last updated: june 2020
advanced standing msw programs online are designed for students who have earned a bachelor of social work (bsw) from a degree program that’s been accredited by the council on social work education (cswe). admission requirements vary from program to program, and advanced standing online msw programs are often competitive. prospective students may want to consider applying to more than one program to increase their chances of acceptance.
| university and program name | study length | enrollment type | field placement support |
|---|---|---|---|
|
university of denver
master of social work (msw) sponsored | as few as 12 months | full-time part-time | support available |
|
fordham university
master of social work (msw) sponsored | as few as 8 months | full-time part-time | support available |
|
hawai'i pacific university
master of social work sponsored | 12-24 months | full-time and part-time | n/a |
|
simmons university
master of social work (msw) sponsored | as few as 9 months | full-time part-time | support available |
|
howard university
master of social work (msw) sponsored | as few as 12 months | full-time and part-time | n/a |
|
syracuse university
master of social work (msw) sponsored | as few as 24 months | n/a | support available |
|
case western reserve university
master of social work (msw) sponsored | as few as a year and a half | part-time | support available |
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online programs must meet the same cswe-accreditation standards as their campus-based counterparts. however, the definition of what can be called an “online” degree program may vary. onlinemswprograms.com classifies any program that requires a student to visit the campus no more than twice a year as an online program.
definition of advanced standing msw
advanced standing msw is a recognition of successful completion of an undergraduate social work degree program (bsw). because it builds on previous studies, advanced standing msw programs may take less time than a traditional msw program.
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: part-time
length of program: 1.25 years
credits: 32
concentrations:health across the lifespan
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time and part-time
length of program: 1+ years
credits: 37
concentrations: n/aadmission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: part-time
length of program: 2 years
credits: 43
concentrations:macro practice, clinical practice
admission requirements:
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:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time and part-time
length of program: n/a
credits: 44+ quarter credits
concentrations:clinical practice, leadership and supervision, human services
admission requirements:
lead lasting change in your community. with no gre required, you can earn a cswe-accredited master of social work online through case western reserve university’s top-10 ranked school of social work1 and prepare to pursue licensure. the online program curriculum offers three paths of study: children, youth and families; community practice for social change; and mental health with adults.
1u.s. news and world report, case western reserve university’s graduate school rankings, ranked in 2022
enrollment type: part-time
length of program: as few as a year and a half
credits: 39
children, youth, and families, mental health with adults, community practice for social change
admission requirements:
sponsored
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time
length of program: 1 year
credits: 33+
concentrations:advanced clinical social work, advanced generalist practice and programming, policy practice, social enterprise administration
admission requirements:
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:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time
length of program: 1 year
credits: 33+
concentrations:trauma informed practice
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: part-time
length of program: 2+ years
credits: 31+
concentrations: n/aadmission requirements:
onlinemsw@fordham is the online master of social work program from the top-ranked fordham university graduate school of social service. designed for aspiring practitioners who want to help individuals and communities thrive, the program offers an integrated, future-focused curriculum with four inter-professional competency areas: individuals and families, organizations and community, evaluation, and policy practice and advocacy.
enrollment type: full-time
length of program: as few as 8 months
credits: 33
individual and families, organizations and community practice, evaluation, policy practice and advocacy
admission requirements:
sponsored
the online master of social work prepares aspiring social work leaders to develop a multicultural social work practice, advocate for social and economic justice, and empower diverse communities affected by systemic inequities within civilian and military-focused areas.
enrollment type: full-time and part-time
length of program: 12-24 months
credits: 30
military and veterans affairs, child or adult protective services, health care, mental health, individual and families, social agency administration
admission requirements:
sponsored
earn your master of social work (msw) online from the howard university school of social. choose the advanced standing msw track, designed for students who hold a bachelor of social work. community, administration and policy (cap) and direct practice concentrations are available.
