Delaware State University MSW

Delaware State University (DSU) started its story in 1891 as the Delaware College for Colored Students. Today, it is one of America’s leading Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This 132-year old institution has grown from modest roots to become a powerhouse in education. DSU now ranks as the nation’s third-best public HBCU and holds the ninth position among more than 100 HBCUs overall.

DSU’s 356-acre suburban campus sits in Dover, Delaware. Students enjoy a tight-knit community feel while staying close to major cities. Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. are just a short drive away. This sweet spot lets students focus on their studies in a peaceful setting while having easy access to big-city opportunities and culture.

The university now has 6,280 students, with undergraduates making up 88% of the population. Women outnumber men with a 63:37 ratio, and 44% of students live on campus. The student community comes from 39 states and 34 countries, showing DSU’s success in creating a rich multicultural learning space.

The academic structure at DSU has four colleges with 17 academic departments. The programs cover:

• 9 associate degrees
• 46 bachelor’s degrees
• 26 master’s degrees
• 7 doctoral programs

DSU holds several prestigious accreditations. The Delaware Department of Education fully approves its programs, and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accredits the university. On top of that, many programs have earned specialized accreditations, showing DSU’s high academic standards.

U.S. News and World Report recognizes DSU’s excellence in undergraduate teaching (#8 among all schools in the Northeastern Region), breakthroughs, and success with students from low-resource communities. The university’s research funding approaches USD 30 million, earning it a spot among “R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity”.

DSU has grown beyond its main campus over the years. The university now has locations in downtown Dover and Wilmington, plus two farm properties in Kenton and Smyrna. The Aviation Program guides the airline industry in training pilots of color, with its fleet based at the Delaware Air Park in Cheswold.

DSU continues to grow and excel as a premier institution. Students can choose from quality on-campus education or available online degree programs that help them advance their careers while managing life’s demands.

Programs offered

Delaware State University stands out with its online Master of Social Work (MSW) program. It’s one of the only such programs you’ll find at a public historically Black research university. Students get detailed knowledge and skills they need for social work careers, with a strong focus on diversity and social justice principles.

The MSW program specializes in Advanced Generalist practice. This prepares graduates to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students develop versatile skills that work in social work settings of all types, from clinical environments to community organization and policy development.

The university gives you two ways to complete your degree:

Full-Program Track:

• Needs 60 total credits (48 academic coursework credits plus 12 field practicum credits)
• Takes 2 years full-time or 3 years part-time
• Has 900 hours of required field education
• Splits into foundation courses (30 credits) and advanced courses (30 credits)

Advanced Standing Track:

• Perfect for students with a BSW from CSWE-accredited programs
• Needs 30 total credits (24 academic coursework credits plus 6 field practicum credits)
• Takes just 12 months to complete
• Has 500 hours of required field education

Students can access materials and complete assignments whenever they want, as all online courses run asynchronously without required live sessions. Some instructors might offer optional live sessions to help you learn better.

The program has core foundation courses in social welfare policy, human behavior and the social environment, research methods, and generalist practice. Advanced courses build on this base with specialized topics like personality theories, adult psychopathology, administration and management, and advanced practice in public health settings.

Field practicums play a vital role in both tracks and give students hands-on experience in real-life settings. These practical experiences look great on resumes when you’re job hunting. Students learn skills that prepare them for advanced roles in agencies, schools, and non-governmental organizations at local, national, and global levels.

This challenging and socially relevant curriculum gives graduates the knowledge, values, and skills they need to practice social work effectively. DSU’s online MSW program is an excellent choice if you want a Delaware State University online degree that offers flexibility and solid professional training.

About the online program

DSU’s online MSW program adopts a digital approach that we designed for working professionals who want to advance their careers without leaving their jobs. The program runs completely online with an asynchronous structure. You can access course materials and complete assignments on your schedule instead of attending live sessions at fixed times.

The program uses a quick 8-week block format that replaces traditional semester-long courses. You’ll take two courses in the first eight-week block and two more in the second block each semester. Your field practicum runs through the entire 16-week semester, which lets you earn 15 credits per semester. This smart design helps full-time students balance their work and life while steadily moving toward their degree.

Students who need extra flexibility can choose part-time enrollment with 2-4 classes per semester. The MSW program gives you up to five years to finish all requirements, so you can adjust your pace based on your life situation.

The program runs mostly on your schedule, but faculty members sometimes offer optional live sessions for students who want direct interaction. Faculty and students work together to schedule these extra sessions at times that work for everyone.

The online MSW program meets the same academic standards and has the same CSWE accreditation as the campus program. This means your education’s quality stays strong whatever format you choose. Your degree will carry the same weight with employers and licensing boards.

Field education forms the heart of the online program. Your practicum experience runs the full 16-week semester alongside your courses, so you can apply what you learn right away. Students in the full program complete 900 hours of supervised field education, while Advanced Standing students need 500 hours.

DSU’s online program lets you keep earning while learning. You can stay in your current job and maintain your income as you work toward advancing your career. This setup makes perfect sense for professionals who can’t move or take a break from their careers.

Accreditation

CSWE accreditation is a vital factor when choosing an MSW program. DSU’s Graduate Social Work Program has earned full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This prestigious recognition shows the program’s steadfast dedication to the highest standards in social work education.

DSU leads the way as the only CSWE-accredited MSW program in Delaware. The program, 19 years old, has become the core of social work education in the region. Both BSW and MSW programs will maintain their approval through June 2028. This timeline ensures students can count on the institution’s stability and educational excellence.

