full-time online msw programs

full-time online master of social work (msw) programs are designed for students who have the bandwidth and resources to attend graduate school on a full-time basis, but do not have access to or want to attend a traditional campus-based program. many full-time online msw programs can be completed in approximately two years, compared with two and a half to four years for part-time programs.

the program cards and tables featured on this page were last updated in january 2021. for the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school. 

for professionals who work in health services and want to expand their career options, earning an msw degree can open the door to advanced careers in the social work field. in the united states, an msw is the social work degree required to become a licensed clinical social worker (lcsw) or a licensed master social worker (lmsw)

earning an msw online is also an option for individuals who are looking to change careers, and want to enter a rewarding and growing profession. based on data from the u.s. bureau of labor statistics (bls), the employment of social workers is expected to grow 7% from 2022 to 2032. the bls reports that this anticipated growth rate is faster than the average for all occupations.

below is a selection of cswe-accredited msw programs. this list is not exhaustive. visit the cswe website for the most up-to-date information accreditation.

structure of full-time online msw programs

students are required to complete about 60 to 66 credit hours to graduate and some programs only have admission at specific times of the year, like the fall. other schools offer full-time programs that have multiple start dates per year.

full-time program curricula often follow one of two formats:

  • four semesters over two years
  • year-round classes over two years: six semesters or eight quarters

programs with year-round classes may have lighter course loads since the credit hours are spread over a greater number of terms.

  • class structure: many full-time online msw programs use a cohort model where students enter and proceed through the program together as a group. depending on the school, students may then have the option to select concentrations or electives during their second year in the program.
  • types of instruction methods: the instruction method used, synchronous (i.e. students are required to be online at specific times for real-time classes) versus asynchronous (i.e. students can log in to view lectures and other class materials at their convenience), varies by program. for some programs, the majority of instruction is synchronous, while for others, the majority of instruction may be asynchronous. some schools also use both methods depending on the class and instructor.
  • field education: students are often required to complete between 900 and 1,200 hours of field education, depending on the program. most programs follow a similar format with students completing four semesters of field education: two internships that are each two semesters long, though other formats exist. many internships take place during normal business hours, monday through friday, with a supervisor present.

due to the course load and field education requirement that students must complete each semester, most full-time programs recommend that students do not work full-time while pursuing their degree. students should be aware that full-time online programs typically have the same standards and curriculum as the campus-based programs, and working full-time while enrolled as a full-time student is not advised.

(this page provides information on traditional standing programs. for students who have already earned a bsw from a cswe-accredited undergraduate program, we have compiled a comprehensive list of schools offering advanced standing online msw programs, complete with program information and admission requirements.)

cswe-accredited full-time online msw programs

the following schools all offer cswe-accredited, full-time online msw programs designed for students who have not already earned a bachelor of social work. on onlinemswprograms.com, we classify any program that requires two or fewer visits to the campus per year as an online program. we do this to avoid any confusion around how schools name their respective programs.

as with all degree programs, admission requirements, and student eligibility are subject to change at any time. students should confirm the information below with an admissions advisor before applying.

arizona state university

watts college of public service and community solutions

master of social work (msw)

tempe, arizona

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 2 years

credits: 60

concentrations:

advanced generalist practice

admission requirements:

  • bachelor’s degree 
  • minimum gpa 3.0
  • official transcripts
  • statement of education and career goals
  • resume
  • three letters of recommendation
  • proof of 240 hours of volunteer or work experience in social services for 6 months in last five years
  • proof of english proficiency
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from arizona state university

boise state university

school of social work

master of social work (msw)

boise, idaho

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1+ years

credits: 37+

concentrations: n/a

admission requirements:

  • bachelor of social work from a cswe accredited school in the last 7 years, or 10 years with significant post-bsw practice experience, for advanced standing applicants 
  • minimum 3.0 gpa 
  • social service practice experience, either paid of volunteer 
  • personal essay 
  • recommendation letters 
  • background check 
  • willingness to understand and abide by nasw code of ethics 
  • interview
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from boise state university

california state university

tseng college

master of social work (msw)

northridge, california

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 2 years

credits: 60

concentrations: n/a

admission requirements:

  • baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
  • undergraduate gpa of at least 2.5, 3.0 for competitive candidates
  • post-baccalaureate work experience for competitive candidates
  • personal statement
  • three letters of recommendation
  • official transcripts
  • toefl scores for non-u.s. degree and internal students
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from california state university

campbellsville university

carver school of social work

master of social work (msw)

campbellsville, kentucky

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: n/a

credits: 30+

concentrations:

clinical practice,  addictions

admission requirements:

  • bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited institution for advanced standing applicants 
  • baccalaureate degree with 15 credit hours of liberal arts education 
  • baccalaureate gpa of 3.0 
  • transcripts from accredited institutions 
  • three letters of recommendation 
  • signed statement of understanding of the social work professional and technical standards 
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from campbellsville university

columbia university

school of social work

master of social work (msw)

new york, new york

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1+ years

credits: 33+

concentrations:

advanced clinical social work, advanced generalist practice and programming, policy practice, social enterprise administration

admission requirements:

  • bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • academic transcripts
  • resume
  • three essay questions
  • three letters of reference
  • toefl scores for non-native english speaking applicants
  • other requirements as outlined for specific tracks
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from columbia university

delaware state university

department of social work

master of social work (msw)

dover, delaware

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: n/a

credits: 30+

concentrations:

advanced generalist practice

admission requirements:

  • bachelor’s degree form an accredited college or university 
  • bachelor’s degree in social work from a cswe-accredited program for advanced standing applicants 
  • minimum gpa of 2.5 cumulative and 3.0 in undergraduate major 
  • personal statement 
  • official transcripts 
  • letters of recommendation 
  • additional requirements for international applicants 
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from delaware state university

edinboro university of pennsylvania

college of science and health professions

master of social work (msw)

edinboro, pennsylvania

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1+ years

credits: 33+

concentrations:

trauma informed practice

admission requirements:

  • bachelor of social work from a cswe-accredited program for advanced standing applicants
  • minimum gpa of 3.0
  • resume
  • two references
  • personal statement
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from edinboro university of pennsylvania

indiana university

school of social work

master of social work (msw)

indianapolis, indiana

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1.5+ years

credits: 41+

concentrations:

clinical and community practice

admission requirements:

  • bachelor of social work from an accredited program earned within the last five years or bsw earned in the last 10 years with social work practice experience or active social work licensure during the last five years – for advanced standing applicants only
  • resume
  • writing sample and statement
  • academic transcripts
  • three letters of recommendations
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from indiana university

louisiana state university

school of social work

master of social work (msw)

baton rouge, louisiana

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1+ years

credits: 33+

concentrations:

child and youth services, gerontology, social work practice in schools, policy and macro practice

admission requirements:

  • bachelor degree from an accredited college or university
  • bachelor of social work degree from a cswe-accredited program earned within the last five years for advanced standing applicants
  • liberal arts undergraduate preparation with at least 12 credits in social and behavioral sciences
  • grade of c or better in an introductory statistics course
  • minimum gpa of 3.0
  • letter of intent
  • resume
  • official transcripts
  • three letters of recommendation
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from louisiana state university

metropolitan state university of denver

department of social work

master of social work (msw)

denver, colorado

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1+ years

credits: 36

concentrations:

children and families, mental health, leadership and management school social work, gerontology, social work in healthcare, children and youth

admission requirements:

  • bachelor degree from a regionally accredited college or university
  • bachelor degree in social work from a cswe-accredited program within the last six years for advanced standing applicants
  • case study and petition for advanced standing required for advanced standing applicants
  • grade of c or better in selected undergraduate liberal arts courses for traditional standing applicants
  • minimum gpa of 3.0
  • personal history form, resume optional
  • three letters of recommendation
  • admissions essay
  • transcripts
  • minimum score of 76 on the internet based toefl for international students
  • additional requirements for international students\”
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from metropolitan state university of denver

morgan state university

school of social work

master of social work (msw)

baltimore, maryland

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1+ years

credits: 30+

concentrations:

urban children, youth & families, addictions

admission requirements:

