An online Master of Social Work is not worthless. In fact, online MSWs are more common than ever because they provide a greater level of flexibility for you to complete your degree. In many cases, you can even continue working in your current job and get MSW training as your schedule allows.
More importantly, many online MSW programs offer the same classes with the same professors and the same graduation requirements as on-campus MSW programs. And since there is no distinction made on your diploma regarding whether you earned the degree in person or online, prospective employers will have no indication that your studies were done remotely.
Having said all that, not all online MSW programs are alike. There are some considerations to make when choosing a program so you’re sure your education offers you the most value.
Related Reading:
- How to Become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Where are the Best Jobs for LCSW Graduates?
- Best Careers with a Master’s Degree in Social Work
An Accredited Online MSW Makes Your Education Worth It
Of utmost importance is that the online MSW you choose is accredited. More specifically, it should be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
CSWE accreditation ensures that online MSW programs meet specific standards of rigor. What’s more, the CSWE mandates that accredited programs are competency-based, meaning, in addition to coursework, you must also complete at least 900 hours of supervised social work activities.
The combination of coursework and fieldwork helps you develop critical skills related to social work, including:
- Case management
- Clinical assessment
- Policy-level advocacy
- Promoting human rights and social justice
- Conducting research
CSWE-accredited online MSW programs provide rigorous coursework and allow you to complete fieldwork requirements in your local community. As such, you can get an MSW online without ever setting foot on a college campus.
Choose an Affordable Online MSW to Maximize Your Degree’s Value
The expense of getting an MSW can make you think twice about whether it’s worth it to you to get this degree. Fortunately, there are many options that minimize your expenses without sacrificing the quality of your education.
Here are three examples of affordable CSWE-accredited MSW programs:
- Fort Hays State University offers a 66-credit online program that is less than $320 per credit hour (for in-state and out-of-state students). It takes just over two years to complete if you’re a full-time student.
- Arkansas State University offers an online MSW that is $340 per credit hour for in-state and out-of-state students. This 63-credit program can be completed in about two years of full-time studies.
- Missouri State University offers an online MSW that’s just 58 credits and can be completed in two years. This program is $348 per credit hour regardless of your residency status.
There are many other examples of affordable, CSWE-accredited programs, too!
There is Value in the Course Structure and Delivery of Online MSWs
Another reason why online MSW programs have so much value is they’re designed to be maximally beneficial to you as a learner and practitioner.
For example, many accredited online MSW programs follow a cohort structure, so you proceed through the program with the same classmates. Not only does this help you build friendships with other cohort members, but it also means you graduate with a network of other professionals already in place – professionals whose advice and experience you can draw on as you progress in your career.
Most online MSW programs also employ different types of course delivery to ensure you get the most out of your education:
- Asynchronous courses allow you to complete coursework on your own schedule without set class meeting times.
- Synchronous courses involve live online class meetings that provide you a more traditional learning environment with a give-and-take between you, your classmates, and your professors.
- Fieldwork enables you to put your classroom learning into practice in a real-world, supervised social work setting.
Online MSWs Offer the Value of Different Enrollment Options
Just like traditional on-campus MSW programs, online MSWs come in many different types. For example, if you already have a Bachelor of Social Work, you can enroll in an advanced standing online MSW and complete the program much faster – in as little as a year or year-and-a-half.
Regular-standing MSW programs are also available. This option is ideal if you have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work. Typically, these programs take around three years to complete, but given the flexibility of an online MSW, you might be able to finish the graduation requirements in a shorter time frame. Of course, many online MSW programs give you the option of studying full-time or part-time, too.
Your Online MSW Prepares You for Expanded Career Options
There are many job opportunities available for you with a BSW. However, you need an MSW to advance your career into areas like clinical work. By completing an accredited online MSW program, you will have the knowledge and skills to pursue any number of licensed social work positions.
For example, with an MSW, you’re eligible for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). As an LCSW, you can provide clinical services to clients without supervision from another social worker.
Naturally, with higher credentials and an advanced degree, you not only have more career options but better paying career options at that. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, master’s-level social workers can make in excess of $87,000 per year, which is far more than the median annual salary for bachelor’s-level social workers, which is less than $40,000 per year.
Getting an Online MSW Provides Value to Others
Aside from the benefits you derive from an online MSW, the advanced skills you learn in your MSW program will provide tangible benefits to your clients. Your ability to provide case management, clinical services, psychoeducational training, and so forth can help your clients overcome significant barriers in their lives. From that perspective, an online MSW is an extremely valuable degree!
