Online Masters in Social Work (M.S.W. Degree) Program
VCU’s Online Master of Social Work Program Format
Virginia Commonwealth University
READY TO GET STARTED WITH OUR ONLINE M.S.W. PROGRAM FORMAT?
Bachelor’s degree is required.
At the VCU School of Social Work, we’re dedicated to:
- Preparing professional social workers as practitioners, scholars and leaders
- Generating research and scholarship to advance knowledge and practice
- Contributing to local, state, national, international and professional communities to improve quality of life
As a student in the Master of Social Work Program online format, you will gain the knowledge and skills you need to work with today’s individuals, families, communities and organizations — all while upholding the principles of social justice, human rights, diversity, cultural competence and ethical practice.
At VCU, students learn to become effective clinical practitioners, policy/program administrators and advocates.1 Studying in a program shaped by an evidence-based and trauma-informed approach, they receive the training to become licensed practitioners, policymakers, advisors and researchers capable of creating meaningful change in their communities.1
Why the Online M.S.W. Degree Program Format?
Earn your VCU M.S.W. degree from anywhere in the country.
Our online program format brings the classroom to you. Study from home and apply your knowledge in your community through field placements.
Coursework rooted in cultural competence.
Coursework is designed to provide students with a diversity of direct learning experiences to support their understanding of how to improve the lives of all people and cultures.
Field placement opportunities close to home.
VCU places online learners in field experiences — real-world learning during business hours — to complement their online coursework.
Complete your degree at a part-time, full-time or accelerated pace.
Choose from any of our online learning options. We offer a full-time 16-month or two-year track, a part-time track over a three- or four-year period, or an accelerated one-year advanced standing option for B.S.W. degree holders.
Advanced standing option.
Program candidates holding a B.S.W. no more than five years old, an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, and who received a “B” or “pass” in senior field placement are eligible to apply. If the applicant has not completed their senior field placement, one of their letters of recommendation should be from someone who can assess their potential to succeed in a field placement.
Expert faculty with deep connections to the field.
Expert faculty members bring real-world experience and essential social work skills inspired by decades of experience working as practitioners locally and nationally.
The Virginia Commonwealth University online M.S.W. Program format is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation. Founded in 1917, the School of Social Work stands as the first school of its kind in the South, as well as one of two programs in Virginia (and only 56 nationwide) to offer bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in the discipline. Ours is one of the largest accredited, comprehensive social work programs in the United States.
Renowned for a Reason
No. 28
Best Graduate Schools for Social Work
(U.S. News & World Report, 2024)
100+
100+ years of educating social work students
Is This Program Right for You?
The online M.S.W. Degree Program format is ideal for returning students who need its geographic flexibility, allowing them to complete their coursework from home.
Engage diversity and difference in practice.
Learn clinical and macro social work skills1 guided by the principles of promoting social justice, human rights, diversity, cultural competence and ethical practice through social work education.
Advance your career and the field of social work.
Unlock clinical, policy/program and leadership opportunities,1 and innovate to improve access and effectiveness in your field and various career paths.
Make demonstrable changes within individuals and families.
Understand how problems such as substance use, child maltreatment and mental health disorders have roots in traumatic experiences.
Program Objectives
Make it real.
Social work knowledge is to be discovered, not recited. Gain hands-on experience to best serve individuals, families and communities.
Prepare for a variety of settings.
We’re preparing the next generation of social workers to work with populations in areas such as mental health, substance abuse, health care, aging and more.
Become a practitioner.
Our students and alumni aspire to career paths in clinical, policy/program and leadership positions1 to improve the lives of individuals, families, communities and organizations.
Help individuals and families live better lives.
Learn to develop a toolkit of clinical and macro social work skills1 essential for working with individuals, families, communities and groups.
What You Will Learn
Inclusivity and cultural competence.
Create opportunities that challenge the status quo and break through systemic inequity.
Action and efficacy.
Evaluate and implement programs and policies for measurable results in the communities you serve.
Influence and leadership.
Refine your professional skills to guide decision-making that improves lives through practice-informed research.
Career Outcomes
Now is an excellent time to earn your Master of Social Work, as it is a strong labor market for M.S.W. graduates. Between now and 2033, employment of social workers is forecast to grow by 7 percent nationally (almost twice the average growth rate for all occupations),1 and the demand for trained social workers is high.
Among M.S.W.-aligned job postings, there is a significant gap between the skills employers seek and the expertise candidates possess — with the top skills gaps in social work (62 percent), treatment planning (21 percent), discharge planning (17 percent), psychosocial assessments (16 percent) and case management (15 percent).2
VCU’s Master of Social Work Program online format can equip you with the knowledge and tools to compete in this expanding job market where M.S.W.-holders earn an average of $20,500 more annually than those without master’s in social work degrees.3
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024
2 Lightcast Job Postings, March 2023–Feb. 2024
3 Lightcast and Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024
Your Future in Social Work Starts Here
The VCU School of Social Work equips students with the skills to become world-class practitioners, scholars and leaders in the field. Our Master of Social Work Program online format offers students the opportunity to develop the specialized skills they need to make a positive impact on their communities. Taught by expert faculty members with extensive real-world experience, the program features small class sizes, challenging and relevant coursework and convenient field placements. Ready to learn more?
Key Dates and Deadlines
| Term | Early Submit | Final Submit | Field Submit | Term Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part Time | June 5, 2025 | Oct. 16, 2025 | N/A | Jan. 13, 2026 |
| Full Time | June 5, 2025 | Aug. 14, 2025 | TBD | Jan. 13, 2026 |
| Advanced Standing | Feb. 5, 2025 | Feb. 12, 2025 | TBD | Jan. 13, 2026 |
Deposit is due within two weeks of the official offer of admission.
Field applications for prospective full-time students are due within one week of deposit.
Synchronous Class Days
In synchronous classes, students develop essential social work skills and professional competencies such as active listening and communication skills; and participate in activities that include live presence and interaction, collaborative teamwork, team projects, presentations, and experiential activities, such as videotaping role plays and simulations. See the schedule for synchronous class days.
| Term | Early Submit | Final Submit | Field Submit | Term Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part Time | Nov. 6, 2025 | March 5, 2026 | N/A | May 19, 2026 |
| Advanced Standing | Nov. 6, 2025 | Feb. 5, 2026 | March 23, 2026 | May 19, 2026 |
Deposit is due within two weeks of the official offer of admission.
Field applications for prospective full-time students are due within one week of deposit.
Synchronous Class Days
In synchronous classes, students develop essential social work skills and professional competencies such as active listening and communication skills; and participate in activities that include live presence and interaction, collaborative teamwork, team projects, presentations, and experiential activities, such as videotaping role plays and simulations. See the schedule for synchronous class days.
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READY TO GET STARTED WITH OUR ONLINE M.S.W. PROGRAM FORMAT?
Bachelor’s degree is required.