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To become a licensed social worker in Rhode Island, you must have a master's in social work (MSW) from an accredited program.
Only one university in the state offers an MSW degree accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Rhode Island students who earn a BSW from Salve Regina University might also get an MSW from the University of Saint Joseph.
Top Online Social Work Degree Programs in Rhode Island
Read on to learn about online social work degree programs in Rhode Island and find out how to join this fast growing field.
1. Rhode Island College (RIC) — Accelerated BSW/MSW
Rhode Island College offers one of the few accelerated BSW/MSW programs in the country. You can graduate with both degrees in as little as five years.
While BSW coursework must be completed on–campus, RIC's MSW program includes asynchronous online classes in a hybrid format.
When you apply for admission into the BSW program, you can also apply for conditional admission into the accelerated program. To stay in the program, you must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 while earning your bachelor's degree.
Undergraduate tuition at RIC starts at $5483 for in–state students. Graduate tuition in your last year is at least $495 per credit hour.
2. Rhode Island College (RIC) — MSW
If you already have a bachelor's degree, you can enroll in Rhode Island College's hybrid MSW program to complete your master's degree mostly online. The hybrid program includes minimal classes that meet at the school's Providence campus on evenings and weekends.
RIC's master of social work program requires the completion of 62 credit hours of coursework.
Graduate tuition at RIC starts at just $495 per credit hour for in–state students.
3. University of Saint Joseph (USJ)
While the University of Saint Joseph is located in Connecticut, the school's MSW program reserves ten seats every year for Salve Regina BSW graduates.
Salve Regina University's BSW program requires on–campus study at the school's Newport campus. Once you earn your BSW degree, you can apply to USJ to take advantage of the school's hybrid online program.
USJ's hybrid program combines asynchronous online courses with minimal on–campus courses that meet on evenings and weekends.
Tuition for USJ's MSW program starts at $957 per credit hour. An advanced standing MSW would cost around $30,000 total.
FAQs about Rhode Island Online Social Work Degrees
Keep reading to discover the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about social work degree programs in Rhode Island.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Social Worker in Rhode Island?
If you start in Rhode Island College's accelerated BSW/MSW program, you can become a licensed social worker in just five years.
For students who already have a bachelor's degree in another discipline, it will take at least two years to earn an MSW.
What Field of Social Worker Pays the Most in Rhode Island?
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists generalist social workers as earning the most in the state, with $84,430 a year on average.
The healthcare field comes in second, paying social workers an average annual salary of $74,110.
Mental health and substance abuse social workers earn the least in Rhode Island, with an average annual salary of $61,640.
How Much Does an Online Social Work Degree Cost in Rhode Island?
While there are no fully online social work degrees in Rhode Island, a hybrid MSW would cost around $30,000 in total.
You can decrease your costs by entering an accelerated program, such as the one offered by Rhode Island College, or choosing a low-cost university in Rhode Island.
What Is the Difference Between a Master's and Bachelor's of Social Work in Rhode Island?
While you might be able to find a job in the social work field with a BSW in Rhode Island, you need an MSW to become licensed.
As a licensed social worker, you qualify for some of the higher paying positions in the field.
Can I Get My Social Work Degree Completely Online in Rhode Island?
No. As of 2023, there are no CSWE–accredited BSW or MSW programs in Rhode Island that are 100% online.
Rhode Island College does offer a hybrid program, so you can complete most of your coursework online, but not all of it.
Find the Right Online Social Work Program in Rhode Island
If you live in Rhode Island and want to become a licensed social worker, our team is here to help. Reach out to Best Accredited Colleges to learn more about online and hybrid social work programs in Rhode Island.