  • bachelor of social work accredited by the cswe for advanced standing students 
  • official transcripts
  • minimum 3.0 gpa, gpas 2.5-2.9 may be admitted conditionally, traditional standing only 
  • three letters of recommendation 
  • personal background statement 
  • resume 
  • interview 
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from morgan state university

new mexico state university

school of social work

master of social work (msw)

las cruces, new mexico

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 2+ years

credits: 30+

concentrations:

 advanced generalist practice 

admission requirements:

  • for advanced standing applicants: case study, biopsychosocial, and copies of last field final  
  • biology and statistics prerequisite coursework for traditional standing
  •  transcripts 
  • resume 
  • personal statement 
  • three letters of reference 
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from new mexico state university

ohio state university

college of social work

master of social work (msw)

columbus, ohio

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1+ years

credits: 43+

concentrations:

aging and health,  mental health and substance misuse,  child and youth services 

admission requirements:

  • bachelor of social work within the last five years from an accredited college or university
  • grade of “”b”” or higher in social work required courses
  • minimum gpa of 3.0
  • completion of field evaluation/learning agreement from bsw program
  • official transcripts
  • three references
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from ohio state university

samford university

school of public health

master of social work (msw)

birmingham, alabama

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1+ years

credits: 33+

concentrations:

advanced clinical practice

admission requirements:

  • bachelor degree in social work from a cswe-accredited program
  • grade of “b-” or higher for undergraduate social work courses
  • field evaluation
  • minimum gpa of 3.0 or 3.2 during last 60 hours of undergraduate credit
  • if gpa at least 2.8, gre scores required for consideration
  • three letters of reference
  • academic writing sample
  • personal statement
  • toefl scores for american citizens who learned english as a second language
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from samford university

texas state university

school of social work

master of social work (msw)

san marcos, texas

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 2+ years

credits: 36+

concentrations:

advanced practice leadership

admission requirements:

  • bachelor degree from a regionally accredited university
  • bachelor of social work from a cswe-accredited program for advanced standing applicants
  • official transcripts
  • minimum gpa of 3.0
  • resume
  • statement of purpose
  • interview
  • toefl, pte, or ielts scores may be required
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from texas state university

tulane university

school of social work

master of social work (msw)

new orleans, louisiana

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1+ years

credits: 48+

concentrations: n/a

admission requirements:

  • bachelor degree in liberal arts from an accredited college or university 
  • bachelor of social work degree from a cswe-accredited program for advanced standing applicants 
  • minimum gpa of 3.0 
  • grade of  ’b+’ or higher in field practicum for advanced standing applicants 
  • official transcripts 
  • resume 
  • statement of purpose 
  • two letters of recommendation 
  • toefl for applicants whom english is their second language 
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from tulane university

university of alaska, anchorage

school of social work

master of social work (msw)

anchorage, alaska

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1+ years

credits: 34+

concentrations:

advanced generalist practice

admission requirements:

  • bachelor degree from a college or university with regional accreditation 
  • bachelor of social work earned within the last five years from a cswe-accredited program for advanced standing applicants 
  • minimum 3.0 gpa 
  • minimum 3.5 gpa in bsw core courses and grade of ’a’ in field placement courses for advanced standing applicants 
  • human biology and statistics coursework 
  • resume 
  • personal statement 
  • writing sample
  • three letters of reference 
  • official transcripts 
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from university of alaska, anchorage

university of new england

school of social work

master of social work (msw)

portland, maine

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1.3+ years

credits: 35

concentrations: n/a

admission requirements:

  • bachelor’s degree in social work from a cswe-accredited institution within the last seven years
  • minimum gpa of 3.0
  • evidence of experience in the human services field with msw supervisions
  • professional statements
  • resume
  • two letters of recommendation
  • copy of field evaluations
  • official transcripts
  • additional requirements for international admissions
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from university of new england

university of kentucky

college of social work

master of social work (msw)

lexington, kentucky

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1+ years

credits: 30+

concentrations: n/a

admission requirements:

