Liberty University MSW Programs

Liberty University provides quality education built on Christian principles. Students become Champions for Christ through the university’s dedicated mission.

The university’s nonprofit status enables it to provide cutting-edge resources that help graduates stand out professionally. The Master of Social Work program sits within the School of Behavioral Sciences. This structure combines academic excellence with real-life application and lets faculty give personalized attention to students based on their understanding of social work challenges.

The university’s academic quality shines through its dual accreditation. Liberty holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). On top of that, its Master of Social Work program has earned accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This CSWE recognition proves the program’s quality and its graduates’ competence through detailed peer review.

Students get the same high-quality education whether they study on campus or online, thanks to CSWE accreditation covering all program formats. Many social service agencies prefer hiring graduates with CSWE-accredited degrees.

Liberty University stands out by weaving faith viewpoints into professional training. The MSW program teaches students to combine biblical values with evidence-based knowledge and skills. This approach values every person and prepares graduates to serve both skillfully and compassionately.

The university managed to keep its tuition stable in the last decade, with standard tuition rising less than 5%. Liberty’s online tuition rates now rank in the top 35% for affordability compared to major online competitors for 2025.

Liberty University leads in distance learning with more than 600 online degrees and no standardized testing requirements for admission. The university’s 50-year old reputation for academic excellence extends to both its online and campus programs.

Programs offered

Liberty’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program gives you advanced training to work in domestic and international social services. You can choose between two specialized tracks based on your career goals: a General track and an Individual and Family Clinical track. Both options teach you everything in social policy, research, and practice with ground application opportunities.

Students with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) from a CSWE-accredited program can take the Advanced Standing MSW option. This path needs only 31 credit hours and lets you finish your master’s degree in almost half the time.

You can complete the standard MSW program in 2 calendar years with full-time study or 4 calendar years part-time. Some plans include summer semesters. The MSW Student Handbook details all study options.

Liberty’s MSW program stands out with its exceptional flexibility. Students can choose between residential and online formats. The online option delivers the same quality standards and lets you complete assignments at your pace within weekly timeframes.

The program’s hands-on experience requirement sets it apart. Students gain 1,000 hours of practical experience through two field placements where they work as professional social workers. This practical training prepares you to step into social work roles of all types right after graduation.

Notable courses in the curriculum include:

• Generalist Practice with Individuals & Families (SOWK 550)
• Social Policy, Justice, & Advocacy (SOWK 625)
• Diversity & Cultural Humility (SOWK 650)
• Advanced Generalist Field Experience & Seminar (SOWK 690)

Graduates are ready to take on administrative and supervisory roles in social work. The program will give you the preparation to take licensure examinations, though requirements differ by state. Career paths include agency director, medical social worker, mental health therapist, program director, school social worker, and social work supervisor.

The program teaches you to promote socially just policies that match biblical truth. You’ll develop an all-encompassing approach to social work that considers social, biological, psychological, and spiritual aspects of human experience. This complete training will give a foundation to create state-of-the-art social work programs based on ethical principles and research-informed practices.

About the online program

Liberty University’s online MSW program gives you the freedom to earn your degree without giving up what matters most – your family time, career growth, and community work. You can complete all your coursework online at your own pace, with no fixed login times.

Canvas serves as the digital classroom where you’ll turn in assignments and stay connected with professors and classmates. This platform creates an engaging learning space that balances flexibility with personal attention and academic excellence.

The program’s ground focus sets it apart from others. You’ll gain valuable experience through at least 1,000 hours of field work split between two placements. These placements include 400 hours over two semesters and a 600-hour block. Employers value this extensive hands-on training that builds your skills in real situations.

The program requires just one virtual intensive. You can complete both SOWK 555 and SOWK 655 intensives online, so you won’t need to visit campus. Students who want to attend graduation ceremonies in Lynchburg, Virginia are always welcome.

Liberty has offered distance education since 1985 and knows what it takes for online students to succeed. The online MSW program holds the same high academic standards as on-campus classes. Most courses run in 8-week blocks to help you learn efficiently.

Your studies will teach you how to take care of yourself while helping others. You’ll learn the core values and ethics that shape social work practice. The curriculum takes an integrated view of human experience, looking at social, biological, psychological, and spiritual aspects.

Two cognate options help you match your studies to your career plans. The general cognate offers flexibility with four elective courses you can pick based on your interests. The individual and family clinical cognate focuses on preparing you for clinical licensure through specialized courses.

BSW graduates can choose the Advanced Standing option to build on their previous education and finish faster. This quick-track option gives you complete training while recognizing what you already know.

The MSW program opens doors to careers in military service, international work, mental health, and nonprofit organizations. Your education will prepare you for professional opportunities that match your interests.

Accreditation

Your social work education’s quality shines through accreditation. The Liberty University MSW program holds full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which is the national gold standard in social work education. The program earned an eight-year accreditation term – the longest possible duration. This achievement showcases its exceptional quality.

CSWE accreditation brings real value to your education. Liberty’s masters in social work program meets strict standards through a complete peer-review process. The quality remains consistent for all program locations and delivery methods, so your degree carries equal weight whether you study online or on campus.

