Master’s in Social Work (MSW) Degree Programs Guide

A master’s degree in social work, also known as a Master of Social Work (MSW), is a graduate degree that expands the levels of education for the social worker and may help prepare social workers for clinical or supervisory licensure. While a master’s degree is not required for all social work, it is necessary if you want to work one-on-one in direct practice with individual clients in most settings, especially any situation in the context of mental health.

Master’s in Social Work Degree Options

There are multiple ways to pursue a social work degree at the master’s level. Many universities have part-time and full-time options as well as on-campus and master’s in social work online program opportunities, with some or all of the following programs:

Advanced Standing: Students who earned their bachelor’s degree in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) are eligible for admission to advanced-standing MSW programs. They typically take less time, sometimes as much as half the time, than a traditional master’s degree program in social work because a traditional degree program spends the first year teaching fundamental social work courses that those with a BSW have already taken.

Clinical Social Work: Some MSW programs focus on clinical social work. These are sometimes referred to as LCSW programs.

Postgraduate Certificate: For those who already have an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program, a postgraduate certificate program is a great option to continue education and enhance your skills in an area of critical need and high demand. Certificate programs may offer flexibility for applicants, recognizing they are most likely already licensed in the field.

Dual Degree: Many universities allow students to earn dual degrees, pairing an MSW with a second degree that complements it in some way. Typical such pairings might include a Master of Laws (LL.M.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. For careers in which social work and the public community intersect, a Master of Public Health (MPH) would be fitting.

Social work careers in the health domain may earn a Master of Science in Social Policy (MSSP), which focuses on social work and leadership, a Master of Public Administration (MPA), which prepares students to work in both government or private service, or a Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL) for students whose goal is to work on the macro level of social work.

Accelerated: Some colleges and universities have condensed their two-year master’s programs into more intensive programs that take less time. Students attend for four consecutive semesters, including a summer semester. Admissions criteria may be different than for traditional programs.

CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs Offered by State

Are you ready to begin an accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) program? MSW programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) are offered across the United States. Learn more about MSW programs in your state of residence or preferred practice below.

• Colorado: There are just a few online and on-campus MSW programs in Colorado. If you want to become a social worker in Colorado, the state social work board regulates the LSW and LCSW credentials and also recognizes a Clinical Social Work Candidate status for those completing the required supervised clinical experience.

• Massachusetts: An MSW degree is required to become a social worker in Massachusetts at multiple levels (including LSWA, LSW, LCSW, and LICSW)l. If your goal is independent clinical practice (LICSW), the state requires a qualifying graduate social work degree (such as an MSW) plus additional supervised clinical experience. There are several online and on-campus MSW programs in Massachusetts for future social workers to choose from.

• New York: MSW programs in New York come in a range of formats and specialties, including options designed for clinical practice. Becoming a social worker in New York, many social workers pursue either the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) credential or the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential, both of which are tied to graduate social work education and state requirements for supervised experience and examination.

• Washington D.C.: Washington, D.C. has multiple CSWE-accredited MSW options, including online and hybrid formats. If you’re planning to practice clinical social work in D.C., an MSW can help prepare you for the DC Board of Social Work (DC Health/HRLA) licensure pathway, typically starting with the Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) credential and then working toward Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) licensure. The LICSW track generally requires 3,000 hours of supervised practice completed over 2–4 years, including at least 100 hours of supervision, before you apply for independent clinical licensure.

• Hawaii: Hawaiʻi has CSWE-accredited MSW options, including programs that may offer online or hybrid flexibility. If you’re planning to practice clinical social work in Hawaiʻi, an MSW can help prepare you for the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Professional & Vocational Licensing (PVL) pathway toward Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensure. This pathway typically includes passing the ASWB clinical exam and completing 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical social work experience over 2–5 years, including at least 100 hours of direct, face-to-face supervision, before applying for the LCSW.

