Social workers with a master’s degree can pursue leadership roles like managing child welfare agencies and directing service departments. Check out our favorite online master’s programs.
Taking two years of full-time study, an online master’s degree in social work prepares students to serve their communities during times of great challenge. While some social workers apply their skills to counseling individuals and couples, others use their expertise to advocate for change in the social welfare system. Social workers can also land postsecondary teaching positions or perform research aimed at creating equality for all.
After several years of professional experience, social workers can secure leadership roles, directing social services departments or managing child welfare agencies.
A positive career outlook can be another motivating factor for these students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 8% job growth for social workers between 2019 and 2029. These professionals earn a median salary of $51,760.
Additionally, some related occupations, such as school and career counselor, marriage and family therapist, and rehabilitation counselor, offer even higher projected growth rates and incomes.
What Can I Expect From an Online MSW Program?
Typically requiring 48-60 credits, an online master’s degree in social work provides learners with advanced knowledge in human behavior, social policy, and clinical practice. Master’s students build on their prior education and experience by taking classes in leadership and development, organizational theory, social advocacy, and clinical intervention strategies.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) states that graduates of MSW programs must have a minimum of 900 hours of supervised field instruction. This field experience enables students to apply their advanced theoretical knowledge to social work practice in supervised settings. Degree-seekers learn to integrate the skills and concepts they’ve studied in the classroom to work with real clients.
Sue English, MSW, LCSW, CADC, explains that « Practice and programming classes were beneficial to take alongside working at an internship. Being able to apply what you are currently learning and having a group setting to share and process with was very rewarding. »
Additionally, students may choose to center their studies around the micro, mezzo, or macro levels of social work. The micro level focuses on helping individuals, the mezzo level involves working with groups and organizations, and the macro level aims to address large-scale issues in the social work field.
Once students understand which level of social work they’re most interested in, they can choose the concentration that makes most sense for their career goals. Though every program varies in specific offerings, common MSW concentrations include the following:
- Clinical/direct practice social work
- Advanced generalist
- Administrative and community development
- Addiction/chemical dependence
- Children’s mental health specialist
- Medical social work
- Trauma Specialist
What Courses Will I Take in an Online Master’s in Social Work Program?
Social Welfare Policy
This course examines the history and purpose of social welfare, as well as the role and evolution of government in social welfare policy. Students explore current social welfare issues and the underlying values that support different perspectives while learning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of our current social welfare system on different levels.
Interventions in Clinical Social Work
In this course, students apply theoretical concepts and intervention strategies to practice experiences with diverse patient populations in supervised settings. Coursework delves into ethical standards in social work, emphasizes the use of evidence-based practice, and covers the importance of cultural competency and sensitivity in a clinical setting. In addition, students will review and practice concrete clinical skills in the classroom and during their field placements to master theoretical concepts.
Poverty and Inequality
With a focus on recent historical trends, this course explores how poverty is defined and measured in the United States. Learners study the political, economic, and philosophical foundations of the nation’s social welfare system, become familiar with current welfare policy controversies, and analyze different perspectives on poverty and inequality.
Human Behavior in the Social Environment
This course explores theories surrounding how people and communities develop, behave, and interact. Degree-seekers examine lifespan development from conception to old age and study how social influence impacts development and community outcomes.
Social Work Research
Social work research courses provide an overview of qualitative and quantitative research methods, causation, measurement, and sampling. Students review key research concepts like hypothesis formulation, research design, and data collection while examining social work research ethics related to informed consent, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity.
What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Master’s in Social Work Program?
While every school is different, most online MSW programs require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related subject from an accredited institution. Graduate admissions departments tend to look for a GPA of 2.5 or higher and related professional or volunteer experience in addition to the requirements listed below.
Test Scores
MSW programs that require GRE scores usually look for a combined verbal and quantitative score of 1000. Some programs may grant probationary admission to students with an 800 or higher. Nevertheless, many online MSW programs do not require standardized test scores.
Letters of Recommendation
MSW programs often ask applicants to submit letters of recommendation from current and former professors and employers. These letters showcase qualities and characteristics that transcripts and test scores alone cannot demonstrate. Applicants should request these letters 2-3 months in advance.
