There are many excellent online MSW programs. However, not all MSW programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
This is important to note if you intend to become a licensed clinical social worker. That’s because licensure requires that you graduate from a CSWE-accredited master’s program.
The CSWE holds a lot of sway because they ensure that programs they accredit meet certain high standards. This, in turn, ensures that graduates have the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out their job duties.
With online learning more popular than ever, it’s easy to find online MSW programs. Some online MSW programs have even relaxed their requirements for admission. For example, some programs no longer require you to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
Regardless of a school’s admissions requirements, it’s important to determine if the programs you’re interested in are CSWE-accredited. That’s where this list comes in.
We’ve ranked the ten best CSWE-accredited online MSW programs, that way you have ample choices as you move forward with your education.
To determine the best CSWE-accredited programs, we developed a three-step method. This method is used to evaluate online MSW programs in terms of:
- Affordability
- Field Experience
- Flexibility
Let’s examine each of these factors for best CSWE-Accredited MSW Degree Programs in more detail.
Methodology to Determine the Best CSWE-Accredited Online MSW Degree Programs
Being CSWE-accredited is a big step in the right direction for an online MSW program. However, there are factors that differentiate the best CSWE-accredited online MSW programs from the rest.
Affordability is certainly a factor most people are concerned about. College is more expensive than ever before. Many people that are pursuing a graduate degree have significant student loan debt already. As a result, the more affordable a program, the more attractive it is.
Money isn’t everything, though. This is especially true when you’re pursuing a graduate degree in social work. One of the most important features of top programs is field experience. Some programs require you to take part in one field experience. Others require multiple experiences. Classroom learning is certainly valuable. However, programs that allow you to put what you’ve learned into practice will prepare you better for a career as a social worker.
You want to find a program that offers flexibility as well. By virtue of being online, the programs listed below are all flexible to meet your needs. However, some are more flexible than others with the way they are structured.
Below is a more detailed explanation of these three factors.
Affordability
Some students are able to get their undergraduate degree without much expense. Scholarships, loans, grants, and the like help in that regard. But many students have a lot of debt when they graduate. For some, this means putting off graduate school in favor of getting a job to help pay down loans.
For this and many other reasons, affordability is a crucial factor in making a decision on a graduate program. In fact, after accreditation, affordability is the most important thing to consider.
In some areas of life, if something is affordable, it means it is also cheaply or poorly designed. This is not the case when it comes to CSWE-accredited online MSW programs.
There are many accredited programs that are affordable too. This means you get the education you need for licensure while saving money at the same time.
Rather than examining programs at the cost-per-credit level, we’ve looked at them for approximate total costs. This helps you get a feel for how much it will cost to get your degree, rather than what you pay per credit.
This factor is determined as follows:
- Under $40,000: 5 points
- $40,001-$50,000: 4 points
- $50,001-$60,000: 3 points
- $60,001-$70,000: 2 points
- $70,001 and up: 1 point
Field Experience
To be CSWE-accredited, an online MSW program must have a field experience component. But not all field experiences are made alike.
As mentioned earlier, some programs require one field experience. Multiple field experiences are required in other programs. What’s more, some programs offer field experiences online. Others require students to work face-to-face with clients.
There are advantages and disadvantages to these different kinds of field experiences. However, the more fieldwork a student has, the more likely they are to develop the knowledge and skills needed to be a highly competent practitioner.
Regardless of the type of field experience or number of field experiences, MSW students must complete a minimum of 900 hours of fieldwork.
To rank programs for these criteria, we assign more points for exceeding the minimum requirements, as follows:
- Field experience far exceeds requirements: 3 points
- Field experience is above-average: 2 points
- Field experience meets minimum requirements: 1 point
Flexibility
The third criterion for our rankings is the flexibility of the program.
While each MSW program in our rankings is offered online, some programs have a more flexible learning format than others.
For example, some programs allow students to take courses in whatever order they see fit. Others require students to take classes in a specific order.
Likewise, some programs give students the freedom to work at their own pace on some assignments. Others have strict deadlines that must be met.
With that in mind, we’ve scored each program for flexibility as follows:
- High flexibility: 2 points
- Moderate flexibility: 1 point
- Low flexibility: 0 points
With a better understanding of our method, let’s now look at the ten best CSWE-accredited online MSW degree programs.
