Welcome to MSW Degrees!
The field of social work is a dynamic and impactful profession dedicated to promoting social justice, driving social change, and providing vital services for individuals, families, and communities in need.
Obtaining a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree can be a critical step toward a fulfilling career in social work.
This guide describes the MSW degree, highlighting various formats, accreditation, licensure, potential careers, and associated salaries.

Degree Guides
Explore detailed guides to social work degrees at every level, from BSW to MSW to doctorate.

Professional Licensure
Understand the steps to earn and maintain your social work license, from LSW to LCSW and beyond.

Social Work Careers
Explore diverse social work career paths and find the role that aligns with your passion for making a difference.
Why Pursue a Career in Social Work?
Social work is more than a career—it’s a mission to uplift, empower, and create change where it’s needed most. Social workers are the advocates, problem-solvers, and compassionate professionals who step in when others step back. Here’s why social work is the path for those ready to make a difference:
- Be the Change-Maker: Social work puts you on the front lines of addressing critical social issues, from mental health to poverty, ensuring no one falls through the cracks.
- Diverse Opportunities to Serve: Whether you’re supporting children in schools, guiding patients in hospitals, or advocating for systemic reform, social work offers countless paths to impact lives.
- Fight for Social Justice: Social workers are driven by the call to stand up for equity, fairness, and access to resources, ensuring every voice is heard and valued.
Social work isn’t just about others—it’s about growing as a person and professional:
- Lifelong Learning: This field evolves with society, offering opportunities to continually expand your skills and deepen your understanding of the human experience.
- A Career with Heart: Social work is one of the few professions where you see the tangible, life-changing results of your efforts every single day.
- A Community of Helpers: Join a profession that’s rooted in empathy, collaboration, and a shared mission to make the world a better place.
If you’re ready to turn your passion for helping others into action, social work is waiting for you.
- Discover:
Types of Social Work Degrees

Online BSW
Discover flexible online Bachelor of Social Work programs that prepare you for a rewarding career in social work.

Online MSW
Explore accredited online Master of Social Work programs designed to advance your career and impact.

CSWE Accredited Online MSW
Find CSWE-accredited online MSW programs that ensure quality education and career readiness.

Accelerated MSW
Earn your Master of Social Work faster with accelerated programs designed for motivated students.
Social Workers and MSW Degree Graduates: By the Numbers
Average annual salary for MSW graduates
Expected growth in social work jobs, 2018 – 2028
Rank of social worker in the U.S. News “100 Best Jobs of 2020”
Sources (information accessed June 2020): salary data, average reported by PayScale.com and Salary.com; job outlook data, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; 100 Best Jobs rank, U.S. News
Social Work Careers

Social Worker
Learn what it takes to become a social worker and make a meaningful impact in your community.
Average Salary:
Approximately $76,266 per year.

School Social Worker
Discover the vital role of school social workers in supporting students’ well-being and success.
Average Salary:
Approximately $66,114 per year.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Learn how to become an LCSW and provide specialized care to those in need.
Average Salary:
Around $94,158 per year.

Psychiatric Social Worker
Provide compassionate mental health support and advocate for those navigating life’s challenges.
Average Salary:
Approximately $76,647 per year.
Frequently Asked Questions about Social Work
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