Online MSW Program

Online MSW Applications Open August 2025! We’re excited to announce the launch of the new Online Advanced Standing MSW program, a five-semester pathway for applicants with a BSW.

Applications for the 2026 admissions cycle will open in early August 2025 for both the traditional Online MSW and the new Online Advanced Standing option.

Explore each section to learn more about our Online MSW
Applications Now Open! The new Online MSW program from the #2-ranked public UNC School of Social Work is accepting applications through May 13 for the Fall (August 2025) session.

World-class reputation and reach.
Hyper-local to you.

UNC School of Social Work’s mission is to advance equity, transform systems, and improve lives. Our innovative Online MSW was created in response to demand from changemakers who want to strengthen their roles in the community while keeping their current jobs and commitments. This program seeks to address urgent workforce needs by tapping into talent from areas across North Carolina, the Southeast and the nation to help tackle the complex challenges in our communities. The Online MSW at UNC provides:

Flexibility

Are you a busy working professional looking to further your impact, a recent graduate, or looking to pivot into the field of social work? Our unique combination of asynchronous and synchronous 100% online courses allow students to balance weekly coursework deadlines with class attendance.

Quality

Complete your MSW at a Top 5 school of social work with a global reputation. This online program was designed with a commitment to connection, offering a high-touch approach through our world-class faculty, student success team, customized practicum placements, cohort relationships, and connections with our extensive network of researchers, industry leaders, and alumni.

Accessibility

Tailored to learners working from home — or from anywhere around the world. The Online MSW Program provides wider access to a top-ranked MSW program and a pathway to social work careers. Like our on-campus MSW, this program does not require the GRE.

Preparedness

Our carefully curated Online MSW curriculum and individually tailored practicums prepare students to succeed as social workers. We prepare graduates for advanced practice with individuals, families and small groups (micro) and for careers in community practice, human services administration, and policy practice and advocacy (macro).

Program Options

We offer two MSW pathways. One for students who are new to the field of social work and one for those who hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).

Online MSW Program

The Online MSW program is designed for working professionals across North Carolina who are seeking a flexible path to graduate education in social work.

Who is it for?
This program is ideal for students who:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline (not limited to social work)
  • Are looking to continue working while pursuing an MSW
  • Want to stay rooted in their communities while preparing for direct or macro-level social work practice

Program Highlights

  • Fully online instruction: Asynchronous coursework allows you to stay in your community while earning your degree.
  • Curriculum Flexibility: The program is 62 credit hours and can be completed in 8 semesters. You have the option of taking fewer or more courses per semester to fit your professional and personal life.
  • Generalist Curriculum: Build a strong foundation in both direct and macro practice areas, allowing you to discover and pursue the path that aligns with your goals.

Online Advanced Standing Program

This accelerated format allows eligible students to build on their prior coursework and practicum experience to complete the MSW degree in just five semesters, without relocating to the Chapel Hill area.

Who is it for?
This program is ideal for students who:

  • Have earned a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program (within the past 7 years preferred)
  • Have 3–5 years of post-BSW social work experience
  • Are committed to practicing in rural North Carolina, particularly in eastern or western regions of the state

Program Highlights

  • Fully online instruction: Asynchronous coursework allows you to stay in your community while earning your degree.
  • Five-semester completion: The program is 40 credit hours. Begin in April and graduate the following December.
  • Rural-focused: Preference is given to students who live in and are dedicated to working in rural communities across North Carolina.

Student Voices

At a Glance

25%
increase
in salary for social workers with a master’s degree vs. a bachelor’s degree alone¹
#1
Value of UNC-Chapel Hill in American public higher ed²
0
travel to UNC required
#4
Nationally ranked #4 best school for social work³
100%
Of courses taught by full-time, on-campus UNC faculty
6,263
UNC School of Social Work alumni network
40%
first generation students
1920
Year the school was founded

1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor / 2 Kiplinger’s / 3 USN&WR

How can an Online MSW
help me and my community?

Student working from home

Completing the Online MSW program provides wider access to expertise, experience, and connections that help create positive change in your community.

  • Industry Needs
    The nation has a shortage of social workers, with too many underserved areas. Over the next seven years, national shortages are predicted for the following Direct Practice positions: mental health and substance abuse social workers; health care social workers to assist aging populations; and child, family and school social workers.
  • Leadership Opportunities
    The state of North Carolina currently employs more than 15,000 licensed clinical social workers. The need for professionally-trained social workers is projected to grow by 9–12% from 2021–2031.
  • Macro “Big Picture” Option
    Our Community, Management, and Policy Practice concentration prepares social workers to improve lives from the systems level. Macro social workers engage in cutting edge research and interventions that shape policies, programs, and practices that impact large populations and communities.

Access to Top Faculty

Program Overview

Degree requirements are the same as our campus-based full-time program.

The online MSW degree requires 62 credit hours of graduate study and is divided into two levels: Generalist and Specialization.

