Top 25 Online MSW Programs: Programs 11-25

Online Social Work Programs For You

Points: 1

Portland State University offers a traditional, part-time, online MSW program. The program can be completed in three years, competing 6-9 credits per term. Students may occasionally participate in online face-to-face meetings. There is a 3-day intensive on-campus experience that is required once per year.

Tuition: $493.00-$692.00/credit hour

Examples of Online MSW Coursework Offered: Social Work Advocacy and Empowerment; Racial Disparities: Analysis and Action for Social Work; Poverty: Policies and Programs

24. Rutgers University

School of Social Work

Online Master of Social Work

New Brunswick, New Jersey

Points: 2

The prestigious Rutgers University offers a three year, part-time MSW program that is completely online. Students complete 60 credit hours and 3rd year students can select to take asynchronous or synchronous advanced clinical courses. There is a 1,125 hour fieldwork requirement as part of the program. The MSW program is ranked in the top 12% of "Best Grad Schools" for Social Work by US News & World Report.

Tuition: Approximately $900.00/credit hour

Examples of Coursework Offered: Social Welfare Policy and Services; Advanced Human Behavior

23. University of New Hampshire

Department of Social Work

Master of Social Work Online

Durham, New Hampshire

Points: 2

The Master of Social Work Online program at the University of New Hampshire is a full-time, traditional MSW program. Courses are offered 100% online with no campus visit required, except for students who intend to pursue licensing in New Hampshire, where a portion of the MSW program must to be completed with face-to-face instruction.

Tuition: $750.00-$825.00/credit hour

Examples of Online MSW Program Coursework Offered: Electives focus on 4 areas including Health and Mental Health; Addictions & Substance Abuse; Children, Youth & Families; and Disabilities. Students can concurrently pursue their Intellectual and Developmental Disability Graduate Certificate.

22. Boston University

Boston University School of Social Work

Online Master of Social Work Degree Program

Boston, Massachusetts

Points: 2

The MSW program at Boston University is a part-time program which takes approximately 2.5 years to complete. A Traditional track is available as well as a Human Experience track. The Human Experience track is for those with experience in the field and requires only one-1,000 hour field internship. The Traditional track requires 2 field internships totaling 1,200 hours. Courses are offered asynchronous and synchronous and students are notified ahead of time when they need to meet for a live session.

Tuition: $705.00/credit hour

Concentration: Clinical Social Work Practice

21. Saint Leo University

The School of Education and Social Services

Online Master of Social Work

Saint Leo, Florida

Points: 2

The Online Master of Social Work from Saint Leo University is available to students in Florida, Georgia, and Virginia. The program is full-time and is offered as a traditional 2 year program, an accelerated 1 year program or a special 3 year program. Students participate in evening classes via webcam and come on campus each summer for a weekend seminar. Traditional students complete 1,024 hours of fieldwork and advanced standing students complete 512 hours.

Tuition: Approximately $422.00/credit hour

Concentration: Advanced Clinical Practice

20. California State University-San Bernardino

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Social Work Pathway Distance Education Program

San Bernardino, California

Points: 2

The Social Work Pathway Distance Education Program is a part-time MSW program offered as a Traditional program. Students learn both macro and micro aspects of social work allowing them to become a generalist in the field. The program takes 3 years to complete. Students are required to be on-campus for three-two day orientations (one in each year of the program); otherwise, the program is completed online.

Tuition: $400.00/credit hour

Examples of Coursework Offered: Foundation Micro Practice; Social Work Research; Human Behavior and the Social Environment

19. Case Western Reserve University

Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences

Online Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA)

Cleveland, Ohio

Points: 3

Case Western Reserve University offers both a Traditional and Advanced standing program designed for the working professional. The program is unique in that students can start fieldwork at the same time they start the program, spreading out the number of hours across the entire length of the program. The program follows a cohort model; however, students can enter and leave cohorts as appropriate.

Tuition: $1,287.00/credit hour

Concentrations: Community Practice for Social Change; Direct Practice (offered with specialization options including Children, Youth and Families (CYF) and Mental Health/Adult (MHA))

18. Fordham University

Graduate School of Social Service

Online Master in Social Work

New York, New York

Points: 3

Fordham University offers a cohort model MSW program to students residing in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. Ranked the #1 Online MSW Program by BestSchools.org, Fordham is an excellent choice for those looking for a part-time program with no campus visits required. Advanced Standing students can finish their degree in 1.5 years and Traditional Standing students without an approved BSW can complete in 3.5 years.

Tuition: $885.00/credit hour

Concentration: Clinical Social Work Concentration

17. The Catholic University of America

National Catholic School of Social Work

Online Clinical Master of Social Work

Washington, DC

Points: 3

The Online Clinical Master of Social Work program at The Catholic University of America focuses on applied theory in evidence-based practice. Over 95% of graduates pass the Licensed Graduate Social Work Exam (GSWE). Faculty are committed to the success of each students and serve as mentors. Coursework addresses assessment and diagnosis of individuals and families across the lifespan.

Tuition: $830.00/credit hour

Concentrations: Clinical Social Work is the focus of this program. Clinical concentration coursework includes courses such as Clinical Social Work with Adults; Clinical Social Work with Children and Adolescents; and Clinical Social Work with Families: Strength Based Model.

16. Our Lady of the Lake University

Worden School of Social Service

Online Master of Social Work

San Antonio, Texas

Points: 3

Our Lady of the Lake University is home to the first school of social work in the state of Texas. Both the traditional and advanced standing program can be completed entirely online. The emphasis of the program is on serving the Hispanic community, one of only three such programs in the country.

Tuition: $775.00/credit hour

Examples of Coursework Offered: Social Welfare Policy and Services; Psychopathology; Hispanics in the U.S.-Policies and Programs

15. Widener University

The Center for Social Work Education

Online Master of Social Work (MSW) Program

Chester, Pennsylvania

Points: 3

Students interested in a trauma-focused curriculum will find the online MSW program at Widener University of interest. The program can be completed 100% online with no mandatory campus visits. Students can complete the program on a part-time basis in just over 3 years. The field instruction requirement of 1,100 hours can be completed in the students' geographic area.

Tuition: $850.00/credit hour

Examples of Coursework Offered: Treating Trauma; Social Work with Immigrants and Refugees

14. Indiana University

IU School of Social Work

MSW Direct

Indianapolis, Indiana

Points: 3

Indiana University offers the MSW Direct program to those interested in a part-time program offering an Advanced Generalist concentration. The program does not use a cohort model, so students can take classes as they choose as long as they complete the program in 5 years. Students must visit campus one time for initial orientation. Both Traditional and Advanced options are available.

Tuition: $520.00-$649.00/credit hour

Concentration: Advanced Generalist

13. Humboldt State University

Department of Social Work

Distributed Learning (DL) Program

Arcata, California

Points: 3

The part-time MSW program at Humboldt State University is ideal for students interested in helping rural and Native American communities. Students complete both asynchronous and synchronous courses and attend a 4 day campus intensive every January. Students also need to come on campus for an orientation to the program. Humboldt offers a Traditional and Advanced MSW program which take between 2 and 3.5 years to complete.

Tuition: $510.00/unit

Examples of Coursework Offered: Practice in Native American and Rural Communities; Communities and Organizations; Wellness and Sustainability

12. University of Texas-Arlington

School of Social Work

Online MSW Program

Arlington, Texas

Points: 3

The MSW Online Cohort at the University of Texas-Arlington offers a part-time 100% online MSW program for Texas residents. The program follows a cohort model with new cohorts starting each fall. Students without a BSW can apply to the Full Length Program which requires 61 credit hours to complete and 900 hours of fieldwork. The Advanced Standing Program is available to those with an approved BSW degree and requires 38 credits and 500 hours of fieldwork to complete.

Tuition: Approximately $440.00/credit hour

Concentration: Direct Practice, Specialty in Children and Families

11. University of Missouri

Mizzou Online

Social Work: Online Master's Degree

Columbia, Missouri

Points: 3

University of Missouri offers a completely online MSW degree available to residents of Missouri and contiguous states. Students with a BSW completed in the past 7 years are able to apply for the 39 credit hour Advanced program. Students can enroll part-time and take, on average, 6 credit hours each semester. A 680 hour practicum is required for graduation.

Tuition: $347.30/credit hour

Concentrations: Advanced Clinical Practice and Policy; Planning and Administration in Human Services

===>> Continue on to the top 10 MSW Online Programs.

Methodology: Ranking of Online MSW Programs

For the purpose of this list, we only looked at accredited online MSW programs in the United States. All information stated in this list came from the schools' program websites that are linked in the ranking. Where there is a range used for tuition, in-state tuition is listed first. Our ranking system focuses on flexibility, which is defined as having options to enroll full or part-time, minimal geographic limitations, coursework offered online and providing an Advanced Standing option to move those with a BSW through the program quickly. As always, confirm with your home state to ensure that the program of interest will satisfy educational requirements for licensure. A point system was used to develop the ranking. Where there are ties, the school with the lower tuition rate is scored higher.

1 point= Full-time program
1 point= Part-time program
1 point= No state restrictions noted
1 point= Program is entirely online
1 point= Advanced standing program option available