The Catholic University of America Online MSW Program
The National Catholic School of Social Service (NCSSS) at The Catholic University of America offers an online Master of Social Work (MSW) program with a Clinical concentration — the only fully online MSW program based in Washington, D.C. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and social work values, NCSSS prepares students to be agents of change who promote human rights and social, environmental, and economic justice. The school is committed to students of diverse faiths and cultures, and the curriculum emphasizes a person-in-environment approach, cultural humility, and integrity in practice.
The online program is delivered asynchronously — students are not required to be online at specific times, and have 24/7 access to their courses. Class sizes are kept small to maintain a low student-to-faculty ratio and foster mentoring relationships between students and faculty. The program uses a cohort model with multiple start dates per year and is offered in both full-time and part-time formats.
Sponsored Online MSW Programs Now Enrolling
Learn More: Interview with Dr. Marie Raber – Associate Dean, MSW Program Chair and Associate Professor at CUA
“Our online MSW program is taught by faculty who are experts in their respective areas of social work…” Read more from Dr. Marie Raber’s interview
The online program offers the Clinical concentration only. (The Community, Administration and Policy Practice, or CAPP, concentration is available exclusively through the on-campus program.) The Clinical concentration prepares students for advanced direct practice with individuals, families, couples, and groups — including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment across the life span — and is designed to prepare graduates for clinical social work licensure.
NCSSS’s MSW program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The Catholic University of America is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Program Overview
- Department: National Catholic School of Social Service
- Degree Types: Traditional Standing; Advanced Standing
- Concentration: Clinical Social Work (online only; CAPP concentration available on-campus only)
- Program Structure: Online with local field internships (no campus visits required)
- Instruction Methods: Fully asynchronous; 24/7 course access; cohort model; class sizes typically limited to 25 students
Program Information – Traditional Standing Students
The Traditional Standing program is a 60-credit program divided equally between generalist (foundation) and clinical advanced practice curricula. The curriculum covers all aspects of clinical practice with individuals, families, couples, and groups, including assessment and diagnosis across the life span. Students must pass a foundation comprehensive examination before advancing to the advanced curriculum.
Sample Online Clinical Curriculum:
- Foundation (30 credits, 5 semesters): Diversity in a Multicultural Society; Human Behavior and the Social Environment I; Human Development and Psychopathology; Social Welfare Policy and Services I; Social Welfare Policy and Services II; Social Work Research Methods; Generalist Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups; Foundation Field Education and Integrative Seminar I (240 field hours); Generalist Practice with Groups, Communities and Organizations; Foundation Field Education and Integrative Seminar II (240 field hours)
- Advanced/Clinical (30 credits, 5 semesters): Ethical Issues in Contemporary Social Work; Evaluation of Social Work Practice; Psychodynamic Theory and Social Functioning; Clinical Social Work with Adults; Cognitive-Behavioral Theory and Social Functioning; Clinical Social Work with Children and Adolescents; Clinical Social Work with Families: Strengths-based Model; Clinical Field Instruction and Integrative Seminar I (300 field hours); Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Illnesses; Clinical Field Instruction and Integrative Seminar II (300 field hours)
Program Requirements
- Field Education Requirements: 1,080 hours total — Foundation: 480 hours (two semesters of 240 hours each); Advanced/Clinical: 600 hours (two semesters of 300 hours each). Field placements are local to the student.
- Number of Credits Required: 60 credit hours
Program Length
- Program Options: Full-time and part-time
- Program Length: Approximately 3 years part-time
- Start Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Preferred GPA of 3.0 or above
- Liberal arts foundation including social and behavioral sciences; coursework in human biology and social statistics is recommended
- Statement of purpose
- Professional resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
- TOEFL or TSE scores (for applicants whose native language is not English)
- GRE: Not required (optional test scores may be considered)
- Non-degree option available for those exploring social work as a career (1–3 courses)
Program Information – Advanced Standing Students
The Advanced Standing option allows qualifying BSW graduates to begin directly in the advanced clinical curriculum, with credits from their BSW applied to the foundation year. Advanced Standing students take an online transition course during their first semester to prepare for graduate-level study and build community among peers.
Program Requirements
- Field Education Requirements: 600 hours (Advanced/Clinical field only — two semesters of 300 hours each)
- Number of Credits Required: 30 credit hours
Program Length
- Program Options: Full-time and part-time
- Program Length: Approximately 1.5 years part-time
- Start Dates: Applications due March 1 (for fall entry)
Admission Requirements
- BSW from a CSWE-accredited institution
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 in all undergraduate social work courses
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 in all courses applied toward the BSW
- Completion of an undergraduate generalist field practicum plus a letter of reference from the undergraduate program’s Field Office Director or field instructor discussing performance in practicum (a final field practicum evaluation may substitute for the letter)
- Three letters of recommendation, including a recommendation from the chair of the undergraduate social work program supporting advanced standing
- All other materials required for Traditional Standing applicants (statement of purpose, resume, transcripts, TOEFL/TSE if applicable)
The Catholic University of America’s MSW program information was last updated in March 2026. For more information, visit the university’s website above.
If you have additional information about this program, email us at contactus@onlinemswprograms.com.