Best Online Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs - CSWE Accredited

If you are interested in pursuing an online Master of Social Work (MSW), there are several options to consider when choosing the best online MSW program for you. Currently, there are 40+ schools that offer a traditional online master's in social work designed for students who have not earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). Some other online social work degrees are designed for students who have already obtained their BSW, called Advanced Standing Online MSW Programs.

In the United States, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the only organization that provides accreditation for all MSW programs. The MSW programs listed on OnlineMSWPrograms.com are accredited by the CSWE.

For professionals who have already earned a BSW and work in the field, a master’s in social work (MSW) is required to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in all 50 states. In addition, many states also require a MSW to become a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) an MSW is required for initial licensure or certification as a social worker. For other professionals looking to make a career change, a MSW provides the education and background needed to enter the field of social work.

Best Online Master in Social Work Programs of 2019

OnlineMSWPrograms.com strives to provide the most accurate and helpful information on all types of CSWE accredited online master's in social work programs. In order to find the best online msw program for you, we’ve created a comprehensive listing of the CSWE accredited online msw degrees, listing them on four different factors:

Online MSW Programs That Meet All Six Factors

Sponsored Online MSW Programs

Online MSW Programs Accredited by the CSWE

All Online MSW Programs - School Insights

Baylor University

6/6 Factors

MSW@Baylor

• Address injustice from a strengths-based perspective
• Specialize in clinical practice or community practice
• Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
• For service-oriented students

Discover more information about MSW@Baylor

Sponsored Online MSW Program

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Baylor University	77%	9%	1-3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

Fordham University

6/6 Factors

OnlineMSW@Fordham

• Traditional and advanced standing admissions
• Full-time and part-time study options
• Complete in as few as eight months
• Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy

Discover more about the OnlineMSW@Fordham

Sponsored Online MSW Program

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Fordham University	79%	11%	1-2 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

Simmons University

6/6 Factors

SocialWork@Simmons

• Field education at local sites
• A progressive, inclusive community
• Focus on direct clinical practice
• Four clinical specializations: Child and Family, Trauma and Interpersonal Violence, Mental Health and Addictions and Health and Aging.

Explore more information about SocialWork@Simmons

Sponsored Online MSW Program

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Simmons University	73%	57%	1-2 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

University of Denver

6/6 Factors

MSW@Denver

• High-quality mentoring by accessible faculty
• Concentration in mental health and trauma
• Focus on preparing students to fight for social justice
• Study the impact of power, privilege and oppression, focusing on how multiple identities impact life experiences and opportunities

Learn more about the online MSW@Denver program

Sponsored Online MSW Program

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
University of Denver	75%	22%	2 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

University of Southern California

6/6 Factors

MSW@USC

• Traditional and advanced standing programs
• Online classes taught by USC faculty
• Virtual field training to build skills and confidence
• Dedicated field placement specialists identify in-person placements near students’ communities

Discover more information on the MSW@USC

Sponsored Online MSW Program

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
University of Southern California	92%	22%	1 year

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

(Back to Top)

Western New Mexico University (WNMU)

5/6 Factors

WNMU Online MSW Program

• Traditional and advanced standing programs
• Fall, spring and summer admissions
• Specialize in child welfare, gerontology, school social work or military social work.

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at WNMU.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Western New Mexico University	27%	61%	2-3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

University of Arkansas (U of A)

4/6 Factors

U of A Online MSW Program

• Advanced, full-time program
• Multi-Systems Life Course Concentration
• Asynchronous learning with weekly field seminars

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at UA.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
University of Arkansas	62%	33%	1 year

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

University of Central Florida (UCF)

4/6 Factors

UCF Online MSW Program

• Traditional standing, part-time program
• Concentrations in behavioral health or child welfare services

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at UCF.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
University of Central Florida	70%	29%	3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

Boise State University

3/6 Factors

Boise State Online MSW Program

• Traditional and advanced standing options
• Concentrations advanced social work practice with individuals and families
• Falls, spring and summer admission

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at Boise State University.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Boise State University	44%	35%	2-3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

(Back to Top)

Boston University (BU)

3/6 Factors

BU’s Online MSW Program

• Three different tracks: traditional, human service experience and advanced standing
• Asynchronous and synchronous coursework
• Concentration available in clinical social work practice

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at BU.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Boston University	87%	17%	2 - 3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

