Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation. VCU is proud to offer one of the largest and most comprehensive accredited social work programs in the country.

Students enrolled in the regular standing option are required to complete 60 credit hours and two field placements, while students in the advanced standing option complete 42 credit hours and one field placement. Both options require students to select a concentration prior to completing their final 30 credit hours. Program completion times vary according to whether a student is enrolled in the part-time or full-time track and the program duration they’ve selected.

Yes. The M.S.W. online option offers two concentrations: Clinical Social Work Practice and Macro Practice. Students select a concentration after completing a foundational generalist curriculum and before completing their final 30 credit hours.

VCU’s Master of Social Work Program online option features a largely asynchronous course schedule. However, each course includes three synchronous online classes per semester. Synchronous sessions for required courses occur during the week, select Mondays through Thursdays, from 6–8 p.m. ET, while synchronous sessions for electives are held on select Saturdays between 9–11 a.m. or 1–3 p.m. ET.

To be eligible for the advanced standing option, applicants must possess a B.S.W. no more than five years old from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited institution, have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and received an “A,” “B” or “pass” in their senior field placement. In addition to the standard application package, applicants must submit a written case assessment and meet additional field requirements. 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.

No. While VCU values the diverse professional experiences that students bring to the Master of Social Work Program online option, the advanced standing option is reserved for those who possess a B.S.W. no more than five years old from a CSWE-accredited institution, have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and received an “A,” “B” or “pass” in their senior field placement.

Yes. The VCU School of Social Work offers several scholarships and assistantships to current students once enrolled. We encourage you to review the available awards to learn more.

Students in the M.S.W. online can choose from five learning pathways, including part-time (four years), accelerated part-time (three years), full-time (two years), accelerated full-time (16 months) and advanced standing (12 months, if application requirements are met). Switching pathways is discouraged, as it may negatively impact the timeline for completing your degree.

Students in the Master of Social Work Program online option can pursue a combined M.S.W. and Certificate in Aging Studies, a combined M.S.W. and Certificate in Nonprofit Management or a School Social Work Certification, offered through the Virginia Department of Education.

Yes. Students complete nine elective credit hours as part of their concentration coursework.

Yes. Students have access to VCU Libraries, University Counseling Services, University Student Health Services, the Wellness Resource Center, the Writing Center and VCU Career Services.

No. Field placements occur in person at local agencies, providing important opportunities to engage directly with clients and build connections with communities.

No. VCU will coordinate your field placement, ensuring that you gain the valuable real-world experience and networking opportunities you need to secure employment after graduation.

Students should be prepared to travel up to 30 miles or more to their field placement. Your field placement experience will prepare you for competent, ethical practice in your local community.

Students already working in a social work setting may benefit from a field placement at their place of employment. Their employment tasks must have a clear connection to the curriculum, and the employment-based setting must provide opportunities for the student to engage as a learner in activities that support the development of social work skills, knowledge and values. Students requesting to complete a field placement at their place of employment must complete the proposal for employment-based field placement in their field placement application. 

Field education typically occurs during business hours. Students are typically at their field sites for two days per week during the generalist curriculum and three days per week during the concentration curriculum.

Typically, completing the requirements for the M.S.W. degree with a concentration in Clinical Social Work Practice meets the educational requirement for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia. Please note, however, that Virginia licensure requirements also include additional professional/supervised hours. Requirements vary by state. You can learn about educational prerequisites for licensure and certification in other states through the Association of Social Work Boards. You may also email us with questions about our curriculum as it relates to fulfilling specific licensure requirements.

Yes. While licensure requirements vary by state, all states require a minimum number of supervised practice hours. Your field placement will count toward a significant number of the supervised hours required for licensure.

Students in the part-time, accelerated part-time, full-time and accelerated full-time pathways complete 900 field hours including 300 generalist and 600 concentration hours. Students in the advanced standing pathway complete 750 field hours, including 150 generalist and 600 concentration hours. The generalist placement typically requires 14 hours per week, while the concentration placement typically requires 22.

Almost all field placements are unpaid but serve as an important foundation for your career, helping you connect theory to practice and offering valuable networking and professional growth opportunities.

A master’s in social work prepares you for a variety of meaningful career paths, including clinical social work, child welfare advocacy, medical social work, public policy, criminal justice, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, art therapy and more. 

Licensed clinical social workers play an important role in communities by providing counseling, support, therapy and mentorship to people struggling with mental and emotional health issues. These specialized professionals typically work in hospitals, schools, mental health clinics and social service agencies.

Macro social workers address large-scale social issues and drive systemic change at the community, state and national levels. Often, they collaborate with government agencies, conduct research to inform policy development and work on educating communities about pressing social issues.