Master of Social Work (MSW)

Change the way you change lives. Develop career ready skills grounded in practical training through our CSWE accredited online MSW program.

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Next Start Date

  1. 01/8/2024: Course-based

Prepare for Practice

  • You feel called to make a bigger impact for your community. Walden’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program can empower you to shape a better, more equitable world. Our program combines a purposeful curriculum with immersive learning experiences to help you become the confident and highly capable social work practitioner you know you can be.

    Where you earn your MSW matters. Walden is among the top three granters of MSW degrees in the United States. In fact, our program was one of the first online MSW programs to be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

    When you choose Walden for your MSW, you can:

  • Practice what you learn in a safe, supportive environment through authentic online simulations and Skills Labs.

  • Build your empathy and broaden your cultural and social perspectives within a diverse community of faculty and students.

  • Prepare to sit for your licensure exam with free tools, resources, and practice exams.

  • Customize your program with one of five focus areas: Addictions, Child and Family, Healthcare, Military, and Trauma.

  • Choose from Fast Track, Traditional Track, and Advanced Standing degree completion options to align your goals with your schedule.

CSWE logo

Walden University's Master of Social Work (MSW) program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation is responsible for developing standards that define competent preparation for professional social workers and ensuring that social work programs meet these standards.

Master of Social Work Focus Areas

Focus on the career and future you want.



Address the unique needs of patients with addiction and the impact addiction has across all aspects of the client’s life.
Address the needs of military personnel, veterans, and their families before, during, and after deployment.
Promote child, youth, and family success in the face of challenging environments and social conditions.
Prepare for practice in the complex healthcare environment as you learn to support clients and families facing a variety of medical challenges.
Address the unique needs of patients who present following a traumatic event; And, demonstrate the ability to perform advanced social work skills in assessing and planning treatment options for these clients.

Three Completion Options

Choose the track that is right for you.

Traditional Option

Walden gives you choices for earning your Master of Social Work online as well as 8 start dates throughout the year.

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Advanced Standing

MSW students who already hold a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program and graduated with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

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Testimonials

"My long-term goal is to become a licensed clinical social worker, and without Walden’s CSWE accreditation, that would just be a dream."

Charlene McCleoud | Master of Social Work (MSW) Graduate

More about our MSW program

Choose an Online Master of Social Work Program Grounded in Experiential Learning.

Pursue your passion for helping others live better lives while you build a career for yourself. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for social work professionals is expected to increase 13% by 2029—faster than the national average for all occupations.1

Earning your master’s degree in social work can give you the knowledge and skills you need to increase your impact and expand your career options. Social work professionals are sought by employers nationwide, especially in industries such as healthcare, substance abuse, and mental health.1

An online MSW degree can help prepare you to pursue career options such as:1

  1. Child, family, and school social workers
  2. Healthcare social workers
  3. Mental health and substance abuse social workers
  4. Social workers, other

An online MSW degree can prepare you to work in a variety of settings, including:

  1. General medical and surgical hospitals
  2. Offices of other healthcare practitioners
  3. Individual and family services
  4. Insurance companies

Career options may require additional experience, training, licensure or other factors beyond the successful completion of this online Master of Social Work program.

1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social Workers, Job Outlook. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, do not guarantee actual job growth, and are subject to change.

Program Admission Considerations: A bachelor's degree or higher. For the Advanced Standing option, students must have a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program with a GPA of at least 3.0.

General Admission Requirements: Completed online application, transcripts, and Acknowledgement Statement. Speak to an Enrollment Specialist who will guide you through the application process.

New Believe & Achieve Scholarship™

Receive tuition-free MSW courses. Up to $3,090 in savings for Advanced Standing option OR $5,665 in savings for Traditional and Traditional Fast Track options.**

Ongoing Military Offer

A 15% tuition reduction for servicemembers, veterans of the U.S. armed forces, employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and their spouses.*

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Walden’s Enrollment Specialists are committed to helping you identify and leverage opportunities to save money on your education. Get in touch with an Enrollment Specialist today at 888-968-5331 to learn more.
Our Enrollment Specialists are ready to answer any questions you may have regarding this program. Fill out the form on this page to be contacted or call 855-203-5779.

Ready to further your education?

Build the skills and confidence you need to make an impact in diverse communities with our CSWE-accredited online Master of Social Work program.

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**Walden's Believe & Achieve Scholarship™ is available for new students starting on February 6, 2023, and later. For a full list of eligible programs and details on award amounts and eligibility visit www.waldenu.edu/financial-aid/grants-and-scholarships-details. Tuition-free coursework must be applied to the final courses in the program of enrollment prior to graduation.

Note on Licensure:

Walden University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program meets the academic requirements to obtain the required credential to practice as licensed social workers in all states.

State licensing boards are responsible for regulating the practice of social work, and each state has its own academic, licensure, and certification requirements for practice as a social worker. Walden recommends that students consult the appropriate social work licensing board in the state in which they plan to practice to determine the specific academic requirements for licensure or other credentials. Walden enrollment specialists can provide information relating to the state-by-state requirements for licensure. However, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all licensing requirements for the state in which he or she intends to practice. Walden makes no representations or guarantees that completion of its coursework or programs will permit an individual to achieve state licensure, authorization, endorsement, or other state licensure or credential.

ONGOING MILITARY OFFER:

A 15% tuition reduction for servicemembers, veterans of the U.S. armed forces, employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and their spouses.*

*A 15% tuition reduction is available to new students who are servicemembers, veterans of the U.S. armed forces, or employees of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This tuition reduction is also available if you are a spouse of a servicemember, veteran, or employee of the VA. This tuition reduction cannot be retroactively applied. Tuition reductions are applicable to tuition only and do not apply toward books, materials, and other supplies or fees needed for a course.

Walden may change the tuition reduction offered hereunder at any time, but such change will not affect the tuition reduction for students who are currently enrolled at Walden and using the existing tuition reduction. All tuition reductions, grants, or scholarships are subject to specific eligibility requirements. Contact a Walden University Enrollment Specialist for details.

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