Best Advanced Standing Online MSW Programs

For social workers who already hold a BSW, online advance standing MSW programs offer the ease and convenience of flexible learning while letting you earn your degree in as little as a year. Our list of the Best 50 schools can help you determine your next step.

You might meet people who assume that the field of social work is intuitive. But if you hold a bachelor’s in social work (BSW), you know that providing support and aid to our most vulnerable populations requires a highly evolved skill set. Skills that constantly change to include up-to-date, evidence-based practices, program evaluation findings, and the use of trauma-informed care.

As the field evolves, and through the advocacy of organizations like the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the term “social worker” is protected in many states. So, unless you have a degree in social work, you cannot hold a position with that title. If you hold a BSW and pursue entry-level social work positions, you will experience professional growth within your role in the years ahead.

For most positions, however, a Master of Social Work (MSW) is the preferred or required degree for clinical, administrative, or leadership positions in the field. If you have already earned a BSW, you’re closer to your MSW than a student whose undergraduate degree is in a different area.

By building on your existing knowledge of social work theory and other foundational principles, you can accelerate your studies in an advanced standing online MSW program. Many schools offer advanced standing MSW programs online, allowing even greater flexibility in advancing your studies and growth potential.

As you consider earning a master’s degree from an online MSW program, you might have questions about cost, flexibility, vetting the best program for you, and additional application requirements, to name a few. Please read our guide to learn what you’ll need to know as a prospective advanced-standing candidate to help you make the most informed and confident decisions as you apply to online MSW programs.

Best Online Advanced Standing MSW Degrees for 2022

We’ve identified this year’s best 50 programs that offer online advanced standing MSW programs. After combing through data from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), these select schools shine in crucial factors like overall affordability, online learning availability, and student support metrics. For more information on how we calculated our rankings, check out our “About the Ranking” button below. And check out our top five picks.

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About the ranking
1
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

Ohio State University Online understands the importance of having the competencies to successfully practice social work, preparing you to become a social work leader. Earning your MSW from OSU’s online program can jumpstart the next phase of your career with a curriculum focused on mental health, substance use disorders, and children and youth services. 

Prospective students with BSWs can enter the MSW Advanced Standing Alternative Plan (ASAP) program, available on campus and online, with new cohorts beginning each summer.

As an online learner, you can take courses asynchronously to match your schedule or log on to engage in real-time with faculty and other students in your cohort.

Program Highlights:

MSW Advanced Standing Alternative Program (ASAP) Pathway

Credits: 43 credit hours

Length: Three semesters full-time or six semesters part-time

Cost: $764.50/credit hour in-state, $974.50/credit hour out-of-state

Mode: Fully online

Accreditation: CSWE

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation HLC
2
Buffalo, New York
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

The University of Buffalo has its ear to the ground with best practices in social work, and it has adjusted its curriculum accordingly. Students of this online MSW program will learn from a trauma-informed and human rights perspective, ensuring graduates are prepared to work with diverse and vulnerable populations in an affirming way that aligns with current social justice values. 

The Advanced Standing MSW Online Program is only offered part-time. It includes a mix of synchronous and asynchronous content, with synchronous dates posted at the beginning of each semester so you can plan for these robust sessions. Your required 480 hours of field placement will take place in your home area for 15 hours a week.

Working students can consider an employment-based placement, where you will adopt placement-relevant responsibilities at your current job to meet field placement requirements.

Program Highlights:

Online Advanced Standing MSW

Credits: 35 credit hours

Length: 1.5 years (five semesters) part-time only

Cost: $706.25/credit hour in-state, $815.25/credit hour out-of-state 

Mode: Fully online

Accreditation: CSWE (program)

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation MSCHE
3
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

With a degree map for almost every type of student and preference for learning, Indiana University seeks to help its students succeed in earning advanced degrees in social work. The Advanced MSW Online Program can be completed in five or six semesters, either full or part-time, and the cost differential in or out-of-state makes this program more accessible than others to students across the country.

IU offers frequent information sessions and accessible contact information to advisers to ensure that your studies move along smoothly with career-enhancing support. Students of this online MSW program can start the program at any time and can easily transition into toward career advancement opportunities when the time comes.

Program Highlights:

Advanced MSW Online

Credits: 38 credit hours

Length: Five semesters full-time, six semesters part-time

Cost: $605.96/credit hour in-state, $716/credit hour out-of-state 

Mode: Fully online

Accreditation: CSWE

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation HLC
4
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$$

Steeped in the high-needs community of Philadelphia, Temple University has a legacy of producing excellent social workers, especially at the master’s level. Temple caters to non-traditional students as an institution, and the online MSW program is no exception.

