Online Masters Degrees in Social Work

Social workers guide individuals and communities to help people deal with problems in their lives. Working in specialty areas like children and families, schools, healthcare, and substance abuse, social workers assist people through crises and provide resources to those who are struggling.

While a bachelor’s degree tends to be the minimum requirement for entry-level positions and direct caseworkers, master’s degree programs focus on specialty areas and prepare students to work as clinical social workers. By pursuing a master’s in social work online, students open the door to plentiful opportunities in a rewarding field.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for social workers will rise, with a projected 11% increase in jobs between 2018 and 2028, much faster than the average for other occupations. With a master’s in social work, graduates have the opportunity to pursue additional career options in a growing field.

Keep reading to learn more about what to expect from an online MSW program.

Best Online Master’s in Social Work Programs

What to Expect From an Online Master’s in Social Work Program

Accreditation

Students considering online MSW programs should make sure to choose a program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). A CSWE-accredited degree is crucial to obtaining proper social work licensure; social workers must pass an Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination, and ASWB does not allow people to sit for exams unless they hold a degree from CSWE-accredited programs. Without CSWE accreditation (and therefore ASWB exam scores), the job pool for social workers diminishes significantly.

Curriculum in an Online Master’s in Social Work

Students pursuing a master’s in social work online can expect curricula that covers topics such as advocacy, administration, community action, human behavior, social welfare policy and services, and social work practice. Social workers who hold a master’s degree graduate with the skills to intervene in crisis situations, advocate for clients, understand local, regional, and national social policy, and become leaders in the field.

While exact courses and titles vary by program, students can expect courses like:

• Social welfare policy, which familiarizes students with social welfare policies and programs, potentially emphasizing the development and maintenance of these programs.

• Theories of human behavior and development, which covers current approaches to social work through theories on human development, including learning, cognitive, and ecological theories.

• Interventions courses, which cover the basics of evidence-based social work practice. Students learn to connect with clients to build trust, make assessments, set goals, and implement solutions.

• Diversity courses, which examine issues of race, class, gender, age, ability, and sexual orientation, and how bias can influence access to community resources.

In addition to courses, students in online MSW programs can expect to engage in fieldwork assignments, often spread throughout the duration of the degree. Early fieldwork might come in the form of assigned practicum placements, and advanced fieldwork may have more flexibility depending on the particular program.

Many programs do not require students to complete a thesis project. In place of a thesis, some programs may offer final courses with professional development themes focusing on the tenets of long-term practice. Some online MSW programs may require students to attend occasional in-person seminars on campus.

Students already holding a BSW may qualify to enter an online MSW program with advanced standing, expediting their studies.

Master’s in Social Work Concentrations

Students pursuing a master’s of social work online can choose an area of specialization, often through advanced electives during their second year of study. These specializations add an area of emphasis that gives the holder additional knowledge, allowing them to focus their career in a specific direction.

• Child and Family Wellbeing

  Social workers who concentrate on children and families assess home situations and intervene if abuse is occurring. They may also help families access crucial services such as welfare benefits or food stamps. They may work in adoption agencies, public and private child welfare agencies, and youth development programs.

• Healthcare

  Healthcare social workers work with patients to help them understand their illness, match them with relevant support groups and other resources, and support families as they care for a sick relative. Healthcare social workers may work in hospitals, mental health facilities, or family service agencies.

• Schools

  School social workers help students succeed academically by working with teachers and families to develop strategies to overcome negative behavior such as bullying. They may work in elementary and secondary schools and special education placement offices.

Online Master’s in Social Work Careers

There are a variety of career paths for graduates of online MSW programs. Work environments may include schools, government or private agencies, hospitals, and community centers. Here are a few of the options MSW graduates can expect to encounter:

Certification and Licensure Requirements

Specific social work licensure requirements vary by state, and the terms certification and licensing may be used interchangeably, depending on the location. However, there is a distinction between certified social workers (CSW) and licensed clinical social workers (LCSW).

Certification

Generally, CSWs provide nonclinical support by implementing and running community programs, influencing policy, and providing administrative support for clients who need assistance navigating various systems. They may also practice some direct counseling. In contrast, LCSWs focus on direct practice, counseling clients in specialties like child and family, trauma and interpersonal violence, mental health and addictions, and aging.

Social workers in nonclinical positions may be required to pass one of the ASWB examinations: the licensed bachelor of social work examination (LBSW) for those just starting out; the licensed master of social work examination (LMSW) for those who want to extend their practice and qualify for management positions; and the licensed master of social work-advanced generalist (LMSW-AG), which in most states is the highest license available to nonclinical social workers.

Some states require social workers to hold a master’s degree to obtain CSW status, though others require only a bachelor’s degree from a CSWE-accredited program. The ASWB requires graduates taking the LBSW to hold a bachelor’s degree. Applicants to the LMSW and LMSW-AG must hold a master’s degree.

Licensure

LCSWs help clients directly in a diverse range of settings, including hospitals, mental health facilities, schools, human services, and private practice. Some states require social workers to be licensed for clinical work to move into private practice. Licensed clinical social workers may treat clients directly in individual settings, family therapy, or group therapy.

Because clinical social workers can diagnose mental health conditions and administer psychotherapy, it is important that they secure proper licensure to practice. Social workers approach counseling from a bird’s-eye perspective, considering a patient’s environment, including societal pressures, as well as individual mental and emotional health.

LCSWs must hold a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. They must also complete two to three years of supervised clinical social work, depending on state requirements, and pass the LCSW examination administered by the ASWB. Some locations may have additional requirements, such as state board examinations.