Best Master’s Programs for Social Work of 2025
A master’s in social work can lead to career advancement and pay increases. Explore top accredited MSW programs across the U.S.
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A nationwide shortage of mental health professionals is increasing the demand for social workers and other practitioners. Social workers are key providers of mental healthcare services. A master of social work (MSW) offers advanced training to those passionate about helping vulnerable people.
Explore some of the best master’s degrees in social work, what you can expect in an MSW program, and licensure and career opportunities.
What is a Master’s in Social Work?
A master’s in social work prepares students to pursue professional practice, advanced social work licensure, and leadership positions. Students can choose from on-campus or online programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Many social work schools offer part-time programs and accelerated options for those with relevant education and experience.
The MSW curriculum consists of coursework and field education. Training often focuses on generalist practice, clinical practice, or another advanced specialization. Most states have different levels of social work licensure, and an MSW paves the way for career mobility and higher pay.
Best Master’s in Social Work Programs
Reputable online MSW programs hold CSWE accreditation, which requires a peer review process that ensures high standards. CSWE accreditation is also necessary to secure federal financial aid and to transfer credits to accredited institutions. Explore our ranking of the nation’s best master’s in social work.
University of California-Berkeley
- Berkeley, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
UC Berkeley's master of social welfare program offers a multidisciplinary, practitioner-centered focus. The 23-course, 60-unit curriculum covers general engagement, assessment, and intervention strategies. Students supplement with flexible electives in individual and family practice, community and organizational interventions, and social welfare policy.
The program includes foundational and advanced practicums in the first and second years. Academic perspectives emphasize diversity, anti-racist and anti-oppressive professional practices, cultural sensitivity and inclusivity.
Highlights:
- Prestigious institution with national name recognition
- Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1928
- Professional program designed for advanced-practice careers
Considerations:
- Uniquely available in a full-time, on-campus format
- Advanced standing not available
- One year of relevant paid or volunteer experience required
21%
Yes
12%
N/A
$11,700
$26,802
97%
46,128
Public
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chapel Hill, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
UNC-Chapel Hill's master of social work program takes an evidence-based approach to professional social work practice while delivering academic content in a variety of flexible formats. Qualified students can enroll in a 12-month advanced standing program or choose from online, two-year, or three-year formats.
Each format offers the choice between direct practice and community, management, and policy practice concentrations. The direct practice path prepares students for service-focused roles in field settings, while the community, management, and policy practice stream leads to administration and leadership careers.
While the program's variable formats have differing academic requirements, all options emphasize a shared set of core values built on equal access, respect for human dignity, responsiveness to cultural diversity, and high standards of ethical conduct.
Highlights:
- Accredited by CSWE
- Partnerships with 153 field agencies
- Multiple dual-degree and certificate pathways available
Considerations:
- Academic credit for professional or life experience not typically available
- Additional academic and fieldwork requirements apply to learners without a BSW
25%
Yes
19%
N/A
$10,552
$28,844
97%
32,496
Public
University of California-Los Angeles
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
UCLA's master of social welfare program combines interdisciplinary social work foundations with self-directed research opportunities. The CSWE-accredited program also offers personalization pathways.
After building generalist skills, students declare a concentration in health and mental health, social and economic justice, or child and family well-being. Core courses blend social work theory, practice, policy, research, and fieldwork.
Practicum education forms an integral part of the program. All students complete two immersive full-year field placements with partner social services agencies, which guide them to apply classroom learning to real-world professional settings.
Highlights:
- Offers two-year and three-year options
- Practicums cover 1,100 hours and 21 academic credits
- PPS credential available in child and family well-being concentration
Considerations:
- Students must declare a concentration
- Annual supplemental tuition fee of $12,245 applies to non-California residents
- Fall admissions only
12%
Yes
9%
N/A
$11,700
$26,802
97%
48,046
Public
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
- Seattle, WA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
UW's master of social work program balances deep academic rigor with excellent flexibility. The CSWE-accredited program features advanced standing, day, and extended degree formats.
Designed for students with CSWE-accredited BSW degrees, the advanced standing program uses a campus-based format and leads to graduation in 11-17 months. Traditional learners can pursue the two-year, on-campus day program, while the extended degree option provides a specially paced alternative for learners unable to commit to a full-time study schedule.
While not required, UW recommends that all MSW students have 2,000 or more hours of paid or volunteer experience in social service delivery.
