Online Master’s of Social Work

Syracuse University’s online Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program empowers the next generation of social work leaders and equips them with the tools to enact the change they want to see in their communities. The online M.S.W. prepares social workers—who are committed to the values of human diversity and dignity—to help others navigate life’s challenges. The immersive learning experience combines live, online classes with in-person field placements; students complete coursework on their own time while also giving back to their community from the get-go.

Online Student Experience

As a Syracuse University student, you are encouraged to fully engage in the passionate Orange community. From collaborative online classes to one-on-one study sessions, you’ll experience a variety of benefits that include:

• Immersive Online Campus: From weekly Zoom HD classes and self-paced coursework to break-out rooms and progress reports, the online platform has everything students need to keep up with their studies.
• Adjustable Schedules: With classes at varying times throughout the week and coursework always accessible via our full-service mobile app, the online M.S.W. program offers working professionals the opportunity to learn on their own schedule.
• Smart Platform Features: Students personalize their learning experience with features such as dark mode, castable content for larger screens, and varying video speeds and closed captioning for recorded lectures.

Admissions Requirements

Syracuse University’s Master of Social Work online program is designed for professionals who have a bachelor’s degree in an area other than social work. Applicants should be passionate about social work, committed to social justice, and able and willing to recognize the dignity of all people.

Application requirements include:

• Transcripts: Required from all postsecondary institutions from which you have earned or will earn a degree and from any other institution where you earned prerequisite course credits specific to the program.
• Resume/CV: A resume describing your employment history and academic accomplishments.
• Essays: A personal essay of 600–800 words in which you describe your professional goals, future professional plans and academic interests.
• Prerequisite Coursework: You are required to have a bachelor’s degree and to have completed a minimum of 30 credits of liberal arts coursework. Coursework includes Physical or Natural Science (3 credits), Computational Skills (6 credits), Humanities (6 credits) and Social Sciences (12 credits).
• Letters of Recommendation: You need to submit three letters of recommendation from three references. Recommendations should be professional or academic. If you have graduated within the last five years, an academic reference is strongly encouraged.

GRE scores are not required to apply. If you are applying as an international student, please visit our international applicants page.

Online Master of Social Work Curriculum

Featuring the same curriculum content as our on-campus program, the online M.S.W. curriculum prepares students to formulate effective interventions with clients and client systems, work with diverse communities and advance social justice within institutions. Students also choose between two concentrations that align with your social work career goals. Students can complete the 60-credit curriculum in as few as 36 months.

As an online M.S.W. student you will learn to:

• advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice;
• demonstrate ethical and professional behavior;
• engage diversity and difference in practice;
• engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice;
• engage in policy practice; and
• engage, assess, intervene and evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

Foundational coursework will help you develop a deeper understanding of social work practice at the micro, mezzo and macro levels. Each class is taught by our expert faculty with years of experience in the social work field.

Students then choose an M.S.W. concentration that aligns with your unique career goals and desired social work career. To learn more about our M.S.W. online concentrations, visit our academics page.

• Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) Concentration: Designed for those who wish to become mental health clinicians and/or who want to practice in a clinical setting.
• Advanced Integrated Practice (AIP) Concentration: Designed for those who wish to pursue direct practice and leadership in a wide range of increasingly complex human service organizations.

Social Work Licensure

The online M.S.W. program prepares you to earn your social work license—which you can earn by sitting for the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensing examination. The ASWB exam is required to become a licensed master social worker (LMSW) in New York and most other states.

Prior to earning your M.S.W. online from Syracuse University, you are encouraged to research the licensure requirements in your particular state. To learn more about how to qualify as a licensed master social worker (LMSW) or a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in New York, visit our licensure webpage.

Social Work Careers

Social workers help people adjust to life changes and challenges, such as adopting a child or being diagnosed with a terminal illness. M.S.W. jobs are found in a variety of industries, and social workers work with individuals, couples and families. Here are some examples of types of social workers:

• Medical Social Worker: Medical social workers—sometimes referred to as health care social workers—help patients and their families cope with a diagnosis or make the transition back to their homes after being in the hospital. Social workers in health care settings may also help doctors and other health care professionals understand the effects that diagnoses have on patients’ mental and emotional health.
• School Social Worker: School social workers are trained to assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic and classroom support for students. They consult with teachers, parents, and administrators and provide individual and group counseling. School districts hire for school social worker jobs to facilitate collaboration among home, school and community.
• Clinical Social Worker: Social workers who have been approved by a state licensing board to diagnose and treat mental, behavioral and emotional disorders are called clinical social workers (CSW) or licensed clinical social workers (LCSW). Clinical social workers complete training programs that teach them how to evaluate a person’s mental health and use specific therapeutic techniques.

Online M.S.W. Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admissions requirements for the Online M.S.W. program? Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree and submit transcripts, a resume, letters of recommendation and a personal statement. GRE scores are not required. Additional guidance is available through the admissions team.

How long does the Online M.S.W. take to complete? Students can complete the program in as few as 36 months. Time to completion depends on course load and scheduling preferences.

How many credits are required? The full M.S.W. program is approximately 60 credits. It includes both foundational and advanced coursework that supports licensure readiness.

What concentrations are available? Students can pursue Advanced Clinical Practice or Advanced Integrated Practice. Each concentration supports different career pathways in clinical or leadership-focused roles.

What fieldwork is required? Students complete both the generalist fieldwork and the advanced concentration field placement. These experiences help develop skills across micro, mezzo and macro practice settings.

Does the Online M.S.W. prepare me for licensure? Yes. The program is CSWE-accredited and prepares students for ASWB exams required for LMSW or LCSW licensure. Students should review requirements for their state.

What is the online learning experience like? The program combines live weekly classes with asynchronous coursework. Students also access interactive tools, group discussions and a supportive virtual community.

How do I know if the full M.S.W. or the Advanced Standing M.S.W. is right for me? Choose the full M.S.W. if you do not hold a CSWE-accredited B.S.W. or your B.S.W. does not meet Syracuse’s recency requirement. This track offers both foundational and advanced training. If you already hold a BSW and it meets the requirements, be sure to check the Advanced Standing M.S.W. page for more details.

Can I work while enrolled? Yes. The online format is designed for working professionals and offers flexibility to balance coursework, field hours and personal commitments.

What support services are available? Students receive access to academic advising, field placement coordination, career support and technical assistance. Peer collaboration opportunities are also built into the program.

What is the total cost of tuition and fees? Estimated total tuition is approximately $71,760 (based on 60 credits at $1,196/credit). Additional costs may include tech fees, registration fees and other program-specific expenses. For a full breakdown, visit the program’s tuition page.