Best Online Master’s in Social Work Programs [No GRE]

Online MSW programs typically take two years of full-time study to complete. In the first year, you’ll take foundational social work courses exploring theories, ethics, and history. In year two, you’ll concentrate on a more specialized practice area.

Some of the most common MSW specializations include:

Your MSW specialization will impact your field and career path, where you work, and who you work with. This is why it’s so important to pick a concentration that aligns with your interests, values, and goals as a social worker.

This specialization prepares you for leadership positions in social service, nonprofit, healthcare, and government organizations. You will learn useful program management and supervisory skills, including budgeting and finance, grant administration, and organizational strategy. You’ll also study policy development.

Social workers with an MSW in administration and management make an average annual salary of $74,000 (Payscale, February 2023).

An MSW specialization in child welfare prepares you to serve vulnerable children and families at risk of harm, neglect, or abuse. You will also learn how to advocate for policy changes to support this population.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage in May 2021 was $49,150 for child, family, and school social workers.

Social workers who specialize in community services provide direct patient care, as well as community support. They engage in community organizing, program development, policy making, and resource advocacy to ensure that community members get what they need to thrive.

The median annual pay for social workers employed in community services and local government is $61,190 (BLS, May 2021).

A corrections specialization prepares social workers to serve people involved in the criminal justice system. That can include the incarcerated, people on probation or parole, or those reintegrating into society after incarceration.

The median annual salary for all types of social workers, including those working in corrections and prisons, is $61,190 (BLS, May 2021).

Geriatric social workers specialize in helping elderly individuals and their families. They provide clients with social, physical, emotional, and mental health support. They often work in hospitals, nursing homes, community organizations, and outpatient settings.

The median annual pay for social workers providing individual and family services is $46,640 (BLS, May 2021).

Medical social workers collaborate with healthcare professionals to address clients’ medical, social, and emotional needs. They advocate for patients and connect them to resources that support their health and well-being.

Medical and healthcare social workers make a median annual salary of $60,840 a year (BLS, May 2021).

Criminal justice social workers (sometimes called forensic social workers) support individuals and families who are involved in the criminal justice system. They may also provide guidance to law enforcement and legal personnel.

The BLS reports that the median salary for all other social workers, which includes forensic social workers, was $61,190 a year as of May 2021.

MSW students who specialize in mental health services learn to provide therapy, counseling, and case management services for people and groups living with mental health conditions. They also advocate for policies promoting better mental health in their communities.

Mental health social workers make a median annual salary of $49,130 (BLS, May 2021).

Social workers focused on public health and policy look for the root causes of health disparities within their communities. They address poverty, access, and environmental issues that impact health and well-being, and develop policies to improve public health.

Healthcare social workers make a median salary of $60,840 a year (BLS, May 2021).

Social workers who serve in schools provide crucial support for K-12 students, families, and educators. They are experts in childhood trauma, development, and mental health. As a school social worker, you will get to help children thrive.

School social workers earn a median annual salary of $49,150 (BLS, May 2021).

Social workers who get a concentration in substance misuse provide services to individuals impacted by drugs, alcohol, and other forms of addiction. They get jobs in specialized treatment programs, hospitals, mental health centers, and government agencies.

Addiction social worker jobs pay a median salary of $49,130 a year (BLS, May 2021).