UNC Chapel Hill MSW Program

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work ranks among the highest-ranked academic programs in social work in the United States. This 100+ year old institution proudly is one of the oldest professional schools at the university, which received its charter on December 11, 1789.

The school’s mission aims to advance equity, change systems, and improve lives through social work education and practice. Students learn through a challenging curriculum that emphasizes the social work profession’s core values:

• Equal access to services
• Respect for individual worth and human dignity
• Right of self-determination
• Availability of human social institutions responsive to human needs
• Positive regard for diverse populations
• Personal responsibility for ethical conduct and continuous knowledge acquisition

A vibrant academic community of about 300 students comes together each year to learn evidence-based practices. The school’s Chapel Hill campus has earned recognition from Architectural Digest as one of the world’s most beautiful. Students can enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountains less than four hours away and coastal beaches just two hours from campus. The Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Research Triangle Park lie only 20 miles away.

North Carolina’s social work field continues to expand. The state employs more than 15,000 licensed clinical social workers, and experts project 9-12% growth between 2021 and 2031. These numbers highlight UNC’s high-quality social work programs’ importance.

Graduate students study in modern facilities within the Tate-Turner-Kuralt Building on Carolina’s main campus. The university’s location puts students in an area consistently ranked among the nation’s top places to live and work. The nearby cities of Raleigh and Durham are just 15-30 minutes away.

Recent admissions data shows the program’s strong appeal, with 437 applicants, 225 acceptances, and 152 enrollments. The school’s diverse faculty includes 57 members (32 full-time, 25 part-time) who bring rich expertise to the learning experience.

This prestigious program gives students both academic knowledge and hands-on experience. Graduates leave ready to tackle complex social challenges in communities, states, and nations.

Programs offered

UNC Chapel Hill has several ways to get your Master of Social Work degree. Each path fits different career needs and life situations.

The School’s MSW curriculum splits into two levels: the Generalist Curriculum and the Specialization Curriculum. Students in the 2-Year MSW Program complete the Generalist Curriculum (29 credit hours) in their first year. The Specialization Curriculum (32 credit hours) follows in the second year. Your field experiences start from the first semester and continue throughout both years.

The 3-Year MSW Program works well for professionals who need flexibility. Students take two classes each Friday (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) in the first two years and complete 32 credit hours at the Generalist level. The final year focuses on the Specialization Curriculum with full-time study. This option serves students who can commute to Chapel Hill and work in helping professions.

Students with a Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program can join the Advanced Standing Program. This 12-month accelerated program starts in May and builds on your existing social work knowledge.

The Online MSW Program welcomes new students in spring (January), summer (April), and fall (August). Online learners follow the same curriculum and complete the same 62 credit hours as on-campus students.

Students choose between two concentrations during the Specialization Curriculum: Direct Practice (DP) or Community, Management, and Policy Practice (CMPP). This choice helps shape your career path.

UNC Chapel Hill makes your education even more valuable through:

• Four dual degree options: MSW/MPH, MSW/JD, MSW/MPA, or MSW/MDiv (in collaboration with Duke University Divinity School)
• Specialized certificates that cover Substance Use and Addictions Specialist, Licensure in School Social Work, Non-profit Leadership, and Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities and Neurodivergent Certificate

Field education plays a key role in all program formats. Students in the 3-Year MSW complete their practicum in their local communities alongside their studies. The 2-Year MSW students also get supervised field training throughout their program.

The program uses a cohort model that encourages strong bonds with classmates who start together. This shared learning approach improves your education and builds lasting professional connections for your career.

About the online program

Launched in January 2024, UNC Chapel Hill’s innovative online Master of Social Work program meets the needs of changemakers who want to strengthen their community roles while keeping their current jobs and commitments. Students can start the program in spring (January), summer (April), or fall (August) semesters.

Students follow the same curriculum as campus-based programs and must complete 62 credit hours. The same renowned faculty teaches both online and in-person students through equally challenging coursework. Core courses, specialization practice courses, policy courses, and field education make up the curriculum structure.

The program’s format stands out because of its mixed learning approach. Students attend live sessions with UNC faculty and complete weekly academic content at times that work best for them. A student shared this experience: “It doesn’t feel ‘online.’ You are truly connecting with your professors. When they give you feedback, they send you voice messages, so you feel like you’re right there, in person”.

The program offers flexibility that works well for:

• Students who balance studies with work, family, and other commitments
• Recent graduates entering the field
• Career changers seeking new professional directions
• Practicing social workers advancing their credentials

Students graduate after completing:

• 62 credit hours of online coursework
• Two internships within their communities

UNC plans to launch an Advanced Standing Online MSW Program in 2026, with enrollment starting in April. BSW holders can earn their MSW in just five semesters through this accelerated format that builds on their existing coursework and practicum experience.

The program helps address critical workforce shortages in North Carolina and beyond. Social work positions should grow 9-12% from 2021-2031. Graduates will be ready for direct practice, nonprofit management, community practice, and leadership roles. The program started with 30 students in January 2024 and will add 30 more in August. By 2027, enrollment should reach 215 students.

This online option makes expertise, experience, and professional connections more available to create positive change in communities, particularly in underserved areas.

Accreditation

CSWE accreditation is the gold standard for social work education programs in the United States. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s MSW program has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This accreditation will give a guarantee that graduates receive education meeting strict professional standards.

The School of Social Work earned its full CSWE accreditation in 2004, marking one of the most important milestones in its history. The program went through a full review process and earned an eight-year reaccreditation from CSWE in February 2021. This extended accreditation runs until 2028, showing the school’s steadfast dedication to excellent educational standards.

