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Master of Social Work

Help pave the way for change through education

Social work is a profession that’s concerned with the well-being of individuals, families and communities as a whole. Those working within this field utilize an understanding of human behavior, along with a deep understanding of tools and resources, to help people overcome the obstacles they face. For those looking to make a difference through social work, the right education can be a vital part of the professional journey.


Develop critical skills for social work professionals

Our Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program will help prepare students for diverse career opportunities within a variety of social service settings. Designed to align with competencies from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), students will gain knowledge, skills and experience that they can directly utilize in the workplace. This program consists of two tracks to accommodate those with an undergraduate degree in social work and those that are new to the field.

Students new to the field of social work can enter the Foundational Track where they will explore the practice of contemporary social work, including social work practices, ethics, communication and other key skills. The aim of this track is to help prepare students to take on social work related roles in health care, human services, clinical practice and administration. Those who already have a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program can enter the Advanced Standing track where they will take more advanced coursework. Students on both tracks will benefit from experiential learning opportunities.

Both tracks in this degree program have been carefully designed to align with industry standards and CSWE competencies to help ensure that students receive current and applicable knowledge. Upon the successful completion of the program, students will be prepared to work in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings that may include local, county and state child welfare agencies, non-profit agencies, medical facilities and correctional settings.

Earn your Master of Social Work degree at NCU

At Northcentral University you can earn your Master of Social Work with a combination of online coursework and in-person practicum work which involves interacting directly with individuals, groups and communities in your local area under the direction of an approved local field supervisor. This allows you to gain hands-on experience in a more flexible way. Additionally, all courses are taught by professors who hold a master’s degree in social work and a doctoral degree in the same or related field, allowing you to learn from seasoned professionals in your field of study.


Career Potential*

  • Social Worker / Clinical Social Worker
  • Mental Health Social Worker
  • Aging and Eldercare Social Worker
  • Healthcare and Social Assistance Social Worker
  • Medical Rehabilitation Case Manager
  • Social and Community Service Administrator
  • State and Local Child Welfare Services and Administrator
  • Drug Court, Probation and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Positions may require additional experience, training and other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program. Some roles may also require state licensure, and it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all licensure requirements are met.

Foundational Track Program at a Glance

Total Credit Hours: 60 Credit Hours
Courses: 20 Courses
Recommended Completion Time: 48 Months
Next Start Date: Every Monday
Classroom Size: One


Advanced Standing Track Program at a Glance

Total Credit Hours: 36 Credit Hours
Courses: 12 Courses
Recommended Completion Time: 24 Months
Next Start Date: Every Monday
Classroom Size: One

Important Information for Students - Advanced Standing, Including Gainful Employment
Important Information for Students - Foundation Track, Including Gainful Employment
Performance Fact Sheets available for residents of California

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Additional Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Seeking Licensure
Practicum Placement Resources
NCU Information
Program Approvals and Accreditations
MSW Application Process
The NCU MSW program is currently in Pre-Candidacy for Accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation. Pre-Candidacy for a master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that it has submitted an application to be reviewed for Candidacy. A program that has attained Pre-Candidacy has not yet been reviewed by the Commission on Accreditation or been verified to be in compliance with the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. The Council on Social Work Education does not publicly disclose whether programs have currently attained Pre-Candidacy Status until they are granted Candidacy. Students who enter the program while it is still in Pre-Candidacy will not be recognized as attending a program in Candidacy unless the program attains Candidacy in the academic year in which those students enter. The Candidacy Process is typically a three-year process and there is no guarantee that a program in Pre-Candidacy will eventually attain Candidacy or Initial Accreditation. Students who enter programs that attain Candidacy in or before the academic year in which they begin their program of study will be retroactively recognized as having graduated from a CSWE-accredited program once the program attains Initial Accreditation. Candidacy by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program. Most state licensing boards allow graduates from “Candidacy for Accreditation” programs to pursue state licensure. Students are encouraged to contact their state licensing board to confirm what is allowed, as state regulations can change over time.
Some state licensing boards will not recognize a degree from a program that is in Candidacy. Specifically, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Virginia have educational requirements for MSW licensure that indicate an applicant for licensure must possess a master’s degree in social work from a college or university fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education at the time of graduation. As an out-of-state program, some states require programs receive state authorizations before offering a program to current residences of that state, even if a state licensing board will accept the degree to pursue licensure.
At this time the MSW program is not accepting students from Arkansas, District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, or North Carolina.

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As a regionally accredited online university, Northcentral University has the privilege of serving students worldwide. Just as we are interested in learning more about you and your educational and career aspirations, we hope you’ll take the time to get to know us, discover how our programs and services work to reflect our Mission, Vision and Values, and our commitment to excellence in everything we do.

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