Radford University’s Master of Social Work Program
The Radford University Social Work Department is one of the university’s oldest programs with over 25 years of history. Located in the Waldron College of Health and Human Services, the department shapes professionals who embrace social work’s core values and ethics. Students develop strong clinical skills and learn to appreciate human diversity.
The School of Social Work goes beyond traditional education with its mission. The faculty and staff weave cultural humility into their teaching methods. They champion inclusion and social justice at every level, from local communities to global settings. This approach helps students build strong advocacy and practice skills through evidence-based models that prepare them for ground challenges.
The program’s unique setting has a mix of small cities and rural areas, which offers varied practice experiences. The department’s strategic collaborations with nearby communities serve two purposes: education and service. These partnerships create valuable opportunities for student learning.
Radford’s signature teaching method focuses on field experience that combines coursework with practice. This hands-on emphasis means graduates can adapt their skills to meet their clients’ needs. The Social Work Department also partners with several important organizations:
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- Virginia Department of Health Professions
- School Social Work Association of America
The department’s track record speaks for itself. The Master of Social Work program serves about 100 students across its various options. It has kept its CSWE accreditation for 27 years. Students can choose from over 300 sites for their practicum placement, which lets them apply their knowledge in professional settings.
Small classes give students better access to their professors. The program offers flexible options through full-time, part-time, face-to-face, and online study paths. Classes run during late afternoons and evenings or online asynchronously to fit different schedules.
A Professional Advisory Council of trained social workers oversees the School of Social Work. They make sure the curriculum matches industry standards and new practices. This oversight, combined with expert faculty and community partnerships, creates a strong learning environment. Students learn to assess situations and help people effectively in different settings.
Radford University’s Social Work Department builds on its tradition of excellence. It prepares students for today’s social work challenges through balanced theory, research, and hands-on experience.
Programs offered
Radford University’s Social Work Department helps students become skilled practitioners through its undergraduate and graduate programs. These programs teach practical skills and emphasize social justice and cultural humility at every level.
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program creates generalist social work professionals who can assess and help people at micro, mezzo, and macro levels. This CSWE-accredited program has nine key practice areas: Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Social Welfare Policies and Services, Research, Social Work Practice, Field Instruction, Social Work Values and Issues, Social and Economic Justice, Populations-at-Risk, and Diversity. BSW graduates can apply for advanced standing in graduate social work programs.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program takes a deeper look at clinical social work practice. Students learn direct practice skills and gain a rich understanding of human diversity. They can also explore specialty interests through electives in Military Families, Substance Use Disorders, Crisis Therapy, Aging, School Social Work, and other areas.
The MSW program offers flexible paths to fit different schedules:
- Traditional MSW Program: Full-time students finish in five semesters (two years) while part-time students need eleven semesters (three years). Students must complete 60 credit hours of coursework.
- Advanced Standing MSW Program: This option is only open to recent BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs (within seven years). Students need 40 credits and can graduate in four semesters (full-time) or six semesters (part-time).
The Advanced Standing program has specific courses like Biopsychosocial Assessment, Research II, Social Work Practice, and Concentration Practice & Seminar. The department also connects students with practicum placements at one of over 300 sites within 90 minutes of campus.
Field education stands at the heart of every student’s learning experience. Students put their classroom knowledge to work in real-life settings. The department proudly maintains a 100% successful internship placement rate.
Students can join faculty research projects, become members of professional organizations, and learn from experienced mentors. The program’s dedication to hands-on education shows impressive results—over 95% of Waldron College of Health and Human Services baccalaureate graduates either find jobs or move on to graduate school within three months of graduation.
About the online program
Radford University’s online Master of Social Work program puts flexibility first. Working professionals can advance their education without putting their careers on hold. Students can choose full-time or part-time study options. Classes are available during late afternoons and evenings or in an asynchronous format that works with your schedule.
The online MSW program delivers the same high standards as on-campus learning with extra benefits for remote students. Your online experience includes:
- 100% online coursework available 24/7 from any location with internet access
- Personal attention from qualified faculty who bring extensive field experience
- Learning at your own pace to balance work, school, and family life
- The same quality education as the traditional program with more flexibility
The program supports students beyond typical boundaries to meet field experience requirements. Students living outside the 100-mile radius of campus work directly with the Field Coordinator to find suitable placement opportunities in their area. This personal approach lets you complete your practical work without moving.
Students can choose between traditional and advanced standing tracks, just like the on-campus program. The traditional track needs 60 credit hours, while advanced standing requires 40 credits. The curriculum focuses on practical application to build skills in clinical social work practice, relationship building, and advocacy.
Hands-on experience remains essential in the online format. Students complete internships at one of over 300 sites, including mental health centers, schools, and hospitals. These placements help you use classroom knowledge in real situations and build professional networks.
The program equips you for licensure exams and careers in many settings. Graduates qualify to pursue licensing as clinical social workers and can work in mental health, substance abuse counseling, or take leadership roles.
New applicants should know that while coursework is fully online, some programs might need occasional campus visits for orientation or important meetings. Radford keeps these requirements minimal compared to other schools.
Accreditation
Accreditation serves as a vital quality indicator for any social work program. The Radford University Social Work Department has earned significant recognition in this domain. Social work regulatory boards require degrees from programs with Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation. This recognition acts as a quality standard that validates educational excellence and professional preparation.