Case Western Reserve University

3/6 Factors

Case Western Reserve’s Online MSW Program

• Traditional and advanced standing, full-time enrollment
• Fall, spring and summer semester starts
• Concentrations in Community Practice for Social Change, Children, Youth and Families, or Mental Health/Adult

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at Case Western Reserve.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Case Western Reserve University	83%	7%	2 - 3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

Columbia University

3/6 Factors

Columbia University’s Online MSW Program

• Traditional standing, part- and full-time enrollment
• Concentrations in Advanced Clinical Social Work and Social Enterprise Administration

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at Columbia University.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Columbia University	95%	2%	2 - 4 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU)

3/6 Factors

OLLU Online MSW Program

• Traditional and advanced standing options
• Foundation MSW Program for students with no prior social work experience
• Emphasis on work serving the Hispanic community

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at OLLU.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Our Lady of the Lake University	38%	59%	1 - 3.5 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

(Back to Top)

Portland State University (PSU)

3/6 Factors

PSU Online MSW Program

• Traditional standing, part-time enrollment
• Cohort model with year-round classes
• Concentration in Community and Organizational Leadership Practice

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at PSU.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Portland State University	49%	10%	3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

Rutgers University (RU)

3/6 Factors

RU Online MSW Program

• Traditional standing, part-time enrollment
• Cohort model with year-round classes
• Concentration in Community and Organizational Leadership Practice

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at RU.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Rutgers University	68%2	15%2	3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics
2 Information gathered is average from Camden, New Brunswick and Newark campuses.}

Temple University

3/6 Factors

Temple Online MSW Program

• Traditional standing option only
• Synchronous meets twice per week
• Concentration in Clinical Health and Mental Health

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at Temple.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Temple University	71%	10%	3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

Texas State University, San Marcos

3/6 Factors

Texas State Online MSW Program

• Traditional and advanced standing options
• Cohort model with a variety of asynchronous and synchronous learnings
• Concentration in Administrative Leadership

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at Texas State.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Texas State University, San Marcos	54%	4%	2 - 4 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

(Back to Top)

University at Buffalo (SUNY)

3/6 Factors

SUNY Buffalo Online MSW Program

• Traditional and advanced standing options
• Concentration in evidence-based practice with a trauma-informed and human rights perspective

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at SUNY Buffalo.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
University at Buffalo (SUNY)	75%	8%	2 - 3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

University of Houston (UH)

3/6 Factors

UH Online MSW Program

• Traditional and advanced standing options
• Asynchronous and synchronous instruction
• Concentration in Clinical Practice: Health and Behavioral Health

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at UH.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
University of Houston	54%	5%	2.5 - 3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

University of Nevada, Reno (UNR)

3/6 Factors

UNR Online MSW Program

• Traditional and advanced standing options
• Fall admissions only
• Concentration in Advanced Generalist

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at UNR.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
University of Nevada, Reno	55%	17%	1 - 4 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

University of New Hampshire (UNH)

3/6 Factors

UNH Online MSW Program

• Traditional standing, full-time only
• Cohort model with a variety of asynchronous and synchronous learnings
• Concentration in electives: Health and Mental Health, Addiction and Substance Abuse, Children, Youth and Families and Disabilities

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at UNH.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
University of New Hampshire	78%	15%	2 - 2.5 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

(Back to Top)

University of South Florida (USF)

3/6 Factors

USF Online MSW Program

• Advanced standing, full- or part-time enrollment
• Concentration in clinical social work

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at USF.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
University of South Florida	71%	21%	1.5 - 2 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK)

3/6 Factors

UTK Online MSW Program

• Traditional and advanced standing options
• Asynchronous and synchronous instruction
• Concentration in Evidence Based Interpersonal Practice and Management, Leadership and Community Practice

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at UTK.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
University of Tennessee at Knoxville	70%	11%	1 - 4 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

Widener University

3/6 Factors

Widener Online MSW Program

• Traditional standing, part-time only
• Fall, spring and summer admissions
• Concentration in clinical social work and trauma

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at Widener.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Widener University	57%	29%	3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

Arizona State University (ASU)

2/6 Factors

ASU’s Online MSW Program

• Traditional standing only, full- or part-time options
• Asynchronous and synchronous coursework
• Advanced generalist concentration

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at ASU.

