Accelerated Online Master's in Social Work (MSW) Programs for 2024

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for health care social workers and mental health and substance abuse social workers will increase 11% between 2021 and 2031. Professionals who are interested in advancing their careers in the field may consider enrolling in an online master’s degree program in social work. For those people who are looking to get their degree faster than a traditional graduate degree pace, Fortune has compiled a list of social work programs that offer an accelerated track. This ranking was last updated April 2023.

Earn Your MSW Online with Simmons University. No GRE Required.

Discover the innovative Master of Social Work from the nation’s oldest school of social work.

Aspiring direct practitioners can earn their MSW online from Simmons University in as few as 9 months. GRE scores are not required, and the program offers full-time, part-time, accelerated, and advanced standing tracks.

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Syracuse University’s Online Master of Social Work—No GRE Required

Learn to use the power of technology to become an advocate for vulnerable communities.

Syracuse University’s CSWE-accredited online Master of Social Work program is preparing the next generation of social work leaders through an emphasis on digital innovation and social justice. The program offers Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks.

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Baylor University

Waco, TX

Baylor University’s online master’s degree program in social work accepts applications on a rolling basis, with no GRE requirement, and offers three start dates per year in January, May, and August. Baylor’s online program offers an advanced and an accelerated program, which can be completed in as few as 12 to 20 months when attending full-time, however part-time options are available. Students can choose to specialize in clinical practice or community practice, and must complete 1,030 field hours to graduate. Students with a bachelor’s degree in social work who enter the program in advanced standing must complete 550 field hours to graduate.

Tuition	$66,000 regular, $35,200 advanced
Accelerated track offered?	Yes
Advanced standing track offered?	Yes
GRE required	No
Program Length	16-24 months regular (FT), 32 months regular (PT), 1 year advanced (FT), 20 months advanced (PT)

California State University, Chico

Chico, CA

California State University, Chico’s online master’s degree program in social work admits students once every three years, with the next cohort of students starting fall 2024. Students must complete 1,200 field hours to graduate, while advanced standing students are required to complete 720 field hours to graduate. The online program prepares graduates for advanced generalist practice. The application timeline is from October 1 to January 15, and has no GRE score requirement.

Tuition	N/A
Accelerated track offered?	Yes
Advanced standing track offered?	Yes
GRE required	No
Program Length	2 years regular

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

George Mason University accepts applications for its online master’s degree program in social work on a rolling basis. Those students accepted into the program can choose to focus in specialty areas of adults and healthy aging, or children, youth, and families. Students must complete 1,050 field hours to graduate, or 600 field hours for students with a bachelor’s degree in social work who enter the program in advanced standing—with an accelerated option also available. No GRE score is required for application consideration.

Tuition	$28,890
Accelerated track offered?	Yes
Advanced standing track offered?	Yes
GRE required	No
Program Length	3 years regular

Syracuse University’s Online Master of Social Work—No GRE Required

Learn to use the power of technology to become an advocate for vulnerable communities.

Learn More

Louisiana State University

Baton Rouge, LA

Students enrolled in Louisiana State University’s online master’s degree program in social work can choose to focus in specialty areas of children and youth services, gerontology, social work practice in schools, or policy and macro practice. Students without a bachelor's in social work must complete 960 field hours to graduate. For a July entrance into the program, the application deadline is in May. A GRE score is required for application consideration. Students without a bachelor's degree in social work can finish the program in less than two years, or in as little as nine months for advanced standing students.

Tuition	$32,340 regular, $17,787 advanced
Accelerated track offered?	Yes
Advanced standing track offered?	Yes
GRE required	No
Program Length	2 years (FT), 3.5-4 years (PT)

Simmons University

Boston, MA

Simmons University’s online master’s degree program prepares students for a career in clinical social work upon graduation. Students must complete 1,000 field hours to graduate, while advanced standing students are required to complete 672 field hours to graduate. The degree can be completed in as few as 23 months, or in nine months for advanced standing students. A 16-month accelerated option is also available. The program offers an extended track which allows you to earn your degree at a more convenient pace. No GRE score is required, and the final deadline for the May cohort is April 5.

Tuition	$74,620 regular, $39,032 advanced
Accelerated track offered?	Yes
Advanced standing track offered?	Yes
GRE required	N/A
Program Length	23 months regular (FT) regular, 9-12 months advanced, 16 months accelerated

University of Denver

Denver, CO

The University of Denver’s online master’s degree program in social work accepts applications on a rolling basis, and students can choose a start date in January, March, June, or September. The program allows students to choose from specializations in areas of mental health and trauma, or health, equity and wellness. Students must complete 900 field hours to graduate, while advanced standing students are required to complete 500 field hours to graduate. The program can be completed in as few as 27 months when attending full-time, or 21 months on the accelerated track. The advanced standing track can be completed in as few as 18 months when attending full-time, or 12 months on the accelerated track. No GRE score is required.

Tuition	$92,421 regular
Accelerated track offered?	Yes
Advanced standing track offered?	Yes
GRE required	No
Program Length	21-27 months regular (FT), 12-18 months advanced

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD

The University of South Dakota’s online master’s degree program in social work provides students with a foundational curriculum that prepares them to sit for the licensure exam. While there is no accelerated track offered, students may be eligible for the advanced standing track if they already hold a bachelor’s degree in social work, reducing the required 60 credit hours for the traditional program to 36 for the advanced track. A total of at least 900 hours of fieldwork practicum is required to complete the traditional track and fewer hours are required for the advanced standing track. The application deadline is rolling.

Tuition	$28,227 regular
Accelerated track offered?	Yes
Advanced standing track offered?	Yes
GRE required	No
Program Length	2 years (FT)

University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX

Students enrolled in the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s online master’s degree program in social work will study a generlist curriculum with a speicalization in either Latino individuals, families and groups, or administration and community practice. While there is no true accelerated track, some students may be eligible for the advanced standing track if they already hold a bachelor’s degree in social work. A total of at least 900 hours of fieldwork practicum is required to complete the traditional track and 63 credit hours are required. The advanced standing status requires 33 credit hours and fewer field hours. The application deadline for online programs is July 20 for fall acceptance and Nov. 30 for spring admission.

Tuition	N/A
Accelerated track offered?	Yes
Advanced standing track offered?	Yes
GRE required	No
Program Length	2 years (FT)

Earn Your MSW Online from Howard. No GRE Required.

Focus on criminal justice reform, welfare systems and health care inequities.

Transform oppressive systems through social work. Earn your MSW online in as few as 36 months. Direct and macro practice concentrations available.

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West Texas A&M University

Canyon, TX

Students enrolled in West Texas A&M University’s online master’s degree program in social work prepares students with an advanced generalist curriculum. Some students may be eligible for the advanced standing track if they already hold a bachelor’s degree in social work. The FastTrack program allows advanced standing students to accelerate their degree completion and condense it into one year. A total of 900 hours of fieldwork practicum is required to complete the traditional track and the advanced standing status requires 500 fieldwork hours. The priority application deadline is April 1 and the final deadline is June 30.

Tuition	N/A
Accelerated track offered?	Yes
Advanced standing track offered?	Yes
GRE required	No
Program Length	2 years (FT)

Syracuse University’s Online Master of Social Work—No GRE Required

Learn to use the power of technology to become an advocate for vulnerable communities.

Learn More