Although many
non-clinical job opportunities are available to individuals with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
degree, earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) will prepare students for various
roles, including clinical social work.
While
having a BSW can expedite earning an MSW, many MSW programs accept students
from all educational backgrounds. Because of the amount of coursework and
clinical experiences students with no BSW must complete to earn their MSW,
these programs typically take at least 16 months to finish. However, most
online MSW programs (no BSW) are designed to be completed in two years of
full-time study.
This
article will explore earning an MSW with no BSW, including what to expect from
the curriculum and how to find the right online MSW programs for you. We also
spoke with Leslie Reyna, an admissions counselor for the University of Texas at
Arlington’s School of Social Work, for her insights into entering the field of
social work without a BSW.
How to Earn an MSW Program Without a
BSW
If
you are a student who doesn’t have a BSW, you’ll want to seek out a traditional
MSW program with a curriculum that includes the foundational social work
coursework covered in a BSW program. Students must understand the basic
frameworks of social work practice before they can advance into higher-level
courses, so these foundational courses are an essential part of social work
education.
The
minimum criteria to enter any master’s program, including an MSW, is a
bachelor’s degree from an accredited college.
Some traditional MSW programs prefer students who have a bachelor’s degree in a
social sciences field, such as sociology, psychology, or human development,
while others accept students from all educational backgrounds.
Students
may also have to fulfill prerequisite coursework requirements depending on the
program. Programs may allow students to use courses completed as part of their
undergraduate degree to meet these prerequisites, or they may be able to
complete this coursework before enrolling. Students should check with any MSW
program they’re considering to find out what, if any, prerequisites there are.
You may also be able to waive specific course requirements in your MSW program
if you’ve already earned a graduate degree in a similar field, such as
counseling.
Other
eligibility criteria may include a minimum undergraduate GPA (typically 3.0 or
higher), GRE scores, and
professional experience in a social services-related field.
What to Expect in an Online MSW
Program (No BSW)
Earning
an online MSW without a BSW means completing foundational and advanced social
work coursework and clinical fieldwork requirements. Traditional MSW programs
for students with no BSW typically require 48-60 credit hours. Some accelerated
programs can be completed in as little as 16 months of full-time study.
However, most programs are designed to take two years of full-time or three
years of part-time study.
The
curriculum for an online MSW (no BSW) consists of foundational coursework that
introduces students to the basics of the social work profession. This includes
topics in social work values and ethics, social and economic justice, human
development and behaviors, social welfare policy, and services, and the impact
of social environment on individuals and groups. Students then move on to
advanced coursework focused on providing direct care to clients in clinical
settings, as well as leadership, advocacy, and research.
How We Rank Schools
This list features the country’s best one-year online MSW programs (no BSW). Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution, either public or private, with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of the best one-year online MSW programs (no BSW) to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications, such as U.S. News & World Report, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
How to Choose an Online MSW Program (No BSW) That’s Right for You
Clarify career goals and interests
Before exploring online MSW programs (no BSW), reflect on why you want to pursue this degree and what type of social work career you hope to have post-graduation. Clarity will make finding a program that aligns with your goals and interests easier.
An important consideration is what specialization you’re seeking, if any. Many online MSW programs (no BSW) have a generalist curriculum, which introduces students to various areas of social work practice. Others allow students to choose a focus based on a specific area of practice, such as social justice and advocacy or leadership, or a particular client population, such as children, seniors, or individuals with developmental disabilities.
You should also establish logistical parameters to help you narrow your search. Do you want an asynchronous program for maximum flexibility, or do you prefer synchronous classes with interaction with faculty and classmates? Are you planning on enrolling full-time or part-time?
Confirm accreditation status
“Students should always choose an online MSW program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education,” Reyna says. This accreditation ensures that students receive a social work education that meets industry standards. It’s especially important as a requirement for those who want to obtain a state-issued clinical social work license. Says Reyna, “Students who earn a degree from an unaccredited MSW program run the risk of not being able to pursue licensure.” Students should also confirm that the school they’re enrolling in has regional accreditation from a recognized accrediting body to ensure they’re eligible for financial aid and future educational opportunities.”
Review state license requirements
If you intend to use your MSW to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), you’ll want to check in with your state’s regulatory board to review their educational requirements. This will help you ensure that the program you select meets the state’s academic requirements where you want to practice. In the U.S., you must have a state-issued license to practice as an LCSW and provide direct care to clients. Earning an MSW from a program that doesn’t meet state educational requirements can present an obstacle to getting your LCSW.
Consider cost and financial aid
availability
Determine what you can afford to pay out of pocket for your online MSW (no BSW) degree and how much financial aid you’ll need. Most schools publish tuition information online, but you can also speak to a financial aid counselor for more specific details on cost breakdowns and additional fees.
If you need student loans to help pay for your degree, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Schools use FAFSA information to determine eligibility for federal student aid, including loans, as well as institutional need-based aid. We strongly encourage students to research student loans and repayment options before committing to borrowing money to fund their social work degree.
You’ll also want to explore other ways of paying for school, including scholarships from external sources and employer tuition assistance benefits.
What You Can Do with an MSW
For students who don’t have a BSW, an MSW can open doors to various social work positions.
According to Reyna, “As an admissions counselor, I’ve encountered students with bachelor’s degrees in nursing, psychology, education, law, and even engineering who wanted to earn their master’s in social work because it allows students to further explore the human service sector in a way that other degrees do not.”
Reyna adds, “Students who earn an MSW are not limited to just counseling careers. This degree provides a foundation in project management, community outreach, service navigation, program evaluation, and nonprofit management.”
For students who do want to pursue a career in clinical social work, an accredited online MSW will fulfill the educational criteria they must meet to pursue their license. The specific requirements for licensure vary by state, but generally, students must complete additional post-graduation supervised clinical hours and pass an Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam to obtain their LCSW credential.
Some common jobs that MSW graduates can pursue include:
-
Social workers — Help individuals, groups, and families prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives.
- Median annual salary: $55,350
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 7%
- New jobs projected: 63,800 per year
- Licensed mental health counselors — Help individuals cope with and recover from a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, behavioral disorders, and more.
- Median annual salary: $49,710
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 18%
- New jobs projected: 42,000 per year
- Social and community services managers — In this administrative position, social workers coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being and may manage employees who provide these services.
- Median annual salary: $74,240
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 9%
- New jobs projected: 16,000 per year
