The 2020 Guide to Online Masters in Social Work (MSW) Programs

If you majored in a general mental health field such as psychology or sociology and are interested in working in a school setting, earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) may be the right choice for you. With this degree, you can dive into a field that makes a great difference in the lives of students.

A Master of Social Work from an accredited institution may be required to become a practicing school social worker and, along with state certification, would allow you to become a school social worker at any grade level. For many social work students, the idea of completing a degree program without having to relocate or sacrifice income is very appealing. This fact, coupled with advances in online education, has led to the emergence of online msw programs as a popular option for degree seekers. More specialized and technical roles may be available to you when you have a master's degree.

Jumpstart Your Career in Social Work, Explore Online MSW Programs:

Earn your MSW online from Fordham University

• Pursue the degree on a full-time or part-time track.
• Each term comprises two eight-week mini sessions.

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Earn your MSW online from The University of Denver

• No GRE Required
• Complete in as few as 18 months

Learn more about The University of Denver

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Social workers, in the most general sense, work to help needy or at-risk individuals of varying demographics through intervention and advocacy. They work to ensure the welfare of any population that might be vulnerable to hardship. School social workers, for example, play an integral role in the lives of children, helping students balance school, home and community to achieve academic success. They work in a school setting where they interact and communicate directly with students and their families. Through social, emotional and behavioral competence, social workers help individuals plan for and achieve success that suits their individual needs.

Masters in Social Work Online Degree Information

Online MSW Admissions Requirements

Each online MSW program has its own prerequisites, so you should contact your accredited institution for detailed information regarding its policies. Depending on your school, you may be required to submit some or all of the following:

1. Application: Fill out an initial application, which you can find on the website of the accredited institution of your choice. Paper and online forms are both generally accepted.
2. Bachelor’s degree: You should have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution prior to applying to an MSW program.
3. Transcripts: Request transcripts in advance of the application deadline, and upload one official copy of each transcript from any postsecondary schools you have attended.
4. Experience: Include any experience in social work that may be relevant.
5. Personal statement: Write a personal statement, which is typically in the form of an essay. You may be required to submit multiple essays to fully express the intent and purpose of your application. Below are some common topics that should be mentioned in a statement.
• Your main academic and personal interests
• Experiences in school or work that have helped to prepare you for this course of study
• Why you wish to study for the degree you’ve chosen
• Why you wish to study at the university
• Your plans for the future after you earn your degree
6. Resume/CV: Upload a copy of your most recent resume or curriculum vitae as part of your application.
7. Letters of recommendation: Submit your letters of recommendation. The number of letters required varies with each school. Be sure to request them well in advance of the deadline.
8. Test scores: Mail in copies of your test scores. Many schools require GRE General Test scores or TOEFL/IELTS scores for international students; however, some programs do not require test scores at all.

Online MSW Program Curriculum

The curriculum and number of credits required to complete an online msw program vary widely depending on your school and specialization. However, a typical msw program online includes courses in:

• Social work in a school setting
• Mental disorders in children and adolescents
• Behavior management and instruction

Typically, coupled with general and elective coursework are social work field experiences. For school social workers specifically, these will take place in a school system or school district setting, and will help train social workers using hands-on methods. Online MSW programs often partner students with surrounding area field sites to offer the same field experience as on-campus programs.

Types of Social Workers

Within the overarching umbrella of social work exist a multitude of types of social work that individuals can consider pursuing. There are social work paths that lead to schools, mental health facilities, and correctional facilities, to name just a few. Below are descriptions and resources for a few specific areas of social work.

Social Work Career Outlook

After completing an online master’s program in social work, the next step is to get licensed. This certification will enable you to officially work in the field of your choice. Every state has its own licensure requirements for becoming a school social worker. The average annual salary for family, child, and school social workers in 2018 was $49,760.

Finding the Best Online MSW Program For You

In searching for the best online msw programs that might fit your needs, carefully consider the structure of the coursework, the admissions requirements, and the campus visit requirements. Once you are armed with all of the information available to you about a specific program, you will be in the best position to choose an MSW online degree program that works for you.

Featured No GRE Required MSW Online Masters Programs

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All Online Masters in Social Work Programs

Teach.com has compiled a comprehensive list of all the online MSW masters programs in the United States along with their GRE requirements, coursework type, and campus visit requirement information. Find a school that interests you and find out what it takes to graduate with from one of these online MSW programs! Below are the online MSW programs of 2019.