Part-Time Master of Social Work Programs Online

With the combination of classes and field instruction, full-time Master of Social Work (MSW) programs may not be an option for individuals who have financial obligations or who need to work full-time to support their families. On the other hand, part-time online MSW programs, which are Master of Social Work degrees with flexible scheduling, are ideal for professionals who already work in the health services industry and want to pursue an advanced degree while they continue working.

These part-time Master of Social Work programs are also well suited for individuals who are looking to change careers, but do not have the resources to pursue a program full-time. With an online MSW, students are eligible to pursue careers as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or a Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW) after they meet additional licensing requirements.

Featured CSWE-Accredited Online MSW Programs

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Currently, students interested in part-time programs for online social work degrees have more options than those interested in full-time programs. There are over 30 part-time MSW degree programs compared with over 10 full-time programs offered online. While all online MSW programs must meet the same CSWE accreditation standards (note: all schools listed on OnlineMSWPrograms.com are CSWE accredited), there is no set standard for what constitutes an online program.

Therefore, on OnlineMSWPrograms.com, any program that requires two or fewer campus visits per year is categorized as an online program, or online social work degree. Programs with a campus residency requirement are ideal for students who have some flexibility to travel and want to meet their teachers and classmates in person during the program.

Length and Structure of Part-Time MSW Programs

In general, the structure of part-time programs is more varied than that of full-time programs. Therefore, students should research their options carefully to understand how the programs differ in terms of class structure and instruction methods. Typically, part-time MSW programs can range from two and a half to four years in duration.

• Types of Class Structures: The majority of full-time online MSW programs use a cohort model of instruction where students proceed through the curriculum together as a unit. While many part-time programs also use a cohort model, others have flexible scheduling that allows students to vary their course loads each semester. (Note: these programs usually have a maximum length of time in which students must complete the program.)

• Types of Instruction Methods: Some part-time MSW programs use synchronous instruction (i.e. students are required to be online at specific times), while others use asynchronous instruction (i.e. students can log in to complete their coursework at times that are convenient for them). There are some schools which use both forms of instruction depending on the class and instructor. For programs with synchronous instruction, classes are usually in the evenings or on the weekends, which is ideal for working professionals.

• Field Education: Students in part-time online MSW programs are still required to complete a field education requirement, which ranges from 900 to 1,200 hours, depending on the program. Typically, students complete two internships over four to seven semesters in their second and third years. This means students will be required to work at least one day a week at a local agency during those semesters, and most field instruction takes place during normal business hours Monday through Friday.

Start Dates and Admission Periods of Part-Time Online MSW Programs

While the majority of full-time MSW programs only start once a year, with admission typically in the Fall, there are part-time online MSW programs and online social work degrees that have multiple start dates including Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. This is definitely an advantage for students who have already missed the Fall admission deadline or who have decided they want to go back to school and do not want to wait an entire year to start. Although most part-time programs that only accept students once a year typically start in the Fall semester, some schools do have programs that only start in the Spring.

CSWE Accredited Part-Time MSW Programs Online

Adelphi University: School of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Online Master of Social Work (MSW)
Structure: Online with two on-campus residencies each year the student is enrolled in the program.

Program Information
Program Length: Traditional, Three Years or Advanced Standing, 15 Months
Program Start Dates: Traditional, Fall and Spring or Advanced Standing, Summer

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum GPA of 3.0 or better
GRE: No GRE Required

Arizona State University: School of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Master of Social Work Program Online
Structure: Online with field instruction (no campus visits required)
Concentrations: Advanced Generalist

Program Information
Program Length: Program can be completed in 3 years
Program Start Dates: Fall and Spring admission

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum GPA of 3.0 in last 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) of undergraduate coursework
GRE: GRE or MAT Only required for students with a GPA lower than 3.2

Baylor University: Diana R. Garland School of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: MSW@Baylor
Structure: Online with field instruction (no campus visits required)
Concentrations: Clinical or Community Practice