Ranking the Best CSWE-Accredited Online MSW Degree Programs
#10: Arizona State University
Students in Arizona State’s online MSW degree benefit from diverse learning. ASU’s faculty represents a variety of areas of expertise. This includes child welfare, policy advocacy, and gerontology.
Additionally, ASU offers MSW students the chance to study other specialties, such as:
- Borderland issues
- Human trafficking
- Forensic social work
Like all CSWE-accredited programs, the ASU curriculum requires classroom work and fieldwork. In fact, ASU requires students to complete 960 hours of field education. This requirement must be completed at two different sites. Having field experiences at dual sites allows students to broaden the application of their knowledge and skills.
Other features of this top MSW degree program include:
- Two professional seminars
- Professional development courses
- A course schedule of 7.5-week-long classes (students take one course at a time)
Points: 5
Affordability: Approximately $90,500
Field Experience: Far exceeds requirements. The field experience involves more hours than the minimum. There are also two field experience sites rather than one.
Flexibility: Moderate flexibility. Courses are taken one at a time. However, they must be taken in a specific order. This limits your ability to schedule courses or change your schedule.
#9: Baylor University
The online MSW program at Baylor has the same requirements as the on-campus program. These requirements are guided by the CSWE guidelines, and include specific coursework and field experiences.
Students can choose to study full-time or part-time. There is also an advanced standing option for students that have a BSW. Students that do not have a BSW can choose an accelerated track for the traditional program and graduate in as little as 16 months.
This program also has a mentorship component. Students can choose to be paired with a dedicated faculty mentor that provides support to you throughout the program.
Other features of this CSWE_accredited online MSW program include:
- Specialist options that include clinical practice and community practice
- A cohort design, so you take each course with the same classmates
- A capstone seminar to explore a specific area of social work practice
Additionally, the MSW program at Baylor does not require you to take the GRE.
Points: 6
Affordability: Approximately $84,900 for the standard track. Approximately $45,280 for the advanced standing track.
Field Experience: Far exceeds requirements. Students are required to complete over 1,000 hours of fieldwork. Fieldwork occurs in four separate terms. Field experiences are done in or near the city in which you live. There is a field experience team assigned to you to ensure your placement is a good fit.
Flexibility: High flexibility. You can study online 24/7. All courses are 100 percent online. There are no campus visits. Several program tracks are available. This includes full-time and part-time options. Accelerated options are also available.
#8: Simmons University
Simmons University’s online MSW program offers excellent flexibility for students. If you already have a CSWE-accredited BSW, you can complete this MSW program in as few as 16 months. If your bachelor’s degree is in another field, you can complete the traditional track in two years.
This is a clinically-focused program. Students will learn skills that enable them to work with individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities. The skills acquired in online classroom settings are applied during two field experiences. These field experiences allow you to apply what you’ve learned while working under the supervision of an experienced social worker.
Coursework that is required for this MSW degree includes:
- Human development
- Psychodynamic theory
- Solution-focused therapy
- Motivational interviewing
Additionally, students will take courses in ecological systems theory, cognitive behavioral theory, and sociocultural theory.
This program uses a cohort model. If admitted, you will work through the program and graduate with the same set of classmates.
Points: 6
Affordability: Approximately $71,500 for the complete program. Approximately $40,700 for the advanced standing track.
Field Experience: Far exceeds minimum requirements. This program requires more than 1,000 hours of field experience. These hours are met during two separate field experiences – one generalist and one specialist. The first field experience is done virtually. The second field experience is done in or near your community.
Flexibility: High flexibility. Full-time, part-time, and accelerated tracks are available. Traditional and advanced standing tracks are also available. Coursework can be completed 24/7. Live online meetings with faculty and classmates can be scheduled for a variety of times.
#7: Portland State University
The Portland State University School of Social Work is one of the first CSWE-accredited programs in Oregon. Its online MSW program was also the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.
This is a 78-credit program that can be completed in three years if you attend full-time. Online coursework is identical to what’s taught in on-campus classes. Additionally, online students must complete a 1,000-hour field experience, just like on-campus students.
Each year of the program includes required courses, elective courses of your choice, and field experiences. Other features of the program include:
- Multiple field experiences
- Live online courses
- Advanced concentration options
The advanced concentration options include a specialty in Practice and Leadership with Communities and Organizations or Health Across the Lifespan.