The accreditation’s value extends to every approved way of delivering the program. Students taking online MSW courses receive similar CSWE accreditation as those attending campus classes. This ensures equal high-quality education regardless of how students choose to learn.

CSWE accreditation matters greatly for several key reasons. The credential proves DSU’s curriculum arranges perfectly with professional social work competencies. Most states require this credential for employment and licensure. Social workers can only obtain licenses in their states with a degree from a CSWE-accredited program.

Delaware State University’s credentials go beyond program-specific recognition. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) has granted institutional accreditation to DSU. A successful self-study evaluation led MSCHE to extend DSU’s accreditation until 2029-2030, proving the university’s overall educational excellence.

CSWE’s accreditation involves detailed peer review. This process ensures similar outcomes across programs while allowing flexibility based on context. Programs get a complete evaluation every eight years. Regular assessments happen between formal reviews.

Students thinking about Delaware State University online degrees can feel confident about their choice. CSWE recognition means DSU online prepares graduates to:

• Practice safely, competently, and ethically with all clients
• Apply scientific inquiry and best practices consistently
• Support justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity effectively

The program’s graduates can take social worker licensure examinations anywhere licensure is required. This opens doors to career opportunities across the nation.

Admission Requirements

Delaware State University’s online MSW program welcomes students from all academic backgrounds, not just social work. The admission process has specific requirements you need to meet.

Here’s what you’ll need to submit:

• A complete application with paid application fee
• Three professional references that show your readiness for graduate study
• A personal statement (350-750 words) that explains why you want an MSW degree, your social justice advocacy plans, and your experiences with different populations
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution

You should have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, though some sources say a 2.5 GPA might work. The program looks for candidates who show passion for social work principles, values, and ethics.

The program accepts applications twice a year. Submit by March 15 for fall semester and October 15 for spring semester to receive priority consideration. You might need to interview during the review process. Phone or video conferences work well if you live far from campus.

BSW graduates can take advantage of the Advanced Standing option. You qualify if you:

• Have a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned within five years of MSW program acceptance
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 with “B” or better grades in undergraduate social work practice and field practicum courses
• Get a recommendation letter from your undergraduate BSW Field Director supporting your direct admission to second year
• Complete the Advanced Standing Summer Seminar with a grade of “B” or better

The admissions team reviews all transcripts before classes start. This helps ensure you have the liberal arts background needed to understand human development across biological, social, cultural, psychological, and spiritual domains. The committee might recommend extra coursework if they find gaps.

DSU offers Regular, Part-time, Provisional, or Conditional admission status. Part-time students get five years to finish. This works well for professionals who want to earn their degree while keeping their jobs.

After admission, students must keep a 3.0 GPA. Regular students need to achieve this after 30 credit hours, while Advanced Standing students must maintain it after 15 credit hours plus the Advanced Standing Seminar.

Tuition

Delaware State University’s online MSW program offers competitive tuition rates compared to other graduate programs across the country. DSU’s in-state social work graduate students pay 455.00 per credit hour for the 2025-2026 academic year. This makes quality graduate education accessible to working professionals who want to advance their credentials.

Students must pay several mandatory fees each semester. The fees include $60.00 for registration, $55.00 for technology, $35.00 for athletics, and $60.00 for graduate student activities. Students taking online classes pay an extra $50.00 distance education fee per course. The total cost comes to $620.00 per credit for online social work students and $665.00 for on-campus students.

Full-time students invest about $26,200.00 for the complete 60-credit program. This represents great value given the career advancement opportunities an MSW degree provides. Students typically finish their degree in 2 years, with a per-credit cost of $438.00 for the entire program.

DSU’s first-year students receive strong financial support. Recent data shows 86% of first-year students qualified for need-based financial aid. First-year students received an average need-based scholarship or grant of $13,024.00 in 2021-2022. DSU met 98% of its students’ financial aid needs based on recent statistics.

University officials have kept DSU’s tuition stable over time. They focus on keeping costs “as low as possible so people, especially first-generation college students, can complete a degree and be able to gain employment”. Students can pay tuition and fees through various methods including cash, check, credit card, and electronic transfers.

DSU online makes advanced degrees possible for working professionals through competitive tuition rates. This affordable cost structure and program flexibility create ideal conditions for students to earn while they learn.

Additional Information

DSU’s online MSW degree creates significant opportunities to advance your career. MSW graduates earn USD 13,000 more per year than those with BSW degrees, which makes this investment worthwhile. The social work job market grows faster than ever, and experts expect 53,800 new positions by 2032.

Your MSW degree qualifies you to take licensure exams in all states and territories where required. Requirements vary by state, so check with your state’s board for specific details. The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) provides the national exams needed to get your license.

MSW graduates find rewarding careers in a variety of settings. Schools, businesses, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and human resources departments all need skilled social workers. Job growth looks especially promising in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and gerontology fields according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

DSU helps advance your career through comprehensive support services. Resume workshops, mock interviews, employer sessions, graduate school panels, career fairs, and networking events are available through Handshake, the university’s career platform.

Faculty members bring real-world expertise to enhance your learning experience. To cite an instance, Dr. Frann K. Franklin, Associate Professor and BSW Program Director, specializes in healthcare disparities, maternal mortality, and social justice issues. Her expertise adds significant value to DSU’s online degree programs.