Radford University’s Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) and Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) programs have secured full CSWE accreditation valid until 2030. The extended accreditation timeline reflects the program’s steadfast dedication to excellence in education and professional standards. Graduates can pursue licensure in all states because of this accreditation status.
CSWE accreditation means more than just recognition. The curriculum lines up with professional standards and industry best practices. Students learn content that directly associates with modern social work requirements. A Professional Advisory Council of trained social workers regularly evaluates these programs alongside CSWE oversight to keep the curriculum relevant.
Radford University has showed its commitment to professional standards through partnerships with leading organizations:
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- School Social Work Association of America
- Virginia Department of Health Professions
Many jurisdictions have requirements beyond educational credentials for licensure. Radford’s complete accreditation creates a strong foundation for graduates who choose different career paths. The Social Work Department’s accreditation status reflects Radford University’s broader excellence, as shown by its Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accreditation.
This accreditation brings real benefits to students. The curriculum meets industry standards and creates clear paths to licensure and employment. Students can feel confident that their education matches professional expectations.
The Social Work Department stands among 30 other professionally recognized programs at Radford University. This highlights the university’s commitment to maintaining high academic standards in programs of all types.
Admission Requirements
Students looking to join Radford University’s Master of Social Work program need to meet specific requirements. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 2.75 GPA opens the door. Your chances improve with a 3.0 GPA in the final 60 hours of upper-division coursework.
Radford stands out from other graduate programs by not requiring GRE or Miller Analogies Test scores. Notwithstanding that, you need a strong liberal arts foundation with at least 15 credit hours in social sciences, 9 hours of humanities, and 3 hours of biology content without lab requirements.
Your application timeline depends on your chosen path:
- Advanced Standing track: Summer admission deadline falls on March 1
- Standard program: Fall admission applications work best when submitted before June 1
Recent data shows the program’s selective nature with a 38% acceptance rate (20 students enrolled out of 31 applicants).
Advanced Standing candidates must have earned their BSW from a CSWE-accredited program within seven years. They need to have managed to keep a minimum 3.0 GPA in all undergraduate social work courses. This path works only for social work graduates—other majors must take the standard program route.
Your application needs these components:
- Completed MSW Program Supplemental Application
- Experience in Human Services form
- Curriculum Option/Degree Path selection
- Personal statements (250-word maximum per question)
Students must complete several steps before starting field placements:
- Get professional liability insurance (1 million/3 million coverage)
- Show up at field orientations and meetings
- Buy the LiveText Field Experience Module
- Submit field applications and required documents
- Join the Field Internship Fair when available
Keep in mind that life experience or previous work experience won’t count toward course credit. On top of that, criminal convictions might affect your ability to get required liability insurance, which could impact program completion and future licensure.
The program offers application fee waivers to qualified candidates. These include veterans, active duty military, Virginia K-12 educators, alumni, current students, first-generation college students, and former Pell Grant recipients.
Tuition
The financial commitment for Radford University’s Master of Social Work program depends on several factors. Your costs will vary based on where you live, how you enroll, and the number of credits you take.
Tuition costs $5,066 per semester or $10,132 annually for full-time in-state graduate students who take 12-16 credits. The total reaches $7,193 per semester or $14,386 for the academic year when you add mandatory fees – a $60 technology fee and $2,067 comprehensive fee per semester.
Students from outside Virginia pay more, with tuition at $422 per credit hour plus extra fees. The total comes to $918 per credit hour with a $20 capital fee, $5 technology fee, $173 comprehensive fee, and $298 program fee. This means non-Virginia residents will pay more for their program overall.
You can pay by credit hour as a part-time student. In-state graduate students pay $600 per credit hour, which includes $422 for tuition, a $5 technology fee, and $173 comprehensive fee. This payment structure helps you plan your finances better throughout your studies.
The total cost of attendance for graduate off-campus students covers:
- In-state: $30,563 (including living expenses)
- Out-of-state: $37,871 (including living expenses)
Virginia teachers get a special rate of $470 per credit hour for part-time enrollment. This reduced rate shows how much the university values advanced education for teachers.
You’ll find many financial aid options available. The university plans to give over $3.20 million in foundation scholarships for 2025-26. Nearly 1,000 students received scholarship support recently. Most scholarships depend on financial need, so completing your FAFSA is crucial.
The department might offer additional program-specific financial help. Look into all options early since deadlines and eligibility requirements differ for each scholarship opportunity.
The Financial Aid Office can help you create a personalized funding plan. Apply early for both program admission and financial aid to get the most support during your MSW studies at Radford University.
Additional Information
Radford University’s Social Work Department boasts an impressive track record of graduate success. Their students’ performance on the Social Work National Exam Clinical First-Time Pass Rates matches national averages, ranging from 68% to 88% between 2011 and 2023. The class of 2021 achieved a 78% first-time pass rate, outperforming the national average of 75%.
The class of 2024 reached new heights with remarkable career outcomes. Their 94% placement rate set a record and exceeded the national average of 85.7%. These numbers come from the National Association of College and Employers (NACE) First Destination survey.
The financial rewards prove substantial over time. The Center on Education and Workforce reports Radford University graduates earn $168,000 more over 10 years. This achievement ranks the university eighth among Virginia’s public institutions for return on investment.
The School’s internal assessment system tracks nine core competencies from ethical behavior to practice evaluation. Students excel across these areas, especially in human rights, social justice, and work with diverse communities.
The department’s Professional Advisory Council ensures educational excellence, and their near-perfect career placement rate shows how well they prepare students for this in-demand field.