Sponsored Online Part-Time MSW Program

Program Information
Program Length: 36 Months
Program Start Dates: January, May, and August
Instruction Methods: Program has both synchronous and asynchronous instruction

Admission Requirements
GRE: No GRE Required

Boise State University: School of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Online Master of Social Work (MSW) Graduate Program
Structure: Online with field work (no campus visits required)
Concentrations: Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families

Program Information
Program Length: Program can be completed in 4 years
Program Start Dates: Fall, Spring and Summer admission

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum GPA of 3.0 preferred
GRE: Not Required

Boston University: Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW)

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Online Master of Social Work Program – Traditional Program Track
Structure: Online with field education experiences (no campus visits or residency requirements)
Concentrations: Clinical Social Work Practice

Eligibility Restrictions: Program is not available to students who reside within the Massachusetts route 128 corridor or for students who live in New Hampshire or Maryland

Program Information
Program Length: Program can be completed in 3 years (9 semesters)
Program Start Dates: January, May and September

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (GPA below 3.0 must be supplemented by standardized test scores)
GRE: GRE/MAT only required if undergraduate GPA is below 3.0

California State University, San Bernardino: School of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Pathway M.S.W. Distance Education Program
Structure: Online with field education (note: students must visit the campus three times during the program in August of each year for a 2 to 3 day orientation)
Concentrations: Advanced Generalist with Specializations
Website: The School of Social Work at California State University, San Bernardino

Program Information
Program Length: Part-Time program that takes 3 years to complete
Program Start Dates: Fall admission only

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum GPA of 3.0 (students with a minimum GPA of 2.8 may be considered if application is sufficiently strong)
GRE: Not Required (but recommended if GPA is between 2.8 and 3.0)

Columbia University: School of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Online Master of Science in Social Work
Structure: Online with field education (students must visit the campus twice during the program for orientation and a final Capstone Integrative Project)
Concentrations: Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice; Social Enterprise Administration

Program Information
Program Length: Part-Time Extended Program take approximately 4 years to complete
Program Start Dates: Fall admission only

Admission Requirements
GPA: No Minimum GPA (Average GPA 3.5)
GRE: Not Required

Florida State University: College of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Traditional Online MSW Program
Structure: Online with field placements
Concentrations: Clinical Social Work Practice
Website: The Florida State University College of Social Work

Program Information
Program Length: Program can be completed in 3 years (9 semesters)
Program Start Dates: Spring admission only

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
GRE: Students are required to take the GRE

Fordham University: Graduate School of Social Service

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: OnlineMSW@Fordham 
Structure: Online with field placements
Areas of Focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy

Sponsored Online Part-Time MSW Program

Program Information
Program Length: The advanced standing program can be completed in eight months full time or 16 months part time, and the traditional program can be completed in 16 months full time, 24 months full time, or 32 months part time.

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum GPA of 2.6

Humboldt State University: Department of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Online MSW Program
Structure: Online with field experience (note: students must visit the campus one to two times per year)
Concentrations: Generalist program that focuses on working with rural and indigenous communities
Location: California
Website: Humboldt State University Online MSW Program

Program Information
Program Length: Part-Time program that takes 3.5 years
Program Start Dates: Spring admission only

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in last 60 hours of coursework
GRE: Not required but recommended if GPA is below 3.0

Indiana University: IU School of Social Work *Campus Visit Required*

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Advanced Generalist MSW
Structure: Online with field practicums (note: students must go to the campus one time during the program for an initial orientation)
Concentrations: Advanced generalist program
Location: Indiana
Website: IU School of Social Work

Program Information
Program Length: Typically 2.5 years, but program is flexible with a maximum of five years
Program Start Dates: Classes start four times a year and are 11 weeks long

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in final 60 credit hours (or 90 quarter hours)
GRE: Not Required
Estimated Tuition: In-state: Inquire with school

Louisiana State University: School of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: MSW Online program
Structure: Online with field education (no campus visits required)
Concentrations: Advanced Direct Social Work Practice

Eligibility Restrictions: Program does not currently accept students from Alabama, Georgia, Massachusetts and Washington

