Auburn University Masters in Social Work

Auburn University’s Master of Social Work program sits within the Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Social Work. Students will find the department in 7030 Haley Center on Auburn’s main campus in Alabama. The central location makes it easy for students to access faculty, staff, and university resources they need to succeed academically.

The department stands out because it prepares social work professionals to tackle today’s most pressing social challenges. Students learn critical thinking, writing, and problem-solving skills from faculty members who know these are crucial for successful social work careers. This approach enables you to analyze modern social problems and create innovative solutions that help communities thrive.

The program’s full accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation sets it apart. This recognition is a big deal as it means that the program meets or exceeds quality education standards through peer review. The accreditation will give the program enough resources to achieve its mission while meeting all educational policy and accreditation standards.

Students in Auburn’s Master of Social Work program prepare specifically for advanced clinical social work practice, with special attention to health and mental health. This clinical focus makes Auburn different from other MSW programs and readies graduates to meet crucial healthcare needs.

The department understands different student needs and offers flexible learning paths. Students can earn their MSW degree on campus or completely online. Online students get the same quality education with more flexibility, which works great for professionals balancing various commitments.

Students learn from dedicated faculty members who bring years of clinical experience to their classrooms. Their practical expertise makes discussions richer and connects theoretical concepts to real-life applications.

The school offers valuable hands-on learning through internships and service-learning opportunities that focus on health disparities, prevention strategies, and policy development. These experiences build practical skills that employers value highly.

Programs offered

Auburn’s Master of Social Work program gives you two educational pathways based on your academic background and career goals. These paths provide complete training to help you become an advanced clinical social worker.

The Traditional Program is 61 credit hours and welcomes students from a variety of educational backgrounds like psychology, sociology, and human development and family studies. You can finish this program full-time in two years or part-time in three years. Students complete two field experiences—first a generalist placement to build fundamental skills, then an advanced clinical placement to develop specialized expertise.

The Advanced Standing Program takes 39 credit hours and works well if you have a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution. Full-time students can complete this accelerated option in just one year (three semesters), while part-time students need two years. You’ll need a strong academic record with a B average or better in undergraduate social work courses and no more than one C in professional courses.

Both programs give you flexibility through different delivery formats:

The online MSW stands out because it offers a similar degree to the on-campus program while meeting Auburn University’s high quality standards. Working professionals can keep their full-time jobs while earning their graduate degree. The online Advanced Standing track takes two years, while the Traditional track takes three years at your own pace.

Auburn’s MSW program shows its value with a 90% job placement rate, proving how well it prepares graduates for successful social work careers.

You can also improve your MSW with specialized certificates in:

• Health Equity Science
• Veterinary Social Work
• Non-profit Organizations and Community Governance

Both program tracks have a well-laid-out curriculum built around core competencies. The Traditional Program has foundational courses like Introduction to Social Work, Practice with Individuals and Families, and Social Welfare Policy, plus 10 hours of generalist field experience. Students then move to advanced topics such as Psychopathology, Evaluation in Practice, and 12 hours of advanced field placement.

The Advanced Standing curriculum jumps right into advanced practice with courses in Clinical Practice, Psychopathology, Evaluation, and 12 hours of field placement across two semesters. This track also has 15 hours of social work electives so you can specialize in your areas of interest.

About the online program

Auburn’s online Master of Social Work caters to working professionals who need a flexible path to advanced education without sacrificing quality. The program lets you keep your full-time job and balance family life through its creative approach and multiple learning formats.

Students who complete the online MSW receive the same degree as campus students, and the program meets Auburn University’s strict quality standards. The program demands dedication to academic excellence and professional growth. The flexible format includes a complete curriculum that combines theory with hands-on applications to prepare you for specialized practice in many settings.

The program stands out because of its well-planned curriculum that builds your practical knowledge of core social work values, skills, and competencies. Your studies will teach you quick and effective ways to strengthen client relationships, assess needs, create intervention strategies, and evaluate methods that reduce disparities.

The program offers a manageable pace that works for busy professionals. Students with full-time jobs usually take one to two courses each semester. You can finish the Advanced Standing track in about two years or the Traditional track in roughly three years. The degree requirements need completion within six calendar years.

Students can access materials and finish assignments on their own schedule since both online options use an asynchronous format. Auburn provides full student support services to help you with course activities, so you’ll never feel alone during your educational path.

Students with CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work degrees who meet specific academic criteria can choose the online Advanced Standing option (39 credit hours). The Traditional option (61 credit hours) welcomes qualified students from psychology, sociology, human development, and other related fields.

Campus and online formats share the same admissions process. Fall enrollment deadlines are March 1 for early admission and June 1 for regular decisions. Look through the detailed curriculum requirements for either track before applying to make sure they match your career goals.

Accreditation

Quality standards form the foundation of Auburn’s Master of Social Work program. The program earned full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in February 2020, with retroactive application to 2017. Years of dedicated work toward excellence in social work training led to this achievement.

Auburn’s dedication to exceptional standards shines through the accreditation process. The MSW program completed a multi-year peer review that included three site visits and an 855-page self-study submission. Faculty and administrators showed their steadfast dedication to delivering high-quality, measurable, and accountable graduate-level social work education throughout these evaluations.

