Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Online MSW Program

Department: School of Social Work
Degree Types: Regular Standing and Advanced Standing
Concentrations: Clinical Social Work Practice; Macro Practice
Location: Richmond, Virginia; online program option with in-person field placements in students’ communities.

Program Structure: Online coursework with in-person field education.
Instruction Methods: Coursework is delivered primarily asynchronously, with three real-time virtual sessions per course. Required synchronous sessions are generally held on select Mondays through Thursdays from 6–8 p.m. Eastern time, while elective synchronous sessions may be held on select Saturdays.

Virginia Commonwealth University’s online Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program includes regular standing and advanced standing options. Regular standing students complete 60 credit hours and two field placements, while advanced standing students complete 42 credit hours and one field placement.

Online students choose a concentration before completing their final 30 credit hours. VCU offers two online M.S.W. concentrations: Clinical Social Work Practice and Macro Practice. Students may also pursue select combined certificate options, including aging studies and nonprofit management, and clinical track students interested in school social work may pursue certification through the Virginia Department of Education.

VCU’s online M.S.W. includes multiple completion pathways. Regular standing students may choose part-time pathways of three or four years, or full-time pathways of 16 months or two years. Advanced standing students complete the program full time in one year.

Field education is completed in person at local agencies. VCU coordinates field placements for online students, and students should be prepared to travel up to 30 miles or more to their assigned field placement. Field education typically takes place during business hours.

Program Information – Regular Standing Students

Program Overview
Program Name: Master of Social Work, Online M.S.W. Program
Website: VCU Online M.S.W. Program
Phone Number: (804) 207-4973

Program Requirements
Field Education Requirements: 900 total field hours, including 300 generalist hours and 600 concentration hours.
Number of Credits Required: 60 credit hours.

Program Length
Program Options: Part-time, accelerated part-time, full-time and accelerated full-time options.
Program Length: Part-time pathways may be completed in three or four years; full-time pathways may be completed in 16 months or two years.
Program Start Dates: Fall, spring and summer start options are listed through VCU’s online pathway tool.

Admission Requirements
GPA: Candidates should have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater. Applicants with lower GPAs may still be reviewed, with more weight placed on other application materials.
Prerequisites: Applicants must have passed at least one three-credit course in behavioral sciences and one three-credit course in social sciences with a grade of “C” or higher.
GRE Information: GRE scores are not listed among the application requirements on VCU’s online M.S.W. admissions page.

Program Information – Advanced Standing Students

Program Overview
Program Name: Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing Online M.S.W. Program

Program Requirements
Field Education Requirements: 750 total field hours, including 150 generalist hours and 600 concentration hours.
Number of Credits Required: 42 credit hours.

Program Length
Program Options: Full-time advanced standing.
Program Length: One year.
Program Start Dates: Summer start is listed for advanced standing applicants.

Admission Requirements
BSW Requirement: Applicants must have a BSW from a CSWE-accredited institution earned no more than five years prior to application.
GPA: Advanced standing applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
Field Placement Requirement: Advanced standing applicants must have received an “A,” “B” or “pass” in their senior field placement, or submit an appropriate recommendation if the senior placement has not yet been completed.
GRE Information: GRE scores are not listed among the application requirements on VCU’s online M.S.W. admissions page.
Tuition: Inquire with school.

Please contact the program to determine if the program is available for your state of residence.

Virginia Commonwealth University’s MSW program information was last updated in July 2026. For more information, visit the university’s website above.

If you have additional information about this program, email us at contactus@onlinemswprograms.com.