The Best Online Social Work Degrees

For working professionals and nontraditional students, online social work degrees offer a level of flexibility which traditional, campus-based programs cannot match. However, because social work degrees contain clinical components, few online social work programs have been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)---a requirement for universities wishing to offer a social work degree. Fortunately, there are a handful of top online programs available which have received accreditation.

Florida State University

FSU offers an online MSW degree for students who have previously earned a BSW. This program---called the Online Advanced Standing Program---is made up of two components. In the first component, students complete asynchronous online social work courses, which are composed of archived online readings, lectures, and assignments. In the second component, students are required to complete a clinical practicum, which takes place at an approved site near a student's home.

This program---one of the only accredited online social work programs in the United States which has fully online courses---is designed to be finished in two years, though it must be completed in four. Tuition rates vary, and are significantly less for Florida residents.

Florida State University
College of Social Work
C2500 University Center
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2570

University of Tennessee

UT offers an online social work program for students who live in Tennessee, and is meant specifically for students residing more than 25 miles away from UT's two main campuses in Knoxville and Nashville. This online MSW degree provides online courses which are archived, allowing students to learn from home any time, day or night. The program does require that students meet with professors at one of the two main campuses periodically for live labs and instruction.

UT's online social work program also contains a clinical component; students are required to complete an internship at a sanctioned institution in a community within reasonable distance to where a student lives. Both the courses and internship are typically completed in two years.

University of Tennessee
College of Social Work
1618 Cumberland Ave.
109 Henson Hall
Knoxville, TN 37996-3333

Michigan State University

MSU offers an online social work degree for students who live in the state of Michigan. This online MSW program combines online courses, live instruction, and an internship. While the online courses are asynchronous---and make up a majority of a student's learning---students are required to attend a week-long summer conference held in East Lansing.

MSU's online social work program also contains a clinical practicum, which students complete at a facility close to home. Students typically complete both the practicum and online courses in two to three years.

Michigan State University
School of Social Work
254 Baker Hall
East Lansing, Michigan

References

• FSU College of Social Work
• UT College of Social Work
• MSU College of Social Work

Resources

• Online Social Work Degrees
• CSWE Accredited Programs