Become a social worker who embraces technology to advocate for vulnerable communities.
The online Master of Social Work (MSW) program from Syracuse University’s School of Education is preparing the next generation of social workers to shape the future of the profession across practice settings.
Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the online MSW program is for those who have a bachelor’s degree in an area other than social work. After completing foundational coursework, you will choose a concentration in Advanced Integrated Practice (AIP) or Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP).
Both concentrations prepare you to pursue licensure in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, namely New York State.
View more information about the residential MSW here.
CSWE-Accredited
accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
36
Months
complete in as few as 36 months
Fieldwork Experience
gain 900 hours of fieldwork experience
No
GRE
GRE scores are not required to apply
If you have already completed a bachelor’s degree in social work, you may be eligible to apply to the online Advanced Standing MSW program, which can be completed in as few as 24 months.
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Syracuse University MSW Difference
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In today’s rapidly changing world, the challenges faced by individuals, families and communities are becoming more complex. Syracuse University is preparing social workers committed to the values of human diversity and the dignity and worth of all people, with particular attention to those who are oppressed, vulnerable or living in poverty. Here, you will learn to walk toward discomfort, not away from it.
The immersive learning experience and advanced technology used during the online MSW program enables you to fully engage with our network, complete your coursework in a way that works for you and give back to your community during local field placements.
Through an individualized approach and a focus on the following guiding principles, our Master of Social Work online program is preparing a new type of leader, someone who is an expert in change.
Become a social worker who recognizes the dignity of all people. In this field, you must possess a fundamental commitment to creating social and economic justice in a diverse and evolving world. Through values-based instruction, the online MSW program prepares you to practice in a way that challenges oppression and increases the power and wellness of vulnerable people to create a more just society.
Become a social worker who understands the expectations of the digital world. Now more than ever, it’s imperative that we leverage technology to extend access to care. When you earn your MSW degree online at Syracuse University, you’re immersed in a digital environment daily and learn to embrace methods such as telehealth and texting services as part of the future of the profession.
Become a social worker who is committed to providing care for service members. Students interested in providing clinically and culturally competent services to veterans have the unique opportunity to complete dedicated military-focused coursework or fieldwork.
Request information to connect with an enrollment specialist and
learn more about the online program.
Ready to advance your career with Syracuse University? Take the next step today.
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Syracuse University MSW Difference
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Social Work Careers
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Through the online Master of Social Work curriculum, you will learn to advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice using a range of engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation methods.
Our curriculum is rooted in themes such as military culture and mental health practice, trauma-informed care, social justice, leadership and social work in the digital age.
60
credits
36
months part time
900+
hours of field placement
Your studies will start with 24 credits of foundational-level coursework that emphasizes generalist social work practice at the micro, mezzo and macro levels. You will then choose a concentration that aligns with your intended area of practice, which you can further customize with electives.
Explore the full online MSW curriculum.
If you already have a bachelor’s in social work, explore our online Advanced Standing MSW program.
You will choose between our two online MSW degree concentrations: Advanced Integrated Practice (AIP) or Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP).
The Advanced Integrated Practice MSW concentration is designed for those who want to practice in areas such as interdisciplinary organizations, human service administration, community organizing or public policy.
The Advanced Clinical Practice MSW concentration is designed for those who wish to practice as licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) in clinical mental health inpatient and outpatient settings.
Learn more about the concentrations.
Fieldwork is an integral part of the online MSW program and will be woven throughout your studies with two distinct placement experiences. You will first complete 400 hours of foundational fieldwork at an agency-based internship. The foundation internship experience exposes students to micro, mezzo, macro social work enhancing knowledge, values, skills and cognitive/affective processing through case management, intakes, supportive counseling, community outreach and education and more. Between the foundation and concentration internships, students take advanced courses to deepen their understanding of complex social work theories, techniques and policies. This is followed by 500 hours of concentration internship in either AIP (Advanced Integrated Practice) or ACP (Advanced Clinical Practice). During your concentration fieldwork, you will expand your knowledge, values and skills in a specialized area of practice.
Types of practice settings:
Settings that allow practice with multiple social work levels (micro-mezzo-macro) in an interprofessional setting.
*for both integrated practice and clinical practice
You will also have access to our placement portal, located right in the dashboard of your digital campus. This online tool can be used to view details of your field placement site, check your upcoming schedule, log your hours and keep track of your progress.
Learn more about the online MSW program that prioritizes your
experiential learning.
Ready to advance your career with Syracuse University? Take the next step today.
Jump to:
Syracuse University MSW Difference
Curriculum
Admissions
Social Work Careers
Request Info
Visit the admissions page for more information on application requirements.
You can earn your master’s in social work online with no GRE scores. We believe the best way to get to know you and the type of social worker you aspire to become is through your essay, resume and other application materials. This is why no GRE scores are required for the online MSW program.
