What are the admissions requirements for a one-year MSW program?

A one-year MSW program requires a CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW). A BSW degree from an accredited program indicates that you completed foundational coursework and are eligible for advanced standing.

Can you work while earning a one-year MSW online?

Yes, you can work while earning a one-year MSW online. However, some students may find this to be challenging due to the intensity of the program. Some programs may allow you to take courses part time, but part-time enrollment increases your time in school by up to one year.

How many credits are required in a one-year online MSW?

One-year online MSW programs require 31 to 45 credits. These programs, also called advanced standing programs, are designed for BSW graduates. Students can skip the first year of the foundational curriculum in human rights, social justice, and the history of social work. Due to this, one-year online MSW programs typically start with coursework that focuses on social welfare policy and clinical practice.

Is a one-year MSW worth it?

A one-year MSW can be worth it for many BSW graduates. An MSW could be for you if you have a BSW, like your social worker or case manager career, and want to qualify for jobs with higher salaries, a larger scope of practice, and more leadership opportunities.

Explore one-year online MSW programs

Explore online one-year MSW programs and determine whether a one-year online MSW program could be a good fit for your social work career.

See all MSW programs

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Why earn a one-year online MSW?

Save money

A one-year online MSW program can save you tens of thousands of dollars in tuition and transportation.

Graduate in half the time

A one-year MSW program allows you count some of your BSW coursework as prior learning toward your MSW and graduate in half the time.

Advance your social work skills

A one-year MSW program allows you to focus on advancing your direct and clinical social work skills.

Do you have a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) and want to advance your social work career? A one-year online master's in social work (MSW) program lets you start your program with advanced standing and graduate with half the credits. You can choose from more than 300 accredited one-year MSW programs in the U.S, with the majority being offered online. Find the right one-year MSW program for you.

See all one-year online MSW programs

Prestigious

An immersive cohort-based learning experience that is designed to optimize learning outcomes and ensure global networking opportunities.

Flexible

Choose your path with a range of completion options and class times.

Equivalent to on-campus

Earn the same degree and complete the same curriculum as on-campus students.

What is a one-year MSW program?

A one-year (MSW) program prepares students for a direct or clinical social work career at the master's level.

The program allows BSW-holders to complete their MSW in one year and skip the foundational coursework they learned in their BSW, making these and faster.

Students in traditional MSW programs generally spend one year focusing on the history of social work, human rights, and social justice. In their second year, they typically learn about social welfare policy and clinical practice. One-year MSW programs, also called advanced standing or accelerated MSW programs, commonly focus on:

Social welfare policy
Assessment and diagnosis
Advanced clinical practice
Practicum education

You'll also take electives based on your concentration. You can complete practicum hours, which are required for CSWE-accreditation and state licensure, at a location near you. You may have to find your own location or the program may assist you.

Practicum hours allow you to apply your direct and clinical and may vary based on your concentration.

What can you do with a one-year online MSW?

An accredited one-year online MSW program qualifies students to become licensed master social workers (LMSW), licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), or their state's equivalent. To become an LMSW, you'll need:

A CSWE-accredited MSW
A clean background check
A passing score on the master's exam from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Any state-specific course requirements, such as ethics or social justice

An LMSW allows you to practice direct social work either independently or under supervision, depending on your state. While practicing direct social work, you may:

Research and refer clients to community resources
Maintain case files
Monitor clients' situations and find out whether they've improved
Help clients adjust to changes in their lives
Respond to crisis situations

LMSWs work in many settings, such as state and local governments and individual and family services. The client population you work with will help determine your work setting. You can work with children and families, veterans, or older adults.

As an LMSW, you can obtain the supervised experience you need to become an advanced generalist or clinical social worker. You'll need to complete 1,500 to 4,000 hours of supervised experience, depending on your state and license type. Clinical social work opens opportunities for you to work with people with mental health and substance use conditions.

How much can you make with a one-year MSW?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social workers earn a median annual salary of $58,380 as of 2023. They can earn less than $38,400 to more than $94,910.

This salary range includes bachelor's-level social workers and master's-level social workers. With an MSW, you can earn a salary on the higher end of this range.

An MSW and a LMSW qualify you for the supervised experience needed to become a clinical social worker.

Clinical social workers work in some of the highest-demand .

The overall employment for social workers is projected to grow by 7% between 2023 and 2033, according to BLS. Mental health and substance use social worker jobs are projected to grow by 12% in the same time period. Social workers need a master's degree and a LCSW to qualify for these jobs.