University of Washington MSW
The University of Washington School of Social Work ranks 7th among 319 schools for best graduate programs in social work, according to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report. This prominent school started as a single course in the early 1900s and grew into an independent department. The school received recognition as a professional institution in 1958 and launched its undergraduate program the following year.
The School of Social Work nestles in Seattle’s University District, right next to the main University of Washington campus. This creates a unified academic setting. The school stays true to excellence in teaching, innovative research, and stronger community connections. These values stem from the school’s belief that societies should be judged by how they treat their most vulnerable members.
The faculty builds its teaching and research on fundamental principles of social justice, strengthening communities, multiculturalism, and social change. They blend teaching, research, and community service with ground applications that affect individual lives and society.
Students receive education that meets professional standards through full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Regular evaluations track student learning outcomes and their mastery of CSWE accreditation standards.
The school houses research centers that make substantial contributions to social work. These include the Social Development Research Group, the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute, and Partners for Our Children. The school’s global reach expanded in 2006 through a partnership with Cambodia’s Royal University of Phnom Penh. This collaboration helps develop social work curriculum and trains professionals who address societal problems after years of civil discord.
Students who join the school bring diverse backgrounds and strong commitments to racial justice and anti-oppressive practice. Many have worked extensively with diverse and marginalized communities. This matches the school’s mission to prepare social workers who can invent, lead, and work effectively in a multicultural world with complex social challenges.
Students interested in learning about the MSW program can join remote advising sessions via Zoom throughout the week. They can also meet Student Services staff during drop-in sessions in room 023 on the ground floor of the School of Social Work building.
Programs offered
The School of Social Work at the University of Washington offers several educational paths through its professional programs at undergraduate and graduate levels, including doctoral studies. The school’s flagship Master of Social Work (MSW) program helps students become advanced practitioners in specialized fields.
Students can choose from three different MSW formats based on their needs. The Full-Time Program takes two years (six quarters) with daytime classes running Monday through Friday. Students spend two days each week at practicum sites during their first year and three days in the second year. The Part-Time Program (previously called Extended Degree Program) runs for eleven consecutive quarters over three years. This program includes summers and offers evening classes or online options, making it easier for working professionals to attend.
The Advanced Standing Program provides a faster route for qualified candidates who already have social work credentials. Students with a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program can complete this intensive program in eleven months. The program starts with a summer bridge course before students join the specialized curriculum with second-year students.
The University of Washington’s MSW program stands out because of its specialization options. Full-Time and Advanced Standing students can pick from three distinct paths:
- Clinical Social Work – Focusing on direct practice with individuals, families, and groups
- Administration and Policy Practice – Centering on nonprofit leadership and public policy
- Community-Centered Integrative Practice – Emphasizing grassroots, community-level solutions
Students in the Part-Time Program focus on Clinical Social Work exclusively.
The school’s concurrent degree options let students combine their MSW with other graduate degrees, especially in public health or public policy. This combination creates professionals who can tackle complex social challenges from multiple angles.
The school’s offerings extend beyond the MSW program. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare (BASW) program to prepare for entry-level generalist practice or choose the doctoral program that creates scholars ready for research and education careers. The Council on Social Work Education accredits all professional programs.
The University of Washington added a fully online MSW option to its program lineup. They opened applications for their first online cohort starting fall 2026, which aims to help students across Washington State and the Pacific Northwest who can’t move to or commute to Seattle.
About the online program
The University of Washington now offers a part-time MSW program that students can complete entirely online. This new program gives high-quality graduate education to students throughout Washington State and the Pacific Northwest. Students attend classes in virtual classrooms in real-time. The program combines the flexibility of online learning with the community feel of traditional classroom education.
Students get the same robust curriculum as campus-based learners. The program creates a tight-knit learning community through live virtual sessions at scheduled times, even though students aren’t physically together.
The program features two tracks that fit different educational backgrounds. The Advanced Standing Track speeds up the process for students who got their BSW from a CSWE-accredited program in the last seven years. Social work professionals with extensive experience might qualify even with older degrees. Students with bachelor’s degrees in other fields can join the Foundation Track to start their social work career.
The program’s pricing structure is simple – $996 per credit, with similar rates for everyone, whether they’re from Washington or not. There are no extra fees beyond the credit cost.
While students complete their coursework online, they must do their field placements in person. These hands-on internships usually take 12-16 hours each week during business hours, Monday through Friday. Students should factor this in-person commitment into their schedules.
Graduates will meet Washington State’s basic educational requirements to become Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW). Students who want specializations should know this might need more credits and time, which could affect the total cost.
The University of Washington’s online program shows its dedication to training skilled social workers. The program works great for students who can’t move to or travel to campus regularly.
Accreditation
Quality indicators don’t get more vital than accreditation for social work education programs nationwide. Students who want to join the University of Washington MSW program should know that both MSW and undergraduate BASW programs have full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This recognition proves the curriculum meets national professional standards set by the field’s main accrediting body.
The University of Washington’s MSW program went through its latest accreditation review in 2022. The program kept its fully accredited status until the next review in 2029. This eight-year cycle shows the program’s steadfast dedication to high educational standards and quality professional training.