enrollment type: full-time and part-time
length of program: as few as 12 months
credits: 45+
direct practice, community, administration and policy (cap) practice
admission requirements:
sponsored
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: part-time
length of program: 2 years
credits: 36+
concentrations: n/aadmission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time and part-time
length of program: 1.5+ years
credits: 41
concentrations:clinical and community practice
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time and part-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:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time
length of program: 1 year
credits: 30
concentrations:urban children, youth & families, addictions
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time and part-time
length of program: 1+ years
credits: 43
concentrations:aging and health, mental health and substance misuse, child and youth services
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time and part-time
length of program: 1+ years
credits: 30
concentrations: n/aadmission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time
length of program: 1+ years
credits: 46
concentrations:practice and leadership with communities and organizations, advanced clinical practice
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time and part-time
length of program: 1+ years
credits: 39
concentrations:clinical social work
admission requirements:
aspiring clinical social workers can earn their master of social work degree online from simmons university in as few as 9 months. the program prepares students to pursue employment in direct practice settings nationwide. students may choose from three certificates: trauma practice, mental health practice, or clinical practice with active service members, veterans, and families.
enrollment type: full-time
length of program: as few as 9 months
credits: 37
admission requirements:
sponsored
syracuse university’s cswe-accredited online master of social work program is preparing the next generation of social work leaders through an emphasis on digital innovation and social justice. no gre scores are required to apply, and the program offers traditional and advanced standing tracks.
length of program: as few as 24 months
credits: 36
advanced integrated practice, advanced clinical practice
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time and part-time
length of program: 2 years
credits: 36
concentrations:advanced practice leadership
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time and part-time
length of program: less than 1 year
credits: 30
concentrations:clinical social work
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time and part-time
length of program: 1+ years
credits: 48
concentrations: n/aadmission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: part-time
length of program: 1.5 years
credits: 35
concentrations: n/aadmission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time and part-time
length of program: 1+ years
credits: 34
concentrations:advanced generalist practice
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: part-time
length of program: n/a
credits: 32
concentrations: n/aadmission requirements:
the graduate school of social work (gssw) at the university of denver offers a 54-credit online program that can be completed in as few as 12 months—the online advanced-standing msw program: msw@denver—to students who have earned a bachelor of social work (bsw) from a regionally accredited school at any point in time. students in the online advanced-standing msw program will bypass the foundational coursework already completed during their bsw and choose a customizable pathway option—mental health and trauma or health, equity and wellness.
enrollment type: full-time
length of program: as few as 12 months
credits: 54 graduate level credits
mental health and trauma, health, equity and wellness
admission requirements:
sponsored
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: part-time
length of program: 2 years
credits: 39
concentrations:clinical practice, macro practice
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: part-time
length of program: 1.5 years
credits: 36
concentrations:clinical practice, leadership
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time
length of program: 1 year
credits: 30
concentrations: n/aadmission requirements:
name of degree: master of science in social work (mssw)
enrollment type: full-time and part-time
length of program: 1+ years
credits: 30
concentrations:alcohol and drug counseling, gerontology, mental health, military social work, psychosocial oncology
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: part-time
length of program: 2 years
credits: 39
concentrations:advanced clinical practice, planning and administration
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time
length of program: 1.25 years
credits: 30
concentrations:advanced generalist practice
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time
length of program: 1.3 years
credits: 35
concentrations: n/aadmission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time
length of program: 1+ years
credits: 36
concentrations: n/aadmission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: part-time
length of program: 2+ years
credits: 37
concentrations:trauma informed practice
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time and part-time
length of program: n/a
credits: 35
concentrations: n/aadmission requirements:
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:
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 with children and families
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of science in social work (mssw)
enrollment type: full-time
length of program: 1 year
credits: 33
concentrations:administrative and community practice, direct practice with latino individuals, families and groups
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: part-time
length of program: 2 years
credits: 36
concentrations:advanced integrated practice
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time
length of program: n/a
credits: 33+
concentrations: n/aadmission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time
length of program: 1+ years
credits: 39
concentrations:name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time
length of program: 1+ years
credits: 39
concentrations:name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: part-time
length of program: 2 years
credits: 36
concentrations:clinical social work
admission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: part-time
length of program: 2 years
credits: 39
concentrations: n/aadmission requirements:
name of degree: master of social work (msw)
enrollment type: full-time and part-time
length of program: 1.5+ years
credits: 30
concentrations:gerontology and palliative care, addictions
admission requirements:
candidates interested in online courses can learn about earning an advanced standing msw with this resource, which is designed to help you make informed decisions about choosing a program to pursue.
