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Find Online MSW Programs by State

Online Master of Social Work (MSW) programs are offered by colleges and universities across the United States, but some programs can accept students only from particular states. Under federal regulations, a school that offers distance education to students in another state must meet that state's requirements for doing so, so where you live affects which programs are open to you. Below, we have gathered online MSW programs available to students in each of the states listed further down this page, so you don't have to research prospective programs one by one. Select your state to see the options available to you.

Where you live does not change what accreditation means: the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) applies the same accreditation standards to every accredited program, whether it is delivered online or on campus. What does change from state to state is professional licensure, so before you apply, use the questions below to check that a program can enroll you and fits your state's licensing requirements.

Sponsored Online MSW Programs

Institution & ProgramStudy LengthEnrollment
University of DenverMaster of Social Work (MSW)
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As few as 12 monthsFull-Time, Part-Time
Simmons UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW)
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As few as 9 monthsAccelerated, Full-Time, Part-Time
Syracuse UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW)
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As few as 24 monthsFull-Time, Part-Time
Howard UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW)
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As few as 12 monthsFull-Time, Part-Time

Important Information for Students

There are several things students may want to know when trying to find an online MSW program. Below are key questions students can ask while researching online programs. It is best to check with admissions advisers at prospective schools for the most up-to-date information.

  • Is the program CSWE accredited? The Council on Social Work Education is the national association representing social work education in the United States, and its Board of Accreditation, which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), accredits baccalaureate, master's and practice doctorate social work programs. On its accreditation page, CSWE notes that most state and U.S. territory requirements call for a social worker pursuing licensure or sitting for a licensing exam to have graduated from a CSWE-accredited program. Programs shown on OnlineMSWPrograms.com are drawn from the site's program data, so confirm each program's current status (accredited, in candidacy or in pre-candidacy) in CSWE's program directory. A program in candidacy has not yet demonstrated full compliance with the standards; according to CSWE's accreditation FAQs, students who start in or after the academic year it gained candidacy are recognized as graduates of an accredited program only if the program goes on to earn initial accreditation. Learn more about online clinical social work programs.
  • Is the program authorized to admit students in your state of residence? Federal regulations require a school that offers distance education to students located in another state to meet that state's requirements for offering it there; a school covered by a state authorization reciprocity agreement is treated as meeting those requirements in participating states, subject to the agreement's limits. The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is a voluntary agreement of this kind among member states, districts and territories. A school determines which state you are located in when you enroll, and again if you tell it you have moved, so ask the admissions office whether the program can enroll students where you live now and what happens if you relocate during the program.
  • Does the program meet state-specific licensing requirements? Graduates of MSW programs often pursue licensure after graduation. Social work license requirements are set by individual states, and each state's licensing board sets the education it accepts, so check the requirements in the state where you plan to practice; our list of social work state licensing boards links to each board. Schools that take part in federal student aid programs must tell you in writing before you enroll if a program designed to lead to licensure does not meet, or the school has not determined whether it meets, the educational requirements for licensure in the state where you are located. State authorization through SARA is a separate question: NC-SARA explains that SARA does not address professional licensing board approval of programs. If a program does not fit your state's requirements, CSWE notes in its accreditation FAQs that your licensing board may require certain courses or training before you can be licensed after graduation.
  • Does the program require campus visits? An online program may still involve some travel: CSWE's accreditation FAQs note that, for its own review purposes, a program with an annual on-campus component is still considered online-only. If travel is difficult for you, ask how many campus visits a program requires and whether travel and lodging costs are included in tuition and fees. (Note: OnlineMSWPrograms.com classifies any program that requires two or fewer campus visits per year as an online program, and programs that require three or more as hybrid MSW programs. This is the site's own classification, not CSWE's.)
  • Is the cost of tuition the same for in-state and out-of-state students? It depends on the school. Tuition and fees are set by each institution, and CSWE's accreditation FAQs note that it does not keep a list of program costs, so check the program's website or ask an admissions adviser whether online students who live out of state pay a different rate and which fees apply to online students. Tuition and fees can change, so confirm current costs before you apply.

About Online MSW Programs

The instruction in an online MSW program can be delivered in one of two modes: synchronous or asynchronous. Synchronous instruction is typically delivered through live video conferences between professors and students, while asynchronous instruction can take the form of readings, learning modules, or assignments that students complete at their own pace (provided, of course, that they meet all relevant deadlines). Some online MSW programs rely on one mode, while others combine both to offer the benefits of real-time instruction and the flexibility of readily available course materials.

Every accredited MSW program, whether online or on campus, includes field education, the supervised practice component of the degree. According to CSWE's accreditation FAQs, master's students must complete at least 900 field education hours, advanced standing students must complete at least 900 hours across their baccalaureate and master's programs, and individual programs may require more. Each program decides how much field work can be done virtually, and CSWE says placements can be completely virtual when they are clearly linked to the social work competencies. Ask how the program arranges placements where you live and whether you are expected to find your own site. Learn more about how social work internships work.

To learn more about the programs open to students in your state of residence, click on your state below.

Online MSW Programs by State:

If your state is not listed, you can search CSWE's program directory by state and filter for programs with online options, then use the questions above to check whether a program can enroll you and fits your state's licensing requirements.

Information last updated: October 2026