Why Should I Earn My MSW Online?

Social work can be a highly rewarding career. But becoming a professional social worker typically requires earning your degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) program—and completing a minimum number of hours of supervised fieldwork.¹

Is that a realistic goal if you’re a working adult? It can be with the help of a CSWE-accredited online MSW program. Whether you’re already employed in the field of social work or are looking to make a career change, the following advantages could make earning an MSW degree online the right choice for you.

You Can Earn Your MSW Online While You Continue to Work

Online MSW programs offer a level of convenience and flexibility not typically available in traditional, campus-based programs. Instead of setting everything aside to earn your MSW degree, you can continue working at your current job as you complete your coursework. Enrolling in an online MSW program means you won’t have to compromise your current job to advance your career.

You Can Save Time and Money With an MSW Online Program

There are several ways earning an MSW degree online can save you money. Many online universities award credits for previous education and work experience, giving you a head start toward your MSW degree and reducing your tuition costs; there may be grants, scholarships, or other tuition assistance available as well. Plus, the flexible format of online learning can help you accelerate your education and potentially graduate faster.

You Can Earn an Online MSW Degree From a Program With CSWE Accreditation

If you’re putting in the time and effort to earn an MSW degree, you deserve an education that meets the highest academic standards—and makes you a more marketable professional. Graduation from a CSWE-accredited MSW degree program is part of the academic requirement for social work licensure in most states. And regardless of specific state requirements, employers recognize that CSWE accreditation is a mark of quality.

When you choose a CSWE-accredited online MSW program, you can be certain that your coursework, assessments, and criteria for graduation have been meticulously reviewed and fully certified by outside experts in the field.

An Online MSW Program Can Help You Achieve Your Goals

Online MSW degree programs help remove some of the traditional barriers to earning an advanced degree. With the flexibility and convenience of online education, you can start working toward your goals now. If you want to devote your career to helping others, earning an online MSW degree can put you on the path the being a professional social worker.

The job outlook for social workers is also very promising. From 2018-2028, the need for social workers is expected to grow at a rate of 11% which is much faster than the average for all occupations. In terms of salary, the media pay for social workers in 2018 was $49,470 though the top 10% of the profession earned more than $81,000.²

Through Walden University’s CSWE-accredited online MSW program, you can expand your social work career options as you earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

¹Source: https://www.cswe.org/Students/Prepare-for-Your-Career/Social-Work-At-A-Glance
²Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-1

Accreditation

Walden University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CSWE's Commission on Accreditation is responsible for developing accreditation standards that define competent preparation for professional social workers and ensuring that social work programs meet these standards.