Master of Social Work (MSW)
You already have a passion to help those in need. Develop the skills to change more lives with our CSWE-accredited, online MSW program.
You already have a passion to help those in need. Develop the skills to change more lives with our CSWE-accredited, online MSW program.
Walden’s accredited online MSW program blends the flexibility of online learning with hands-on experiences to empower you to make a difference as a licensed social worker. An MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program is required to obtain licensure in most states.
Walden University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CSWE's Commission on Accreditation is responsible for developing accreditation standards that define competent preparation for professional social workers and ensuring that social work programs meet these standards.
Choose from three degree completion options that match your goals and schedule, as well as four start dates throughout the year.
Develop the therapeutic skills to engage clients in defining issues, setting and prioritizing goals, and committing to the change process.
Accredited by CSWE, our master’s in social work program combines practical curriculum with groundbreaking classroom tools and experiences. Two Skills Labs give you the unique opportunity to meet faculty and peers, hone your skills, and prepare for your field practicum.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program prepares scholar-practitioners who demonstrate culturally responsive ethical, evidence-based practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The curriculum emphasizes cultural humility within a strengths-based, generalist intervention model and provides advanced clinical skills needed for specialized practice. The program prepares students to be change agents within and beyond their local communities and to advocate for social justice on behalf of diverse populations, with particular attention to people who are vulnerable and/or oppressed.
Graduates of Walden’s online master’s in social work program will be prepared to:
Now is the time to pursue your passion for helping others. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for social work professionals is expected to increase 16% by 2026—much faster than the national average for all occupations.1 This is particularly true for clinical social workers.
An estimated 109,700 social work jobs will be available through 2026, with the areas of healthcare, mental health, and substance abuse experiencing the most growth.1
Open exciting new doors in your professional journey with a master’s in social work degree from Walden. Social work professionals with graduate degrees are sought by employers nationwide in industries such as healthcare, education, and human services.
In 2018, the social work job titles with the greatest employer demand included:2
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this online MSW degree program.
A Walden master’s in social work degree can potentially lead to higher earnings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social work professionals in healthcare, mental health, child and family services, education, and other services earn median salaries between $43,000 and $61,000 per year.1
Learn more about the career outlook for graduates with a Master of Social Work.
Find detailed information for this program including possible occupations, completion rate, program costs, and median student loan debt. This information will vary depending on whether you (1) hold a BSW or (2) do not hold a BSW.
An estimated 109,700 social work jobs will be available through 2026.1
Demand for social work professionals is expected to increase 16% by 2026—faster than the national average for all occupations.1
The theory I’m learning in my Walden classes is fascinating. It helps me really understand my world and the culture I grew up in.
Obtaining a doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision is one of my proudest moments, followed by securing a faculty position at Montreat College’s counseling graduate program.
Walden’s mission of positive social change aligns directly with social work standards. So to be able to have that support, not just in the program that you’re in, but in the university itself is remarkable.
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social Workers. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
2Source: Data for this analysis of job postings for professionals with a master’s degree in social work from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018, was retrieved using Burning Glass Technologies: Labor Insight™. Results for industry sectors and job titles are at the national level and may not reflect local and/or short-term job conditions and are subject to change.
Note on Licensure:
The minimum academic credential required to obtain licensure to practice as a social worker in most states is a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Walden University’s MSW program is accredited by CSWE.
State licensing boards are responsible for regulating the practice of social work, and each state has its own academic, licensure, and certification requirements.
Walden recommends that students consult the appropriate social work licensing board in the state in which they plan to practice to determine the specific academic requirements for licensure. Walden enrollment advisors can provide information relating to the state-by-state requirements for licensure. However, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all licensing requirements for the state in which he or she intends to practice. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of its coursework or programs will permit an individual to achieve state licensure, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential as a social worker.
