or unique features of programs, including available focus areas, scholarship options, and practicum experiences.

MSW degree programs commonly have an additional level of accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). While many colleges and universities hold regional accreditation to indicate academic quality and qualify students for financial aid, some programs have subject-specific accreditation. This program-level accreditation that pertains to the field of study is often preferred by employers because it demonstrates that the program has met more rigorous academic standards that pertain to the industry. This means that graduates of these accredited programs are likely well prepared to work careers in the given field. Often, to get into the advanced standing track of a program, students need to have earned a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program.

Standard program MSW degrees require between 60 and 64 credits of coursework and usually take 2 years to complete full-time. Students in advanced standing with their BSW are only required to take between 30 and 32 credits of coursework to finish their master's. This can be completed in as little as 1 year. Coursework for these degree programs may comprise of foundational courses, advanced MSW courses, specialty courses, and/or elective courses. Courses are designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge in theories, methods, and practices, as well as the technical skills needed for the field. Many programs help prepare students for professional licensure and certification in the field of social work. Explore course options in greater detail below.

Social Work Foundational Courses

Core social work courses are often divided into foundation courses and advanced MSW courses. Foundation courses give students a broad overview of human development, research methods, and practice techniques for the field. These courses commonly include practice and practicum courses. The MSW or advanced courses also contain advanced practicum courses, as well as more detailed courses in different areas of social work practice, such as leadership and psychopathology. Throughout the program, students typically complete multiple field placements or practicum experiences, and some programs require a research project of some kind. Other courses for these programs include:

• Human behavior and social environment
• Mental health and psychopathology
• Social work generalist practice
• Social policy
• Ethical issues in social work
• Program evaluation
• Leadership and supervision in social work
• Cultural competency

Social Work Specialist & Elective Courses

While there are some online school social work certificate programs available and certificates in other specialty areas of social work available to students, several MSW programs also provide students the chance to focus their studies. These programs sometimes offer focus areas that can help prepare students for professional certification in a particular area. Depending on the program, students can sometimes pursue a focus in areas such as drug and alcohol, addiction, or clinical social work. Several programs also offer elective courses, sometimes in addition to an area of focus. Electives are also designed to give students a chance to further explore and develop skills in a particular area of social work. Students may be able to choose from courses in areas like:

• Child welfare
• Crisis intervention
• Domestic violence
• School social work
• Medical social work
• Social work with older adults

Licensure & Certification in Social Work

Both clinical and non-clinical positions in social work usually require state licensure. State licensure or certification requirements for non-clinical social workers vary by the state, so students should contact their state's licensure board with any questions. All clinical social workers must obtain a state license. This commonly requires them to hold an MSW and complete a 2-year clinical experience after they graduate. This clinical experience must be supervised to ensure that students are learning and abiding by social work guidelines and requirements. Once these requirements are met, students must then take and pass a clinical exam in order to obtain their license to practice.

As mentioned, students in MSW programs are typically required to take multiple field experience or practicum courses to give them hands-on training and experience in the field. Depending on the program, students may be responsible for finding their own field placements, but this gives them the ability to work in locations and areas of social work that interest them. Some programs require a total of 900 combined practicum hours, which includes the practicum hours in a BSW program or the additional required courses in a standard track MSW program. Students should be aware that sometimes these advanced practicum courses can come with additional fees. Some schools may have grants that can help provide funding to students completing their final practicum experiences in specific settings.

Students wishing to continue their education beyond a master's degree and take on even more advanced leadership- and research-based positions can pursue their Doctor of Social Work (DSW) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work degree. Some of these degree programs are available in an online format, but may require some on-campus residencies. These programs are designed to prepare students for advanced careers in areas such as administration, social policy, social work education, research, and more.

Most graduates with their MSW go on to work as social workers. However, there are many different social work professions in different areas of specialty. Some of these positions may work with the same population of clients but for different steps or events that occur. For instance, there are child protective services social workers, who may remove children from dangerous situations, while there are also foster care social workers who work to find children a safe, temporary home. There are also school social workers, medical social workers, clinical social workers, and more. Social workers can work in diverse settings, including schools, hospitals, clinics, social service agencies, and advocacy organizations. Other specific job titles for graduates with their MSW may include:

• Social and community service manager
• Policy analyst
• Case manager
• Community organizer
• Clinician/therapist

Job Outlook for a Master's in Social Work

Although some growth in the field may be limited by federal, state, or local budgets, in general, the field of social work and social services is expected to grow from 2019 to 2029. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for social workers is 13% during this time period. This is much faster than the national average and equates to 90,700 more positions during the decade. The BLS also reported that mental health and substance abuse social workers will see the largest job outlook from 2019 to 2029 at 17%. Other related careers for graduates with their MSW also have positive job outlooks. For instance, the BLS stated that social and community service managers have a job outlook of 17% from 2019 to 2029. Overall, graduates with their MSW are prepared for a variety of positions, often with advanced leadership responsibilities, which can greatly increase their job prospects.

How to Become a Social Worker

Social workers typically need to have at least a bachelor's degree but some positions or certain types of social workers, such as clinical social workers, require a master's degree in the field. Most, if not all, of these programs require supervised internships, practicum experiences, or other hands-on training in the field. Students aspiring to be clinical social workers need to complete an additional 2 years of supervised experience after earning their master's. All clinical social workers need to obtain state licensure, but other non-clinical social workers are also commonly required to earn licensure or certification in the field.

Social workers can specialize in working with specific populations or in specific industries, such as child and family social workers, healthcare social workers, or school social workers. Overall, social workers aim to help people deal with various problems in their lives. They work to connect clients with various resources, advocate for community resources, establish programs to meet needs, and manage case files. Clinical social workers are qualified to diagnose and help clients work through behavioral, emotional, and mental issues. Per the BLS, social workers made a median annual salary of $50,470 as of 2019.

How to Become a Social and Community Service Manager

Social and community service managers often have a background in social work but may also have a background in areas such as public health, business administration, or public administration. Most of these managers need to have at least a bachelor's degree, but some managers need to have a master's degree. It is also common for social and community service managers to need to have some prior work experience. They may begin their careers as social workers, counselors, or other related positions.

Social and community service managers help administer and oversee various types of programs that aim to address needs in a local community. Managers must first identify needs in the community and then oversee programs and services meant to meet these needs. These professionals are also responsible for determining the effectiveness of programs and making adjustments as needed. Securing funding for programs and ensuring that the public knows about available resources is also part of their job. According to the BLS, as of 2019, social and community service managers made a median annual salary of $67,150.

Funding one's education can feel complicated, but there are several steps that can help simplify the process and help students not pay a lot of money out-of-pocket. Students should always begin by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to check their qualifications for different federal and state loans and grants. Then, students can move on to checking the availability of grants and scholarships from their schools of interest and outside organizations.

In the case of MSW programs, there are many schools that offer social work programs and different forms of financial aid. Some of these awards are based on financial need, merit, or other factors, and some may only be available to students in specific formats of the program, such as on-campus or full-time. In general, these awards can commonly be used towards tuition or other expenses, such as fees and books. A couple of institutions that offer MSW programs and funding options include:

• Spalding University- Spalding University was the recipient of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) Program Grant in 2016. This grant awarded the MSW program with over $1,000,000 in scholarships to be distributed over 5 years. According to Spalding's website, this has allowed the school to provide tuition discounts of up to 50% for many students.
• Boston University- Boston University offers several different scholarship options to on-campus MSW students, but currently does not offer scholarships to online MSW students. On-campus students can compete for scholarships whether they are full-time or part-time students, and awards may range between $400 and $12,000.