  • The Generalist Curriculum (29 credit hours) consists of courses related to the following areas: social welfare policy and services, human behavior in the social environment, social research, and social work practice. Students also complete several additional requirements as part of the Generalist Curriculum, including a practicum (400 hours) of supervised practice in an agency setting in their home community and a practicum seminar.
  • The Specialization Curriculum (33 credit hours) includes courses that enable students to build on the foundation that they acquired during the Generalist Curriculum. Students choose a concentration — either Direct Practice (DP) or Community, Management, and Policy Practice (CMPP) — and build skills and knowledge in research methodology, policy, and evidence-informed practice. Students will complete courses and a second practicum (600 hours) of supervised practice in an agency setting in their home community. Students complete 9 credit hours in elective courses as part of the specialization curriculum.

The 62 credit hours are designed to be completed in 32 months (just under three years) following an 8-semester, year-round schedule.

Students enroll in courses for three 14-week semesters per year (spring, summer and fall). While most complete the program within the 32-month timeframe, students have up to five years to finish.

The Online Advanced Standing MSW program follows a thoughtfully sequenced, accelerated curriculum designed for students who hold a BSW from a CSWE-accredited institution. The program spans five consecutive semesters, beginning in Summer (late April) and concluding in Fall of the following year, and includes a total of 40 credit hours. We will only admit students once a year for the Online Advanced Standing Program.

Students begin the program by completing the Advanced Standing Bridge Program (16 credit hours over the course of two semesters). This includes generalist graduate-level coursework in policy and practice, and research across the lifespan. Additionally, students complete a pre-specialization practicum (200 hours), which provides an opportunity to apply foundational skills in a supervised setting while continuing to develop a professional identity. And finally, students begin their specialization course work as either Direct Practice (DP) or Community, Management, and Policy Practice (CMPP) students — and take an elective to begin tailoring their studies to their individual goals and interests.

The Specialization Curriculum (24 credit hours) focuses on deepening students’ knowledge and skills within their chosen area of practice. Students complete advanced specialization coursework while simultaneously engaging in a primary practicum placement, which includes 400 hours of supervised social work practice in an agency setting within their home community. This immersive, hands-on phase is designed to prepare students for advanced practice, equipping them to work effectively across diverse populations and practice settings.

The 40 credit hours are designed to be completed in 20 months (five-semester, year-round schedule).

OurOur online program includes weekly asynchronous course requirements driven by weekly deadlines for activities such as discussion board posts, group activities and readings. There are also several synchronous evening sessions for each course.

Asynchronous online learning allows students to view instructional materials each week at any time they choose and does not include a live video lecture component. The asynchronous instruction will be comprised of three main components:

  1. Direct instruction: Supported learning through the use of videos, lectures, text, or other forms of direct instruction.
  2. Peer engagement: Working on a project in small groups or responding to a discussion board.
  3. Individual learning: Worksheets, self-testing, reflection, knowledge checks, and other activities.

Synchronous online learning means that students are required to log in and participate in class at a specific time. You will have three synchronous sessions per course each term to support your learning experience and to give you an opportunity to build community with your peers. Synchronous sessions are held in the evening for 90 minutes on the designated week (typically once in the early, mid and end of the semester). Students can also expect regular check-ins and faculty office hours throughout the semester. 

Online students complete practicum hours in-person with an agency within their home communities. Through practicum assignments, our students put their classroom knowledge into practice through real-world experiences — exploring career paths, developing workplace skills and competencies, expanding their professional networks, and building confidence in working with clients and colleagues.

Our students have completed placements in social services, schools, hospitals, community nonprofits, research organizations, substance abuse treatment programs, child welfare agencies, transitional housing programs, and a variety of other organizations. We will work individually with students to identify practicum placements that are appropriate to the student’s needs and professional goals. Please review the Online MSW practicum education FAQ’s for more information.

Employer based placements are one option that may be developed for students to fulfill their practicum education requirements while retaining a connection to their employing agency. Employer based placements can provide students with the opportunity to continue employment with their agency while completing either their Generalist or Specialization Practicum. Please review the Employer-Based Placement FAQ for more information.

We are committed to ensuring that all students succeed, which is why our Online MSW program provides the same access to academic resources and support as the School’s campus-based programs.  Online students are assigned a Student Success Coach, a single advisor who is cross-trained to deliver both professional advising and academic advising. Each student who is completing a practicum education assignment is also assigned a practicum education faculty advisor. The student meets separately with each assigned advisor at least once per semester.

Detailed information on tuition and fees are available on the UNC Finance and Operations website. Health insurance is not required for online students and there are a limited number of fees. One fee all students pay is a $300 practicum education fee each semester they are registered for their practicum placement. Indirect costs for all students (which are not part of enrollment) include housing, meals, books and supplies, travel, loan fees, and other personal expenses.

For information on additional resources for funding, please visit our UNC School of Social Work website.

All Online MSW students are eligible to submit a SSW Scholarship application and will be notified when the application is available. Typically, the Advanced Standing application will be available in February and the SSW Scholarship application for continuing students will be available in May. Scholarships are awarded for fall and spring terms. We also recommend that prospective students submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in order to be considered for federal aid. If you have questions regarding FAFSA award allocations, you may contact the UNC Office Scholarships & Student Aid. Out-of-state students can learn more about residency determination here.

If the online program is not right for you, please consider one of our other program options for your MSW degree.

How Do I Apply?

Applications for the 2026 admissions cycle will open in early August 2025 for both the traditional Online MSW and the new Online Advanced Standing option. The application deadlines are:

Online MSW ProgramsApplication DeadlinesEnrollment Month
Online MSW Program (Spring)Oct. 14, 2025January 2026
NEW: Online Advanced Standing MSW ProgramJan. 13, 2025April 2026
Online MSW Program (Summer)Feb. 10, 2026April 2026
Online MSW Program (Fall)May 12, 2026August 2026

The admissions committee reviews applications on a rolling basis until the provided deadlines, prioritizing the impending term before subsequent entry terms.

To be considered for admission to UNC School of Social Work, you must provide documentation of the following in your UNC Graduate School application:

  • Bachelor’s degree in any discipline, earned from an accredited four-year college or university (or the international equivalent of a bachelor’s degree)
  • Academic background that encompasses knowledge and world views from a broad variety of disciplines
  • Unofficial transcripts from each college and university attended
  • Statement of Purpose (3-4 pages)
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation
  • Current resume or CV
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score within the past 2 years (international applicants only)

Social work experience is not required for the Online MSW Program. However, social work-related coursework and volunteer or professional experience are preferred. For the Online Advanced Standing Program, 3-5 years of post-BSW social work experience is preferred. For more information on required application materials, please visit the UNC Graduate School website.

Additional Criteria — Online Advanced Standing Program Applicants

To be considered for admission to the Advanced Standing program, you must meet the following criteria:

  • A completed Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree prior to enrollment that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
  • “B” (or higher) grade point average on the last 60 credit hours of your undergraduate degree.
  • “B” (or higher) grade on all required undergraduate social work courses.
  • Satisfactory completion of 400 hours in a direct service placement with a “B” (or higher) grade.
  • A letter of recommendation from a faculty member in your BSW program. Even if you have been out of school for several years, you are required to have a letter of recommendation from your social work department.

Preference is given to applicants who:

  • Have 3–5 years of social work professional experience.
  • Are committed to practicing in rural North Carolina, particularly in eastern or western regions of the state.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Your decision to pursue an MSW degree via our online program will likely be influenced by a number of factors, including a desire for more flexibility to attend synchronous online classes while completing weekly course content deadlines. The target audience for our program includes working professionals who are eager to earn their MSW degree but because of life circumstances, such as job location and family obligations, are unable to shift busy schedules or responsibilities to complete graduate school.

  • Because earning a degree from a Top 5 School of Social Work that is rigorous and rewarding matters to you. As a Research 1 institution, UNC attracts world-class faculty and students. You’ll be challenged and inspired at UNC!
  • Course content for the online MSW mirrors our on-campus programs and is developed by and delivered by the School’s very own faculty – world-class scholars committed to preparing the next generation of social work practitioners, researchers, management and nonprofit leaders, and system-level changemakers.
  • UNC’s online MSW program offers students numerous activities and opportunities to engage with and build community with their peers as well as additional support to ensure student success.
  • Affordability – The best possible education should not come with a load of debt. UNC School of Social Work tuition and fees are significantly lower than many other top graduate schools across the country.

Applicants must complete the application process through The UNC Graduate School to be considered for admission. Requirements for the statement of purpose guidelines, letters of recommendation, and more application details can be found on the UNC School of Social Work and The Graduate School application site.

Traditional Online MSW program applicants do not need social work experience to apply. However, we do prefer applicants who have volunteer experience in a social work-related field.

The Online MSW Advanced Standing program prefers applicants with 3–5 years of social work experience.

Employer-based placements are one option that may be developed for students to fulfill their practicum education requirements while retaining a connection to their employing agency. Employer based placements can provide students with the opportunity to continue employment with their agency while completing either their Generalist or Specialization Practicum. Employer-based placements must afford the opportunity for students to achieve new social work knowledge and skills and provide learning opportunities that meet the nine required core competencies in the learning agreement. Students requesting approval for placement in their employing agency must complete an “Employer-Based Placement Proposal.”

Yes.

Yes! Our School hosts general information sessions throughout the year for each of our MSW programs. In addition to meeting some of our faculty, staff and students, these sessions provide potential applicants with an overview of the application process. You’ll also learn about our coursework, practicum placements, financial aid, and more. Each information session includes a formal presentation and plenty of opportunities for Q&As.

Although applicants are not required to attend an info session, we strongly recommend that you do. Our School hosts information sessions throughout the year for each of our MSW programs.

No. The online MSW program is specifically developed to meet the needs of students who are unable to attend graduate school on campus.

Absolutely! The online MSW is designed for students who need the flexibility to juggle work and family obligations.

No. The only transferable credits for the Online MSW are approved graduate level courses.

Photo of the UNC School of Social Work with students gathered in lobby

UNC School of Social Work

Advancing equity
Transforming systems
Improving lives

About the UNC School of Social Work