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Part-time MSW programs

A part-time MSW program can accommodate students with jobs or other personal commitments. Explore what these programs look like and if they suit your needs.

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Benefits of part-time MSW programs

Work while you study

Maintain employment during your studies to help you finance the program and develop experience as you learn.

Manage your costs

Spread your tuition costs across a more extended period to make for a more affordable MSW program in the short term.

Study on your time

Attend a program that offers flexible online delivery to fit your studies around your schedule.


Completing an MSW can lead to clinical social worker licensure and many promising careers, but pursuing one of these graduate degrees can be difficult and time-consuming. In a part-time MSW program, you can more easily find a balance between your studies, job, or home life.

Discover what a part-time MSW program has to offer.

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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.

Part-time MSW programs overview

Part-time MSW programs reduce the number of credits required each semester, making it easier to balance a degree and your current schedule. This structure can also limit some of the intensity of the graduate program and allow you to focus on fewer courses at once.

Part-time MSW programs work particularly well for working students or those who want to study at a slower pace. However, part-time programs may not work for everyone since they take longer to complete and may have an impact on financial aid eligibility.

How long will it take to complete an MSW part-time?

The length of part-time MSW programs can vary, but they typically take between 3-4 years to complete. Some schools allow students to set their own pace and complete the courses as they see fit, while others require learners to take a minimum number of credits each semester and finish within a specific timeframe.

What's the course load like in a part-time MSW?

Part-time MSW students usually take between 3-9 credits per semester, though the exact numbers vary depending on the student and the school's part-time policy. That works out to between 1-3 three- courses each semester.

Part-time MSW programs also include a practicum, which may be more rigorous than the coursework. For example, some schools feature seven-hour practicum days.

Can you earn an MSW entirely online?

Many MSW programs offer completely online courses, but the practicum components require in-person attendance. Online courses may run asynchronously or synchronously, with many synchronous sessions running during the evenings or weekends.

Practicums, however, feature supervised clinical sessions in which students engage directly with clients. These sessions typically run near the campus, but some online MSW programs allow students to set up practicums at a site near them.

What job has the highest salary for graduates of an MSW?

Among the major social work professions, healthcare social workers earn the highest mean annual salary of $67,430 as of May 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In terms of industry, the highest-paid social workers work in government positions and earn a mean annual salary of $94,260, as per the BLS.

Along with industry and specialization, social worker wages depend on factors like location, demand, and local and state budgets. Relevant experience, education, and the type of professional licensure can also affect your earning potential.

Admissions requirements for part-time MSWs

Admissions requirements for part-time MSW programs usually mirror full-time programs. The specifics can vary by school, but you should expect to see some or all of the following:

  • Bachelor's degree (an accredited social work degree may qualify you for advanced standing)
  • Transcripts with your GPA
  • Résumé
  • Personal statement
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Application fee
  • Work experience (if required)
  • GRE scores (if required)
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Frequently asked questions