Master of Social Work Programs in North Carolina

Updated on June 28, 2024

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Get your MSW degree in one of 12 cities in North Carolina. Find out what you can do with a MSW in North Carolina.

Considering an advanced social work career in the Tar Heel State? North Carolina offers four social work credentials to master’s degree holders. Earning a master’s in social work (MSW) degree in North Carolina makes you eligible to become a certified master social worker, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), licensed clinical social worker associate, or certified social worker.

A dozen colleges offer MSW degrees in North Carolina. But what makes one MSW in North Carolina better than others? Below, we discuss what you can expect to learn, pay, and more.

CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in North Carolina

You should attend an MSW program that holds accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The 1952-founded association sets the standards for quality social work education in the United States. All 12 North Carolina colleges and universities below offer CSWE-accredited MSW programs.

North Carolina MSW Programs
University	Location	Available Concentrations	Enrollment Type
Appalachian State University	Boone, NC	Clinical, Community and Organizational Practice, Individuals and Families	Full-Time, Part-Time, Online, Advanced Standing Option
East Carolina University	Greenville, NC	N/A	Full-Time, Part-Time, Online, Advanced Standing Option
Fayetteville State University	Fayetteville, NC	Children, Youth, and Families, Mental Health	Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing Option
Johnson C. Smith University	Charlotte, NC	N/A	Full-Time, Advanced Standing Option
North Carolina A&T State University / University of North Carolina at Greensboro Collaborative	Greensboro, NC	N/A	Full-Time, Advanced Standing Option
North Carolina Central University	Durham, NC	N/A	Full-Time
North Carolina State University	Raleigh, NC	N/A	Full-Time, Advanced Standing Option
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Chapel Hill, NC	Clinical, Community Development, Social Systems	Full-Time, Part-Time, Online, Advanced Standing Option
University of North Carolina at Charlotte	Charlotte, NC	N/A	Full-Time, Part-Time, Online, Advanced Standing Option
University of North Carolina at Pembroke	Pembroke, NC	N/A	Full-Time, Part-Time, Online, Advanced Standing Option
University of North Carolina at Wilmington	Wilmington, NC	Clinical, Macro	Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing Option
Western Carolina University	Cullowhee, NC	N/A	Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing Option

What to Expect from an MSW Program in North Carolina

The 12 CSWE-accredited MSW programs in North Carolina have campuses in cities that include Boone, Durham, Fayetteville, Greensboro, and Raleigh. Five of these MSW programs can be completed mostly online. However, on occasion, you’ll have to do some in-person work. For instance, field instruction requires direct work with clients. CSWE-accredited MSW programs require a minimum of 900 hours of practicum experience.

Typically taking 2-3 years, programs offer the option to study on a full-time or part-time basis. Many programs offer an advanced-standing option to let you graduate in one year if you already hold a bachelor’s in social work.

Programs may offer a micro, macro, or advanced generalist focus. The concentrations available during an MSW program vary depending on the type of degree and may include:

Community and organization practice
Individuals and families
Clinical practice
Macro social work practice

Generally, MSW programs cover topics like human behavior in the social environment, social welfare, social work research, and advanced practice with individuals, families, and community partnerships.

How to Apply to an MSW Program in North Carolina

You should expect a selective admissions process for all MSW programs in North Carolina. You need to demonstrate your academic qualifications to become a master’s student.

Common requirements when applying to an MSW program include:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college
A minimum 2.5-3.0 GPA
Completed undergraduate courses in human biology and statistics

What You Can Do With an MSW in North CarolinaIf you earn an MSW in North Carolina, you have the option to become a credentialed social worker. An advanced degree qualifies you to pursue licensure as an LCSW — one of the highest-paid types of social workers. LCSWs across the United States earned an average annual salary of $66,070, per May 2024 Payscale data.

According to North Carolina’s licensing requirements, you need a minimum of 3,000 hours of postgraduate supervised clinical social work experience over 2-6 years. Applying for this credential also requires at least 100 supervision hours, where you meet one-on-one or in a group to talk about your career development with a licensed LCSW.

You’ll also need to pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) clinical exam, complete an application, and pay the fee.

North Carolina Social Worker FAQs

You may become a social worker in North Carolina by earning a social work degree, passing the ASWB exam and a background check, completing any supervised experience, and filling out an application. Your degree determines which credential you’re eligible for. If you hold a BSW degree, you can apply to become a certified social worker.

In contrast, certified master social workers, licensed clinical social workers, and certified social worker managers need an MSW, doctorate of social work, or Ph.D. in social work.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed May 23, 2024.