The program earned the highest possible accreditation level for a new social work educational program. This recognition confirms Auburn’s strong alignment with established accreditation standards. The Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation has verified that Auburn’s program meets or surpasses all quality assessment criteria through their peer review process.

Students benefit from this accreditation in several ways. The program has proven its ability to maintain sufficient resources for achieving its mission and goals. The Board of Accreditation has confirmed the program’s compliance with every aspect of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards—vital criteria for quality social work education.

A CSWE-accredited degree opens doors long after graduation. Graduates become eligible for professional social work licensure in all 50 states. Most states require graduation from a CSWE-accredited program as part of their professional licensure requirements.

The social work faculty’s hard work, backed by the Office of the Provost, College of Liberal Arts, and the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work, made this achievement possible. The program renewed its accreditation status in 2021, validating its continued alignment with national standards.

Auburn’s commitment to social work education accreditation runs deep. The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program has maintained continuous accreditation since 1978. This legacy of excellence now extends to the graduate program.

This accreditation strengthens Auburn’s position as a leading provider of graduate social work education. It reflects the university’s dedication to both its students and the wider community.

Admission Requirements

Auburn’s Masters in Social Work program needs careful preparation and attention to detail. The admissions committee reviews applications based on several factors. They look for candidates who show academic ability and dedication to social work values.

The Auburn University Graduate School handles all application submissions. Domestic students pay a $60 application fee. Some applicants can get exemptions, including full-time Auburn employees and active-duty military personnel.

Different program formats have different deadlines:

• Traditional Program (On-Campus): Early admission – March 1; Final deadline – May 1
• Advanced Standing Program (On-Campus): For summer start – Early admission December 1; Final deadline February 1. For fall start – Early admission March 1; Final deadline May 1
• Online MSW Program: Early admission – March 1; Final deadline – June 1

Your application package should include:

• Graduate School application form
• Official transcripts from all previous colleges
• Current resume showing human service experience
• Three recommendation letters (at least one academic source)
• Personal statement (4-5 pages, double-spaced) addressing specific topics
• GRE scores (required only for GPAs below 3.0)

The personal statement plays a crucial role in your application. You must discuss your motivation to pursue social work, your readiness for professional education, and how you align with social work ethics (with reference to NASW Code of Ethics). The statement should also include an analytical essay about a major social problem.

The Traditional Program doesn’t require a bachelor’s degree in social work, but you need a degree from an accredited institution. Students applying for Advanced Standing must have a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program.

Many new applicants ask about GPA requirements. Auburn recommends a 3.0 undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with lower GPAs need to explain their circumstances and submit GRE scores.

International students must prove their English proficiency. They need a TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper), 213 (computer), or 79 (internet) with minimums of 16 in all components.

Tuition

The cost of education plays a vital role when you’re thinking about joining Auburn’s Masters in Social Work program. A clear understanding of the fees will help you plan your educational investment better.

Auburn charges $597 per credit hour for the online MSW program. This rate applies to all students in the United States. The flat-rate structure makes it easier for out-of-state students to budget their expenses since they don’t face higher non-resident fees. Most online students take 6-9 credit hours each semester. This means your semester costs could range from $3,582 to $5,373.

The fee structure differs for on-campus graduate students in the 2025-2026 academic year:

These numbers show full-time enrollment costs (9 credit hours) and include tuition plus student services fees. Your actual costs might vary based on your program requirements.

Auburn University knows graduate education can be financially challenging. The MSW program provides several ways to reduce your expenses. You can learn about graduate assistantships on the Graduate School website. The MSW program also offers some Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA). You can apply for a GRA position when you submit your regular admission application.

Auburn’s online tuition calculator helps you estimate exact costs. You can enter your program details, residency status, and enrollment level to see your expected expenses.

Auburn’s financial aid office is ready to help you find scholarships, grants, and loan options for your education. Starting your financial planning early can help you find funding opportunities you might have missed otherwise.

Additional Information

Social work jobs are growing rapidly across the nation. Employment numbers will rise by 13% between 2019-2029. This is a big deal as it means that Alabama needs more social workers, where 18% of people live in poverty. The state’s mental illness rates of 19.34% are higher than the national average of 18.19%. Auburn’s MSW program connects students directly with these community needs through hands-on field experiences.

Students in the MSW program gain real-world experience through field placements that merge classroom learning with professional practice. The Traditional Program requires two placements that add up to 944 hours – students complete 432 hours in generalist placement and 512 hours in advanced clinical placement. Advanced Standing students need to finish one 512-hour clinical placement over two semesters.

Auburn provides additional learning opportunities beyond regular coursework. The BraveHeart Center for Place and Purpose accepts 3-7 interns each semester. Students get a chance to work with young adults who face major life challenges.

Dr. Danilea Werner leads the program as MSW Program Director since it started in 2017. Her experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker adds depth to the program’s health-focused curriculum. Auburn’s MSW program combines academic rigor with practical training to prepare students for Alabama’s pressing social service needs.