Liberty belongs to an exclusive group of just 347 CSWE-accredited master’s programs nationwide. This recognition proves the university’s strict educational standards and its commitment to developing skilled social work professionals.

Liberty University also holds institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This regional seal of approval allows Liberty to award degrees from associate to doctorate levels.

These two accreditations give you several key advantages:

• Licensure Eligibility: Most states require CSWE accreditation for social work licensure examinations
• Employment Opportunities: Employers prefer graduates from CSWE-accredited programs
• Degree Recognition: Accredited institutions will recognize your degree for advanced education
• Financial Aid Access: Liberty can offer federal education programs, including tuition assistance and GI Bill® benefits

This achievement helps you get future licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker or Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

CSWE evaluates Liberty’s program based on educational policy standards, graduate competence, and program quality. Regular evaluations ensure high standards throughout your education.

These credentials show Liberty University’s commitment to academic excellence and strict compliance with Virginia’s licensure requirements. You can trust the value of your social work degree.

Admission Requirements

Liberty University’s MSW program has specific admission requirements to evaluate your readiness for graduate studies. The university reviews all applications individually and makes decisions within 1-2 business days after receiving all materials.

Application Process:The Liberty University online MSW program needs a completed admission application and a $50.00 non-refundable fee. Service members, veterans, and military spouses can get this fee waived with proper documentation.

Academic Requirements:A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA is required. Your graduate-level work becomes the main focus if you’ve completed a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits.

Required Documents:

• Official college transcripts (sealed, unopened copies or direct electronic submissions)
• Contact information for two professional recommenders who can speak about your abilities
• A 400-word Statement of Purpose that answers three specific prompts:
  • Your motivation to earn an MSW and attend Liberty University (150 words)
  • Your approach to showing respect when working with diverse populations (150 words)
  • A personal challenge and how you overcame it (100 words)
• Completed Department Questionnaire form

The department contacts your recommenders directly and makes an admission decision after receiving all recommender responses.

Students in their final undergraduate semester might qualify for preliminary acceptance. They need to complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form and submit a transcript showing at least 105 completed credit hours.

International students who don’t speak English as their native language must submit official TOEFL scores or an approved alternative assessment.

Liberty University’s masters in social work program doesn’t give academic credit for life or previous work experience, though it values these experiences. This approach lines up with professional standards that see formal education as the foundation of social work practice.

Tuition

Smart financial planning plays a crucial role in your education investment. The Liberty University MSW program’s competitive tuition rates make advanced social work education available to more students. Graduate full-time students pay $580.00 per credit hour for the 2025-2026 academic year, while part-time students pay $645.00 per credit hour. Military service members get significant savings at $290.00 per credit hour, which acknowledges their service to our country.

Liberty University’s financial stability shows in the last decade with standard tuition increases staying below 5%. The university’s online tuition rates now rank among the top 35% most affordable compared to other leading online competitors for 2025.

Students can take advantage of several financial support options. Liberty’s scholarship programs cater specifically to online students. Working families with incomes between $35,000 and $95,000 can benefit from the Middle America Scholarship, which provides up to $6,000 in need-based aid each year.

Students who submit a FAFSA with a Student Aid Index between 1-17,000 qualify for the Middle America Scholarship during the 2025-2026 academic year. The scholarship supplements their Federal Pell Grant amount. Other valuable scholarship options include:

• Alumni Legacy Award: $1,000 per year for up to four years
• Champion Award: Ranging from $1,000 to $2,750 depending on enrollment year
• Heroes Fund Scholarship: Covers remaining tuition and class fees after other aid

Students should factor in a technology fee of $349.00 each semester. Book and online content costs run about $636.00, and supplies add another $636.00.

Liberty’s nonprofit status lets the university prioritize educational quality instead of profits. This approach results in 95% of Liberty’s students receiving some type of financial aid. Many students complete their degrees without paying anything upfront through a mix of grants, loans, and scholarships.

Liberty’s financial aid office stands ready to help you explore funding options that match your situation.

Additional Information

The Liberty University MSW program helps you prepare for state licensure examinations and gives you the credentials you need to advance your career. You’ll gain practical experience through 1,000 hours of hands-on fieldwork before graduation and apply your classroom knowledge in real-life settings.

Experienced professionals provide one-on-one guidance that shapes your understanding of social work through valuable mentorship. Their individual attention helps you grow as a leader who can support others in different environments.

The masters in social work Liberty University program prepares you to work in schools, hospitals, adoption agencies, and mental health clinics. Your education prepares you to serve communities at both local and global levels.

Military-affiliated students benefit from the Liberty University online MSW program’s special tuition rate of $290 per credit hour for graduate courses. Active duty service members, Reserve/National Guard, veterans/retirees, their spouses, and Department of Defense employees can take advantage of these rates.

Students receive comprehensive support through Liberty’s resources:

• Career Center to help with professional development
• Online Writing Center for graduate-level writing help
• Free tutoring available 24/7
• Full library access
• Technical support services

The program teaches you to support socially just policies that match biblical truth while you develop research skills through literature reviews, research proposals, and program evaluation projects.