Choose the Best Online Advanced Standing MSW Program for You

If you already have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) within the past decade, you may be eligible to earn a master’s in social work (MSW) over a reduced time period compared with a traditional MSW. These accredited online MSW programs offer advanced standing curriculums, so you can become a licensed social worker at the master level in as little as a year, from the flexibility of your home.

Should I Pursue an Online Advanced Standing MSW?

There are a number of benefits that come with pursuing an online advanced standing MSW program. Ultimately, earning this type of degree could help you meet your career goals. But you also want to make sure that your degree program accommodates your current needs.

Ask yourself questions. Do you have personal or professional commitments to attend to? Does daily travel to and from campus work for you or would you rather complete your coursework from the comfort of your home? Are you looking for the same reputation and credibility of a traditional MSW degree? Is the financial investment worth it?

Take time to weigh the pros and cons of the programs you’re considering before making a decision. Time commitment, accreditation, cost of attendance and career advancement all matter but one or two of these factors might dictate your decision process.

Career Benefits of an Advanced Standing MSW

Employment of all social workers is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, while job growth among mental health and substance abuse social workers will reach 10%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The demand for mental health and substance abuse social workers, in particular, is expected to expand over the years (BLS May 2024).

To remain relevant in a competitive and fast-growing hiring field, you might decide to earn your graduate degree. Or you may have had your eye on a social worker role that, for a while, requires applicants to have a graduate degree for consideration. Once you have completed your advanced standing MSW program, you can begin to search for these types of positions.Social workers who have earned an MSW from a CSWE-accredited university program qualify to become clinical social workers (CSW) or licensed clinical social workers (LCSW). Titles for these levels of social workers vary by state boards. An MSW also allows social workers to specialize in a specific field of practice. Common areas of specialization include clinical, school, child and family, and gerontological social work. Additionally, qualifying social workers are eligible to apply for certain specialty certifications offered through the National Association of Social Workers.

Online Advanced Standing MSW Student Benefits

One student benefit of pursuing an online advanced standing MSW is saving time. Advanced standing MSW programs are often completed on-campus, online, or in hybrid enrollments. The hybrid models may require students to travel to campus once or twice each semester. An online MSW program builds on prior knowledge obtained in BSW programs.Traditional MSW programs can take up to three years to complete. Advanced MSW programs typically take less time and may allow you to save money too and have a practicum, field placement, or internship requirement.

What to Expect from an Advanced Standing MSW Program

With advanced standing MSW programs you are not obligated to take general course requirements, as they have already been obtained through a BSW program. Students in advanced standing MSW programs engage in upper-level coursework and specialized instruction. The specifics of the program vary by university.

Admissions

The admissions process for advanced standing MSW programs can be incredibly competitive. It’s important for students to have an idea of what the advanced standing MSW program might require and entail.

In order to be eligible for acceptance into the program, students may need to meet the following requirements:

• Completed a bachelor’s degree from a CSWE-accredited university (often within 5 years, sometimes different by school).)
• Meet the program’s minimum GPA requirements (may vary by school but typically 3.0 or higher)
• Some programs may require prerequisites (or specific coursework) and/or certain grades in social work courses.
• Submit a transcript of undergraduate studies
• Submit a personal statement and letters of recommendation
• Pay the program’s application fee

Some advanced MSW programs may require some social work field experience before beginning the program. Be sure to check with your preferred MSW program for more information.

Curriculum

MSW curriculum will vary from school to school but the end goal is the same: to prepare prospective social workers for licensure and create positive change within their communities through their work.

Because advanced standing students enter an MSW program with experience and credits, coursework for these programs are less generalized and more specialized in nature, with most classes falling within these categories: theory, practice, policy, and research.

Advanced standing MSW coursework may include the following, and more:

• Advanced Standing Seminar
• Social Work Practice
• Social Work in Child and Family Settings
• Social Work and Aging
• Policy and Programs

Many courses will also offer a practical component, giving students real-world experience. Every school of social work will have different requirements for advanced MSW program graduation. Be sure to check with your preferred program for more information on that.

Structure and Length

Some advanced standing MSW programs can be completed in just a year. Credit requirements for a program will also vary, depending on how much of the MSW foundation curriculum is waived/credited through advanced standing. Credit requirements are commonly ~30–43 credits, but some programs require more.

There is also a range of structural learning offered. There are programs that are fully online, while others offer mostly online with some live, in-person sessions. Full-time and part-time options are also offered with most programs. Students attending classes full-time may expect to complete their advanced standing MSW within 12 to 18 months. Many programs hold classes year-round so students can keep earning credit hours as quickly as possible. Part-time students often take a little longer to earn their social work degree. They can expect to finish their degree program within two and a half years, though most complete it in two years.

Field Placement/Internship

Like traditional MSW students, advanced-standing students must complete a field education component before they are eligible to graduate from the program. This fieldwork requirement must be completed under the supervision of a qualified social work instructor. Students may expect to complete a minimum of 900 hours of supervised field experience.

For students enrolled in a full-time program, this component is likely to take place in the form of an internship that may last as long as two semesters. These students may work an average of 20 hours per week gaining relevant field experience.

Part-time students may experience a greater variance in field work requirements; these programs tend to deviate in detail more than traditional full-time programs. If this is a path you’re considering, be sure to contact an admissions officer at your school for program specifics.

To figure out which type of graduate MSW program is the best fit for you, you may consider the difference between a traditional MSW and advanced standing MSW program, as well as the admissions requirements for each of the degrees.