MSW Schools

MSW Schools

 

Mapping out your social work career path can feel daunting with so many MSW schools to choose from. Some states have dozens of different Master of Social Work programs that offer various structures and formats. The process becomes easier once you understand how these programs work.

The good news is that all these colleges and universities have full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This guide covers everything you need to know about finding the right MSW program. You’ll learn about accreditation importance, program structures, and acceptance requirements through practical, straightforward advice.

What Is an MSW & Why Accreditation Matters

The Master of Social Work (MSW) is a professional graduate degree that builds on your bachelor’s degree knowledge. It prepares you for advanced practice in social work. An MSW goes beyond undergraduate education by covering macro-, mezzo-, and micro-aspects of professional practice. You’ll learn specialized skills to work in social work settings of all types.

A standard MSW takes two years of full-time study plus 900-1200 cumulative hours of supervised field experience. This mix of classroom learning and hands-on practice will give you both theoretical knowledge and ground skills. Students with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) can often complete their MSW faster. Many programs offer advanced standing options that let you finish in about a year.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) stands behind every quality MSW program. CSWE has been the only accrediting agency for social work education in the United States since 1952. Their stamp of approval makes a big difference in your education and career options.

Why CSWE Accreditation Is Non-Negotiable

CSWE accreditation is essential when choosing your program. You can’t get licensed as a social worker in any of the 50 states without graduating from a CSWE-accredited program. Without this credential, most professional social work positions will be out of reach.

CSWE accreditation also gives you these vital benefits:

  • Quality Assurance: Programs get a thorough review every eight years
  • Field Education: You’ll get at least 900 hours of supervised field placement
  • Federal Employment: VA hospitals and federal agencies require it
  • Financial Aid: You can access Title IV federal financial aid and special scholarships

The United States has 398 accredited MSW programs. More than 240 of these offer fully online or hybrid options. You have plenty of choices to find a program that matches your career goals and needs.

Understanding Accreditation Statuses

MSW schools have different accreditation statuses. Here’s what each status means:

  • Accredited: The program meets all CSWE standards
  • Accredited (Conditional): The program must fix specific issues within a year
  • Accredited (Withdrawal in Progress): The program will close on a set date
  • Candidacy: The program has finished one year of the process and should get full accreditation within two years
  • Pre-Candidacy: The program’s standards are approved in draft and will have a Candidacy review within a year

CSWE’s review process is thorough. They look at everything from how courses are designed to teacher qualifications. The process includes program self-studies, site visits, and detailed assessment. This careful review ensures that all accredited programs, whether on-campus or online, deliver consistent educational results.

The Impact on Your Future Career

A CSWE-accredited MSW opens more professional doors after graduation. Employers know that accredited programs meet the highest professional standards.

These programs teach you holistic professional practice based on scientific research and best practices that align with social work values. Social work jobs will grow by 9%—adding about 64,000 new positions—by 2031. In this competitive field, an accredited degree will make your application stand out.

CSWE accreditation means you’ll learn to provide ethical, competent services to clients and communities. The standards focus on core social work skills throughout your courses. You’ll learn about policy practice, assessment, advancing social justice, and ethical behavior.

Your MSW program choice shapes your social work career. A CSWE-accredited program gives you more than a degree—it gives you the credentials to get licensed, find employment, and change people’s lives.

How This Directory Is Organized / How to Use It

Finding the right MSW program among hundreds of options across the country needs a smart approach that matches your career goals. This directory gives you a complete resource of all MSW programs – that have accreditation or are in the candidacy process. They are organized by region, although the majority are online, and many accept students from anywhere.

This directory will help you discover the full potential of accredited MSW schools that line up with your professional goals and personal needs. By doing this and being strategic about your search, you’ll find the right programs to apply to.

Directory of MSW Schools

MSW programs in the United States provide educational pathways that match different career goals and personal situations. Most MSW programs need 60 credit hours which takes about 2 years of full-time study. BSW graduates can take advantage of advanced standing options that reduce credits to 30-36.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) keeps a complete directory of accredited programs by state. Students can easily find programs in their preferred locations, which helps them take advantage of in-state tuition rates or stay close to home.