Highlights:
- Prepare for direct practice or leadership careers
- BSW not required for day and extended degree program formats
- Clinical social work, administration and policy practice, and community-centered integrative practice concentrations available
Considerations:
- Slight curricular variations may occur in the different program formats
- Hybrid learning available in extended degree format
- Limited concentration options in part-time advanced standing and extended degree programs
19%
Yes
43%
N/A
$17,004
$30,477
95%
55,230
Public
CUNY Lehman College
- Bronx, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
Lehman College's master of social work program uniquely features an advanced generalist curriculum, which builds versatile knowledge and skills relevant to direct practice and leadership careers. The 65-credit program explores environmental impacts on human behavior, analyzes social welfare institutions and policy, and builds advanced assessment, diagnostic, and intervention skills.
The program emphasizes practical training: Students complete six mandatory fieldwork and seminar courses, which help graduates qualify more readily for social work licensure in New York.
Learners can follow one of three program sub-plans, including a one-year advanced standing curriculum, a full-time two-year program, and a part-time three-year program with fieldwork in all six semesters.
Highlights:
- BSW degree not required
- Accredited by CSWE
- Dual-language coursework available to English-Spanish bilinguals
Considerations:
- Academic credit not available for professional or life experience
- Does not generally accept transfer credits
- Admissions interviews may be required
73%
Yes
55%
N/A
$11,090
$20,520
71%
15,143
Public
University of Chicago
- Chicago, IL
- 4 year
- Campus
Why We Chose This School:
The University of Chicago's master's in social work program blends academic coverage of social work practice with policy analysis, advanced research, and multidisciplinary social science perspectives. This unique configuration leads to a master of arts degree designation, but the CSWE-accredited program is fully equivalent to a traditional MSW.
Fully redeveloped for the fall 2024 semester, the program's curriculum reflects current social trends and equips students with knowledge and skills with cutting-edge relevance. The redesigned program offers five concentration pathways: transforming justice and violence prevention; integrating health, mental health, and social care; disrupting poverty, economic inequality, and social exclusion; children and families in system contexts; and global health and social development.
Highlights:
- Accredited by CSWE and its predecessors for more than 100 years
- Designed to optimize career choice and flexibility
- Advanced standing, full-time, and part-time study options available
Considerations:
- Uniquely available on campus
- Advanced standing only available to applicants with CSWE-accredited BSW degrees
0%
Yes
5%
N/A
$65,145
$65,145
99%
15,763
Private
New York University
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
NYU's master of social work program explores social work practice from a global perspective. The program offers study-abroad opportunities to enrich learning and engage students with complex contemporary social issues.
Along the way, NYU supports student success with small class sizes and a flexible lineup of pathways that make the program highly accessible. Through partnerships with other NYU departments, MSW students can earn dual degrees in social work and child development, law, public administration, and public health.
NYU's Silver School of Social Work is fully accredited by CSWE.
Highlights:
- 95% post-graduation placement rate within six months of graduation
- Partnerships with more than 600 social service agencies
- First-time licensing exam pass rates significantly exceed North American averages
Considerations:
- Incoming 2024 students had an average GPA of 3.52
- 2024-2025 tuition rate of $1,652 per credit
- Advanced standing program not available at all NYU campuses
31%
Yes
9%
N/A
$37,332
$37,332
96%
57,335
Private
University of South Florida
- Tampa, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
USF's master of social work programs offer a variety of formats, including face-to-face and online options, along with regular and advanced pacing. These configurations make USF's CSWE-accredited programs widely accessible and responsive to variable personal needs.
USF’s program focuses on methods for assisting individual and family clients and working in group settings. Learners can also add a master of public health to graduate with a dual degree and qualify for specialized advanced-practice careers.
With a CSWE-accredited BSW, you can enter the advanced standing track and graduate quickly by completing a 35-credit study path with 600 fieldwork hours. Students from other undergraduate backgrounds complete a 60-credit curriculum and 900 hours of fieldwork.