Resume
Many MSW programs require two or more years of relevant work experience. Your resume should include all professional experience, as well as any volunteer or internship experience related to social work. Applicants typically include a brief description of duties, start and end dates, and contact information for references.
Essays
Applicants typically must submit either personal statements or statements of purpose. While statements of purpose showcase academic achievements and career goals, personal statements typically include individual motivations and specific achievements and challenges.
Official Transcripts
Nearly all MSW programs require students to submit official transcripts from their undergraduate school. These transcripts can also be useful in determining eligible transfer credits from prior courses.
What Can I Do With an Online Master’s in Social Work Degree?
Career Outlook
While the BLS projects 13% job growth for social workers from 2019 to 2029, certain related industries offer an even brighter career outlook. For instance, employment for healthcare social workers is projected to grow 14%, while jobs for mental health and substance abuse social workers are projected to grow 17% between 2019 and 2020.
“There is something that will spark your interests within this vast field.”
As our society puts more importance on mental health, employment for clinical professionals is likely to grow. Some of the largest employers of social workers include individual and family services, local government, and ambulatory health services.
According to Sue English, MSW, LCSW, CADC, « Whether you want to work in a hospital, work with the gerontology population, support students in school systems, advocate through government agencies, or provide resources to vulnerable populations, there is something that will spark your interests within this vast field. »
Discover the benefits of an online master’s degree in social work. Learn more about social work careers here.
Career Paths
Social Worker
Social workers help individuals, groups, and families overcome stressful and challenging life events, as well as address underlying mental health concerns. They work in hospitals, clinics, schools, and correctional facilities connecting clients with social services and welfare programs. Clinical social workers may also diagnose behavioral and emotional issues, as well as provide talk therapy and counseling on an outpatient basis.
Median Annual Salary: $51,760
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Social Worke
These professionals work with clients or patients struggling with behavioral disorders, substance abuse issues, and general mental health concerns. Following an in-depth evaluation, these counselors develop comprehensive treatment plans, assess progress, and set goals.
Median Annual Salary: $47,660
School Social Worker, Career Counselor, or Advisor
School and career counselors and advisors help students with a wide variety of concerns, including selecting courses, maintaining grades, planning for college, and organizing life after graduation. They often administer aptitude and personality tests to guide students toward careers that align with their strengths.
Median Annual Salary: $58,120
Child, Family, or School Social Worker
These social workers focus on helping children and their families navigate issues like mental health, unemployment, substance abuse, poverty, and school adjustment. They counsel students with behavioral issues, consult with parents and teachers, develop comprehensive treatment plans, evaluate progress, and set patient goals.
Median Annual Salary: $48,430
Medical Social Worker
Healthcare social workers provide support to patients and families dealing with challenging health diagnoses like terminal or chronic illnesses. They often advise patients and families on their medical options, monitor the mental and emotional health of patients, and provide individual and group counselling services.
Median Annual Salary: $57,630
How Do I Choose an Online Master’s in Social Work Program?
Cost
Many factors affect the cost of college, including location, degree level, and type of institution. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual cost of a graduate degree at a public institution was $12,171 during the 2018-2019 school year, while the average cost at a private institution was $19,314.
Program Format
Flexibility can be key when earning a master’s degree, especially for working professionals. For this reason, many online programs offer both synchronous and asynchronous course formats, as well as full-time and part-time program options.
Students looking for maximum flexibility can opt for part-time, asynchronous programs that allow them to log on when it’s convenient for them, without set meeting times or a full course load. Accelerated formats may also be available for students who can take on heavy course loads.
Location
While location is crucial for students interested in attending on-campus programs, online students shouldn’t dismiss the physical location of a potential institution. Prospective MSW students should research whether their chosen program requires campus visits or clinical requirements, as well as if they’re able to fulfill these requirements in a location closer to home if traveling is not an option.
Accreditation
Seeking an institution with proper accreditation is among the most important factors to consider when researching MSW programs. Not only does accreditation impact a student’s ability to transfer credits, it can determine whether a graduate is eligible for professional licensure. MSW students should ensure that their school is regionally accredited and that their program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Student Support
Prospective MSW students should seek schools that offer student resources like mentorship programs, student career centers, and alumni networking opportunities. Online students may find these services especially beneficial, as they can help connect students to their campus and peers.