CSWE accreditation includes several classifications. “Fully Accredited” stands at the top. Other options are “Accredited (Conditional)” for programs that need to fix compliance problems within a year, “Accredited (Withdrawal in Progress)” for programs planning to close, “Candidacy” for those working toward full status, and “Pre-Candidacy” for programs with draft-approved standards.
CSWE accreditation covers all approved program locations and delivery methods, which includes the University of Washington MSW online option. You’ll get the same accredited education that meets professional standards whether you choose campus classes or the online MSW Washington state program.
Students get great benefits from CSWE-accredited programs. Most states require graduation from an accredited program for social work licensure. UW’s accreditation status means graduates meet all educational requirements needed for professional practice and licensing exams.
Employers know CSWE accreditation shows graduates have received detailed training in core social work skills. The accreditation process looks at curriculum content, field education, faculty qualifications, and program outcomes. These elements create real value in your social work education.
The University of Washington’s long-standing CSWE accreditation proves you’ll get top-quality professional education in the field. This holds true whatever program format you pick.
Admission Requirements
The University of Washington MSW program takes an all-encompassing approach to select candidates. The selection team looks at your academic background, readiness for graduate studies, experience, fit with program goals, and what you can bring to the profession.
The Full-Time and Part-Time Programs have several basic requirements. You need a four-year bachelor’s degree, but the major doesn’t matter. Your degree should be finished before starting the program. The team might consider exceptional candidates without a four-year degree in rare cases.
Your grades should show a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale). This can be either your overall GPA or from your last 90 quarter/60 semester credits. Students who aren’t native English speakers must prove their English skills through approved tests.
While not required, you should aim to have 2,000 hours of social service experience when you apply. This experience shows your dedication to social work and preparation for graduate studies. Good news – you don’t need GRE scores for any MSW program option.
The Advanced Standing Program has the same GPA and English requirements. You also need a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program or a Canadian CASWE-accredited program. If your social work degree is over five years old, you should show ongoing professional growth through relevant work.
Everyone who gets accepted must pass a criminal background check. This helps protect the vulnerable people you might work with during your practicum.
Applications for Full-Time MSW open in September, and you must submit by January 15. Part-Time program applications open at the same time with a priority deadline of January 15, followed by a later final deadline.
After acceptance, you’ll learn how to complete the background check and Request for Criminal History Information Form.
Competition for admission is significant. Start preparing early and understand all requirements before applying. Meeting basic requirements makes you eligible, but the program looks at your overall fit beyond just the minimum criteria.
Tuition
Your education investment is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. Students who want to join the University of Washington MSW program need to understand the complete cost structure to plan their educational experience well.
The University of Washington places its MSW program under Tier II graduate programs for the 2025-26 academic year. The program sits among Education, Nursing, Community Planning, and School Psychology programs. Washington state residents pay $6,808 per quarter for full-time enrollment (7-18 credits). Students from other states pay $11,810 per quarter for the same credits. Students who enroll part-time pay by credit hours. Resident rates start at $2,108 for two credits while non-resident rates begin at $3,535.
Your tuition includes these mandatory fees:
- Technology Fee: $47 per quarter
- Services & Activities Fee: $167 per quarter
- University YMCA Student Center Fee: $180 per quarter
- U-PASS Fee: $45 per quarter ($20 for Thurston County residents)
- Building Fee: $191 per quarter for residents, $398 for non-residents
The University of Washington helps qualified graduate students with merit-based scholarships. These awards range from $200 to $500 for the 2024-25 academic year, based on how many students apply and compete. Students should note that these scholarships work as tuition rebates and not cash awards. They can’t be used for books or fees.
FAFSA data helps determine financial need, which plays a key role in selecting scholarship recipients. Students can also get book-aid scholarships worth $250 to $500. Both undergraduate and graduate students can apply for these additional funds.
Working professionals who can’t move to campus can choose the online MSW option. This program has simple pricing without any resident/non-resident differences. Quality education becomes available to qualified candidates across Washington State and nearby areas without campus visits.
UW’s complete financial aid package includes grants, loans, and work-study positions. These options help make quality education budget-friendly for students from all economic backgrounds.
Additional Information
The University of Washington School of Social Work builds a vibrant community that continues long after graduation. Its alumni continue to alter the map of social work through dedicated service, decisive leadership, and innovative programs that set new standards for social change.
Alumni can grow professionally through several paths. They become field education instructors and make vital contributions by helping students apply classroom knowledge to ground practice. Experienced social workers bring valuable views as guest speakers in classrooms and often spark students’ passion for change.
The school offers multiple ways to stay connected professionally. Its LinkedIn network lets alumni share career milestones and connect with peers locally and globally. UW Alumni Association’s Husky Landing serves as a powerful networking tool where professionals at all career stages can build meaningful connections.
Each student’s academic experience comes with complete support. Faculty advisors meet with their assigned students periodically, and students can request advisor changes as relationships evolve. The Social Work Graduate Program Advisor helps with technical aspects like registration, deadlines, and formal procedures.
The school will launch three new honors in 2026: the Early Career Achievement Award, the Established Impact Award, and a Social recognition program.