Question: 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, the most 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 masters 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
While each program name may have an historical meaning for the school that offers it, the CSWE does not require accredited programs to use the MSW designation. In our interview series, we asked Professor Kate Chaffin from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (which offers an MSSW) and Assistant Dean Andrea G. Porter from Case Western Reserve University (which offers an MSSA) how their schools’ programs differ from an online MSW program; both stated that there is no appreciable difference between their degree programs and an online MSW. (Please note: 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).
Featured Online MSSA Program
- CSWE-accredited
- No GRE requirement
- Complete in as few as two and a half years
- MSSA is recognized as an equivalent to an MSW
Sponsored Online MSSA Program
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
| School | Description |
|---|---|
| Fordham University | Earn your Master of Social Work online from the top-ranked Fordham Graduate School of Social Service. Bachelor's required. |
| 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. |
| Case Western Reserve University | The CSWE-accredited Master of Science in Social Administration from CWRU is an online program for social work leaders. |
| Baylor University | Complete Baylor's Master of Social Work program online in as few as 12 months and start serving vulnerable populations. |
| University of Southern California (USC) | Apply to USC's innovative MSW program to take the next step in your social work career. GRE not 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. |
Sponsored Social Work Programs
Online Social Work Programs by School
| School Name | Program Structure | Program Name | Online MSW Concentrations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | 100% Online | MSW | Advanced Generalist |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| University of Denver | 100% Online | MSW | Mental Health and Trauma |
| 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 |
| 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 |
More FAQs about Online MSW Programs
- Are there any one year online MSW programs?
- Are there any online MSW programs for BSW students?
- Are there any online MSW programs for non-BSW students?
- Are there any online MSW programs that do not require the GRE?
- Are there any online MSW programs that have multiple start dates?
- Are there any online MSW programs that start in the Spring?
- Are there any online MSW programs with a children, youth, and family counseling concentration?
- Are there any online MSW programs with a trauma concentration?
- Are there any online MSW programs with asynchronous instruction
- Are there any two year online MSW programs?
- Can you get an MSW without a BSW?
- MSW vs. LCSW
- What are the GPA requirements for online MSW programs?
- What does it mean if an online MSW program uses a cohort model?
- What is an advanced generalist online MSW program?
- What is the difference between micro, mezzo and macro social work?
- What is the difference between online, campus, hybrid, and distance learning MSW programs?
- Where do licensed clinical social workers work?
Featured Online MSSA Program
Sponsored Online MSSA Program