University of Nevada, Reno Online MSW Program
The University of Nevada, Reno's School of Social Work offers a fully online Master of Social Work (MSW) program built around the Advanced Generalist Practice (AGP) model. The program prepares ethical, competent social work professionals to lead and practice autonomously across complex environments and multiple systems levels — including the underserved rural communities that are a particular focus of the Nevada SSW mission. The curriculum fosters a commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice while building practical, evidence-informed skills.
Coursework is delivered asynchronously online, with no residency requirement. The program admits students three times per year (fall, spring, and summer) and offers two tracks: a Traditional Program for students without a BSW, and an Advanced Standing Program for qualifying BSW graduates. All students complete the same 30-credit concentration curriculum; Traditional students additionally complete a 30-credit foundation curriculum for a total of 60 credits.
University of Denver • Denver, CO
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
54-81 graduate-level credits
Concentrations
Mental Health and Trauma, Health, Equity and Wellness
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admission
- Minimum undergraduate GPA is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Career goals statement
Hawaii Pacific University • Honolulu, HI
Master of Social Work
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
12-36 months
Credits
30-57
Concentrations
Military and Veterans Affairs, Child or Adult Protective Services, Health Care, Mental Health, Individual and Families, Social Agency Administration
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 30 credits in Liberal Arts from an accredited four-year institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA, but applicants below that will be considered for provisional admission
- Completed courses in Statistics and Research Methods
- Applicants must have completed each course with a grade of a "C" or higher
- Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited program within the past five years
- Minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale in social work courses
- Online application
UNR's MSW program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1991. The University of Nevada, Reno is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and is a Carnegie R1 research university.
Program Overview
- MSW Online phone (general): 888-896-7603
- Nova AI Assistant (24/7): (775) 257-9287
- Email: nevadaonline@unr.edu
- Department: The University of Nevada, Reno’s School of Social Work
- Degree Types: Traditional Program (60 credits); Advanced Standing Program (30 credits)
- Concentration: Advanced Generalist Practice (AGP)
- Program Structure: 100% online with local field practicum placements; no residency or campus visits required
- Instruction Methods: Asynchronous; three start terms per year
- GRE: Not required.
Program Information – Traditional Program Students
The Traditional Program is for students with a bachelor's degree in any field other than social work. Students complete 30 credits of foundation coursework, followed by 30 credits of concentration coursework, for a total of 60 credits.
- Foundation Curriculum (30 credits): Structural Oppression; Theoretical Perspectives on Human Behavior; Social Work Methods with Individuals; Social Work Methods with Groups; Social Work Methods with Organizations, Communities and Legislatures; Social Work Methods with Couples and Families; Social Work History and Social Welfare Policy; Elements of Evidence-Informed Practice; Foundation Practicum I and II.
- Concentration Curriculum (30 credits, shared with Advanced Standing): Advanced Multi-Dimensional Assessment; Therapeutic Interventions with Individuals; Therapeutic Interventions with Groups; Social Work Administration I; Therapeutic Interventions with Families; Social Work Administration II; Practice and Program Evaluation; Advanced Practicum I and II; Integrative Case-Based Seminar – Advanced Generalist Practice.
Program Requirements
- Field Education Requirements: Two foundation practicum courses (Foundation Practicum I and II) plus two advanced practicum courses (Advanced Practicum I and II). The School of Social Work assists students in finding appropriate local agencies for field placement.
- Number of Credits Required: 60 credit hours
Program Length
- As few as 8 consecutive semesters including summer terms (approximately 2 years and 8 months)
- Start Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution (non-social work; must have substantial preparation in the liberal arts, including social sciences, humanities, research, and human biology)
- Completion of both a statistics course and a research methods course (required prior to beginning the program)
- Minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (applicants below 2.75 should contact MSW advisor Olga Martinez at omartinez@unr.edu to discuss options)
- Any graduate-level coursework completed must meet a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Evidence of strong written communication skills
- Career goals aligned with advanced generalist social work
- Three professional references using the program's recommendation forms (supervisors, employers, or professors who can attest to graduate study aptitude and social work performance)
- Resume and essay responses (via MSW application form)
- Official transcripts from all prior institutions (UNR graduates do not need to submit UNR transcripts; contact Graduate School for transfer work questions)
- GRE: Not required
Program Information – Advanced Standing Students
The Advanced Standing Program is for students who hold a BSW from a CSWE-accredited institution and completed within the past seven years. Students skip the foundation curriculum and complete only the 30-credit concentration, graduating in as few as 15 months (four consecutive semesters, including summers).
Program Requirements
- Field Education Requirements: Two advanced practicum courses (Advanced Practicum I and II); local field placements arranged with SSW support
- Number of Credits Required: 30 credit hours
Program Length
- As few as 4 consecutive semesters including summer terms (approximately 15 months)
- Start Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Admission Requirements
- BSW from a CSWE-accredited program completed within the past seven years
- Minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75, with at least a "C" in each individual social work course
- Any graduate-level coursework completed must meet a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Documentation of outstanding performance in a BSW field experience under professional social work supervision (BSW field performance evaluation required)
- Three professional references (using program recommendation forms) plus an additional fourth reference from a BSW Field Instructor (a social worker who evaluated the applicant's BSW field performance and signed the evaluation)
- All other requirements listed for the Traditional Program (statistics and research methods, resume, essays, transcripts)
- GRE: Not required
University of Nevada, Reno'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.
Information last updated: June 2026