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A master of social work program (MSW) can help you prepare for a career in the social work field, empowering others to create positive change that improves emotional and physical well-being. You can complete an affordable online MSW program that is convenient, delivers a quality curriculum, and has accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). 

Coursework in a traditional graduate school program includes the completion of approximately 62 credit hours and 900-1200 hours of fieldwork experience. These CSWE-accredited programs meet industry standards, so you can apply your licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) credentials to counsel others. Or, you may use your skills to work in a non-clinical setting with organizations committed to public policy change and social justice advocacy.

MSW students can complete online learning programs and expect the same rigor as on-campus programs. Courses are either asynchronous, and you can attend as your schedule allows, or synchronous, requiring login at specific times. Online MSW students may participate in a group cohort where all start and graduate together and often collaborate through web-based learning platforms and apps. All of the program options listed above are available through distance learning.

In addition to school accreditation, degrees may be programmatically accredited to ensure education is on par with industry standards. CSWE is recognized by the Council for Higher Education as the only accrediting agency in the U.S. for social work education, and most states require graduation from a CSWE-accredited program for licensure. CSWE awards accreditation to programs that meet rigorous academic standards. CSWE administers the accreditation process, which includes a self-evaluation, site visits, and a review. There are currently 309 on-campus accredited MSW programs throughout the U.S. However, it's important to note that online programs aren't always accredited. You can check to find a program's accreditation status before enrolling.

It generally doesn't matter which undergraduate degree you have when enrolling in an MSW program. That said, it may be helpful to have a psychology bachelor's or a sociology degree because the fields closely align with social work. However, those in an advanced standing program are required to hold a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW).

Requirements are similar across schools and programs, and enrollment generally includes the following:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• A BSW if enrolling in an advanced standing program
• College transcripts showing at least a 3.0 GPA
• The completion of standardized tests, such as a GRE, though many schools are opting to waive this requirement
• A minimum of 24 credit hours of undergraduate liberal arts coursework
• Three letters of recommendation attesting to your skills and work ethic
• A personal essay or letter of intent
• A completed application and fee of approximately $75

There are certain challenges when it comes to getting accepted into any online master's level program, including an online MSW. However, being in good academic standing with a 3.0 GPA or higher and fulfilling all admission requirements, including an essay and recommendations, will help your chances.

The length of time it takes to complete this degree depends on your educational background and the program option. For example, a traditional MSW program may take up to three years to complete if you are enrolled full-time, while an accelerated degree program may take as few as 18 months.

The curriculum of an MSW program includes advanced study of clinical social work practice and may help you differentiate your skills to work with specific populations. It also includes approximately two field education opportunities to give you work experience in various human services organizations. You'll also need to complete field placement hours to graduate. 

The overarching goal of a master's program in social work is to convey the importance of human dignity, compassion, human rights, and scientific inquiry when practicing social work. You'll study human behavior and apply various social work principles through electives and core coursework to prepare for a social work profession in a clinical and non-clinical career path.

MSW curriculum is generally targeted to train students in the three levels of social work practice. 

• Those practicing at the micro level counsel individuals, families, and small groups. 
• Students interested in practicing at the mezzo level can become dually skilled in a specific topic to provide services to target populations struggling with addiction, behavioral disorders, or PTSD from past trauma. 
• Other students would prefer to use their macro level social work skills to administer and manage public policies in community organizations rather than in clinical practice.

Online classes within these tracks that support the curriculum and help develop competencies may have different titles across schools and programs but have similar learning outcomes. Below are some of the common courses found in MSWs:

• Co-occurring Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders: This course is for students interested in becoming licensed addiction counselors. Lessons explore the particular strengths necessary for social workers in this practice and how they can identify patterns in behavior and potential triggers.
• Diversity and Difference: An online class featuring diversity and difference explores diverse populations and perspectives to help students understand the motivations and limitations of those from different backgrounds and how these differences can implicate the social work practice.
• Helping Troops Transition Back to their Families and Communities: Faculty teaching this course address the special needs of veterans returning from tours of duty or combat and assimilating back into civilian life. Students interested in working with this target population can study the resources available and policies in place to help individuals make this often difficult transition.
• Public Child Welfare: This topic tackles issues from an advanced generalist perspective by familiarizing students with evidence-based, family-focused, and outcome-oriented child welfare practices. Students interested in careers in child welfare may find this course of interest.
• Social Policy: Social Policy coursework can provide students with an overview of US social welfare policy and how policy is created to address social relationship issues and problems in vulnerable and oppressed populations.

Choosing a concentration in an MSW program can help you meet your career goals through specialization. A concentration is different from a minor — a minor is usually completed in another discipline, but a concentration is within the same. You'll take approximately five courses on a particular topic to be able to specialize your skills to serve different populations in various areas of need.