Designed for working professionals or students returning to the classroom while balancing work and family, this online MSW program is instructed by the same expert faculty as the on-campus track. It maintains a low (15 or 20 students) student-to-faculty ratio in each course. 

Advanced standing students must have completed their BSW within the last five years to qualify for Temple’s programs. They can take advantage of Temple’s premier faculty and rigorous academic standards to earn their MSW.

Program Highlights:

Advanced Standing MSW Program

Credits: 34.5 credit hours

Length: 12 months full-time, 18 months part-time

Cost: $1,039/credit hour 

Mode: Fully online

Accreditation: CSWE

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation MSCHE
5
Silver City, New Mexico
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

Apply your skills to improve the lives of others. As a Western New Mexico University (WNMU) student, you’d build upon the skills you gained from earning your BSW.

WNMU will help you propel your career into new areas like counseling, case management, advocacy, and intervention by focusing on the core social work values of service, social justice, dignity, and worth of each individual. Students of WMNU’s MSW online program learn the importance of human connection and relationships, integrity, and competence in a nurturing and caring educational environment with small class sizes. 

The WNMU faculty are licensed social workers, professionals who have all practiced in the field and bring their expertise to the classroom to build your knowledge base and skill set. If you earned your BSW in the last eight years, WMNU is an affordable and valuable investment in your education and future.

Program Highlights:

Advanced Standing MSW

Credits: 39 credit hours

Length: Three semesters overload full-time; four semesters full-time, six semesters part-time

Cost: $333.79/credit hour in-state, $424.69 credit hour out-of-state

Mode: Fully online

Accreditation: CSWE

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation HLC
6
Charlotte, North Carolina
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
7
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation NECHE
8
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
9
Vermillion, South Dakota
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation HLC
10
Baltimore, Maryland
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation MSCHE
11
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation HLC
12
Jackson, Mississippi
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
13
Fairfax, Virginia
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
14
Columbia, Missouri
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation HLC
15
Dover, Delaware
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation MSCHE
16
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation HLC
17
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
18
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation NWCCU
19
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation HLC
20
Athens, Georgia
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
21
Anchorage, Alaska
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
22
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation HLC
23
Albany, Georgia
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
24
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
25
Salisbury, Maryland
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation MSCHE
26
San Marcos, Texas
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
27
Saint Louis, Missouri
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation HLC
28
Arcata, California
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation WSCUC
29
Houston, Texas
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
30
Iowa City, Iowa
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation HLC
31
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
32
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation HLC
33
Troy, Alabama
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
34
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
35
Louisville, Kentucky
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
36
San Angelo, Texas
Type:
Public
Cost:
$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
37
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation HLC
38
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
39
San Antonio, Texas
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
40
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation HLC
41
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
42
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation NECHE
43
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation MSCHE
44
River Forest, Illinois
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation HLC
45
Bronx, New York
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation MSCHE
46
Boston, Massachusetts
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation NECHE
47
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
48
Miami, Florida
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
49
Saint Leo, Florida
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Cost:
$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation SACSCOC
50
Flagstaff, Arizona
Type:
Public
Cost:
$$$

School Services

Academic Counseling Yes
Career Placement Yes
Accreditation HLC

How Does an Advanced Standing MSW Differ From a Traditional MSW?

An MSW earned through an online advanced standing curriculum program will adhere to the same rigorous standards set forth by the Council on Social Work Education in classroom and field practicum education. Applicants with a BSW are typically expected to have earned a 3.0 GPA in any previous social work courses, although standards vary by institution.

Students whose transcripts may not meet the standard requirements may take the GRE to demonstrate aptitude, although it is typically not required for MSW programs. Some advanced standing MSW online programs require you to complete your BSW within a prescribed period for continuity.

As a student with a BSW, you already have a great knowledge base about social work theory, human behavior in the social environment, and social justice covered in the early MSW curriculum. By drawing from your previous studies, you can focus on advanced skills in your MSW programs, such as clinical skills, advocacy, research, and policy, and working with different systems, such as education and government systems.

While most MSW programs do not include a capstone project, you will execute several large projects with your field placement, including projects related to social change or program evaluation.

Who Are the Best Candidates for MSW Advanced Standing Online Programs?

The individuals who could benefit most from an online advanced standing MSW program have already earned a BSW and want to continue to experience growth in the field and specialize further. For the BSW with work experience in the field, the ease, flexibility, and accessibility of an online advanced standing MSW program streamline the process of increasing you’re earning and professional advancement potential.

Ease, Flexibility, Accessibility

Learning online from well-respected institutions has never been easier, particularly as almost every institution defaulted to online or hybrid status during the initial stages of the COVID-19 lockdown. With increasing numbers of institutions observing how much the transition to online learning benefits their students, you can take advantage of the flexible scheduling, asynchronous and synchronous materials, and clearly defined curricula to earn your MSW.