It’s important to note that students are required to attend a 2-day intensive weekend at the beginning of each academic year. The purpose of this weekend is to foster a sense of community among students and faculty.
Points: 6
Affordability: Approximately $39,702 for in-state students. Approximately $57,408 for out-of-state students.
Field Experience: Far exceeds requirements. Students must complete 1,000 hours of fieldwork. Fieldwork is divided into two experiences, each at a different field placement. The School of Social Work assists students in finding placements within 50 miles of their city of residence.
Flexibility: Low flexibility. Each course is 11 weeks long. Learning modules within each course have flexible deadlines. There are full-time and part-time options. There are two concentration areas available as well. However, students must attend an intensive on-campus weekend at the beginning of each academic year.
#6: University of North Dakota
The online MSW program from the University of North Dakota is offered in real-time. This means you take courses via live video feed. You can ask questions, participate in class discussions, and interact with classmates instantly.
This top CSWE-accredited degree program also offers local placements for the field experience. Students can even request the location of their practicum experience.
Coursework you can expect to complete in this program includes:
- Human behavior in the social environment
- Generalist practice with individuals and families
- Research methods and analysis
Students also take courses in practice with groups, communities, and organizations. By the end of the program, students have the knowledge and skills required to provide high-level services to a range of populations.
If you already have a CSWE-accredited BSW, you can follow the advanced standing track. This enables you to graduate in about half the time.
Points: 7
Affordability: Approximately $41,818.20
Field Experience: Far exceeds minimum requirements. Students complete two field experiences for a total of 950 hours. Field experiences can be completed at an approved site, or students can request to complete their field assignment at an agency of their choice. Field experiences occur at the generalist and advanced generalist levels.
Flexibility: Low flexibility. This program offers several options that increase its flexibility. Online students can take the complete curriculum or pursue advanced standing if they already have a BSW. Full-time and part-time options are available. However, students are required to make an on-campus visit, which greatly reduces the program’s flexibility.
#5: University of Louisville
Unlike many of the programs in our rankings, the social work program at Louisville results in a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW). This MSSW program is highly similar to an MSW and is CSWE-accredited.
The Louisville program is particularly focused on social justice issues. However, there is still a broad array of training so graduates can apply their skills in a variety of work settings with many different populations.
In fact, this MSSW program offers a host of specialization options, including:
- Military Social Work
- Alcohol and Drug Counseling
- Psychosocial Oncology
- Mental Health
- Gerontology
The traditional MSSW program is a 60-credit curriculum that can be completed in as few as two years. Students that already have a CSWE-accredited BSW can apply for the advanced standing track, which is a 30-credit program. The advanced standing track can be completed in as little as a year.
Coursework is supplemented with a 900-hour field experience. The field experience is done at a location of your choice (with school approval) in or near the city in which you live.
Points: 7
Affordability: Approximately $44,220 for the traditional track. Approximately $22,110 for the advanced standing track.
Field Experience: Meets minimum requirements. The field experience is 900 hours, broken into two 450-hour experiences. Fieldwork takes place at a location of your choice. All 900 hours can be completed at the same location.
Flexibility: High flexibility. The program at the University of Louisville is completely online. There are no campus visits. Courses are designed for easy access so you can learn at any time. Full-time and part-time options are available for additional flexibility.
#4: Indiana University
The MSW program at Indiana University is one of the oldest in the country. This is a three-phase program. Students begin with foundational courses. These courses introduce you to critical social work topics.
The second phase of the curriculum is the concentration area. The courses during this phase are more focused on specific topics like social work policy, clinical theory, and completing two field experiences.
The third phase of the program involves specialty courses. Students can choose to specialize in:
- Military social work
- E-social work
- Telebehavioral health
- Social work practice with groups
- Mental health and addictions
This program also gives students the option of studying full-time or part-time. There is an advanced standing track for students that already have a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program.
Points: 9
Affordability: Approximately $35,820 for in-state students. Approximately $42,960 for out-of-state students.
Field Experience: Far exceeds requirements. Indiana University requires 960 hours of field experience. This is above the minimum. This program also gives students many field experience options. This includes three different practicums at two different locations.
Flexibility: High flexibility. This program was designed for online delivery. No campus visits are required. Coursework is easily accessed online. There are multiple tracks, full-time and part-time options, and specialization options as well.