  • bachelor’s degree in any field
  • bachelor’s in social work from a cswe-accredited program for advanced standing applicants
  • minimum gpa of 3.0, 3.5 for social work curriculum for advanced standing applicants
  • resume
  • two letters of recommendation
  • autobiographical personal statement
  • writing sample on an ethical dilemma
  • transcripts
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from university of kentucky

university of louisville

kent school of social work

master of science in social work (mssw)

louisville, kentucky

name of degree: master of science in social work (mssw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1+ years

credits: 30

concentrations:

alcohol and drug counseling, gerontology, mental health, military social work, psychosocial oncology  

admission requirements:

  • bachelor’s degree 
  • bachelor’s degree in social work from a cswe-accredited program earned within the last seven years for advanced standing applicants 
  • official transcripts 
  • three letters of recommendation 
  • essay, additional essay required for advanced standing applying into a specialization 
  • minimum gpa of 3.0 preferred, with 3.25 in social work coursework for advanced standing applicants 
  • resume 
  • copies of practicum evaluation for advanced standing applicants 
  • additional requirements for international applicants 
learn more about the master of science in social work (mssw) from university of louisville

university of new hampshire

college of health and human services

master of social work (msw)

durham, new hampshire

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1.3+ years

credits: 35+

concentrations: n/a

admission requirements:

  • bachelor degree with a liberal arts background from an accredited institution
  • bachelor of social work from a cswe-accredited program earned within the last five years for advanced standing applicants
  • minimum gpa of 3.2 for advanced standing applicants 
  • official transcripts
  • three letters of recommendation
  • personal statement
  • resume
  • two years of full-time experience in the field is strongly recommended
  • additional requirements for international applicants
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from university of new hampshire

university of tennessee at knoxville

college of social work

master of science in social work (mssw)

knoxville, tennessee

name of degree: master of science in social work (mssw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1+ years

credits: 37+

concentrations:

evidence-based interpersonal practice, organizational leadership

admission requirements:

  • bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by regional accrediting agency
  • bachelor of social work accredited by the cswe earned in the last five years for advanced standing applicants
  • completed coursework in social science
  • liberal arts perspective coursework
  • minimum gpa of 2.7, 3.0 preferred, 3.0 gpa required for advanced standing applicants
  • official transcripts
  • personal statement
  • three letters of reference
  • resume
  • additional requirements for international applicants
learn more about the master of science in social work (mssw) from university of tennessee at knoxville

university of texas, arlington

school of social work

master of social work (msw)

arlington, texas

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1+ years

credits: 38+

concentrations:

community and administrative practice, direct practice in aging, direct practice in mental health and substance abuse, direct practice with children and families

admission requirements:

  • bachelor of social work from a cswe-accredited program earned within the last six years
  • minimum gpa of 3.0
  • official transcripts
  • three letters of recommendation for applicants who do not fully meet the other requirements 
  • personal narrative for applicants who do not fully meet the other requirements 
  • toefl or tse scores for applicants whose native language is not english
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from university of texas, arlington

western new mexico university

school of social work

master of social work (msw)

silver city, new mexico

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1+ years

credits: 39+

concentrations: n/a

admission requirements:

  • bachelor degree from an accredited college or university recognized by chea
  • bachelor of social work accredited by the cswe earned in the last eight years for advanced standing applicants
  • minimum gpa of 3.0
  • three letters of reference
  • personal statement
  • resume
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from western new mexico university

yeshiva university

wurzweiler school of social work

master of social work (msw)

new york, new york

name of degree: master of social work (msw)

enrollment type: full-time

length of program: 1.5+ years

credits: 30+

concentrations:

gerontology and palliative care, addictions

admission requirements:

  • bachelor’s degree  
  • bachelor of social work from a cswe-accredited program for advanced standing applicants  
  • minimum gpa of 3.0  
  • final fieldwork evaluation for advanced standing applicants  
  • personal statement  
  • letter of recommendation  
  • official transcripts  
  • additional requirements for international applicants 
learn more about the master of social work (msw) from yeshiva university

last updated january 2024