whether you choose to earn an advanced standing msw online or in person depends on your learning style. some students prefer the flexibility and convenience of online learning, while others thrive in the more traditional classroom setting. consider your preferred learning environment when making your decision.
with online learning, there may be fewer fees. when attending in person, students may have to pay for room and board, meals, activity fees and other accommodations.
the cswe accredits advanced standing msw programs. this resource lists cswe-accredited programs. accreditation ensures that the program meets rigorous standards for social work education, regardless of whether you choose to learn online or in person.
the number of credit hours required to graduate varies by program but generally ranges between at least 28 credits to more than 48 credits (compared with 60 to 66 credit hours for traditional programs).
advanced standing programs are designed for students who have completed bsw programs and have an understanding of foundational social work concepts. in addition to the standard admission requirements for traditional online msw programs, prospective students typically must meet additional criteria that can include:
students may not be able to waive all foundation year classes, depending on the curriculum of their undergraduate program. to determine their eligibility for admission to an advanced standing program, students should speak with an admissions advisor. students who are not eligible for advanced standing placement may still apply to a traditional online msw program.
when it comes to choosing your social work specialty, you can explore several options. master of social work programs, including advanced standing msw degrees, may offer a range of concentrations:
what are the differences in the curriculum between an advanced standing msw program and a traditional msw program? advanced standing msw programs are accelerated degrees that skip the generalist requirements of traditional msw programs, allowing students with bsws to focus on their chosen concentration immediately. traditional msw programs, on the other hand, cover the basics of social work knowledge before moving on to upper-level coursework.
the typical curriculum for advanced standing msw degrees may include the following and more:
there are a range of tuition, financing and scholarship options available that may help aspiring students pay for an advanced standing master’s degree in social work.
educational institutions may offer reduced tuition for in-state students. you can find helpful information on most msw program websites or by calling their admissions office. learn more about student funding opportunities.
social workers are required to meet their state’s licensing requirements to practice legally. the purpose is to establish standards for the safe and professional practice of social work. licensing requirements can vary by state.
for social workers to legally practice, they are required to graduate from a program accredited by cswe or other nationally recognized accrediting agency. aspiring social workers can research requirements to become a licensed social worker. state standards for social work licensure are set by social work state licensing boards.
social workers continue to be in demand. according to the u.s. bureau of labor statistics (bls), the projected growth rate for all social workers is 7% between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. the annual median salary for social workers was $55,350 or $26.61 per hour in may 2022, according to the bls. social worker salaries can depend on specialization and employment area, as well as geographic location.
before applying to a master’s degree program in social work, be sure to have a full understanding of what an msw entails. read our social work degree guide to identify potential roadblocks.
an advanced standing msw may expand your opportunities in the social work field and even prepare you to pursue a doctorate of social work (dsw) degree. it may also increase your salary potential.
sponsored
advanced standing msw programs are not the same as accelerated msw programs, but they have similarities. advanced standing msw programs may be considered accelerated because students are required to hold a bsw degree, which allows them to waive foundational social work courses and focus on a concentration immediately, reducing the time needed to finish.
students whose bachelor’s degrees are outside of social work can enroll in accelerated msw programs with an intense curriculum that includes foundational social work courses. students in these programs can accelerate their studies by taking more classes per semester and during the summer months.
depending on the msw program you choose, taking the graduate record examination (gre), may not be necessary. some programs require gre scores, regardless of your gpa score, while others only expect the gre if your gpa does not meet their minimum requirement. in the process of choosing an advanced standing msw program, find out if gre scores are required before applying for admission. see our list of online advanced standing msw programs with no gre requirement.
most advanced standing msw programs require a minimum gpa of 3.0. that criteria may vary: some programs allow for a 2.5 minimum gpa, while others may require up to a 3.5 minimum gpa. if a student’s gpa does not meet the requirements, some programs may consider the gre for admission.
last updated september 2023.
