Online MSW Program

Applications Now Open!
The New Online Master of Social Work
Program from the #7-ranked
UNC School of Social Work is accepting applications through Oct. 24 for the January 2024 session.

Explore each section to learn more about our Online MSW
Next virtual info session: Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
Applications Now Open! The New Online Master of Social Work Program from the #7-ranked UNC School of Social Work is accepting applications through Oct. 24 for the January 2024 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 new 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 underserved 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

Whether you are 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 set their own schedules while building relationships with our extensive network of researchers, industry leaders, and alumni.

Quality

Complete your MSW at a Top 10 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, carefully tailored practicum placements, cohort connections, and student success team.

Accessibility

Tailored to learners working from home — or from anywhere around the world, for that matter. This new offering 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).

Student Voices

Are you ready to advance equity, transform systems, and improve lives in your community?

Apply Now

At a Glance

  • 25% increase in salary for social workers with a master’s degree vs. a bachelor’s degree alone (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor)
  • 100% of courses taught by full-time, on-campus UNC faculty
  • 0 – No GRE requirements to apply
  • 62 Graduate-level credit hours
  • #1 value of UNC-Chapel Hill in American public higher ed (Kiplinger’s)
  • #7 Nationally-ranked best school for social work (US News & World Report)
  • 2 INTERNSHIPS IN
YOUR HOME COMMUNITY
  • 6,022 UNC SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK Alumni network
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor / 2 Kiplinger’s / 3 USN&WR
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 such 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.

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.

Online students complete 400 Generalist and 600 Specialization practicum hours 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.

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. Academic advising is available for all degree-seeking students, providing educational planning assistance to fulfill academic requirements and standards and also further professional career goals. In addition, every online student is assigned a student success coach who advises on the MSW curriculum policies and procedures, helps design plans of study, and clears students for registration each semester. The student success coach and faculty advisor work together to guide academic and professional development.

Detailed information on tuition and fees will be available on the UNC Finance and Operations website. For information on additional resources for funding, please visit our UNC School of Social Work website.

MSW students often use a combination of funding sources to finance their graduate studies. All applicants are automatically considered for program scholarships. No further action is required in order to be considered for these scholarship opportunities. 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 January 2024 enrollment for the Online MSW program are open through 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, October 24. 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 (4–5 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. However, social work-related coursework and volunteer or professional experience are preferred. For more information on required application materials, please visit the UNC Graduate School website.

Apply Now

Join Our MSW Alumni

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 complete course content. 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. So, if having the option to choose where and when you learn, especially while managing a family and/or job is crucial for you, then an online MSW degree is likely a good fit!

  • Because earning a degree from a Top 10 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.
  • Students who complete the online MSW program will be able to enroll in the coursework needed to help them successfully complete the licensing exam for clinical social work practice and advanced macro practice.

Applicants to the UNC School of Social Work must submit their applications through The Graduate School. You must complete the application process through The Graduate School to be considered for admission to all of our degree programs. 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. The new Online MSW program is accepting applications through 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, October 24 for the January 2024 session.

Apply Now

No, you do not need social work experience to apply. However, we do prefer applicants who have volunteer experience in a social work-related field.

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. We are currently offering the following virtual information sessions:

At this time, an online advanced standing option is not available.

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. You complete weekly coursework when it is more convenient for you.

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