CSWE-Accredited MSW Program Directory
Master of Social Work Programs Directory
BestMSWPrograms directory for CSWE-accredited MSW programs in the United States, ranked and compared on the data that matters: delivery format, program options, field hours, concentration, and cost by credit.
350
CSWE-accredited programs
$60,060
Median clinical SW salary
730K+
Social workers employed
+10%
Projected growth, top track
Program data from CSWE. Wage and employment data from BLS OES May 2024 and Employment Projections 2024 to 2034.
Before you apply
Things to consider when picking the MSW program for you
CSWE accreditation
Graduating from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education is required for licensure in every state. Every program in our directory is CSWE-accredited, verified against the official directory.
What accreditation means →Advanced Standing
If you hold a CSWE-accredited BSW, an Advanced Standing track can shorten the MSW to about 12 months instead of two years. We flag every program that offers one.
Best Advanced Standing programs →Licensure and specialization
Your concentration and field placement shape the license you pursue, from LMSW to clinical LCSW. Pay and demand vary widely by specialty and state.
Social work credentials →The directory
350 accredited MSW programs
Filter the full directory by format, schedule, advanced standing, and concentration.
By delivery format
- Online 51 · 15%
- Hybrid 184 · 53%
- On-campus 115 · 33%
235 programs offer at least one online option.
By concentration
- Advanced Generalist 151
- Clinical or Direct Practice 132
- Children, Youth, and Families 44
- Other 35
- Mental Health 34
- Macro Social Work 28
32 distinct concentrations offered. 331 include Advanced Standing; 122 offer dual degrees.
By state
Find CSWE-accredited programs near you
Licensure rules, tuition, and placement options are state-specific. Start with your state.
Start here
BestMSWPrograms MSW Program Rankings and Comparison Tools
Ranking
Best MSW Programs
The top CSWE-accredited programs nationally, scored on a seven-factor model.
Explore →Ranking
Best Online MSW
Fully online programs ranked by delivery quality, flexibility, and cost.
Explore →Ranking
Best Advanced Standing MSW
Accelerated one-year tracks for CSWE-accredited BSW holders.
Explore →Tool
Compare Programs
Filter all 350 programs and compare up to five side by side.
Explore →Tool
Compare Salaries
Median pay, hourly wages, and growth across top social work careers.
Explore →Reference
Our Methodology
Exactly how each program is scored, and where every data point comes from.
Explore →Where an MSW leads
Social work careers and pay for CSWE-accredited MSW graduates
National median wages and projected job growth for the careers an MSW opens up.
| Career | Median salary | Growth (2024-34) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social & Community Service Manager | $78,240 | +6% | Salary / Career |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $68,090 | +8% | Salary / Career |
| Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | $60,060 | +10% | Salary / Career |
| Child & Family Social Worker | $58,570 | +3% | Salary / Career |
| School Social Worker | $58,570 | +3% | Salary / Career |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024) and Employment Projections (2024 to 2034), via O*NET OnLine.
After the degree
Licensure and credentials
An MSW is the gateway to clinical practice. Most graduates begin as an LMSW, then accumulate supervised hours toward the LCSW, the clinical license that unlocks private practice and the highest direct-practice pay. Specialty certifications add to that.
Explore credentials-
LMSW
Master’s-level license for general practice, the first step after graduation.
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LCSW
Clinical license earned through supervised post-degree hours and the ASWB exam.
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ASWB exams
The national exams required for licensure at the master’s and clinical levels.
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Specialty certifications
NASW and specialty credentials in areas like school, healthcare, and gerontology.
About this data
Accreditation status and program structure come directly from the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs. Wage, employment, and growth figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine. Rankings follow a published, seven-factor model, applied the same way to every program. See our methodology for the full breakdown.