• California: California has many CSWE-accredited MSW programs, including online and hybrid options. If you’re planning to practice clinical social work in California, an MSW can help prepare you for the state’s BBS pathway, which typically involves registering as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) and working toward Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensure. If you are interested in becoming a social worker in California, these programs may help you prepare for your California social work licensure.
• Texas: There are several options to pursue one of the many MSW programs in Texas, including on-campus and online options. Different specializations are available in various cities and towns throughout the state. If you are considering becoming a social worker in Texas, two of the three licenses offered by the state require an MSW degree.
• Ohio: Pursuing one of the several MSW programs in Ohio may help prepare you for state licensure. When choosing to become a social worker in Ohio at the independent level, the state board requires a completed MSW degree for application.

To find MSW programs accredited by CSWE in your state, you may visit the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs.

MSW Degree Overview: What You Should Know

Deciding to pursue a master’s degree in social work can seem complicated; prospective students may have different goals, schedule needs, cost considerations and questions about their future career outlook.

Is a Master’s in Social Work for Me?

Your goals and passions are the first key to decide if a master’s in social work is right for you. If you’re motivated to help people live their lives to the fullest despite challenging circumstances and determined to start a career making a difference, then an MSW program may be right for you.

Types of Master’s Degrees in Social Work

Social workers are valued in many roles and many areas of practice. One way to determine the area of social work that most interests you is to learn about the three practice levels: micro, mezzo and macro social work. In many cases the three intersect, but each has a particular focus:

Micro Social Work

As you might guess, micro-level social work is social work at its most intimate: one-on-one relationships with people in need. Individual needs are paramount. One person may be homeless, needing help to find shelter, and the next person may need counseling to deal with the emotional effects of trauma. These social workers respond to individuals’ needs by connecting the person to social services or community organizations.

Mezzo Social Work

A person at the mezzo level of social work is working with a group of people who have similar needs—parents of students with disabilities, for instance, or people struggling with addiction, victims of domestic violence or managers of food banks. The group can be small or large, but every member of the group has a common interest.

Macro Social Work

Macro-level social work is the flip side of micro work. It is made up of the support services that help micro social workers respond to their clients’ needs. Macro organizations can be neighborhoods, lobbyists, political groups that work for social change, program directors and policy-makers. These are all occupations where you’re working to help groups of people at one time.

Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA)

The MSSA degree is an equivalent master’s degree to the MSW, though less common. Schools that offer it have traditionally focused on coursework that emphasizes more macro elements of social work—providing support and guidance to the community or public at large. It is similarly accredited and licensed.

Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW)

The MSSW also is equivalent to the MSW. Various universities call this degree by different names, but as long as the particular master’s degree program is accredited by CSWE, the degree title typically won’t impact licensure.

Types of Master’s in Social Work (MSW) Careers

There are numerous social work career paths available to graduates of accredited MSW programs, which means that not only will you be able to choose an area of interest now, but there will also be possibilities later in your career. For example, depending on your interests, you could become a:

• Military Social Worker
• Psychiatric Social Worker
• Mental Health Social Worker
• School Social Worker
• Medical Social Worker

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, May 2024) estimates that between 2024-2034, the job outlook for social workers is projected to grow by 6%. Salaries for social workers vary by location and job type. Median pay for all social workers in 2024 was $61,330 annually.

However, social workers with an MSW can also become professors, directors of employee assistance programs, policy analysts, researchers or directors of corporate social responsibility, all of which have the potential for higher salary levels.

Licensure and Certifications

Once you earn your master’s degree in social work, you may take a licensing exam from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). The ASWB offers five categories of licensure exams: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, advanced generalist and clinical. The exams measure:

1. Content Areas
2. Competencies
3. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Statements (KSAs)

In addition to passing your exam, you’ll apply for a license in the state in which you reside. States vary as to the licenses they offer and the requirements (education, supervised-experience and continuing education). License names also can vary between states. Be sure to check with your preferred state of practice and licensure for more specific information. Some of these include:

• Social Work Associate / Assistant (example: LSWA in Massachusetts): In some states, an entry-level credential may be available with multiple education pathways (such as an associate degree/college credits in a human services field or a bachelor’s degree in any field), along with an exam and other state requirements.
• Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW): Commonly a bachelor’s-level license that requires a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program plus required exams; some states also require a jurisprudence exam or other state-specific steps.
• Licensed Social Worker (LSW): Often used for a generalist license (frequently at the bachelor’s level), but requirements and scope vary widely by state and may include different education/experience pathways and continuing education for renewal.
• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): A common master’s-level credential requiring an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program and the appropriate exam; scope of practice (including whether independent non-clinical practice is allowed) varies by state.
• Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW): Used in some jurisdictions as a distinct certification/credential (not universal, and not interchangeable with LMSW everywhere).
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or equivalent: Typically requires a CSWE-accredited graduate degree, post-degree supervised clinical experience, and the clinical-level exam; required hours and timelines vary by jurisdiction.
• Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) or equivalent: Used in some states as an independent-practice title (others use different names). Requirements commonly include a CSWE-accredited graduate degree, supervised experience, and exams; for example, Ohio’s LISW pathway specifies 3,000 hours of supervised practice under defined supervision rules.

Find your state’s social work licensure requirements.

Master’s in Social Work Program Accreditation

One of the most important factors in choosing an MSW program is programmatic accreditation. In many jurisdictions, graduating from a CSWE-accredited social work program is an important step toward licensure and exam eligibility—and it’s a widely recognized marker that a program meets established educational standards. Because licensing rules vary by state and credential level, it’s smart to confirm your state’s requirements and verify your program’s status directly in the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs (which lists programs that are Accredited, in Candidacy, or in Pre-Candidacy).

Scholarships and Grants for MSW Students

With any degree, cost is one of the major considerations, even if the degree will ultimately help increase your earning potential down the road. Be alert to scholarship and grant opportunities that are available to students pursuing a master’s in social work. Let this list become just the beginning; searching “social work scholarships” and your state will bring up more possibilities.

• Your university (and school of social work): Many MSW programs offer scholarships, assistantships, stipends, and need-based grants. In some cases, you’re automatically considered when you apply; in others, you’ll need a separate scholarship application through the social work department.
• NASW (state chapters + NASW Foundation): Some NASW state chapters offer local awards, and the NASW Foundation administers national MSW scholarships. For example, the Foundation’s Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship awards up to 10 scholarships of up to $4,000 each, and the Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship has offered two $4,000 awards for the 2025–2026 academic year (award amounts can vary by year).
• Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship for Outreach and Health Communication (Truth Initiative): The Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship for Outreach and Health Communications to Reduce Tobacco Use Among Priority Populations awards two $5,000 scholarships to students in undergraduate or graduate programs whose work aligns with community outreach and health communications focused on tobacco prevention.
• National Association of Black Social Workers Scholarship: NABSW offers scholarships for eligible students (membership is typically required). Award names and amounts vary by year—recent materials list, for example, two $2,500 awards for the Cenie “Jomo” Williams Tuition Scholarship.
• Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans: For immigrants and children of immigrants, PD Soros provides up to $25,000 in stipend support per year, plus up to $20,000 per year toward tuition/fees (for one to two years), for up to $90,000 total support.
• Scholarships for Native students: Instead of relying on a single vague “American Indian Education Program,” check established organizations that offer scholarship funding for American Indian/Alaska Native students, such as the American Indian College Fund, Native Forward, and the Bureau of Indian Education scholarship resources.
• The Melanie Foundation Scholarship: Offers a $2,500 scholarship for students pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in the mental health field (eligibility includes enrollment in accredited graduate programs; requirements and deadlines are listed on the foundation's website).
• Federal Student Aid + trusted tools: Complete the FAFSA to access federal grants, work-study, and loans, and use reputable scholarship databases like the U.S. Department of Labor–sponsored CareerOneStop Scholarship Finder to search thousands of opportunities.
• Scholarship search platforms (example: Sallie Mae): Tools like Sallie Mae’s scholarship resources can help you organize your search and set reminders—just verify details on the scholarship sponsor’s official site before applying.