Increased Earning Potential

While social workers are primarily motivated by their altruistic desires to help others, supporting yourself and your family are important factors. Positions that require an MSW are typically compensated at a higher pay grade than those that only require a bachelor’s or associate’s. These higher positions also offer advancement opportunities.

Increased Professional Potential

As a BSW, you may max out your ability to grow and evolve. Even professional, evidence-based models require a master’s degree to begin their training program. With a master’s degree from an accredited MSW online program, you’ll be eligible for licensure, advanced clinical supervision, and leadership roles in agencies to affect positive social change in your community.

Tougher Admissions Requirements For Advanced Standing MSW Degrees

Standards for an advanced standing MSW are consistent with standard MSW programs, which usually include a holistic review of each student as a prospective social worker and an addition to the field while considering their demonstrated aptitude for the rigors of the institution’s curriculum.

While the GRE or other exams are not required for admission, students with a lower undergraduate GPA may take the GRE to supplement their application and demonstrate their seriousness in master’s-level studies.

Many online MSW programs also seek to accept individuals with various lived experiences for what they contribute to classroom dynamics and debate and how they will continue to affect positive change in their communities.

  • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • B- or better in all undergraduate social work major courses

How Long Should I Expect to Be in School

Generally, programs can be completed between three and six semesters, depending on your schedule and status. Most online advanced standing MSW programs offer the flexibility of full- or part-time study. Your online coursework may be paced differently than your on-campus colleagues and require more discipline, mainly if your courses are offered asynchronously, and you don’t have the accountability of gathering for a course meeting.

However, every online MSW student’s program is paced by their field placement, with at least 15 hours on-site per week, allowing everyone to implement content they are covering in their courses to the populations that they serve.

Online Advanced Standing MSW Programs Can Focus on Different Concentrations

One of the benefits of being a social worker is having a plethora of choices in terms of concentration, specialization, professional trajectory, and work setting. Most online MSW program concentrations can be divided into three categories: direct practice social work (or macro/clinical social work), advanced generalist social work, and macro (or policy) social work.

Direct practice settings include settings in which you have one-on-one contact with the recipient of services and conceptualize an individual’s circumstances, presentation and treatment plan through a social work lens and set of values. Work in this area could include school social work, working with incarceration and re-entry, providing care in a substance use disorder treatment program, providing individual psychotherapy, medical social work, or other areas of direct interaction with the recipient of services.

Macro or policy social work focuses on advocacy, nonprofit organizations, and understanding leadership through social work theory and perspectives. Education and work in this area include a deeper understanding of the history of various social programs, such as housing or healthcare policy, learning skills to assume a leadership role in a nonprofit organization that provides social services, or advocating on a local, state, or federal level for improved programs to serve community needs.

Advanced generalist social workers are prepared for a wide variety of roles, which include providing services for housing, food resources, child and family services, job placement, and healthcare access. Advanced generalists may assume leadership roles in various settings or engage in program evaluations and will likely have direct contact with service recipients.

Frequently Asked Questions About MSW Advanced Standing Online Programs

Is an advanced standing MSW the same as an accelerated program?

In short, an advanced standing MSW is an accelerated online program. These programs consider your previous BSW coursework, allowing you to eliminate redundancy in content such as social work theory and other Council on Social Work Education requirements for a degree to speed up your advancement into a master’s degree.

Students must have already earned a BSW to engage in an advanced standing MSW program online—this should not be confused with collapsing MSW coursework into a shorter course of study.

Are internships or hands-on experience required?

Field placement is an essential requirement from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to earn a degree in social work at the bachelor’s or master’s level. These field placements are provided at agencies or organizations that provide social work services to individuals through advocacy, assessment, intervention, counseling, or other support or needed services.

Many online MSW programs will allow you to complete your field placement in your home area after identifying an appropriate supervisor at a qualifying agency for your field practicum coursework, which you’d complete online.

What type of accreditation should a social work program hold? What license can I get with an MSW degree?

Any degree in social work should be accredited by the CSWE. This independent organization upholds curriculum and practice standards for institutions that offer instruction in social work. Pursuing a degree at an unaccredited institution puts you at risk of not qualifying for licensure in your state, limiting your ability to practice social work at your fullest potential.

What is the median salary for a person with a Master’s in Social Work?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a master’s level social worker in 2021 was $50,390, or $24.23/hour. Various factors impact social work salaries, including the type of work you complete, whether you work for a government agency or private organization, and your years of service or experience. The field is expected to grow by 12 percent by 2030, leaving plenty of room for prospective social workers to impact their communities positively.