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Interactive simulations and virtual Skills Labs allow you to practice skills in scenarios that reflect what social workers face in the field. Emerge from your program feeling confident and ready to make a positive impact.
LEARN FROM EXPERT FACULTY
All of Walden’s online MSW program faculty have doctorates as well as real-world practice experience.
PREPARE FOR LICENSURE
Our MSW degree program offers valuable tools and robust resources to help you prepare to sit for your licensure exam.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR PROGRAM
Tailor your online MSW to your unique needs with focus areas, certificates, and degree completion options.
Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
---|---|---|---|
Tuition | 92 quarter credit hours 97 quarter credit hours with certificate | $535 per credit hour | $49,220 $49,955 |
Skills Lab Fee | Two in program | Included (travel, lodging, and other expenses are additional if the face- to-face option is selected.) | $0 |
Program Fee | Per quarter – Standard Per quarter – with optional Certificate | $175 | $1,750 $1,925 |
Standard with Certificate | $50,970** $53,820** | ||
BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$5,885 $45,085* |
*Represents Traditional option, no certificate, minimum time to completion, and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
**Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 45 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $2,500 to $3,500. The tuition reflects the minimum time to completion, which can vary by student, depending on individual progress.
If you are planning to enroll in three or more courses per quarter, the costs may be more than your financial aid offer per quarter.1
Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | amount |
---|---|---|---|
Tuition | 52 quarter credit hours
| $535 per credit hour | $27,820 $30,495 |
Skills Lab Fee | One in program (face-to-face and virtual options available) | Included (travel, lodging and other expenses are additional if the face- to-face option is selected) | $0 |
Program Fee | Per quarter – standard Per quarter – with optional certificate | $175 | $1,050 $1,225 |
with certificate | $28,870* $31,720* | ||
BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION (STANDARD OPTION) | -$3,210 $25,660 |
* Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on a variety of factors, such as individual progress, selected electives, and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 10 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,500 to $2,500. The tuition reflects the minimum time to completion, which can vary by student, depending on individual progress.
If you are planning to enroll in three or more courses per quarter, the costs may be more than your financial aid offer per quarter.1
Career Opportunities
Earning your master’s in social work online can equip you with the knowledge and skills to effect real change in your community.
Child, Family, and School Social Worker
Support the social and emotional well-being of children, families, and students.
Expected growth: 5%1
Estimated annual wage: $37,900–$68,4501
Healthcare Social Worker
Enhance the overall well-being of people facing health-related challenges.
Expected growth: 10%2
Estimated annual wage: $41,840–$78,7102
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Help individuals and families dealing with mental health issues and substance abuse problems.
Expected growth: 11%3
Estimated annual wage: $37,150–$74,8103
No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the MSW program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries.
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
2Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
3Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2022)
Learning Outcomes
As a graduate of Walden’s Master of Social Work program, you will be prepared to:
Develop a professional orientation and identity as a social worker.
Apply legal and ethical standards in the administration of social work.
Apply principles of advocacy that promote cultural understanding and positive social change in individuals, communities, and society.
Utilize evidence-based research and critical thinking skills to inform practice in meeting the needs of diverse clientele.
Synthesize and apply theories of human growth and development to develop culturally responsive social work practices.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the areas of engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation with individuals, families, groups.
Master of Social Work Program Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
Meet Your Academic Team
Learn about the dedicated online MSW faculty who are committed to supporting and guiding you through a successful, enriching educational experience.
You Might Also Be Interested In
Explore related degree programs at Walden.
MSW FAQ
The Walden online experience is designed with the adult learner in mind, allowing students to balance their courses with their careers, families, and other responsibilities. Students can access the online classroom at any time. They interact with faculty and peers using online discussion boards, and assignments are submitted via the online classroom.
Students have access to a wide variety of support services, including the Writing Center, Walden library, and the Student Success Advising team. Our Student Success Advisors can help track academic progress and answer questions regarding academic policies and programs.rack academic progress and answer questions regarding academic policies and programs.
