Affordable Online MSW Without Internship

Looking for an MSW program without an internship is like looking for a car without headlights; one cannot be found without the other. An internship is simply part of the process of completing a social work degree, just like headlights are an integral component of modern cars.

However, today’s Master of Social Work programs offer far more flexibility for completing internship requirements than traditional programs did a couple of decades ago. Online programs have the same fieldwork requirements as on-campus programs (at least 900 hours in programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education), but many allow you to complete those hours in creative ways:

At approved agencies in your own community
At your place of work (if it’s an applicable and approved setting)
Virtually via telehealth networks

For example, if you enroll in a program in Illinois but live in Pueblo, Colorado, you would be able to complete your fieldwork in Pueblo. Similarly, if you have a BSW and work as a case manager with the Department of Family Services, you might be able to fulfill your fieldwork requirements under the supervision of an MSW colleague.

As you’ll see in our ranking, some programs offer virtual fieldwork experiences, too. Working with clients online has become much more popular in recent years, and having a telehealth-like field experience can equip you to better serve clients who are homebound.

So, though an internship is required for a CSWE-accredited program, you have many different options for meeting field requirements. Better still, each of the programs listed below doesn’t require any campus visits, so you can complete your MSW without worrying about traveling for class or completing an internship far away.

Methodology: How We Ranked Affordable Online MSW Programs

We ranked these programs using the following methodology:

Create a list of accredited programs using the CSWE online directory
Identify online programs using the CSWE directory
Narrow the list using the per-credit tuition cost as a primary factor

Additional details about our ranking criteria are available on our methodology page.

Related Reading:

Fort Hays State University

Program Type: Master of Social Work
Credits: 36 (advanced standing); 66 (regular standing)
Time to Completion: 12 months (advanced standing); 25 months (regular standing)
Tuition: $319.45 per credit (Kansas residents and non-residents)
Internship details: Can be completed at a location of your choosing, with approval; 400 hours of generalist internship experience and 500 hours of advanced internship practice are required
Program features: Part-time program with a clinical focus; synchronous face-to-face online coursework; GRE is not required for admission

University of West Florida

Program Type: Master of Social Work
Credits: 30 (advanced standing); 60 (regular standing)
Time to Completion: 20 months (advanced standing); 40 months (regular standing)
Tuition: $384.60 per credit (Florida residents); $1,044.24 (non-residents)
Internship details: Can be completed at a location of your choosing, with approval (if you live 60+ miles from campus); 900 total hours of internship are required
Program features: Advanced and regular standing degree options are available; program meets the requirements for licensure as a clinical social worker in Florida; very low graduate tuition for in-state students

Concord University

Program Type: Master of Social Work
Credits: 36 (advanced standing); 60 (regular standing)
Time to Completion: 12 months (advanced standing); 24 months (regular standing)
Tuition: $543.00 per credit (West Virginia residents and non-residents)
Internship details: Can be completed at a location of your choosing, with approval; 900 hours of internship are required; internship hours include generalist and advanced practice
Program features: Specialization in rural practice; two start dates each year; all coursework is 100 percent online; no GRE is required

Chamberlain University

Program Type: Master of Social Work
Credits: 36 (advanced standing); 60 (regular standing)
Time to Completion: 12 months (advanced standing); 24 months (regular standing)
Tuition: $695.00 per credit (Illinois residents and non-residents)
Internship details: Can be completed at a location of your choosing, with approval; 900 hours of internship are required
Program features: Culturally responsive program; four specialization tracks are available; special support available for non-traditional students; simulated fieldwork opportunities with virtual clients

Campbellsville University

Program Type: Master of Social Work
Credits: 60
Time to Completion: 21 months
Tuition: $603.00 per credit (Kentucky residents and non-residents)
Internship details: Can be completed at a location of your choosing, with approval; 900 hours of internship are required; internship hours include foundational and advanced practice
Program features: Accelerated faith-based program; training focuses on ecological and strength-based perspectives; multiple specialization tracks are available

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a practicum in social work?

A practicum (also known as internship or field experience) places you in a social work setting where you can implement the knowledge and skills you’ve learned in your classes in a real-world setting. Practicum experiences are supervised by an experienced social worker and typically include placements for generalist or foundational practice the first year of the program and advanced practice the second year.

What should I expect in a social work practicum?

You will participate in virtually all aspects of working as a social worker during your practicum experiences. You will work with clients in a one-on-one setting, take part in case management, attend office meetings and training, and complete necessary paperwork, to name a few responsibilities.

How many hours a week is a social work practicum?

Social work practicums usually require 16-20 hours of on-site work per week in addition to the time needed to complete coursework.

Do I get to choose my MSW internship site?

Most online MSW programs allow you to choose the site of your MSW internship. Typically, you research local options and provide your program’s internship coordinator with details about each, including a ranking of each site based on your preference.