Highlights:
- Professional social work experience not strictly required
- Field placement coordinators align your practicums with professional interest areas
- 2024-2025 online tuition rate of $550 per credit
Considerations:
- Summer attendance required for part-time students
- Full-time students attend full-day sessions (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) twice per week
- Evening classes available to part-time learners
67%
Yes
41%
N/A
$8,350
$19,048
92%
48,566
Public
Tulane University of Louisiana
- New Orleans, LA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
Tulane's master of social work program offers many specialization options. Students can choose from concentrations in mental health, addiction, and family or disaster and collective trauma. Tulane also offers a graduate certificate in disaster relief leadership and the opportunity to earn dual degrees that pair the MSW with a juris doctor, master of public health, or master of science in disaster resilience leadership.
Tulane supports face-to-face and online learning formats, and applicants do not require a BSW degree for admission to the regular program. Candidates with a CSWE-accredited BSW can apply to the advanced standing program, which provides a path to graduation in as little as 12 months.
Highlights:
- More than 700 fieldwork partner agencies
- 100% of MSW students received scholarships or financial aid in 2024
- Fall, spring, or summer start available to advanced-standing students
Considerations:
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA required
- Synchronous online courses
- Disaster relief leadership certificate requires two additional courses
31%
Yes
15%
N/A
$61,066
$61,066
94%
12,285
Private
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Ann Arbor, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
U-M's master of social work program offers specializations, dual-degree opportunities, and pacing formats. Students can choose from eight specialized concentrations in both traditional and innovative areas. U-M also offers the opportunity to accrue experience by serving in the Peace Corps while studying.
In addition to the regular full-time program, U-M accommodates students on part-time schedules with day, evening, and weekend classes. BSW degree-holders can attain advanced standing, while an online option helps students with jobs and other commitments balance their schedules.
U-M's regular MSW programs cover 60 credits. Advanced standing students and learners with more than three years of full-time work experience in human services require 45 credits to graduate.
Highlights:
- More than 300 available scholarships
- Seven available dual-degree pathways (optional)
Considerations:
- Admissions interviews may be required
14%
Yes
18%
N/A
$25,894
$52,124
98%
52,065
Public
What to Expect From an MSW
Learn about the courses you’ll complete, how to prepare for licensure, and the cost of a master’s in social work.
Curriculum and Program Length
MSW students can expect to spend two years completing approximately 65 credits of coursework and supervised fieldwork. Graduates with a bachelor’s in social work (BSW) can apply to advanced standing programs, which require approximately 32 credits and a commitment of 9-12 months.
Core courses in human behavior in the social environment, social work practice, and practice with individuals and groups. Online and on-campus MSW programs offer specialized training or tracks such as clinical practice, child and adolescent, substance use, or social work administration.
Licensure Preparation
To become a licensed master social worker or licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) you’ll need to earn an MSW and pass a social work licensing exam. The MSW’s practicum component provides generalist or specialization-specific experience at an agency or organization.
Since the licensure process varies by jurisdiction, you should contact the social work licensing board in the state where you intend to practice. The Association of Social Work Boards maintains a directory of licensure requirements by state.
Cost and Financial Aid
The cost of a master’s in social work depends on whether the school is private or public, the duration of the program, and the delivery format.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, graduate students paid an average of $12,600 in tuition and required fees at public institutions for the 2021-2022 school year. Comparatively, graduate students paid an average of $28,000 at private institutions that year.
MSW students can explore financial aid options, including merit and need-based scholarships, grants, and student loans. Financial aid offices and professional associations such as the CSWE and the National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASW) are great places to start your search.
Career Opportunities for MSW Graduates
Graduates can find a variety of career opportunities as social work generalists or clinicians with specialized training. According to Payscale, social workers with an MSW earned an average salary of $62,000 as of October 2024.
Advanced education pays; MSW holders earned at least $13,000 more than BSW graduates, according to NASW salary research. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the highest-paid 10% of social workers earned more than $94,910.
Some career possibilities for advanced social workers include:
- Clinical Social Worker: These practitioners work with individuals, families, and groups to address a variety of mental health, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
- Mental Health Therapist: Therapists also diagnose and treat mental and behavioral conditions using counseling, psychotherapy, and other interventions.
- Medical Social Worker: Healthcare social workers help individuals and families cope with chronic or terminal illnesses by providing counseling, referrals and information, advocacy, and case management services.
- School Social Worker: School social workers are trained mental health professionals who focus on improving children’s psychological and behavioral health and helping them better cope with learning disabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Master’s in Social Work Programs
A master’s degree in social work takes 1-3 years to complete, depending on full-time or part-time enrollment and whether students have a BSW that qualifies them for advanced standing in an MSW program.