Additional Factors^{1, 2}

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Arizona State University	52%	23%	2 - 3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics
2 Arizona State University’s graduation rate and percent of online graduate students numbers were calculated as an average of five different campuses: Downtown Phoenix, Polytechnic, Skysong, Temple, and West.}

(Back to Top)

California State University - Northridge (CSUN)

2/6 Factors

CSUN's Online MSW Program

• Traditional standing, full-time enrollment only
• Cohort model of coursework progression
• Focus on urban family practice

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at CSUN.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
California State University - Northridge	51%	14%	2 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

Edinboro University

2/6 Factors

Edinboro’s Online MSW Program

• Traditional and advanced standing, full-time enrollment only
• Asynchronous coursework and instruction
• Concentration in family social work practice

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at Edinboro.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Edinboro University	43%	76%	1 - 2 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

Humboldt State University

2/6 Factors

Humboldt’s Online MSW Program

• Traditional and advanced standing, part-time enrollment only
• Asynchronous instruction with an average of two courses per semester
• Concentration in a generalist program with focus on working with rural and indigenous communities

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at Humboldt.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Humboldt State University	46%	21%	2 - 4 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

Indiana University (IU)

2/6 Factors

IU’s Online MSW Program

• Traditional and advanced standing, part-time enrollment only
• Asynchronous and synchronous instruction
• On-campus orientation

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at IU.

Additional Factors^{1, 2}

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Indiana University	~39%	~16%	1 - 3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics
2 Indiana University’s graduation rate and percent of online graduate students numbers were calculated as an average of eight different campuses: Bloomington, East, Kokomo, Northwest, IUPU Fort Wayne, IUPU Indianapolis, South Bend and Southeast.}

(Back to Top)

Louisiana State University (LSU)

2/6 Factors

LSU’s Online MSW Program

• Traditional and advanced standing enrollment options
• Asynchronous instruction with seven week-long courses.

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at LSU.

Additional Factors^{1, 2}

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Louisiana State University	30%	94%	1 - 3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics
2 LSU’s graduation rate and percent of online graduate students numbers were selected from the Shreveport campus - the only campus to offer master’s degrees.}

Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver)

2/6 Factors

MSU Denver’s Online MSW Program

• Traditional and advanced standing, part- and full-time options
• Mostly asynchronous instruction with some synchronous requirements
• Concentrations in Individual and Families or Leadership and Management

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at MSU Denver.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Metropolitan State University of Denver	28%	6%	1-5 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

The Catholic University of America (CUA)

2/6 Factors

CUA’s Online MSW Program

• Traditional standing, part-time enrollment only
• Cohort model with year-round classes
• Concentration in clinical social work

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at CUA.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
The Catholic University of America	74%	19%	3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

University of New England (UNE)

2/6 Factors

UNE’s Online MSW Program

• Traditional and advanced standing, part-time and accelerated options
• Cohort model with asynchronous instruction
• Concentration in clinical or community practice

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at UNE.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
University of New England	59%	52%	1 - 4 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

(Back to Top)

University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)

2/6 Factors

UTA’s Online MSW Program

• Traditional and advanced standing, part-time enrollment only
• Asynchronous and synchronous instruction
• Concentration in direct practice with children and families

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at UTA.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
University of Texas at Arlington	50%	48%	2 - 3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

California State University - San Bernardino (CSUSB)

1/6 Factors

CSUSB’s Online MSW Program

• Traditional standing part-time enrollment only
• Cohort model with asynchronous and some synchronous coursework

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at CSUSB.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
California State University - San Bernardino	54%	16%	3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

Florida State University (FSU)

1/6 Factors

FSU’s Online MSW Program

• Traditional and advanced standing, part-time options
• Mostly asynchronous instruction with some synchronous requirements
• Concentration in clinical social work

Discover more about the online master's in social work degree at FSU.

Additional Factors¹

Online Master of Social Work Program

University Name	Graduation Rate	Percent of Online Graduate Students	Average Length of Program
Florida State University	80%	18%	2 - 3 years

^{1 Additional factor information retrieved from College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics}

Best Online MSW Program Factors

The order in which they are organized is determined by the amount of factors that each online MSW program has met: live classes, offline accessible mobile app, less than 15 students per class, no GRE requirement, no campus requirement and a field placement team available for online students. For any online master of social work degree program that meet the same number of factors, the universities are listed alphabetically. 

For example, since Boise University's online MSW program has no live classes, required wifi for their mobile application, has class sizes of more than 15 students, has no GRE requirement, needs no campus visits and has a team available for their online students, Boise meets three out of six factors.