Program Overview

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Master of Social Work Program

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Penn State World Campus is designed to prepare students for a career as clinical social workers, with the values, knowledge, and skills to serve the needs of a diverse society. The program offers two clinical specializations: Children and Families, and Mental Health and Substance Use.

Program Summary

The MSW program is a 60-credit online program that examines social work across the lifespan and emphasizes cultural competence in working effectively with diverse populations across varying geographic settings. The curriculum is divided into two levels: generalist and advanced. The required generalist curriculum includes knowledge, values, processes, and skills essential for the practice of social work.

Flexible Format

The program can be completed in a full- or part-time plan of study. Full-time students can complete the program in two years, taking five courses each semester for four semesters. Part-time students work closely with their academic adviser to set up an appropriate plan of study.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the MSW program is March 15 to start August 24.

Credits and Costs

The program requires 60 credits, with a cost of $1,037 per credit.

CSWE Accreditation

The Penn State World Campus MSW program is currently in pre-candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education's (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA).

Gain Skills and Knowledge

The program helps students gain skills and knowledge to lead change as professional social workers, including:

• Effectively engaging, evaluating, and intervening on behalf of individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations.
• Combining progressive clinical computer simulations and instructional techniques with applied field experiences in real-world settings.
• Addressing growing societal needs related to children and families or mental health and substance use.
• Studying models and practicing skills covering the lifespan, including trauma-informed therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, family and group therapy, holistic therapy, and telehealth/digital practice.
• Demonstrating mastery of the knowledge, skills, ethics, and values necessary for clinical social work practice.
• Gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare for the social work licensure exam in all 50 states.

Earn Your Master of Social Work Degree with Online Courses

The courses in this 60-credit online program examine social work across the lifespan and emphasize cultural competence in working effectively with diverse populations across varying geographic settings.

Required Courses

The required generalist curriculum includes:

• MSW 510: Research Methods in Clinical Social Work Practice
• MSW 560: Applied Research in Clinical Social Work Practice
• MSW 811: Foundations in Clinical Social Work Practice 1
• MSW 812: Foundation in Clinical Social Work Practice 2
• MSW 813: Human Development in the Social Environment
• MSW 814: Social Welfare Policy
• MSW 815: Clinical Social Work Practice Across the Lifespan 1
• MSW 816: Clinical Social Work Practice Across the Lifespan 2
• MSW 819: Diverse Populations in Clinical Social Work Practice
• MSW 850: Diagnosis and Assessment in Clinical Social Work Practice
• MSW 855: Essential Skills for Clinical Social Work Practice
• MSW 865: Clinical Social Work Practice in Urban and Rural Settings

Children and Families Specialization Courses

The Children and Families specialization includes:

• MSW 870: Clinical Social Work Practice with Children and Families 1
• MSW 871: Clinical Social Work Practice with Children and Families 2
• MSW 875: Policy Issues with Children and Families
• MSW 876: Trauma and Treatment with Children and Families

Mental Health and Substance Use Specialization Courses

The Mental Health and Substance Use specialization includes:

• MSW 880: Clinical Social Work Practice in Mental Health and Substance Use 1
• MSW 881: Clinical Social Work Practice in Mental Health and Substance Use 2
• MSW 885: Policy Issues in Mental Health and Substance Use
• MSW 886: Trauma and Treatment in Mental Health and Substance Use

Field Education Practicum Courses

The field education practicum courses include:

• MSW 800: Foundations of Field Education 1
• MSW 801: Foundations of Field Education 2
• MSW 802: Specialized Field Education 1
• MSW 894: Specialized Field Education 2

Career Opportunities

The MSW program can help students gain social work competencies, knowledge, and skills and prepare them to enter a diverse employment market centered on helping individuals, families, communities, and organizations. Master's-level social workers often enjoy increased career flexibility and opportunities.

Job Titles Related to This Degree

Job titles related to this degree include:

• Social Services Director
• Child Welfare Services Director
• Clinical Social Worker
• Social Work Case Manager
• Child Protective Services Social Worker
• Substance Abuse Counselor
• Hospice Social Worker
• Health Care Social Worker

Employment Outlook

The employment outlook for occupational fields related to this degree includes:

• Child, Family, and School Social Workers: 4.9% employment growth (10 years), 382,960 total employment
• Healthcare Social Workers: 9.7% employment growth (10 years), 185,940 total employment
• Social and Community Service Managers: 8.2% employment growth (10 years), 195,490 total employment
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: 11.6% employment growth (10 years), 125,910 total employment
• Counselors, All Other: 14.4% employment growth (10 years), 33,340 total employment
• Social Workers, All Other: 5.5% employment growth (10 years), 64,940 total employment

Career Services

From the day students are accepted as students, they can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further their career. These resources are beneficial whether students are searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

Costs and Financial Aid

The program's tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which students register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins, and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

Graduate Tuition

Graduate tuition rates for the 2025-26 academic year are:

• 11 or fewer credits: $1,037 per credit
• 12 or more credits: $12,448 per semester

Financial Aid and Military Benefits

Some students may qualify for financial aid. Students can research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as they prepare to apply. Federal financial aid may only be used to pay for credits used to satisfy program requirements.

Technical Requirements

Students should review the technical requirements for this program.

Field Education Practicum Experience

Field education and classroom instruction hold equal importance in social work education. The field education practicum is where students will have the opportunity to apply the concepts, skills, and techniques learned in the classroom in actual clinical practice.

Professional Licensure / Certification

As social workers, students will be eligible for licensing at multiple levels. The social work license in most states is called either a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).

Information for Military and Veterans

Students who are members of the military, veterans, or military spouses can visit the military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, and application instructions.

How to Apply to Penn State

The application deadline for the MSW program is March 15 to start August 24. Students can apply online and upload required materials, including official transcripts, test scores, and references.

Application Instructions

Students should review the admission requirements, gather required materials, create a Penn State login account, and complete the application.

Admissions Help

If students have questions about the admissions process, they can contact an admissions counselor.

Faculty

The program is offered in partnership with the Penn State College of Health and Human Development. Courses are collaboratively developed and taught by faculty with combined social work experience in clinical treatment, child welfare, mental health, substance use, trauma, policy, and research.

Faculty Members

Faculty members include:

• James H. Andrews
• Rukmalie Jayakody
• Janet Melnick
• Annjane Ross
• Joseph A. Twumasi-Ankrah

We Are Penn State

The MSW program is a part of Penn State World Campus, which offers a world of possibilities online. The program is designed to provide students with the same caliber of academic quality that they associate with Penn State.