Guide to Online Masters in Social Work (MSW) Programs

What Do Social Workers Do?

The primary responsibility of a social worker is to help their clients—individuals, groups, communities or agencies—solve problems. They help clients identify mental, behavioral and emotional issues. According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), clinical social workers provide the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of these conditions, and they must be licensed or certified at the clinical level in their state. This resolution can be attained through various methods that include education, advocacy or intervention. While this role has evolved over the decades, it continues to focus on maximizing human potential and fulfilling human needs. If you are thinking about transitioning to a social work career, you can follow some of the steps below, which might include obtaining an MSW degree.

Can You Earn an MSW Online?

Yes, you can earn an online MSW. Many social work programs offer learning options that range from on campus to fully online, so formats vary by program. If you’d prefer some on-campus experience, look for a program that offers it, and check each program’s campus-visit requirements before you apply. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits on-campus and online MSW programs, and its program directory lets you filter for programs with an online option. CSWE-accredited online MSW programs provide flexibility in your schedule and environment while teaching you self-discipline, focus and responsibility. Online programs still include supervised field education; see the curriculum section below for CSWE’s hour requirement.

Online Master of Social Work Program Admissions Requirements

Each online MSW program has its own prerequisites, so you should contact your accredited institution for detailed information regarding its policies. CSWE notes that most admissions requirements and application instructions are listed on individual institution websites. Depending on your school, you may be required to submit some or all of the following:

1. Application: Complete the application each program requires, which you can find on the website of the accredited institution of your choice. CSWE says some master’s-level programs participate in SocialWorkCAS, an online application system that lets you fill out one application and upload one set of documents for the programs you apply to.
2. Bachelor’s degree: Programs set their own requirements for prior education, so confirm the degree and any prerequisite coursework a program expects before you apply.
3. Transcripts: CSWE says applicants can submit transcripts, letters of reference and supporting application materials once through SocialWorkCAS to apply to multiple schools. For other programs, follow the institution’s instructions for sending transcripts, and request them in advance of the application deadline.
4. Experience: Include any experience in social work that may be relevant.
5. Personal statement: If a program asks for a personal statement, follow its prompt, length and essay requirements. Below are some topics you may be able to address in a statement.
   • Your main academic and personal interests
   • Experiences in school or work that have helped to prepare you for this course of study
   • Why you wish to study for the degree you’ve chosen
   • Why you wish to study at the university
   • Your plans for the future after you earn your degree
6. Resume/CV: If a program asks for a resume or curriculum vitae, upload your most recent version as part of your application.
7. Letters of recommendation: Submit the letters of recommendation each program requires. The number of letters required varies with each school. Be sure to request them well in advance of the deadline.
8. Test scores: Test score requirements differ by program. Check whether a program asks for GRE scores or, for international applicants, English-proficiency scores such as the TOEFL or IELTS, and follow its instructions for submitting them.

Online MSW Program Curriculum

The curriculum and number of credits required to complete an online MSW program vary widely depending on your school and specialization. CSWE-accredited MSW programs build generalist practice knowledge and then extend it into specialized practice, and CSWE’s 2022 accreditation standards define nine competencies that include ethical and professional behavior, policy practice, and assessing and intervening with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Beyond that shared foundation, courses depend on the specialization. A school social work concentration, for example, may include courses in:

• Social work in a school setting
• Mental disorders in children and adolescents
• Behavior management and instruction

Coursework is paired with field education. CSWE says MSW programs include a minimum of 900 hours of supervised field instruction. CSWE’s accreditation standards require each program to describe how it identifies and approves field education settings and how it places and monitors students, so where you complete field education depends on the program. For a school social work concentration, a program might place students in a school system or school district, but confirm placement arrangements with the program. Because each program arranges placements, ask any online program how it arranges field education near where you live.

Advanced Standing MSW Program Options

One way to get a jump-start on your MSW program is to earn a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. Many CSWE-accredited MSW programs offer an advanced standing option, and CSWE says students with a BSW may be eligible to complete an MSW in as little as one year. In a BSW-to-MSW advanced standing program, you already have a BSW so you don’t need to take as many classes to complete your MSW. Essentially, your work as an undergraduate reduces the number of classes (and credits) you need to take when you earn a master's in social work.

What Can You Do With a Master’s in Social Work Degree?

Within the overarching umbrella of social work exist a multitude of types of social work that individuals can consider pursuing. There are social work paths that lead to schools, mental health facilities, and correctional facilities, to name just a few. Below are descriptions and resources for a few specific areas of social work.

School Social Work

A school social worker's primary responsibility is to look out for the best interests of students in both their home and in-school lives. According to NASW, school social workers work directly with school administrations as well as students and families and provide mental health intervention, crisis management and support services. NASW’s standards for school social work services say school social workers advocate for students and their families, work with school personnel and community partners, and address safety concerns such as bullying, harassment and threats of harm; the standards describe school social work roles at the school, district or county level. The School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) also lists assisting teachers with behavior management, working with parents and supporting students with attendance concerns among school social work services. For more information about the role of social workers in schools, consult the resources created by The National Association of Social Workers that outline trends and practices in the field.

Clinical Social Workers

Clinical social workers help people who suffer from psychological challenges overcome barriers. According to NASW’s practice standards for clinical social workers, clinical social work includes the diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral health conditions, and it is a regulated practice, so requirements follow state and local jurisdictions. The ultimate goal of a clinical social worker is to provide patients with the best quality of life they can possibly have, and they employ a variety of methods to help patients achieve this.

After completing an online master’s program in social work, you have the option of becoming a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). NASW’s practice standards say clinical social workers practice in settings that include community mental health centers, hospitals and hospices, substance use treatment and recovery programs, courts and other criminal justice settings, schools and primary healthcare centers. According to the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), clinical licenses require supervised practice after the degree, and requirements vary by state.

Social Work Careers and Salary Outlook

Is a Master of Social Work worth it? There are many factors to consider, including cost, salary, and personal fulfillment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for child, family, and school social workers in the United States was $59,550 in May 2025, and workers at the 90th percentile earned $95,530. Learn more about social worker salary and careers.

Before you advance your educational endeavors, research accredited online MSW programs and compare their length, curricula and costs.

Find the Best Online MSW Program for You

In searching for online MSW programs that fit your needs, carefully consider the structure of the coursework, admissions and campus visit requirements. Once you are armed with all of the information available to you about a specific program, you will be in the best position to choose an MSW online degree program that works for you.