#3: Boise State University
The online MSW program at Boise State offers an above-average field experience. It’s also highly flexible to meet your scheduling needs. This is also one of the least expensive MSW programs in our rankings.
If you already have a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program, you might be able to enter the advanced standing track. Otherwise, the full program will be required. The full program includes:
- A 1,000-hour practicum
- Foundational coursework
- Advanced coursework
The foundational coursework includes classes on social welfare policy, social work research, and human behavior. Advanced coursework focuses on direct practice with clients. This includes learning about interventions, economic justice, and social systems. There are fieldwork requirements for the foundational phase and the advanced coursework phase as well.
To be admitted to the program, students must have a bachelor’s degree, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and paid or volunteer social service practice, among other requirements.
Points: 9
Affordability: Approximately $31,990 for the full program. Approximately $19,530 for the advanced standing program.
Field Experience: Above-average. Full program students are required to complete 1,000 hours (rather than the minimum 900 hours) at an approved agency.
Flexibility: High flexibility. Program coursework is 100 percent online. There are no required campus visits. There are two tracks available to fit your specific needs: full program and advanced standing.
#2: New Mexico State University
The online MSW program at New Mexico State University is a 60-hour program with a generalist focus. Students that graduate from this program will have the skills needed to pursue many different types of jobs in the social work field.
The program is divided into a foundational component and an advanced specialty component. Both phases have a practicum experience that places the student in a real-life work setting. Students are supervised by experienced master’s-level social workers.
The curriculum includes coursework in:
- Social work policy
- Social work ethics
- Therapeutic techniques
- Social justice
Additionally, students in this top CSWE-accredited MSW degree program take courses specific to helping people in the American Southwest. These courses involve learning about social norms and cultural concepts of native populations.
Points: 10
Affordability: Approximately $24,690 for the full program. Approximately $12,345 for the advanced standing track.
Field Experience: Far exceeds requirements. This program includes a 950-hour practicum experience. The practicum is divided into two parts. This includes a foundations practica and a concentration-area practica. The field experience is completed at a site of your choice (with school approval). The School of Social Work also conducts a Practicum Fair to help students identify possible field experience partners.
Flexibility: High flexibility. New Mexico State University offers many flexible options for completing this program. Full-time and part-time studies are available. Online students do not need to visit campus. All courses are easily accessed online.
#1: Louisiana State University
The online MSW program at LSU is recognized as one of the best in the nation. It offers students many learning options, excellent flexibility, and affordable prices.
This program has a unique format. Students take one course at a time. Each course lasts seven weeks. This means you only have one course to worry about at a time. Courses can be completed at your own pace within the seven-week timeframe.
Students attend school year-round. However, there are 1-2 week breaks between each course. LSU gives you the option of studying full-time or part-time.
Other features of this MSW program include:
- Traditional and advanced standing options
- Field placements in or near your city of residence
- Optional thesis
Full-time students can complete this program in two years. Part-time students will need 3.5-4 years to finish their degree.
Points: 10
Affordability: Approximately $32,340
Field Experience: Far exceeds requirements. LSU’s program requires 960 hours of field experience. Field experiences are conducted in or near your city of residence. You can choose to complete the hours in single format (two days a week for 16-18 hours per week) or block format (40 hours per week for 12 weeks). There are also two internship experiences, one during the foundation phase and one during the advanced phase.
Flexibility: High flexibility. The courses in this program are easily accessed online any time of day. No campus visits are required. Students can work at their own pace within a broad timeframe. LSU offers many flexible options for completing the field experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CSWE?
CSWE is the Council on Social Work Education. It was founded in 1952 as a nation-wide association dedicated to furthering social work education.
Today, CSWE includes more than 750 accredited programs at the bachelor’s and master’s level. CSWE isn’t just an association of colleges and universities, though. Instead, a wide-range of social workers, social work educators, and social work agencies are involved as well. Together, the members of CSWE strive to advance social work education in order to improve delivery of services to people in need.