Degree concentrations may include the following:

• Adulthood and Aging: Sometimes referred to as a gerontology concentration, coursework helps prepare you to work with older adults, the aging, and their families by studying the aging process and the resulting biological, behavioral, and societal changes that occur.
• Children, Youth, and Families: This path helps build skills in family dynamics and relationships and how societal issues impact children and teenagers.
• Clinical Social Work Practice: This concentration helps students develop the ability to identify, assess, and treat various psychological, behavioral, and emotional problems.
• Healthcare: Students have the opportunity to study the unique needs of clients experiencing serious healthcare events and how to apply advanced social work skills to address these challenges.
• Military Social Work: Classes specifically focus on the challenges facing military personnel, veterans, and their families when integrating into civilian life and how to effectively manage these changes.
• Organizations and Communities: Coursework is geared toward a macro practice that focuses on how social problems develop and perpetuate at the local, state, and national levels and how individuals can mobilize leaders, educate communities, and advocate for social change.
• Policy Practice: This course of study enables students to use their social work skills to understand how public policy impacts communities and how to help implement change that is socially and economically sound.
• Trauma: Courses explore the unique needs of individuals experiencing trauma or suffering from PTSD and the process of developing targeted treatment plan options.

MSW degree holders often become licensed social workers working in a direct practice. They assess clients' needs to create and implement changes to improve their quality of life as well as their emotional and physical well-being. They may work in a generalist practice or work with groups that have specific needs, such as children, the elderly, or those struggling with addiction. With an anticipated 7% job growth through 2032, social workers earn an annual median salary of $55,350, according to the (BLS).

Below are some other career paths MSW graduates may choose:

• educate communities about behaviors that impact overall wellness. They advocate for community members' needs at healthcare and social service organizations.
• use their MSW skills in a non-clinical setting to organize community programs and activities that support well-being, often working with target populations. They assess programs and implement changes as needed to ensure they are effective.
• These become licensed to work with those who suffer from the debilitating effects of alcoholism and drug misuse, eating disorders, or depression.

Other Types of Social Workers

• Clinical Social Worker: A clinical social worker is a broad term referring to someone who offers counseling services to those in need. They assist their clients by offering group counseling and one-on-one therapy sessions that teach basic life skills, encourage the development of support systems, and promote community involvement. Some of the most common issues addressed by clinical social workers are poverty, medical problems, mental health, addiction, and learning disabilities. 
• Child Welfare Social Worker: Child welfare social workers focus on the well-being of children and work to improve outcomes for at-risk children in vulnerable situations. A child welfare social worker typically works in a school, state agency, family service agency, or the federal government. Their clients are often children who are at risk of neglect or abuse and have a disability or behavioral issues. 
• School Social Worker: Working within a school setting, school social workers assist teachers, parents, and students in addressing any issues that are interfering with a child’s schoolwork. They work with the general student population, as well as students with special needs, to resolve social, emotional, and behavioral issues. 
• Medical/Healthcare Social Worker: A medical or healthcare social worker works in a medical setting such as a hospital, hospice, outpatient clinic, or long-term care facility assisting patients with health-related issues. They assess a patient’s emotional, environmental, and social needs, and work with members of a healthcare team to develop a continuing care plan. 
• Administrative Social Worker: Administrative social workers are skilled at balancing support for workers and consumers with satisfying agency demands, and integrating legality, equity, and efficiency in the field of social work. They often have extensive knowledge in areas including, but not limited to, human resources, change leadership, financial management, resource development, and management and supervision. 
• Community-Based Social Worker: Community-based social workers help to strengthen, empower, and advocate for those within marginalized communities, and they are committed to economic and social justice ideals, including equity and equality. Community-based social workers have extensive knowledge of the social and historical contexts of the communities they work with and are skilled at centering their communities, embracing flexibility, and changing political and social landscapes.

If you want to explore similar degrees and career paths, you can learn more about online master's degrees in counseling or master's in substance abuse counseling.

The (ASWB) regulates social work across the U.S. They ensure that social workers receive adequate training to safely, competently, and ethically deliver services to the public. The ASWB administers licensure exams so MSWs can work in clinical practice to complete mental health assessments, diagnose patients, and treat them.

Licensure , but common licenses are listed below:

• Certified Independent Practice Social Worker (CIPSW)
• Independent Social Worker (ISW)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
• Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
• Licensed Social Worker-Administration (LSW-ADM)
• Licensed Social Work Associate and Advanced (LSWAA)

The steps for applying for a license are outlined below:

1. Completing a CSWE-accredited MSW program and a number of field experience hours, which varies by state
2. Applying for licensure through your state board.
3. Registering with ASWB and paying the exam fee which is approximately $230
4. Scheduling your exam appointment through
5. Completing a criminal background check

An MSW program can be rigorous because of its advanced curriculum. You'll also need to complete field experience or a practicum for real-world experience. In addition, the advanced standing and accelerated programs can be even more demanding because they require intensive study in a shorter amount of time. Programs can also feel more challenging if you work and have a busy schedule, but part-time options are available.

An MSW's worth, whether online or in-person, ultimately comes down to your interests, budget, and your financial and professional goals. It also depends on the industry, job opportunities, and salary requirements. 

For instance, the BLS anticipates a for social workers, faster than the U.S. average. However, while the $61,780 annual median wage is higher than the national average, the return on investment may be low if your tuition expenses are high. For that reason, you might want to compare the list above of the highest rated online MSWs with a list that's been manually researched for the best tuition prices: the most affordable online MSW programs.