Masters of Social Work Online
Social justice has become a hot topic in today's society. The reality is that there will always be winners and losers in the system, and the field of social work aims to help those who are most vulnerable.
If you have the desire to work with diverse groups of people and advocate for them, the field of social work may be one you should consider. Although you do not need a degree to help people or to make a difference, a master's in social work gives you the clinical training needed to understand the theory and policy experience to make change happen. Social workers are employed in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, non-profit organizations, the government, and even prisons. Chances are, you have probably met a social worker and not even realized it!
These schools were chosen based on factors such as overall excellence, affordability, and job placement rates after graduation. Keep reading to find out which online degree may be able to work with your schedule and career goals.
Online Master's in Social Work Programs
Explore our featured online programs and find the right match for you today.
Best Online Master's in Social Work Degrees
What kind of master's degree in social work should you get?
An online degree may be more favorable for you than a traditional on-campus one if you wish to continue working full-time while going to school. Not only are online programs usually more affordable (typically there is no difference between in and out-of-state tuition), they also allow you to earn your degree at your own pace. Several of the programs listed in this ranking have both part- and full-time options, giving you complete control over your degree. There are two types of online courses: synchronous and asynchronous. Synchronous courses meet at designated times via an online platform, while asynchronous courses are recorded and can be completed at any time before the specified deadline.
Almost anyone can apply for an online master's degree in social work, so long as they already have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Those who have a bachelor's, but not necessarily in social work, are often admitted into traditional programs that take two to three years to complete. By contrast, those with a bachelor's in social work are often admitted to "advanced standing" accelerated programs that can be completed in about one or two years.
Check out last year's ranking of the 50 best on-campus MSW degrees here.
How much money does someone with an online Master of Social Work degree make?
Whether you studied for your master's online or on campus, there should be no difference in the salary you earn, as your diploma will never say "online" on it. According to PayScale, the average salary of someone in the U.S. with an MSW degree is $52,000. A licensed clinical social worker earns $57,000 on average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of fall 2018, the median salary of all social workers was slightly lower, at $49,470. It should be noted that while you do not necessarily need a license to work in the field, a majority of people who consider themselves a "social worker" do have a license to practice and thus make slightly more, on average, than their non-licensed peers.
State, workplace (i.e., public versus private sector), and years of experience all influence one's salary. The top-paying states for child, family, and school social workers are the District of Columbia, Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and California. Metropolitan areas boast the highest rate of employment for social workers. Between 2016 and 2026, it is estimated that this field will experience a growth of 16%, which is higher than the national average.
What can you do with an online Master of Social Work degree?
The most common career path after obtaining an MSW is to become a licensed social worker. There are three main types of social workers, as listed by the BLS:
Child, family, and school social workers
Medical and public health social workers
Mental health and substance abuse social workers
Social workers are not counselors or therapists, nor do they have the license or training to "treat" people like psychologists or doctors do, but they may work alongside other professionals in the health care field. In general, social workers seek to help the overall wellbeing of individuals, either on a personal or societal level. They may work with children in at-risk families or campaign with non-profit organizations to change certain laws.
What are the requirements for an online Master of Social Work degree?
Schools prefer applicants with either a BSW or another bachelor's degree and a GPA of at least 3.0. After being admitted into a program, students take foundational courses (if in a traditional MSW program) and then move on to more advanced courses (specialization requirements or electives). Depending on the program, students may also participate in a field placement/internship at the beginning of the degree program, or start one after they complete their foundational coursework.
Each school and state has its own requirements for the minimum hours of field placement/internship that must be completed in order to graduate. This hands-on experience is not only important for developing one's hard skills, it is also necessary if one wishes to become a licensed social worker. Please note that not all programs listed in this ranking have explicitly stated that their curriculum leads to state licensure. If the program does allow its graduates to sit for licensure, usually the curriculum only meets the licensure requirements of the state where the school's main campus is located.
