Here’s a comprehensive list of the top universities offering online MSW programs in the USA, with an overview of their history, fees, and contact details. These programs offer a blend of flexibility, academic rigor, and field placement opportunities essential for future social workers.
1. Columbia University
Location: New York, NY
Founded in 1898, Columbia’s School of Social Work is among the oldest social work schools globally. It offers a dynamic online MSW program with a focus on advanced clinical practice and social enterprise administration.
- Cost: $1,564 per credit
- Website: Columbia University MSW
- Contact: (212) 851-2300
2. University of Southern California (USC)
Location: Los Angeles, CA
USC’s social work program, established in 1920, emphasizes hands-on fieldwork and offers flexible options for traditional or advanced standing students.
- Cost: $2,045 per unit
- Website: USC MSW
- Contact: (213) 740-2013
3. Florida State University (FSU)
Location: Tallahassee, FL
FSU, a pioneer in online education, was the first university to offer an online MSW program. Their College of Social Work focuses on mental health and family support services.
- Cost: $444 (in-state), $625 (out-of-state) per credit
- Website: FSU MSW
- Contact: (850) 644-4751
4. Fordham University
Location: New York, NY
Fordham’s MSW program, founded in 1916, integrates social justice principles and offers students access to a global network of professionals.
- Cost: $935 per credit
- Website: Fordham MSW
- Contact: (212) 636-6600
5. University of Denver
Location: Denver, CO
The University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work, operational since 1931, emphasizes social change and advocacy within its MSW program.
- Cost: $1,060 per credit
- Website: Denver MSW
- Contact: (303) 871-2841
6. Rutgers University
Location: New Brunswick, NJ
Rutgers launched its School of Social Work in 1954 and now offers a top-ranked online MSW with various certificates, including specialized studies on violence and children’s services.
- Cost: $900 per credit
- Website: Rutgers MSW
- Contact: (848) 932-7520
7. Boston University (BU)
Location: Boston, MA
BU’s School of Social Work, established in 1918, offers an online MSW with specializations in clinical practice and macro practice.
- Cost: $915 per credit
- Website: BU MSW
- Contact: (617) 353-3750
8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Founded in 1950, UNC’s School of Social Work offers a highly regarded online MSW focused on community service and public policy.
- Cost: $1,015 per credit
- Website: UNC MSW
- Contact: (919) 962-4905
9. Case Western Reserve University
Location: Cleveland, OH
Case Western’s Mandel School, founded in 1915, offers one of the oldest social work programs in the U.S., with an online MSW specializing in clinical practice.
- Cost: $1,450 per credit
- Website: Case Western MSW
- Contact: (216) 368-2290
10. University of Michigan
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
The University of Michigan’s School of Social Work, founded in 1951, offers an MSW with an emphasis on interdisciplinary practice.
- Cost: $1,200 per credit
- Website: Michigan MSW
- Contact: (734) 764-3309