Walden’s online Master of Social Work (MSW) program is grounded in experiential learning and multicultural perspectives—so students emerge from their program ready to make a difference for their clients and community. Our online MSW features:
- Interactive simulations and virtual Skills Labs to help students practice what real social workers face in the field each day.
- Dedicated faculty who all hold doctorates and have real-world practice experience. They bring their firsthand experience directly from the field to the classroom.
- Practical tools and resources to help students prepare to sit for their state licensure exam.
- The ability for students to customize their online MSW program to reflect their interests, needs, and preferences with focus areas, certificates, and degree completion options.
On November 12, 2019, the Walden MSW program achieved reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the U.S. We are proud to say the reaffirmation is for the maximum allowed—eight years, through October 2027.
You can find more information about accreditation at the CSWE website.
Our curriculum is designed to incorporate required elements as determined by CSWE, making it comparable to campus-based programs that are structured in accordance with CSWE guidelines.
In addition, the Walden online MSW program offers a great deal of flexibility for working professionals because of its online format and the university’s comprehensive student support for online learners. This flexibility allows students to earn their degrees from wherever they have internet access and study on their own schedule.
For admission to the part-time and two-year full-time tracks:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Lower GPAs can be considered on a case-by-case basis
For admission to the Advanced Standing track:
- Applicants must have graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program within the last eight years with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- GPA in social work courses may be considered if favorable
Walden students may qualify for government student loans and grants. For more information about the financial aid process at Walden, talk to an Enrollment Specialist at 1-866-492-5336.
Walden also offers scholarships. Be sure to ask an Enrollment Specialist about availability and eligibility requirements.
Field experience is required by all CSWE-accredited MSW programs and is an opportunity for students to work in real-life settings, interacting with clients under the supervision of a professional social worker. As part of the Walden online Master of Social Work curriculum, students complete two field experiences over four quarters/terms for a total of 900 hours (students in the Advanced Standing option will complete one field experience for 500 hours). It is important that students consider how they will manage the field experience requirements with other responsibilities.
Field experiences can normally be completed in or near a student’s town or community, and some sites offer tele-practice experiences to meet the direct practice requirements. While we cannot guarantee field sites in any community will have availability or be able to provide a field placement, we partner with students to help them thoroughly explore their community options. Our dedicated team of field education experts, all of whom hold MSW degrees, supports students in selecting and working with field locations that are appropriate for the curriculum and have the necessary supervision.
In addition, students are enrolled in a synchronous (online live with an instructor) field seminar course, which meets weekly, while in their field placement to guide the monitoring and reflecting processes required by CSWE.
To learn more, call an Enrollment Specialist at 1-866-492-5336.
You will not need to come to a campus, but the MSW program includes two six-week hybrid Skills Labs, which comprise three weeks of online content, followed by a three-day intensive experience (available face-to-face or virtually), and then closes with two weeks of online content. When you attend your Skills Labs depends on your degree option (Traditional, Traditional Accelerated, or Advanced Standing) and when you plan to enter your field placement. Students work closely with their academic advisors to plan their attendance.
Skills Labs are an integral part of the online MSW program at Walden, providing invaluable hands-on experiences. The labs allow MSW students to meet and collaborate with peers and faculty, get support, discuss ideas, and practice critical professional skills needed to be a social worker. Advising is available and important information about obtaining your license is covered.
We know that time is precious in the lives of our busy students, so Skills Labs are planned carefully to provide the most benefit possible.
Contact an Enrollment Specialist at 1-866-492-5336 for more information.
The amount of time it takes to complete your degree will vary based on your previous educational experience, course load, and field placement schedule. We anticipate that students with other life commitments will take two courses per quarter and complete their program in approximately three years.
Some students will take longer, and some will complete the program in less time by decreasing or increasing their course load. Talk with an Enrollment Specialist at 1-866-492-5336 to discuss your individual time commitment.