Programs come in several formats to fit different lifestyles:

  • On-Campus Programs: Traditional classroom settings blend with online or distance learning courses. Working professionals can attend weekend and evening classes at many schools.
  • Advanced Standing: BSW graduates can complete their degree in about three semesters instead of the standard four-semester program.
  • Online Programs: Many respected institutions offer fully online MSW degrees. Students don’t need to attend fixed meeting times as online classes run asynchronously.

Field education stands out as the most valuable part of social work curriculum. CSWE requires 900 hours of field experience. Some programs go beyond this minimum. Three-year program students begin practicum in their third semester.

Your MSW school choice should factor in CSWE accreditation, program format, field education, specialization options, and costs. Programs like Adelphi help with license preparation by including previous licensing exam content in coursework.

This directory helps you explore nearly 398 accredited MSW programs nationwide. You can narrow down options based on your educational needs, career goals, and personal situation.

School list

West

States included: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY

Schools:

Northeast (NE)

States included: CT, DE, MA, ME, MD, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, DC

Schools:

  • Adelphi University
  • Anna Maria College
  • Boston University
  • Catholic University of America
  • Columbia University
  • Daemen University
  • Delaware State University
  • Fairfield University
  • Farleigh Dickinson University
  • Fordham University
  • Gallaudet University (DC)
  • Howard University (DC)
  • Kean University
  • Keuka College
  • Kutztown University
  • Lancaster Bible College
  • Marist University (NY)
  • Marywood University
  • Messiah University
  • Millersville University of Pennsylvania & Shippensburg University Collaborative
  • Monmouth University
  • Montclair State University
  • Moravian University
  • Morgan State University
  • Nazareth University
  • New York University
  • Penn State University
  • Pennsylvania Western University
  • Quinnipiac University
  • Regis College (MA)
  • Roberts Wesleyan University
  • Rutgers University
  • Sacred Heart University
  • Saint Joseph’s University
  • Salem State University
  • Salisbury University (MD)
  • Seton Hall University
  • Simmons University
  • Slippery Rock University
  • Springfield College
  • SUNY Albany
  • SUNY Binghamton
  • SUNY Buffalo
  • SUNY Plattsburgh
  • SUNY Stony Brook
  • Syracuse University
  • Temple University
  • University of Connecticut
  • University of Maine
  • University of Maryland – Baltimore
  • University of New England
  • University of New Hampshire
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • University of Southern Maine
  • Utica University
  • Westfield State University
  • Widener University
  • Yeshiva University
  • University of the District of Columbia

Midwest

States included: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI

Schools:

  • Andrews University
  • Aurora University
  • Capella University
  • Case Western Reserve University
  • Cleveland State University
  • Concordia University Wisconsin
  • Dordt University
  • Erikson Institute (IL)
  • Ferris State University
  • Fort Hays State University
  • Indiana University
  • Indiana Wesleyan University
  • Loyola University Chicago
  • Michigan State University
  • Minnesota State University Moorhead
  • Northern Michigan University
  • Park University
  • Saint Louis University
  • Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale
  • Ambrose University
  • University of Akron
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • University of Iowa
  • University of Kansas
  • University of Mary (ND)
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Minnesota Duluth
  • University of Missouri
  • University of Missouri–St. Louis
  • University of Nebraska Omaha
  • University of North Dakota
  • University of Northern Iowa
  • University of Saint Mary (KS)
  • University of Saint Thomas (MN)
  • University of South Dakota
  • University of Southern Indiana
  • University of St. Francis (IL)
  • UW–Green Bay
  • UW–Milwaukee
  • UW–Stevens Point
  • UW–Whitewater
  • Valparaiso University
  • Wayne State University
  • Winona State University

Southeast (SE)

States included: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV

Schools:

  • Alabama State University
  • Albany State University
  • Appalachian State University
  • Arkansas State University
  • Auburn University
  • Austin Peay State University
  • Barry University
  • Baylor University
  • Bethel University (TN)
  • Campbellsville University
  • Carlow University (borderline Mid-Atlantic, listed here)
  • Clark Atlanta University
  • East Carolina University
  • East Tennessee State University
  • East Texas A&M University (Texas A&M Commerce)
  • Eastern Kentucky University
  • Florida Atlantic University
  • Florida State University
  • Fort Valley State University
  • Georgia State University
  • Liberty University
  • Louisiana Christian University
  • Louisiana State University and A&M College
  • Marshall University (WV)
  • Mississippi State / Jackson State University
  • Missouri Baptist University
  • Morehead State University
  • Norfolk State University
  • Northern Kentucky University
  • Northwestern State University of Louisiana
  • Oakwood University (AL)
  • Our Lady of the Lake University
  • Prairie View A&M University
  • Radford University
  • Samford University
  • Southern Adventist University
  • Southern University at New Orleans
  • Spalding University
  • Stephen F. Austin State University
  • Texas State University
  • Texas Tech University
  • Texas Woman’s University
  • Troy University
  • Tulane University
  • Tuskegee University
  • Union University
  • University of Alabama
  • University of Arkansas
  • University of Arkansas Little Rock
  • University of Central Florida
  • University of Georgia
  • University of Houston
  • University of Kentucky
  • University of Louisville
  • University of Memphis
  • University of North Alabama
  • University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
  • UNC Charlotte
  • UNC Pembroke
  • University of Oklahoma
  • University of Pikeville (KY)
  • University of South Carolina
  • University of South Florida
  • University of Tennessee Knoxville
  • University of Texas Arlington
  • University of Texas Permian Basin
  • UT Rio Grande Valley
  • University of West Florida
  • Valdosta State University
  • Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Virginia State University
  • Virginia Union University
  • West Texas A&M University
  • West Virginia University
  • Western Kentucky University
  • Wingate University
  • Winthrop University
  • Walden University (HQ in MN but serves SE region)
  • Saint Leo University

How to Pick the Right MSW School

Your choice of MSW program will shape your professional path for years ahead. The program should match your career goals. You need to look at several important factors beyond simple accreditation status.

Begin by clarifying your career direction in social work. Your career goals should guide which program you pick. You might want to work with children, veterans, or in medical settings. Programs often offer specialized concentrations or certificates in areas like Clinical Social Work, Child Welfare, Military Behavioral Health, School Social Work, and Substance Use Disorder.

Licensure preparation should top your priority list. Most states require graduation from a CSWE-accredited program to qualify for licensure. Requirements differ by state, so it’s vital to check if an out-of-state program meets your state’s specific licensure requirements. You should ask enrollment teams about their licensure preparation support.

Field education quality shapes your professional growth. Ground experience through field placements helps you thrive as a social worker. Make sure the university helps secure appropriate practicum placements where you can complete required fieldwork hours.

Faculty credentials need a full picture. Programs with instructors experienced as educators and practitioners offer two benefits – academic knowledge and ground insights. Research faculty members’ professional experience and their research interests, especially in your specialized area.

Financial considerations often drive the final choice. You should compare tuition rates carefully. Some online MSW programs charge the same tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. Block tuition could reduce costs by up to 40% if you enroll in nine or more credits per semester.

Application timing affects your chances. MSW programs usually give priority to Advanced Standing (BSW holders) applications received by February 1st and traditional MSW applications by March 1st. Advanced Standing programs start in May, while traditional programs begin in August.

Admission requirements change between programs. Most need a 3.0 GPA for the last two years of undergraduate coursework. Options exist if you have lower GPAs but strong graduate coursework. Advanced Standing admission usually needs a BSW earned within the last seven years with a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.25 social work GPA.

Program flexibility becomes important when you balance work and education. Many programs offer evening classes with daytime field placements. Online programs with asynchronous courses let you study at your convenience.

Community and support resources make your educational experience better. Learn about the university’s commitment to building community through shared group work, faculty mentorship, and detailed academic resources. Military members should check dedicated support programs for using military benefits.

Pick a program that meets accreditation standards and prepares you for your chosen type of social work practice. A step-by-step evaluation of these factors will help you find MSW schools that fit your professional dreams and personal situation.