The Best MSW Programs of 2023

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Written by Janice Monti, SocialWorkLicensure.org
Last Updated: July 2023

Whether you plan on entering one of the helping professions, or already work in the social work field, a master’s in social work (MSW) lets you pursue employment in healthcare, government, and nonprofit settings. Explore our ranking of the best MSW programs and how this degree can boost your career and salary prospects.

What to Expect From a Master’s in Social Work Degree Program

An MSW prepares graduates for state licensure and advanced and clinical practice positions. An MSW degree generally takes two years to complete and requires approximately 60 credits, including a minimum of 900 hours of fieldwork. Bachelor of social work (BSW) graduates from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) may be eligible for advanced placement in MSW programs, allowing them to finish in a year.

MSW students can choose specializations in areas like child, family, and school social work, mental health and substance misuse, and healthcare. An MSW opens up many career opportunities and can increase salary potential. MSW graduates can earn $13,000 or more annually than BSW holders.

Featured Online Master’s in Social Work Programs

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The Best Social Work Degree Programs

Our ranking of the best MSW programs makes it easier to find a school that fits your needs and professional goals. When choosing a program, consider important factors such as cost, completion time, admission, coursework, field requirements, and accreditation.

Accreditation: As the only accrediting body for social work programs, CSWE ensures that an MSW program meets academic and industry standards to prepare students to practice social work. All programs listed in this ranking have CSWE accreditation.

Fieldwork Experience: MSW students complete at least 900 hours of fieldwork. Field experiences provide on-the-job training under the direct supervision of a licensed social worker in settings such as healthcare facilities and community agencies.

Tuition and Education Costs: Several factors determine the cost of your education. Tuition rates reflect a school’s reputation, public or private status, and whether you meet state residency requirements. You also need to budget for books, housing, transportation, and supplies.

We use a data-driven methodology to determine the best social work degree programs based on three influential factors including affordability, academics, and reputation.

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, students can choose between three different MSW programs: a 12-month advanced standing program, a two-year track, and a three-year track. The university designed the advanced standing program for individuals who already possess a BSW.

The program offers two concentrations: (1) direct practice for those who want to work directly with people in individual and small group settings and (2) community, management, and policy practice. Regardless of concentration, MSW candidates must carry out 1,000 hours of field education.

  • Program(s): Master of social work
  • Campus: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
  • Type: Public
  • Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education
  • Tuition: $586 per credit for North Carolina residents; $1,602 per credit for out-of-state students
  • Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in any background from an accredited program; statement of purpose; three recommendation letters
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 12-24 months
  • On-Campus Requirements: Yes

2. California State University – Los Angeles

The School of Social Work at California State University – Los Angeles facilitates an 11-month advanced placement MSW for incoming students who have already completed a BSW program. Individuals with other academic backgrounds can enroll in the two- or three-year program instead.

Courses cover human behavior, mental health, community organizing, and social work policy. Students take their courses on campus and also carry out two nine-month fieldwork sequences for 1,000 hours in total. MSW candidates must also complete a project or thesis in their final year.

  • Program(s): Master of social work
  • Campus: Los Angeles, California
  • Type: Public
  • Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education
  • Tuition: Advanced standing program – $17,325; two-year program – $16,432; three-year program – $24,648
  • Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; personal statement; names of references; work experience in social services not required but highly desirable
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 11-24 months
  • On-Campus Requirements: Yes

3. CUNY Lehman College

As part of the City University of New York system, CUNY Lehman College calls the Bronx home and offers several undergraduate and graduate programs. Among these degrees is the MSW, which trains social workers for leadership positions in urban public organizations.

The curriculum follows an advanced practice generalist approach, which trains students to work with individuals, families, and groups. MSW graduates can also work in the areas of supervision, administration, research, and policy practice.