Program Information
Program Length: Program can be completed in 3 years
Program Start Dates: Six start dates per year

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum GPA of 3.0
GRE: GRE Required

Our Lady of the Lake University: Worden School of Social Service

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Foundation MSW Program
Structure: Online with field education (no campus visits or residency requirements)
Concentrations: Generalist program with an emphasis on the Hispanic community

Program Information
Program Length: Typically 3 to 3.5 years
Program Start Dates: Rolling admissions with set class sizes so terms can fill up early

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or 3.0 in the last 60 semester hours
GRE: Not Required

Portland State University: School of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Online MSW program
Structure: Online with field education (note: students must visit the campus for a 3 day intensive at the beginning of each year)
Concentrations: Community and Organizational Practice
Website: The Portland State University School of Social Work

Program Information
Program Length: Program takes 3 years to complete
Program Start Dates: Fall admission only

Admission Requirements
GPA: No minimum GPA – students with a GPA between 2.5-2.74 may be admitted conditionally
GRE: Not Required

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey: School of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Online MSW program in Clinical Social Work
Structure: Online with field placements (courses are 100% online)
Concentrations: Clinical Social Work

Eligibility Restrictions: Rutgers’ online MSW program does not currently accept students from Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Maryland, Minnesota, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

Program Information
Program Length: Part-Time program that takes 3 years to complete with courses in the Fall, Spring and Summer
Program Start Dates: Fall, Spring and Summer admission

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
GRE: Not Required

Simmons University: School of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: SocialWork@Simmons
Structure: Online with field education (no campus visits required)
Certificates Options: Trauma Practice, Mental Health Practice, Practice with Groups and Families

Sponsored Online Part-Time MSW Program

Program Information
Program Length: Part-Time Extended Program: 16 Months 
Program Start Dates: Multiple start dates throughout the year

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum GPA of 3.0
GRE: Not Required

Temple University: School of Social Work

Program Overview
Program Name: Online Master of Social Work (MSW)

Program Requirements
60 credits

Program Length
Program Options: Part-Time
Program Length: Three years

Texas State University, San Marcos: School of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Online MSW Degree Program
Structure: Online with field practicums (no campus visits are required)
Concentrations: Administrative Leadership
Website: The Texas State University San Marcos School of Social Work

Program Information
Program Length: Part-Time program typically takes 4 years to complete (Fall, Spring and Summer semesters)
Program Start Dates: Fall admissions only

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of college classes
GRE: Not Required
Estimated Tuition: In-State: Inquire with school

The Catholic University of America: National Catholic School of Social Service

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Online Clinical Master of Social Work (MSW)
Structure: Online with field education (no campus visits required)
Concentrations: Clinical Concentration

Program Information
Program Length: Program takes approximately 3 years to complete
Program Start Dates: Fall, Spring and Summer admission

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum GPA of 3.0 preferred
GRE: Not Required

University at Buffalo (SUNY): School of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: MSW Online Program
Structure: Online with field instruction (no campus visits required)
Concentrations: Evidence-based practice with a trauma-informed and human rights perspective

Program Information
Program Length: Part-Time program that takes 3 years to complete (nine semesters)
Program Start Dates: Fall admission only

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum GPA of 3.0 preferred
GRE: No GRE Required
Estimated Tuition: Inquire with school

University of Alaska Anchorage: School of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Distance Education MSW Program
Structure: Online with field education (note: traditional standing students must visit the campus twice during the program while advanced standing students must visit the campus once)
Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
Website: UAA School of Social Work

Program Information
Program Length: Program can be completed in 4 years
Program Start Dates: Fall admission only

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum GPA of 3.0 preferred
GRE: Not Required

University of Central Florida: School of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Master of Social Work Online MSW
Structure: Online with field education (no campus visits required)
Concentrations: Behavioral Health and Child Welfare Services

Eligibility Restrictions: Program does not currently accept students from Minnesota, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon and Tennessee

Program Information
Program Length: Program takes 3 years to complete (9 semesters)
Program Start Dates: Three start dates per year

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum GPA of 3.0
GRE: Not Required

University of Denver: Graduate School of Social Work

Program Overview

• Program Name: MSW@Denver
• Structure: Online with field education experiences (no campus visits or residency requirements)
• Concentrations: Mental Health and Trauma

Sponsored Online Part-Time MSW Program

Program Information

• Program Length: Full-Time program: 18 months; Part-Time program: 24 months
• Program Start Dates: Fall admission only
• You are eligible to apply to our Advanced Standing online MSW if you earned a BSW at any point in time. Complete in as few as 18 months.

Admission Requirements

• GPA: Minimum GPA of 2.5, 3.0 preferred
• GRE: No GRE Required

University of Houston: Graduate College of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Online MSW Program
Structure: Online with field work (no campus visits required)
Concentrations: Clinical Practice: Health and Behavioral Health

Eligibility Restrictions: Program only accepts students from certain states: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin (http://www.uh.edu/socialwork/academics/msw/online-program/)

Program Information
Program Length: Program takes 3 years to complete
Program Start Dates: Fall admission only

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum GPA of 3.0
GRE: GRE Required
Estimated Tuition: In-State: Inquire with school

University of New England: Westbrook College of Health Professions

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Master of Social Work
Structure: Online with field placements (no campus visits or residency requirements)
Concentrations: Clinical Practice: Individual, Families, and Groups (IFG); Community Practice: Organizational and Community Practice (OCP)

Program Information
Program Length: Part-Time program: ~4 years to complete; Accelerated option: 3 years to complete
Program Start Dates: Three times a year in the Fall, Spring and Summer

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 undergraduate credit hours
GRE: Not Required

University of North Dakota: Department of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Master of Social Work (MSW) for Non-BSW Students
Structure: Online with field instruction (note: students must visit the campus once (Advanced Standing) or twice (Traditional) during the program for approximately 5 to 6 days to meet residency requirements)
Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
Location: North Dakota
Website: University of North Dakota: Department of Social Work

Program Information
Program Length: Program takes 3+ years to complete
Program Start Dates: Spring admissions only

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (or a GPA of 3.0 over last two years of undergraduate courses)
GRE: Not Required

University of Southern California (USC): USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: MSW@USC 
Structure: Online with field education experiences (no campus visits or residency requirements)
Departments: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Social Change and Innovation; Children, Youth and Families

Sponsored Online Part-Time MSW Program

Program Information
Program Length: Part-Time Traditional - 24 months or Part-Time Advanced Standing - 20 months
Program Start Dates: Multiple Starts Per Year

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
GRE: Not Required

University of Tennessee at Knoxville: College of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: M.S.S.W. Distance Education Program
Structure: Online with field placements (no campus visits or residency requirements)
Concentrations: Evidence Based Interpersonal Practice (Clinical); Management, Leadership and Community Practice (Macro)
Website: University of Tennessee at Knoxville: College of Social Work

Program Information
Program Length: Part-Time: 3 to 4 years (six credits per semester)
Program Start Dates: Fall admissions only

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
GRE: GRE Required
Estimated Tuition: In-State: Inquire with school

Western New Mexico University: School of Social Work

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Masters of Social Work
Structure: Online with field instruction (no campus visits required)
Concentrations: Advanced Generalist with electives
Website: Western New Mexico University: School of Social Work

Program Information
Program Length: Program takes 2 to 3 years depending on full-time or part-time enrollment
Program Start Dates: Fall, Spring and Summer admission

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum GPA of 2.75
GRE: Not Required

Widener University: School of Human Service Professions

Part-Time Online MSW Program Overview
Program Name: Online Master of Social Work
Structure: Online with field instruction (no campus visits required)
Concentrations: Clinical Social Work Specializing in Trauma

Program Information
Program Length: Part-Time program that takes ~3 years to complete
Program Start Dates: Fall, Spring and Summer admission

Admission Requirements
GPA: Minimum GPA of 3.0
GRE: Not Required