A Master's in Social Work (MSW) is one of the top degrees that someone can earn in the field of social work. This degree can help you earn a lucrative salary,provide job security and the opportunity for career and personal fulfillment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the social worker job outlookis growing quickly, at a projected 13% between 2019 and 2029.
If you're passionate about social justice and want to make an impact on communities and diverse populations, an online master's in social work degree could be right for you. People who seek this degree combine academics with practical field training and can choose from various specializations. We've rounded up some of the most affordable online master's in social work programs for those ready to elevate their career paths.
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Most Affordable Online Master's in Social Work
For more details on how we rank schools, see our methodology page.
Social Work Masters Program Overview
When you're enrolling in an MSW program, it's important to find the program that best fits your needs. Online social work programs are an excellent option for working professionals who wish to remain in their job while they complete the program.
When looking at specifically online programs, you're likely to find that programs are either fully live, not at all live, or a hybrid of the two. While in-person programs offer the most support, self-paced programs are the most flexible and allow you to set your own schedule. Most programs offer a standard option of more than 60 credits, but others offer an advanced standing with fewer credits for those who meet certain requirements.
MSW Admissions Requirements
Admission requirements may be different from one school to the next, but there are a few prerequisites you can expect no matter where you apply:
Bachelor's Degree: Most graduate-level programs require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. They may also require applications to have a certain GPA to be eligible.
Resume: In many cases, MSW applicants are already working in the field when they apply for graduate school. Schools will want to see a resume or other record of work experience.
Letters of Recommendation: Applicants will have to provide letters of recommendation, either from academic acquaintances like professors or employers and supervisors.
Background Check: Because of the sensitivity of this particular field and the need for clinical hours to be licensed, many schools require that students go through a background check to join an MSW program.
GRE or GMAT: Like other graduate degrees, MSW applicants will likely have to provide either GRE or GMAT scores.
Concentrations in a Social Work Masters Program
When you begin a social work master's degree program, you are likely to have the option of different concentrations to help you narrow the focus of your studies. The concentration or specialization you'll choose will depend on your career goals.
Clinical/direct social work
The clinical or direct practice concentration is for those who plan to work closely with people or families. This concentration focuses on social work on the micro or individual level. This type of social worker is trained in social casework and therapeutic techniques and is trained to identify, understand, and treat the different mental and emotional challenges someone might face.
Community development or administration
Social workers who specialize in community development or administration focus on the macro-level of social work. They learn to work with communities and larger groups of people, developing policies, and overseeing community programs. These individuals generally work at the management level in the field.
Generalist
A generalist concentration allows students to work in both the micro and macro levels of social work. They learn to work with individuals on casework while also learning to develop or oversee policies and programs. Individuals who pursue this concentration have a greater understanding of the field but don't have the depth of expertise in either area.
Common Social Work Masters Courses
The courses you take may vary depending on the school you attend and the concentration you choose, but there are a few basic courses all MSW students will likely take.
Career and Salary Outlook for Social Work Master's Graduates
The median pay for a social worker is $50,470, according to 2019 data from the BLS. Pay varies slightly depending on the type of social work one specializes in, but it's not a substantial difference. The career is growing quickly as the need for social workers increases. The field is expected to grow 13% from 2019 to 2029.
Similar Industries
Top paying industries for social work graduates
While social workers are generally low-paid than other professionals, not all MSW graduates actually work as social workers. There are plenty of careers common for MSW holders that earn quite a bit more. Those careers include:
| Industry | Median yearly salary |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | $83,050 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) | $75,940 |
| Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities | $74,240 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $72,760 |
| Insurance Carriers | $69,870 |
What is the ROI for a Social Work Masters Degree?
Unfortunately, a master's in social work doesn't have the same return on investment as many other advanced degrees. The median annual pay for a social worker is $50,470, and a master's degree is necessary for clinical social workers. That's less than the national annual mean wage for all occupations, which is $53,490, and less than the median yearly wage of someone with a bachelor's degree, which is $75,440.
When deciding whether the cost of an MSW will be worth it for you, consider the median wage for your desired field and the cost of the program you're considering. It's worth noting that people don't generally go into social work for its earring potential (or lack thereof). But it's still important to know what your prospects are.
Certifications and Licences
In addition to completing a Master's in Social Work, there are other requirements that individuals must meet to work in the field. To work as a clinical social worker, someone must be a licensed social worker (LCW) and licensed in their particular state. To earn their license, applicants must complete two years of supervised clinical work. The Association of Social Work Boards compiles information on the specific licensure requirements for each state.
License requirements for social workers vary by state, but typically these are the different certifications a social workers can pursue:
licensed social workers (LSWs)
licensed independent social workers (LISWs)
licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs)
licensed independent clinical social workers (LICSWs
Accreditations for Social Work Masters Degrees
Accreditation is a way of reviewing higher education programs ensuring they offer a legitimate and quality education. When a school is accredited, it means it's gone through a review process and has been given the green light by a third-party organization.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is an organization that reviews and accredits social work programs around the country. Each of the master's programs on our list is accredited by the CSWE, meaning you can trust you'll be receiving a quality education no matter which school you choose.
Scholarships, grants, and financial aid for MSW students
Most graduate school program are likely to come with a big price tag, but there are ways to make your schooling more affordable:
Scholarships: There are many need and merit-based scholarships available to help you pay for school. There are scholarships specifically for social work students and those intended for students of particular demographics.
Student loans: Both the federal government and private financial institutions offer loans to help students cover the cost of their degree. Federal subsidized loans offer a great option, as they don't accrue interest while you're still in school.
Financial aid: In addition to government loans, the federal government also offers need-based grants to help low-income students pay for their degree programs.
Employer assistance: Depending on where you work, your employer may help pay for your master's degree. This is perhaps less common in social work than other fields but still worth looking into.
Why should I get a Master's in Social Work?
Take a closer look at five reasons this degree might be the right choice for you.