  • Program(s): Master of social work
  • Campus: Bronx, New York
  • Type: Private
  • Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education
  • Tuition: $470 per credit for New York residents; $855 per credit for out-of-state students
  • Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree from accredited university with minimum 3.0 GPA; three recommendation letters; personal statement. Those applying to the advanced standing program should possess a bachelor’s degree in social work with a minimum 3.2 GPA.
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 12-24 months
  • On-Campus Requirements: Yes

4. CUNY Hunter College

CUNY Hunter College, based in New York, caters to different kinds of students with various backgrounds. MSW candidates can enroll in:

  • a two-year full-time program,
  • a one-year residency program for those with at least two years of employment at a social services agency
  • an advanced standing program for those with a BSW
  • an accelerated full-time program lasting 18 months
  • an accelerated one-year residency program

Students can also choose from several specializations: aging, child welfare, global social work, health, mental health, world of work, school social work, criminal justice, and sexuality and gender. Each of these tracks include field work.

  • Program(s): Master of social work
  • Campus: New York, New York
  • Type: Public
  • Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education
  • Tuition: $620 per credit for New York residents; $1,112 for out-of-state students
  • Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; those applying to the advanced standing program should hold a bachelor’s in social work
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 12-24 months
  • On-Campus Requirements: Yes

5. University of California – Berkeley

The University of California – Berkeley has offered their master of social welfare degree since 1944. The program trains social workers for leadership and advanced practice roles in the profession, focusing on social justice. The curriculum follows a full-time format, lasting two years.

The program allows students to choose from three concentration tracks:

  • Advancing health and well-being across the adult lifespan
  • Strengthening children, youth, and families
  • Strengthening organizations and communities

The program requires 25 credits of field education, including two years of field practicum internship experience and integration seminars.

  • Program(s): Master of social welfare
  • Campus: Berkeley, California
  • Type: Public
  • Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education
  • Tuition: $5,850 per semester
  • Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; three recommendation letters; statement of purpose; personal history statement
  • Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
  • On-Campus Requirements: Yes

Paying for a Social Work Degree Program

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, graduate tuition averaged $12,394 in the 2020-21 school. Private school tuition averaged $26,621 in the same year. Students must also cover expenses for books and supplies, transportation, lodging, and food.

MSW students should investigate the financial aid available to them in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Accelerated and advanced placement programs for BSW graduates can help lower costs.

Careers and Salary with a Social Work Degree

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 9% growth rate in all social work jobs between 2021-2031, much faster than average for all occupations in the United States. Getting an MSW can boost your earnings and broaden your career prospects. A licensed social worker with a master’s degree meets the preferred qualifications for advanced clinical and supervisory positions.

According to Payscale, the average annual salary for a social worker with an MSW degree is $51,934 as of May 2023, although earnings will vary by employer, location, specialization, and work experience. The average salary of a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), which requires an MSW, is $63,700. Administrative roles may offer higher earnings. The median annual salary for social and community service managers is $74,000, reports the BLS.

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Work Degrees

Is a master’s degree worth it in social work?

Social work can offer rewarding careers for committed individuals who want to help at-risk and vulnerable populations. As the demand for social workers increases, earning an MSW provides a competitive edge in the job market and a pathway to becoming a licensed social worker.

Is an MSW degree difficult?

Earning an MSW can be challenging. To qualify for admission, you must have a strong undergraduate GPA and meet prerequisites in statistics and social and natural sciences. The curriculum consists of intense coursework in trauma, legal and ethical issues, research, and assessment. Field placements can be physically demanding and emotionally taxing.

Which course is best after a master’s in social work?

Many social work programs offer accelerated tracks that help you transition from an MSW to a doctoral program. If you are interested in moving into administrative, research, or teaching roles, you may consider earning a doctor of social work or Ph.D. degree.

What is the highest-paying social work job?

Graduate-trained social workers employed in healthcare and corporate settings make the highest salaries. MSWs who move into leadership positions, including social work administrators and community service managers, also make higher-than-average salaries.