The accreditation covers all program formats and delivery methods. The new online MSW curriculum has similar accreditation status as campus-based offerings. Whatever pathway you choose – the traditional 2-year, 3-year, advanced standing, or online – you’ll graduate from a CSWE-accredited program.

What does this accreditation mean for you as a student?

A CSWE-accredited degree lets graduates apply for clinical social work and/or social work manager licensure. Students without this accreditation are nowhere near ready for professional practice after graduation.

The accreditation will give a curriculum that follows time-tested educational standards to prepare you for professional practice. The School’s focus and content follow the CSWE Curriculum Policy Statement, which outlines everything in social work practice.

The program upholds CSWE Accreditation Standard 6.0 on Nondiscrimination and Human Diversity. This standard requires ongoing efforts to create a learning environment that respects everyone and understands diversity across dimensions including “age, class, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, immigration status, marital status, political ideology, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation”.

Advanced Standing applicants need to pay special attention to CSWE accreditation. To qualify for this accelerated option, you must have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program.

UNC Chapel Hill shines among 13 CSWE-accredited MSW programs in North Carolina. The school’s academic excellence and high standards have earned it a place among the nation’s top social work schools consistently.

Admission Requirements

The UNC Graduate School manages admissions to the UNC Chapel Hill MSW program. Students must meet specific requirements and submit their applications through the Graduate School’s online system.

You’ll need these documents to apply:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university (any discipline works)
• Academic knowledge from different disciplines
• Unofficial transcripts from every college and university you attended
• A 3-4 page Statement of Purpose
• Three recommendation letters (the system sends email invitations to your recommenders after you click ‘Save’)
• An updated resume or CV showing your professional and volunteer work in social work
• TOEFL or IELTS scores from the last 2 years (only if you’re an international student)

The admissions committee likes to see social work-related coursework and experience, though it’s not mandatory. UNC takes a flexible approach to GPA requirements. Most newly enrolled students have GPAs between 3.2 and 3.4.

The Advanced Standing Program starts in May for on-campus students and late April for online students. This program has extra requirements. You need a CSWE-accredited BSW degree before enrollment. Your last 60 credit hours of undergraduate work must show a “B” or higher GPA. All your required undergraduate social work courses should have “B” or better grades. You also need 400 hours of direct service placement with a “B” or higher grade. A BSW program faculty member must write one of your recommendation letters, even if you graduated years ago.

International students must clear additional hurdles. Competitive candidates need interviews. Your TOEFL or IELTS scores should be from the last two years. The minimum score requirements are 90 for internet-based TOEFL or 7 for IELTS. Some students don’t need these scores. This applies if you live in a country where English is taught in schools, earned a U.S. bachelor’s degree, or graduated from a school that teaches only in English.

The school sends out admission decisions by mid-March if you apply by January 13, 2026 (the priority deadline). After getting accepted, you’ll need to confirm your enrollment and pay a deposit by your program’s deadline.

Tuition

Students at UNC Chapel Hill need to understand how MSW education financing works. The tuition structure changes based on where you live and which program format you choose. UNC charges tuition per credit hour, and most graduate programs cap the charges at full-time enrollment of nine hours each semester.

The base tuition rates for graduate students start at $10,764 for North Carolina residents. Out-of-state students pay $29,421. MSW program’s specific rates push the total tuition costs to about $37,485 for out-of-state students. Students must also pay yearly mandatory fees of $1,987.

Living expenses add significantly to an MSW student’s total costs. International students should expect to pay $61,583 for their first year, which includes tuition, fees, and living costs. Their first-year MSW tuition in Social Work comes to roughly $28,442.

UNC-Chapel Hill stands out as the nation’s best value in public higher education. The School helps students manage these costs by providing about 40 different scholarships based on merit and need. This shows their commitment to expanding financial support options.

Students can access several unique funding options:

• Golden Policy Fellows program gives qualified students up to $30,000 in stipends over three years
• Research assistantships come with professional mentorship, stipends, and health insurance
• Hortense McClinton Legacy Scholarship Fund started with a $50,000 gift
• Carl A. and Susan H. Baumann Macro Student Opportunity Scholarship provides nearly $80,000 yearly

Spring 2025 saw 102 Master of Social Work students receiving scholarship support. Funded practicum placements have grown remarkably by 230% since 2023. Fall 2024 data shows 30% of placements now receive funding. This growth makes it easier for students who want to serve underserved communities.

Additional Information

UNC Chapel Hill MSW graduates’ career paths illustrate the program’s excellence. Recent data shows a soaring win rate of 96% among graduates. About 64.6% find full-time jobs while 30.8% pursue further education. MSW graduates typically earn $58,103 as starting salary – 25% more than those without advanced degrees.

The program’s strong local impact shows through its alumni base. About 37.3% of graduates build their careers in North Carolina. Child, Family, and School Social Workers remain a popular career choice. North Carolina alone offers 11,610 jobs in this field with average earnings of $46,990.

Students receive detailed guidance through the MSW Curriculum Manual. This yearly updated resource covers grading policies, licensure requirements, and technical standards. Field education plays a key role in professional growth. Students can find placement opportunities right in their local communities.

The program’s excellence continues to gain recognition. U.S. News & World Report now ranks it 4th best nationally. Among public universities, it is the 2nd best for social work education and leads the Southeast region.

UNC Chapel Hill graduates join a strong network of more than 360,000 Carolina alumni. These professionals make valuable contributions in fields of all types worldwide.