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Syracuse University MSW Difference
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Social Work Careers
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“Syracuse University social workers do not passively accept a system which often overlooks the disenfranchised and those most in need of care. Instead, we are active agents of change to existing mental health practices and policies. We represent the next generation of social workers who are developing, implementing and advocating for new methods that are inclusive, socially just, forward thinking and culturally competent.”
Laura Buys
On-Campus MSW Student, Class of 2021
The online MSW program prepares you to sit for the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensing examination, which is required to become a licensed master social worker (LMSW) or licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in New York and most other states.
Prior to earning your MSW online from Syracuse University, we encourage you to research the licensure requirements in your state.
View previous pass rates and learn how the online MSW prepares you for licensure.
Earn your Master of Social Work online from a future-focused program.
Ready to advance your career with Syracuse University? Take the next step today.
Absolutely. Syracuse University is a top-tier research institution, and its reputation carries significant weight in the professional world. Employers prioritize your ability to pass licensing exams and complete clinical hours, both of which are central to our CSWE-accredited program.
No, the diploma and transcripts earned through Syracuse University do not distinguish between online and on-campus formats. You will graduate with a Master of Social Work from the University just like any other student.
It’s a major investment, but one that significantly shifts your career ceiling. While a BSW is great for entry-level roles, an MSW typically increases your annual earning potential by US$13,000 or more, according to the National Association of Social Workers. At Syracuse, we focus on “Social Work in the Digital Age,” giving you a modern toolkit for high-paying leadership and clinical roles.
Yes. Syracuse University offers an online Master of Social Work that allows you to earn a fully accredited degree without relocating. The curriculum is delivered through a digital campus model, supplemented by supervised in-person fieldwork placements completed within your local community.
Syracuse University utilizes a synchronous model that combines live weekly sessions via Zoom with high-quality self-paced coursework. This structure ensures you can interact directly with professors while maintaining the flexibility to manage your schedule through assignments, readings and videos.
– Traditional Track: If you’re coming from a non-social work background, the 60-credit path typically takes 36 months.
– Advanced Standing: If you already have a BSW, you can “fast-track” the 36-credit program and finish in as few as 24 months.
Most people think of social work as just one-on-one therapy, but the field actually spans three distinct “levels” of practice: Micro (working with individuals), Mezzo (working with groups or families), and Macro (working on large-scale community systems or policy). At Syracuse, we bridge these levels by offering two specific concentrations:
– Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP): This is the path for those who want to focus on the “Micro” and “Mezzo” levels, preparing specifically to become licensed therapists and mental health clinicians.
– Advanced Integrated Practice (AIP): This is for the “big picture” thinkers who want a mix of direct practice and leadership roles in human service organizations, focusing on both individual help and community-wide change.
The University takes a holistic look at who you are, requiring a bachelor’s degree and a background of at least 30 credits in liberal arts. Beyond transcripts, the admissions committee reviews your personal essay, a resume, and three letters of recommendation to see your heart for the work. The GRE is not required for the enrollment process.
Many of our students do! The program is designed for working professionals. However, it is a graduate-level commitment, so you’ll need to be disciplined about balancing your 40-hour work week with class times and your required internship hours.
You will work with placement specialists to secure a supervised agency within your local area. The University also offers a Virtual Field Experience to help you build clinical confidence before starting your real-world internship.
The University offers two distinct concentrations to help you meet your specific professional goals. You can choose Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) to focus on therapy or Advanced Integrated Practice (AIP) for community leadership and policy roles. You can learn more about these concentrations and the Online Master of Social Work Curriculum.
Yes, because the Syracuse University program is CSWE-accredited, the curriculum meets the educational standards for licensure exams across the country. We recommend checking with your specific state board to confirm their unique requirements while you are in the program.
An MSW is highly versatile and prepares you for roles in human resources, nonprofit management and policy analysis. The empathy and systems-thinking skills you gain at the University are in high demand across many industries.
Tuition is roughly US$1,196 per credit hour. For the full 60-credit Traditional track, you’re looking at an estimated total of about US$71,760. We try to be transparent about this so you can plan your finances effectively from day one. You can find the most updated information on pricing on the Syracuse University online MSW tuition and financial aid page.
Online learners are eligible for federal aid and competitive merit-based scholarships awarded during the enrollment process. New York residents may also explore tuition coverage through the Caring Gene® Career Pathways Training Program.
We are consistently recognized as a top-tier choice, currently ranked in the top 15% of all social work programs in the country for best social work schools by College Factual in 2025. This ranking reflects our commitment to research, faculty expertise, and student outcomes.
While earning potential depends on location and experience, the BLS research on social worker employment and wages indicates that those in specialized healthcare or professional organizations often see some of the strongest financial returns on their degree. Graduates also command premium salaries in macro roles—such as program director or policy analyst—which require the advanced management skills taught at Syracuse. Clinical Social Workers further increase their ceiling by pursuing LCSW licensure to transition into private practice or high-level psychotherapy.
Syracuse University partners with 2U to support the delivery of these online programs. Syracuse University has full control over the programs, including all core academic functions. Click here to learn more about 2U’s roles and responsibilities.
