How Our Program Works
The M.S.W. online option is designed to allow you to pursue your academic and professional goals on your schedule. This page explains the key components of our program and outlines the five learning pathways. Understanding the amount of time you need to commit to earning your degree is essential, so be sure to review this material.
Program Glossary
Asynchronous
Self-paced coursework that you complete on your own time
Synchronous
Live virtual sessions designed for real-time interaction and collaboration with peers and faculty
Field Placement
In-person, community-based learning opportunities that allow you to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings
Part-Time
A study option with fewer courses each semester, designed to help you balance work, life and education; includes part-time and accelerated part-time pathways
Full-Time
A more intensive study approach requiring a higher time commitment, with full-time and accelerated full-time pathways
Advanced Standing
An expedited pathway for students with a B.S.W. from a CSWE-accredited program (within the last five years) and a minimum GPA of 3.0 who achieved an “A,” “B” or “pass” in their senior field placement
Licensure/Certification
Approval by state governing bodies to practice as a licensed clinical social worker; completing the M.S.W. online option with a clinical concentration typically fulfills Virginia’s educational requirements for licensure, but additional supervision hours and a clinical-level examination are required to meet Virginia licensure standards; licensure standards vary by state.
Synchronous Class Schedules
The M.S.W. online option has three live sessions per course per semester:
Synchronous sessions for the core required classes take place during the week (select Mondays through Thursdays) from 6 to 8 p.m. ET
Synchronous classes for elective courses take place on select Saturdays; depending on the course, the class time will be either 9 to 11 a.m. ET or 1 to 3 p.m. ET
Explore Your First Semester
| Pacing Option | Synchronous Class Time
Hours/Week | Placement Hours Hours/Week |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Standing (Clinical Specialization Only) Full Time, B.S.W. Required | 36 | 14 |
| 16 Months (Full-Time) | 36 | 14 |
| 2 Years (Full-Time) | 36 | 14 |
| 3 Years (Part-Time) | 27 | 0 |
| 4 Years (Part-Time) | 18 | 0 |
Synchronous Class Time:
36 Hours/Week
Placement Hours:
14 Hours/Week
Synchronous Class Time:
36 Hours/Week
Placement Hours:
14 Hours/Week
Synchronous Class Time:
36 Hours/Week
Placement Hours:
14 Hours/Week
Synchronous Class Time:
27 Hours/Week
Placement Hours:
0 Hours/Week
Synchronous Class Time:
18 Hours/Week
Placement Hours:
0 Hours/Week
| Pacing Option | Synchronous Class Time
Hours/Week | Placement Hours Hours/Week |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Months (Full-Time) | 36 | 16 |
| 3 Years (Part-Time) | 27 | 0 |
| 4 Years (Part-Time) | 18 | 0 |
Synchronous Class Time:
36 Hours/Week
Placement Hours:
16 Hours/Week
Synchronous Class Time:
27 Hours/Week
Placement Hours:
0 Hours/Week
Synchronous Class Time:
18 Hours/Week
Placement Hours:
0 Hours/Week
| Pacing Option | Synchronous Class Time
Hours/Week | Placement Hours Hours/Week |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Standing (Clinical Specialization Only) Full Time, B.S.W. Required | 40.5 | 15 |
| 3 Years (Part-Time) | 40.5 | 0 |
| 4 Years (Part-Time) | 27 | 0 |
Synchronous Class Time:
40.5 Hours/Week
Placement Hours:
15 Hours/Week
Synchronous Class Time:
40.5 Hours/Week
Placement Hours:
0 Hours/Week
Synchronous Class Time:
27 Hours/Week
Placement Hours:
0 Hours/Week
Want to compare degree timelines?
Explore our curriculum visualization.
What Is the Advanced Standing Option?
The advanced standing option is an accelerated one-year path to earning your degree. Program candidates are eligible to apply if they hold a B.S.W. from a CSWE-accredited institution that is no more than five years old with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and received an “A,” “B” or “pass” in senior field placement. 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.
Advanced standing students matriculating in the summer may choose the Clinical Social Work Practice or Macro Practice concentration; fall starts are Clinical only.
In addition to the standard application package, applicants must submit a written case assessment and meet additional field requirements.
Learn more about admissions.Compare Program Pathways
| Advanced Standing Full-Time On-Campus | Full-Time On-Campus | Part-Time On-Campus | Advanced Standing Online | Full-Time Online | Part-Time Online | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credits | 42 | 60 | 60 | 42 | 60 | 60 |
| Format Length | 1 Year | 2 Years | 3–4 Years | 1 Year | 16–24 Months | 3–4 Years |
| Credits per Semester | 12–15 | 15 | 6–9 | 12–15 | 15 | 6–9 |
| Class Type | In-person | In-person | In-person | Asynchronous1 | Asynchronous1 | Asynchronous1 |
| Start Term | Summer | Fall | Fall | Fall, Summer2 | Fall, Spring2 | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Number of Field Placements | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Field Hours per Week3 | 14–21 | 14–21 | 14–21 | 14–22 | 14–22 | 14–22 |
| Clinical or Macro Specialization1 | Both | Both | Both | Both2 | Both2 | Clinical |
Credits:
42
Format Length:
1 Year
Credits per Semester:
12–15
Class Type:
In-person
Start Term:
Summer
Number of Field Placements:
1
Field Hours per Week:3
14–21
Clinical or Macro Specialization:1
Both
Credits:
60
Format Length:
2 Years
Credits per Semester:
15
Class Type:
In-person
Start Term:
Fall
Number of Field Placements:
2
Field Hours per Week:3
14–21
Clinical or Macro Specialization:1
Both
Credits:
60
Format Length:
3-4 Years
Credits per Semester:
6-9
Class Type:
In-person
Start Term:
Fall
Number of Field Placements:
2
Field Hours per Week:3
14–21
Clinical or Macro Specialization:1
Both
Credits:
42
Format Length:
1 Year
Credits per Semester:
12-15
Class Type:
Asynchronous1
Start Term:
Fall, Summer2
Number of Field Placements:
1
Field Hours per Week:3
14–22
Clinical or Macro Specialization:1
Both2
Credits:
60
Format Length:
16-24 months
Credits per Semester:
15
Class Type:
Asynchronous1
Start Term:
Fall, Spring2
Number of Field Placements:
2
Field Hours per Week:3
14–22
Clinical or Macro Specialization:1
Both2
Credits:
60
Format Length:
3-4 years
Credits per Semester:
6-9
Class Type:
Asynchronous1
Start Term:
Fall, Spring, Summer
Number of Field Placements:
2
Field Hours per Week:3
14–22
Clinical or Macro Specialization:1
Clinical
1 Asynchronous classes are all online and completed on your own time. Each course has three live synchronous classes per course a semester.
2 The macro specialization is available online in the regular standing, full-time, two-year (fall start) and 16-month (spring start) pathways; and the advanced standing, full-time, one-year pathway (summer start). The clinical specialization is available in the fall (16-month and two-year options) and spring (16 months) pathways; and in the advanced standing, full-time, one-year pathway (fall, summer starts).
3 All field placements are in-person internships at an agency in the student’s community.