Program Overview

Program Summary

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at George Mason University is a 100% online program that can be completed in 10 semesters. The program consists of 60 total credit hours, with a cost per credit of $795. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and is offered by the College of Public Health.

Program Description

The MSW program is designed to develop students' passion for helping others, with a focus on equity and human rights in social work. The program offers two specializations: Adults & Healthy Aging and Children, Youth, & Families. Students can choose to complete the program at their own pace, with the option to take 9 credits per semester in the accelerated track.

Focus on Social Justice and Empowerment

The program emphasizes empowerment and systems transformation, with a focus on meeting the needs of underserved populations and advancing social justice. The curriculum is built around a Social Justice Core, delivering interdisciplinary perspectives on topics such as human behavior, social policy, research methods, and clinical practice.

Learn From Faculty With Real-World Experience

Students learn from current research findings and develop an evidence-based practice, establishing strong relationships with practicing social workers. The faculty has extensive international experience, lending a global perspective to the education.

Application Details

The online MSW program accepts applications on a rolling basis. Applicants must submit a completed online application, $75 application fee, 2 letters of recommendation, statement of purpose essay, undergraduate and graduate transcripts, resume, and required courses such as statistics, English composition, history or government, and social science.

Admissions Recommendations

• Completed online application
  • $75 application fee
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose essay
  • Undergrad GPA-minimum 3.0
  • GPA Addendum Essay if undergrad GPA below 3.0
  • All official undergraduate and graduate transcripts
  • Resume
  • Required courses Statistics, English Composition, History or Government, Social Science
  • Work or volunteer experience in related field highly recommended
  • One Letter of Recommendation must be from a supervisor

Career Opportunities

George Mason's MSW graduates go on to fill roles in a wide variety of fields, including:

• Aging/Gerontology
• Family Services
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services
• International Governmental and NGOs
• Child Protection, Foster Care and Adoption
• Housing/Homelessness Programs
• Community Development
• Health and Mental Health Practice
• Forensic Social Work
• Lobbying and Advocacy
• Disabilities
• Nonprofit Agency Management
• Domestic Violence
• Poverty and Welfare
• Employee Assistance
• School Social Work

Courses

The MSW program offers a choice between two specializations: Adults & Healthy Aging and Children, Youth, & Families. To graduate with the MSW degree, students must successfully complete the generalist courses and the courses for one specialization.

Generalist Courses

• SOCW 600 Foundations of Social Work and Social Welfare
• SOCW 623 Human Behavior and Social Systems
• SOCW 644 Community Practice Across the Life Course
• SOCW 656 Poverty, Oppression, and Inequity
• SOCW 659 Organizing and Advocating for Change
• SOCW 660 Foundations of Direct Practice
• SOCW 671 Research Methods for Social Workers
• SOCW 672 Generalist Practicum and Seminar I
• SOCW 673 Generalist Practicum and Seminar II
• SOCW 674 Psychopathology

Specialization in Children, Youth, and Families (CYF)

• Core Courses:
  • GCH 500 Foundations of Public Health
  • SOCW 630 Forensic Social Work Practice
  • SOCW 650 Advanced Social Work Policy Practice Skills
  • SOCW 683 Clinical Practice with Children, Youth, and Families
  • SOCW 688 Program Evaluation for Social Workers
• Elective Courses:
  • SOCW 653 Immigration Policy
  • SOCW 654 Social Policy for Children and Youth
  • SOCW 655 Aging Programs and Policies
  • SOCW 663 Global Human Rights Policy
  • SOCW 676 Selected Topics in Social Work and Social Change
  • SOCW 684 Social Work and the Law
  • SOCW 685 Organizational Leadership for Social Workers
  • SOCW 664 Creative Arts in Social Work Practice
  • SOCW 667 Advanced Group Theory and Practice
  • SOCW 675 Selected Topics in Clinical Practice
  • SOCW 677 Family Therapy
  • SOCW 678 Trauma and Recovery
  • SOCW 679 Military Social Work
  • SOCW 682 Substance Abuse Interventions
  • SOCW 710 Behavioral Health Interventions

Specialization in Adults and Healthy Aging (AHA)

• Core Courses:
  • GCH 500 Foundations of Public Health
  • SOCW 640 Clinical Practice with Adults
  • SOCW 650 Advanced Social Work Policy Practice Skills
  • SOCW 688 Program Evaluation for Social Workers
  • SOCW 689 Clinical Practice with Older Adults

Tuition and Financial Aid

The tuition for the MSW program is $795 per credit hour, with an additional charge of $35 per credit hour for a Distance Learning fee. For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Accreditation

The MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). George Mason University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.