FAQ: What is the difference between an MSW, MSSW and MSSA?

Answer: There is no major difference between MSW, MSSW, and MSSA programs – all three designations are recognized by the CSWE as master’s in social work programs.

For students who are interested in a career in social work, especially clinical social work, an important consideration when choosing a masters in social work program is whether the program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The CSWE is the only accrediting body in the United States that accredits master’s level social work programs. To become a licensed clinical social worker in the US, a student must graduate from a CSWE accredited masters program. Most masters in social work programs use one of the following names for their degree programs:

MSW = Master of Social Work
MSSW = Master of Science in Social Work
MSSA = Master of Science in Social Administration

Online master’s in social work programs do offer different curricula and concentration options for students, so programs are not exactly the same between different universities. This goes for programs with any designation: MSW, MSSW or MSSA. At this time, the CSWE does not accredit social work doctoral programs.

Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
School	Description
University of Denver	Earn your Master of Social Work online from the top-20 ranked Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver. No GRE Required.
Fordham University	Earn your Master of Social Work online from the top-ranked Fordham Graduate School of Social Service. Bachelor's required.
Simmons University	Simmons University's online Master of Social Work program can be completed in as few as 16 months, and GRE scores are not required.
Case Western Reserve University	The CSWE-accredited Master of Science in Social Administration from CWRU is an online program for social work leaders.
University of Southern California (USC)	Apply to USC's innovative MSW program to take the next step in your social work career. No GRE required.
Baylor University	Complete Baylor's Master of Social Work program online in as few as 12 months and start serving vulnerable populations.

Online Social Work Programs by School

Online Social Work Programs by School
School Name	Program Structure	Program Name	Online MSW Concentrations
Arizona State University	100% Online	MSW	Advanced Generalist
Sponsored: Baylor University	100% Online	MSW	Clinical or Community Practice
Boise State University	100% Online	MSW	Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families
Boston University	100% Online	MSW	Clinical Social Work Practice
California State University, Northridge	100% Online	MSW	Generalist with an emphasis on urban family practice
California State University, San Bernardino	Limited Campus Visits Required	MSW	Advanced Generalist with Specializations
Sponsored: Case Western Reserve University	100% Online	MSSA	- Children, Youth and Families - Mental Health with Adults - Community Practice for Social Change
Columbia University	Limited Campus Visits Required	MSSW	- Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice - Social Enterprise Administration
Edinboro University	100% Online	MSW	Family Social Work Practice
Florida State University	100% Online	MSW	Clinical Social Work Practice
Sponsored: Fordham University	100% Online	MSW	- Individuals and Families - Organizations and Community - Evaluation - Policy Practice and Advocacy
Humboldt State University	Limited Campus Visits Required	MSW	Generalist program that focuses on working with rural and indigenous communities
Indiana University	Limited Campus Visits Required	MSW	Advanced Generalist Program
Louisiana State University	100% Online	MSW	Advanced Direct Social Work Practice
Our Lady of the Lake University	100% Online	MSW	Generalist program with an emphasis on the Hispanic community
Portland State University	Limited Campus Visits Required	MSW	Community and Organizational Practice
Rutgers University	100% Online	MSW	Clinical Social Work
Sponsored: Simmons University	100% Online	MSW	Clinical Social Work with Specializations: - Child and Family - Trauma and Interpersonal Violence - Mental Health and Addictions - Health and Aging
Texas State University - San Marcos	100% Online	MSW	Administrative Leadership
Texas A&M University	100% Online	MSW	MSW Foundations MSW Advanced Generalist Practice
The Catholic University of America	100% Online	MSW	Clinical Concentration
University at Buffalo (SUNY)	100% Online	MSW	Evidence-based practice with a trauma-informed and human rights perspective
University of Alaska Anchorage	Limited Campus Visits Required	MSW	Advanced Generalist
University of Central Florida	100% Online	MSW	- Behavioral Health - Child Welfare Services
Sponsored: University of Denver	100% Online	MSW	Mental Health and Trauma
University of Georgia	100% Online	MSW	Micro specialization
University of Houston	100% Online	MSW	Clinical Practice: Health and Behavioral Health
University of New England (UNE)	100% Online	MSW	Clinical Practice: - Individual, Families, and Groups (IFG) - Community Practice: Organizational and Community Practice (OCP)
University of New Hampshire	100% Online	MSW	Advanced Generalist with Electives: - Health and Mental Health - Addictions and Substance Abuse - Children, Youth, and Families - Disabilities
University of North Dakota	Limited Campus Visits Required	MSW	Advanced Generalist
Sponsored: University of Southern California (USC)	100% Online	MSW	- Families and Children - Health - Mental Health - Social Work and Business in a Global Society - Community Organization, Planning and Administration (COPA)
University of Tennessee at Knoxville	100% Online	MSSW	- Evidence Based Interpersonal Practice (Clinical) - Management, Leadership and Community Practice (Macro)
Western New Mexico University	100% Online	MSW	Advanced Generalist with electives

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Last updated: April 2020


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