Master of Social Work Options

There are several options for earning the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. The following information will help you choose which path will best align with your goals.

Regardless of your path, we are here to help, whether you prefer to meet 1:1 or join us at an upcoming event.

Please visit our FAQ page for more information about admission requirements

 

Which MSW program is right for me?
 

college students talking, working on laptops, and sitting at desks in a classroom

I’m looking for an on-campus experience

Enjoy the benefits of the community created in and out of an Arizona State University classroom, located in downtown Phoenix, West campus, Yuma, and Tucson. Learn more about the Advanced Standing Program, Standard MSW Program, and concurrent programs below.

Advanced Standing Program

The Advanced Standing MSW is designed for students who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program within the last six years and hold a minimum 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale. The program begins in May each year on the Downtown Phoenix and West campuses and the Tucson and Yuma locations and is designed to be completed in-person, in an accelerated and intensive one-year format. Coursework includes a bridge program in the summer and concludes with two semesters in one of three specializations: Policy, Administration and Community Practice, Advanced Direct Practice or Advanced Generalist.

Required Internships:
One, 480 hours

Accreditation:
Council on Social Work Education

Licensure:
Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners

Standard MSW Program

Balance school, work, family and other commitments by taking classes on-campus in our two-year or three-year program. Students work on building knowledge and skills that create a foundation in social work and may select either the Policy, Administration and Community Practice (PAC) or Advanced Direct Practice (ADP) specializations to customize their education.

Program Details:
The semester begins in August each year and course days and times vary by campus. Attend a webinar or reach out to our staff for more information.

Required Internships:
Two, 480 hours each

Accreditation:
Council on Social Work Education

Licensure:
Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners

Concurrent Programs

The Standard MSW can be completed concurrently with the following programs. Students can choose to create their own concurrent degree combination to match their interests by working with their academic advisor during or after their first semester of study. Some concurrent combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum; students should speak with their academic advisor for more details.

dark-haired woman working at a laptop, looking at a dark-haired girl drawing on a piece of paper

I’m looking for an online experience

A virtual classroom offers flexibility for students to gain foundational knowledge in social work, and distinct knowledge in either the Advanced Generalist or the Advanced Direct Practice specialization.

Standard MSW Program

We offer the Standard MSW in two distinct online classrooms, asynchronous and synchronous. Review the information below to explore the two options.

Asynchronous: Take courses according to your schedule with ASU Online support and resources. Interact with faculty and classmates at different times and access course materials, lectures and learning activities throughout each week. Most students take a couple classes at a time for seven weeks, earning their MSW in two or three years. The Advanced Generalist Concentration is offered via ASU Online. 

Synchronous: Attend a live online class at the same day and time each week, at the same time as your professor and classmates, in our platform called ASU Sync. Most students are able to earn their MSW in two years, but a part-time option is permissible. The Advanced Direct Practice (ADP) Concentration is offered via ASU Sync.  

Required Internships:
Two, 480 hours each

Accreditation:
Council on Social Work Education

Licensure:
Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. Students outside of Arizona are encouraged to familiarize themselves with their state licensing requirements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Information

The Watts College Recruitment Team and our ASU Online colleagues are here to provide admissions guidance and support to prospective students.

For students interested in the Tucson campus:
Molly Gebler, LMSW:

MSWTucson@asu.edu

For students interested in on-campus and ASU Sync programs: 

For students interested in the ASU Online MSW: