FAQ: Are there any one year online MSW programs?
Answer: Yes for Professionals with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).
One year online Master of Social Work (MSW) programs are basically full-time programs that accept advanced standing students, those who have already completed a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited undergraduate program. These programs can typically be completed in one to one and a half years and are a great option for professionals with a BSW who are looking to increase their credentials or become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (which requires a MSW) in a shorter period of time. For students who have not earned a BSW, a traditional full-time online MSW program typically takes two years to complete.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
The University of Denver’s top-ranked school of social work offers two online MSW tracks: Online MSW and Online Advanced-Standing MSW. Students with a BSW can earn an MSW in as few as 12 months; students without a BSW can earn an MSW in as few as 21 months. GRE scores are not required.
- Complete the online MSW program in as few as 12 months if you have a BSW; if you do not have a BSW, the program may be completed in as few as 21 months.
- GRE scores are not required to apply.
- Customize your own Pathway to your interests.
Advanced standing MSW programs typically have stricter admission criteria than traditional programs. In addition, most programs require students to have completed their BSW within the past five to eight years to be eligible for admission. For more information about these programs including admission requirements, visit our main page on advanced standing online MSW programs.
There are over 30 schools that offer online MSW programs that can be completed in approximately one year (i.e. full-time advanced standing online MSW programs). On OnlineMSWprograms.com, we classify any MSW program that requires students to visit the campus two or fewer times per year as an online program. All but two of the schools that offer these programs are 100% online and do not require students to visit the campus during the program. All online MSW programs require field education which is typically completed at a local health services agency.
Online MSW Programs That May Be Completed in One Year (Advanced Standing Programs)
| Institution & Program | Enrollment | Study Length |
|---|---|---|
Boise State UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time, Part-Time | 12 months (3 semesters) FT or ~2 years (5 semesters) PT |
Campbellsville UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time, Part-Time | ~2 semesters (also marketed “as little as 9 months”) |
Columbia UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time | 1 year |
Delaware State UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time | 1 year |
PennWest Global OnlineMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time | 1 year |
| Full-Time, Part-Time | As few as 12 months | |
| Full-Time, Part-Time | 12-24 months | |
Louisiana State UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time, Part-Time | 3 terms (~1 year) |
Metropolitan State University of DenverMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time, Part-Time | 1+ years |
Morgan State UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time | 1 year |
New Mexico State UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time, Part-Time | 1+ years |
Ohio State UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time, Part-Time | 1+ years |
Our Lady of the Lake UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time, Part-Time | 1+ years |
Portland State UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time | 1+ years |
Rutgers UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time, Part-Time | 1+ years |
Samford UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time, Part-Time | 1+ years |
San José State UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time | 1 year |
| Full-Time, Part-Time | As few as 9 months | |
The Catholic University of AmericaMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time, Part-Time | Less than 1 year |
Tulane UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time, Part-Time | 1+ years |
University of Alaska, AnchorageMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time, Part-Time | 1+ years |
University of Central FloridaMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Part-Time | 16 months |
| Full-Time, Part-Time | As few as 12 months | |
University of KentuckyMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time | 1 year |
University of LouisvilleMaster of Science in Social Work (MSSW) | Full-Time, Part-Time | As few as 9 months |
University of Nevada, RenoMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time | 1.25 years |
University of New EnglandMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time | 1.3 years |
University of New HampshireMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time | 1.3 years |
University of North DakotaMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time | 1+ years |
University of South FloridaMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time, Part-Time | As few as 3 semesters (full-time) |
University of UtahMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Full-Time | 1+ years |
*Programs that are 100% online do not require students to visit the campus during the program.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Ranked the No. 3 private institution for veterans by the Military Times in 2022, Syracu se University offers a CSWE-accredited online Master of Social Work program that does not require GRE scores to apply. Students can choose to concentrate their degrees in integrated practice or clinical practice.
- Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks
- No GRE required
- Concentrate your degree in integrated practice or clinical practice
Information last updated: January 2026