One of CSWE’s primary functions is to accredit social work education programs. This is done for undergraduate and graduate programs at colleges and universities throughout the United States and its territories. CSWE is the only accrediting agency for social work education that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
In addition to accrediting social work programs, CSWE is involved in many other activities and initiatives. This includes professional development opportunities for practitioners. It also includes opportunities for developing leadership skills. You’ll find many other resources at CSWE too. This includes:
- A directory of accredited programs
- A career center
- Educational resources, including books and journals
- A portal to review international degrees
CSWE also organizes an Annual Program Meeting (APM). The purpose of the APM is to teach members best practices, explore the latest in social work research, and provide opportunities for networking.
If you intend to become a social worker, you must become familiar with CSWE because to be licensed, you have to graduate from a CSWE-accredited master of social work program.
What are the CSWE requirements for MSW degree programs?
To become an accredited MSW program, the CSWE requires certain steps to be fulfilled. To evaluate a program’s eligibility, the CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation (COA) has developed standards for programs to meet.
Additionally, the COA sends trained evaluators to visit campuses to evaluate their eligibility. Likewise, these teams determine the status of the social work program. The status can range from being accredited, denied, or withdrawn.
Programs that are in the accreditation process are labeled as being in “pre-candidacy” or “candidacy.” Programs in pre-candidacy are tasked with initial planning for accreditation. They are also instructed to gather resources and ensure faculty is in place to lead an accredited program.
Once a program is in the candidacy phase, it is in the first step of the initial accreditation process. Once initial accreditation is granted, students that graduate and were admitted during that same academic year will be able to say that they graduated from a CSWE-accredited program. If a student graduates during the pre-candidacy phase, they will not have the CSWE accreditation.
To be eligible for accreditation, MSW degree programs have to demonstrate that students can complete their studies in two years of full-time attendance or four years of part-time attendance. Additional criteria includes:
- Specific benchmarks must be identified for graduates to meet to be competent practitioners
- Specific coursework must be outlined to meet graduation requirements
- A system must be in place to monitor field placements
There are other requirements too. For example, programs that pursue accreditation must complete a candidacy eligibility form and send it to CSWE. Programs must be offered at regionally accredited schools as well.
Additionally, a letter of institutional intent must be provided to CSWE. This letter outlines the steps the college or university has taken to develop a mission statement for the MSW program, to create long-term goals for the program, and discuss the costs associated with starting an MSW program, among other things.
Getting CSWE accreditation is a difficult process. It is a long process, too. But students are able to reap the rewards of all that hard work by participating in an MSW program that is well thought out, organized, and dedicated to meeting professional standards for social work.
Does CSWE offer accreditation to schools outside the United States?
No. CSWE only accredits schools in the U.S. and its territories.
However, if you obtain a social work degree from a school outside the United States, you can have your degree evaluated by the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service. This service is provided by CSWE. It is meant to enable social workers from outside the U.S. to come to our country to practice social work.
Certain criteria must be met, though. For example, students from overseas must have graduated from a program that is comparable to a U.S.-based CSWE-accredited program. The level of education must be comparable to a social work education the applicant would have received in the U.S. Applicants must also pay a variety of fees.
If a student that graduated outside of the U.S. is recognized as having the appropriate credentials, it can help them establish themselves for employment, state licensure, certification, and membership in professional organizations, like the National Association of Social Workers.
Why is CSWE accreditation so important?
Like other helping professions like counseling and psychology, social work has accrediting agencies that ensure practitioners have the necessary education to deliver appropriate services. Additionally, these accrediting bodies evaluate the curricula and teaching staff for quality.
A benefit of CSWE accreditation is that prospective students understand that they will get a similar education at any CSWE-accredited institution. Having curricula, standards, and benchmarks that are the same from one institution to the next allows graduates to have the same skill set regardless of which CSWE institution they attend. This does two things.
First, this helps employers evaluate potential employees. With a degree from a CSWE-accredited school, employers have a good idea of the competencies that potential employees have upon graduation. This helps protect employers to some degree, because they have a better idea of what to expect from you in terms of knowledge and skills.
Second, CSWE accreditation means that students will be able to deliver high-quality services to their clients no matter where they attended school or are employed. Students that graduate from a CSWE-accredited institution in New York will have the same education and training as one that graduates in Arizona. This results in a consistent quality of care for social work clients.
There are other factors involved in the importance of CSWE certification as well.
For example, all social workers that are pursuing licensure must be able to demonstrate that they completed a field experience. Though state licensing boards have varying requirements for licensure, one thing is consistent among all states – applicants must have had field experience. Each CSWE-accredited school has a field experience component at part of the curriculum. The purpose of field experience is so that students can connect what they learn in the classroom with real-life work with real-life clients. It’s a pathway to move from understanding social work theory and principles to applying them in a real-world situation.
As of this writing, the field experience component for MSW students is a minimum of 900 hours. Some programs require more than this.
The 900 hours of field experience can be accrued through various means. In-person work and online work are both accepted. For example, if you do your fieldwork at a local non-profit mental health clinic, your hours will count, assuming that you’re supervised by a master’s level social worker. Likewise, if you complete online training (i.e., a professional development course) you can count those hours toward the 900-hour minimum, provided you produce documentation of the training.
What’s more, CSWE-accredited programs have the most stringent graduation requirements. This benefits graduates in that they leave school with the ability to meet licensure requirements in any state. It also benefits their future clients because graduates of CSWE programs have the highest level of knowledge and skills.
Speaking of which, CSWE accreditation is a voluntary process, yet a rigorous one. Social work programs that have opted to undergo the process demonstrate their commitment to offering the highest level of social work education. In turn, this means that students will benefit from a curriculum that will prepare them well for their future careers in social work.
CSWE accreditation doesn’t just apply to master’s degree programs, either. CSWE accredits bachelor’s level programs too. If you completed a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program, you can rest assured that some of those credits will count towards fulfillment of your master’s program.
For example, students that have a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program will likely have what’s called “advanced standing” in their master’s degree program. This means that you can forego some of the degree requirements and complete your master’s degree in less time (and with less money!).
What should I look for in a CSWE-accredited MSW degree program?
As noted earlier, all CSWE-accredited MSW degree programs are held to the same standards for accreditation. This ensures that regardless of the program, students get a similar educational experience with the same level of rigor.
This being the case, there are many other factors that might influence you to attend one CSWE-accredited program over another. Affordability comes to mind as one of the top factors.
But money isn’t everything, either. If you’re seeking an accredited online program, then some CSWE-accredited schools will be eliminated because not all have an online program. If you want to pursue a particular specialization, like social work with military members, the pool of potential schools will be limited.
Other factors to consider include:
-
- Class size – Do you feel more comfortable in smaller online classes or are you okay with larger classes?
- Cohort – Some CSWE-accredited schools work within a cohort model, so students proceed through the program with the same classmates. Is this a good fit for you?
- Synchronous or asynchronous classes – Some accredited MSW programs have a synchronous format. This means classes are taken in a specific order. Others allow students to take courses in whatever order they like.
- Field experience format – Some schools allow you to complete your required fieldwork at an institution of your choosing. Others allow you to complete the fieldwork requirement in or near the city in which you live. Still others require you to complete your fieldwork at an institution of their choosing.
- Faculty expertise – Not all social work faculty have the same areas of expertise. If, for example, you want to specialize in gerontology, choosing an MSW program with faculty that are experts in gerontology would make a lot of sense.
These are just a few factors that you might consider when selecting an MSW degree program. Of course, the most important thing is to ensure the programs you’re interested in are CSWE accredited.
Do you have to have a BSW to get an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program?
No, you do not have to have a BSW to pursue an MSW. It doesn’t hurt, but it is often not required.
As noted in an earlier question and answer, students that do have a BSW will often get advanced standing. This allows you to accelerate completion of your MSW.
If you do not have a BSW, you might have to take some prerequisite courses before being admitted to an MSW program. The number and type of prerequisites will vary. For example, if your undergraduate degree is in a closely related field, like psychology, you might not have to take many prerequisite courses.
By contrast, if your undergraduate degree is in engineering, the number of prerequisites you might have to take will likely be much higher.
Then, once admitted, you would pursue your degree in what’s called a “traditional track.” Traditional tracks include foundational work in social work. This allows these students to “catch up” and acquire the basic knowledge and skills required to continue their MSW studies. Most of the MSW programs that are accredited by the CSWE have both traditional and advanced standing tracks.
It’s important to note that some MSW programs require students to have completed fieldwork in social work prior to admittance. Students with a BSW will be able to fulfill this component because fieldwork is required for BSW degrees. If you do not have a BSW, you might be able to fulfill this requirement by volunteering at a social services agency. Doing so demonstrates your desire to work in this field.
SWDC Staff
Updated October 2021
Related:
