Best Master of Social Work Programs

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, students can choose between three different MSW programs: a 12-month advanced standing program, a two-year track, and a three-year track. The university designed the advanced standing program for individuals who already possess a BSW.

The program offers two concentrations: (1) direct practice for those who want to work directly with people in individual and small group settings and (2) community, management, and policy practice. Regardless of concentration, MSW candidates must carry out 1,000 hours of field education.

• Program(s): Master of social work
• Campus: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education
• Tuition: $586 per credit for North Carolina residents; $1,602 per credit for out-of-state students
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in any background from an accredited program; statement of purpose; three recommendation letters
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12-24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes

2. California State University – Los Angeles

The School of Social Work at California State University – Los Angeles facilitates an 11-month advanced placement MSW for incoming students who have already completed a BSW program. Individuals with other academic backgrounds can enroll in the two- or three-year program instead.

Courses cover human behavior, mental health, community organizing, and social work policy. Students take their courses on campus and also carry out two nine-month fieldwork sequences for 1,000 hours in total. MSW candidates must also complete a project or thesis in their final year.

• Program(s): Master of social work
• Campus: Los Angeles, California
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education
• Tuition: Advanced standing program – $17,325; two-year program – $16,432; three-year program – $24,648
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; personal statement; names of references; work experience in social services not required but highly desirable
• Minimum Time Commitment: 11-24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes

3. CUNY Lehman College

As part of the City University of New York system, CUNY Lehman College calls the Bronx home and offers several undergraduate and graduate programs. Among these degrees is the MSW, which trains social workers for leadership positions in urban public organizations.

The curriculum follows an advanced practice generalist approach, which trains students to work with individuals, families, and groups. MSW graduates can also work in the areas of supervision, administration, research, and policy practice.

• Program(s): Master of social work
• Campus: Bronx, New York
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education
• Tuition: $470 per credit for New York residents; $855 per credit for out-of-state students
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree from accredited university with minimum 3.0 GPA; three recommendation letters; personal statement. Those applying to the advanced standing program should possess a bachelor’s degree in social work with a minimum 3.2 GPA.
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12-24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes

4. CUNY Hunter College

CUNY Hunter College, based in New York, caters to different kinds of students with various backgrounds. MSW candidates can enroll in:

• a two-year full-time program,
• a one-year residency program for those with at least two years of employment at a social services agency
• an advanced standing program for those with a BSW
• an accelerated full-time program lasting 18 months
• an accelerated one-year residency program

Students can also choose from several specializations: aging, child welfare, global social work, health, mental health, world of work, school social work, criminal justice, and sexuality and gender. Each of these tracks include field work.

• Program(s): Master of social work
• Campus: New York, New York
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education
• Tuition: $620 per credit for New York residents; $1,112 for out-of-state students
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; those applying to the advanced standing program should hold a bachelor’s in social work
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12-24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes

5. University of California – Berkeley

The University of California – Berkeley has offered their master of social welfare degree since 1944. The program trains social workers for leadership and advanced practice roles in the profession, focusing on social justice. The curriculum follows a full-time format, lasting two years.

The program allows students to choose from three concentration tracks:

• Advancing health and well-being across the adult lifespan
• Strengthening children, youth, and families
• Strengthening organizations and communities

The program requires 25 credits of field education, including two years of field practicum internship experience and integration seminars.

• Program(s): Master of social welfare
• Campus: Berkeley, California
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education
• Tuition: $5,850 per semester
• Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; three recommendation letters; statement of purpose; personal history statement
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes