Master of Social Work (MSW) programs with a clinical concentration are designed to help prepare students to become licensed clinical social workers (LCSW). In addition to foundation level social work courses, they focus on the skills needed to provide social work services and treatment to individuals (children, youth, and adults) and small groups (couples and families). Students are taught advanced assessment techniques, how to diagnose and treat psychosocial problems, and how to develop, promote, and restore mental health and social functioning. In addition, students are taught how to evaluate their own practice and intervention techniques.
Featured Online MSW Programs with a Clinical Social Work Focus
These schools offer online MSW programs with 100% online instruction - no campus visits required
Sponsored Online MSW Programs
All Online MSW Programs with Clinical Social Work/Mental Health Concentration
Requirements for Clinical Social Work Licensing
An MSW from a graduate program accredited by the CSWE is required to become an LCSW in the United States. While the terms are sometimes used synonymously, schools do not directly offer “LCSW programs;” they offer MSW programs. However, students who wish to pursue licensing following graduation may want to consider an online MSW program with a clinical concentration, depending on their state of residence.
Licensing for social workers is determined by state-specific social work licensing boards. Therefore, licensing requirements vary by state. Students should research the requirements for licensing in their state of residence to ensure that the MSW program they choose will meet the requirements for licensing. In some states, it is not required to complete an MSW program with a clinical concentration to become an LCSW. In these situations, students may be required to complete additional coursework in order to meet the requirements for licensing. However, some states do have specific requirements that students need to be aware of if they plan to pursue a career as an LCSW after graduation.
For example, New York requires applicants to have completed at least 12 hours of clinical coursework. In this case, coursework may be completed during or after an MSW program (restrictions may apply). In Florida, applicants are required to have provided clinical services directly to clients during at least one of their field education placements. In New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice requires applicants to complete at least one year of face-to-face instruction during their MSW program; therefore, students are actually required to attend a campus or hybrid program if they want to pursue licensing after graduation.
Check out our resource section for more information on how to become a licensed clinical social worker. To become an LCSW, students must have dedication and commitment; earning an MSW is just the first step. Licensing typically takes two to three years post-graduation and requires a significant amount of work experience in the field.
Coursework for Online MSW Programs with a Clinical Concentration
While specific courses for online MSW degree programs vary, students should expect to take coursework in the following areas:
- Clinical Social Work Practice: Individuals (Children, Youth and Adults) and Small Groups (Couples and Families)
- Mental Health and Human Behavior
- Psychopathology
- Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
- Evaluation of Research Methods and Social Work Practice
In addition to coursework, all students are required to complete field education at a local health services agency. Typically, students in traditional MSW programs complete their clinical field rotation during their advanced standing year in the program (i.e. second year for full-time programs).
Online Clinical Social Work Programs (Schools are Listed Alphabetically)
There are 22 schools that offer CSWE accredited online Master of Social Work programs with a clinical social work or mental health concentration.
Click on the school name for more information about the program,
admission requirements, tuition information, and more. As with all degree programs, this information can change at any time (especially tuition costs, student eligibility and admission requirements), so students should speak with an admission advisor before applying to ensure that they have the most up-to-date information.
Featured CSWE-Accredited Online MSW Programs
Sponsored Online MSW Programs
Program Information
- Structure: Asynchronous and Synchronous coursework
- Concentrations: Specialist Phase - Clinical or Community Practice
- Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing
- Program Options: Full-Time and Part-Time Options
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s Required
- Three letters of recommendation required
- GRE not required
- Minimum 2.7 GPA
Sponsored Online MSW Program
Program Information
- Structure: Asynchronous and Synchronous coursework
- Concentrations: Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families
- Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing
- Program Options: Full-Time and Part-Time Options
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Required
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal essay required
- GRE not required
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
Eligibility Restrictions: Program does not currently accept students from Alabama, DC, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky or North Carolina
Program Information
- Structure: Asynchronous and Synchronous coursework
- Concentrations: Clinical Social Work Practice
- Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing
- Program Options: Part-Time Only
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Required
- Three references required
- Personal statement required
- GRE: N/A
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
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
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Program Information
- Structure: Synchronous coursework
- Concentrations: Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice
- Degree Types: Traditional Standing Only
- Program Options: Full-Time and Part-Time Options
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Required
- Three references required
- Personal essay required
- GRE not required
- GPA: N/A
Eligibility Restrictions: Program currently only accepts students from New Jersey and who live in the following metropolitan areas: New York City, Albany, Buffalo, and Syracuse (NY); Hartford and Stamford (CT); Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg (PA); Washington, D.C.; Miami/West Palm Beach (FL); Chicago (IL); San Antonio, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin, and Houston (TX); San Francisco and Los Angeles (CA)
Program Information
- Structure: Asynchronous coursework
- Concentrations: Clinical Social Work Practice
- Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing
- Program Options: Part-Time Only
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Required
- Minimum three letters of recommendation required
- Statement of purpose required
- GRE required
- Minimum 3.5 GPA
Eligibility Restrictions: Program only accepts students from specific counties in the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota (http://csw.fsu.edu/academics/master-of-social-work/msw-online/coverage-programs/)
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Program Information
- Structure: Asynchronous coursework
- Concentrations: Advanced Direct Social Work Practice
- Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing
- Program Options: Full-Time or Part-Time (Traditional Students); Full-Time Only (Advanced Standing)
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Required
- Three letters of recommendation required
- Letter of intent required
- GRE not required
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
Eligibility Restrictions: Program does not currently accept students from Alabama, Georgia, Massachusetts and Washington
Program Information
- Structure: Asynchronous coursework
- Concentrations: Clinical Social Work
- Degree Types: Traditional Standing Only
- Program Options: Part-Time Only
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Required
- Three letters of recommendation required
- Personal statement required
- GRE: N/A
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
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.
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Program Information
- Structure: Synchronous coursework
- Concentrations: Clinical Social Work with specializations: Child and Family, Trauma and Interpersonal Violence, Mental Health and Addictions, Health and Aging
- Degree Types: Traditional Standing
- Program Options: Full-Time or Part-Time (Traditional Students)
Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s Required
- Minimum two letters of recommendation required
- GRE: N/A
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
Sponsored Online MSW Program
Program Information
- Structure: Asynchronous coursework
- Concentrations: Clinical Concentration
- Degree Options: Traditional Standing Only
- Program Options: Part-Time Only
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Required
- Three references required
- Statement of purpose required
- GRE required
- Minimum 3.5 GPA
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Program Information
- Structure: Asynchronous and Synchronous coursework
- Concentrations: Evidence-based practice with a trauma-informed and human rights perspective
- Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing
- Program Options: Part-Time Only
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Required
- Three letters of recommendation required
- Personal statement essay required
- GRE required
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
Program Information
- Structure: Asynchronous and Synchronous coursework
- Concentrations: Behavioral Health and Child Welfare Services
- Degree Types: Traditional Standing Only
- Program Options: Part-Time Only
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Required
- Three letters of recommendation required
- Personal statement essay required
- GRE not required
- Minimum 3.3 GPA
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
- Structure: Asynchronous and Synchronous coursework
- Concentrations: Clinical Practice: Health and Behavioral Health
- Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing
- Program Options: Part-Time Only
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Required
- Three letters of recommendation required
- Personal statement essay required
- GRE not required
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
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/)
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Program Information
- Structure: Asynchronous coursework
- Concentrations: Clinical Practice: Individual, Families, and Groups (IFG)
- Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing
- Program Options: Part-Time Only (Part-Time and Accelerated Part-Time)
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Required
- Two references required
- Professional statements required
- GRE not required
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
Program Information
- Structure: Asynchronous and Synchronous coursework
- Concentrations: Health and Mental Health; Addictions and Substance Abuse; Children, Youth, and Families; Disabilities
- Degree Types: Traditional Standing Only
- Program Options: Full-Time Only
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Requirement: N/A
- Minimum three letters of recommendation required
- Personal statement essay required
- GRE: N/A
- GPA: N/A
Program Information
- Structure: Asynchronous and Synchronous coursework
- Concentrations: Mental Health; Health
- Degree Options: Traditional and Advanced Standing
- Program Options: Full-Time and Part-Time Options
Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s Required
- Minimum two letters of recommendation required
- Personal essay required
- GRE not required
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
Sponsored Online MSW Program
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Program Information
- Structure: Asynchronous and Synchronous coursework
- Concentrations: Evidence Based Interpersonal Practice (Clinical)
- Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing
- Program Options: Full-Time and Part-Time Options
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Required
- Three references required
- Professional statement required
- GRE not required
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
Program Information
- Structure: Asynchronous coursework
- Concentrations: Clinical Social Work Specializing in Trauma
- Degree Types: Traditional Standing Only
- Program Options: Part-Time Only
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's Required
- Two letters of recommendation required
- Statement of purpose required
- GRE: N/A
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
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Featured Online MSW Programs with a Clinical Social Work Focus
Featured Online MSW Programs with a Clinical Social Work Focus
These schools offer online MSW programs with 100% online instruction - no campus visits required
Sponsored Online MSW Programs
