An accredited online MSW degree program can provide you with all of the necessary classroom preparation for the degree, but the clinical hours – the time spent working as an intern or “apprentice” in a social work facility, learning from professionals, cannot be accomplished online. That’s why there aren’t many MSW programs available online. Schools that have made the effort to take this program online, however, have also in many cases developed clinical relationships with facilities that are willing to provide hours to online students. Here are five of the best in the country; all of them are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Florida State University introduced the first online MSW program in the country among traditional universities. There are a few caveats: it is only available to students who have completed a Bachelor’s in Social Work or who are transferring from another accredited MSW program. Those issues aside, FSU has made an extraordinary effort to make this program available not only all over Florida, but also in parts of Alabama, Georgia, Montana, Nebraska and North Dakota.
Texas State University/San Marcos offers its accredited online MSW program to students anywhere in the world with access to a computer. It is essentially a part time program but there are several variations, including an option to spread the course work over a six year period. Arrangements for the clinical portion of the program are left to the student.
University of North Dakota has an online MSW program for BSW graduates and for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in some other field as well. The program requires a four to five day visit to the campus during the first semester of the program in order to meet residency requirements. Students have the option of a full time or part time program; the University helps with clinical placement where possible.
New England University offers a two year online program for students who have completed a BSW program. Students who enroll with a bachelor’s degree in another field will require four years to complete the MSW online. The clinical portion of the program is up to the student to arrange; also required is an MSW field instructor located in the community who is qualified and willing to supervise clinical activity.
University of Southern California introduced its online MSW program in 2010, making it available to students as a two year, full time option or in three or four year schedule choices. The USC faculty undertakes the responsibility for finding a suitable clinical placement for online students, which is a huge plus in the academic field of online programs that require local clinical training.
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