What can you do with a master’s in social work?

A Master’s in Social Work can lead to many opportunities for a meaningful career. Some career paths include (but are not limited to): Substance Abuse Therapist, Youth Services Advocate, Family Social Worker, Healthcare Social Worker, School Therapist, Intensive Case Management, Behavioral Health Technician, Clinical Social Worker, Child Welfare Specialist.

Happy Social Work Month! Learn more about social work careers.

Online Master of Social Work

Application Deadline: June 30, 2023
Next Start: August 21, 2023

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Student Spotlight: Petina Jones

What was the biggest highlight of the program?

"The flexibility of the program, the cohort-style learning, and the knowledge and individualism of the faculty were essential to developing the leader and advocate I am today."

Learn More About Petina's Experience

Flexible to Your Schedule

Choose to study full time or part time to earn your MSW degree

Field Placement Support

We’ll help you find field instructors and sites to apply your skills

Competitive Tuition

Affordable in-state and out-of-state rates ($660 per credit hour)

Why Spalding University?

Compassion and service to others are at the heart of everything we do at Spalding. We are the first university to be certified as a Compassionate College by the Charter for Compassion, an organization dedicated to promoting peace and equality through local initiatives. Drive real change in your community as a compassionate and confident social worker, empowered by our in-field experiences and supportive faculty. We’ll support you every step of the way.

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Curriculum
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Social Worker Responsibilities

Social workers help individuals, groups and families prevent and cope with challenges and problems in their everyday lives. They also:

Identify people and communities who need help
Determine clients’ goals by assessing their needs, support networks and current situations
Research and refer community resources such as childcare, healthcare and food assistance programs to improve the overall well-being of their clients
Respond to crisis situations and emergencies such as those relating to child abuse and mental health
Maintain client records and case files
Provide mental health services
Some career outcomes include: School Therapist, Behavioral Health Technician, Clinical Social Worker, Child Welfare Specialist, Youth Services Advocate

Source: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020

Work Environment

Social workers held more than 708,100 jobs in 2021, with employment distribution as follows:

Child, family and school social workers - 349,800
Healthcare social workers - 179,500
Mental health and substance abuse social workers - 119,800
Social workers, all other - 59,000

The largest employers of social workers were as follows:

Individual and family services - 18%
Local government, excluding education and hospitals - 15%
Ambulatory healthcare services - 14%
State government, excluding education and hospitals - 14%

Source: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021

Job Outlook

Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 9% from 2021 to 2031, which is faster than average compared to all other occupations. This growth will lead to about 64,000 new social work jobs over the next decade, and it is expected to result from social workers who are retiring or transitioning into a different career.

Source: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021

Program Overview

Fast Facts

Apply Today

Next application deadline:

Fall 2023:
June 30, 2023

Next start date:

Fall 2023:
August 21, 2023

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Online MSW Curriculum Snapshot

Is an Accelerated MSW Program Right For Me?

At Spalding University, you can choose to earn your MSW degree through a full-time or part-time program. The online accelerated MSW program allows you to fast-track your degree by studying full-time, and the online part-time MSW Program gives you the flexibility to earn your degree while working.

	Accelerated MSW Program (Full-Time)	Part-Time MSW Program
Program Length	4 semesters (16 months)	8 semesters (2 yrs and 8 months)
Flexibility to Work & Study	No	Yes
Field Placement Services	Included in program cost	Included in program cost
Tuition	$660 per credit hour (Total Tuition = $39,600)	$660 per credit hour (Total Tuition = $39,600)

Live in Kentucky and want to become a social worker? Learn about opportunities for social workers in Kentucky.

Field Placement Services

Getting hands-on experience is an important opportunity to translate your knowledge into action. Focus on completing your courses while our Field Placement Team helps you find placement sites—at no extra cost.

How does the field placement process work?

SW 602
Social Justice in Social Work Practice

Consistent with Spalding's social justice and service mission, this knowledge-based course provides learners with an interdisciplinary introduction to social justice and applies this knowledge to social work practice at the individual, group, organizational and societal levels. Drawing upon social history, sociology, political science, social psychology and political economics, this course will review the perspectives from other disciplines and apply them to the practice of social work in several different settings. (2 credits)

Why is field placement valuable for your career?

SW 612
Human Dynamics in the Social Context I

This course establishes a foundation for practice by beginning with a critical examination of the micro-level of individual development. The focus of this course is on the micro-theoretical perspectives that emphasize the biological, psychological, sociological and diversity dynamics of individual human behavior throughout the life cycle. Theories are analyzed in the context of oppression, populations at risk, diversity, values and ethics at all system levels. (2 credits)

SW 632
Policy Analysis and Strategies for Change

This course builds upon the knowledge gained in other courses offered in the foundation year. Field Practica and Integrative Practice link with this course, offering important context. No matter what social workers choose to specialize in, they are subject to national, state and local policies that are endorsed by government actions. Social workers must know how to advocate for their clients at all levels. At the end of this course, learners should be able to understand and analyze social policies in light of economic, political, bio-psycho-social, cultural and global trends. (2 credits)

SW 645
Applied Critical Thinking and Reflective Practice

This course offers the opportunity for MSW students to strengthen their critical thinking skills. Students will understand the way the human brain operates in order to apply these strategies to social work practice at the micro, mezzo and macro levels. Students will also analyze and create frameworks for reflective practice at the micro, mezzo and macro levels which will give them the skills to be able to evaluate various social work practice theories and models. (2 credits)

Online Master of Social Work: Faculty

Glynita Bell, Ph.D., LCSW, CCTP

Program Coordinator, Assistant Professor

Dr. Bell’s interests are school-based behavior interventions, racial disparities in education and access to mental health care.

Learn More about Glynita Bell, Ph.D., LCSW, CCTP

Kevin Borders, Ph.D., MSSW, M.Div

Interim Chair, Associate Professor

Dr. Borders’ interests include advocacy with older adults, community and organizational practice, program evaluation and effective teaching.

Learn More about Kevin Borders, Ph.D., MSSW, M.Div

Leslie Cairo III, Ed.D., MSSW

Director of Graduate Studies, Assistant Professor

Professor Cairo’s teaching interests include social justice, policy and program development, direct social work practice and research.

Learn More about Leslie Cairo III, Ed.D., MSSW

Tony Helm, MSSW

Field Program Director, Assistant Professor

Professor Helm’s areas of interest are public child welfare, LGBTQ+ issues, diversity and inclusion, social justice and more.

Learn More about Tony Helm, MSSW

Lindsay Littrell, MSW

Assistant Professor

Professor Littrell’s interests include women’s and gender studies, music, building solidarity, social movements and more.

Learn More about Lindsay Littrell, MSW

Sheba Phillips, DSW, LCSW

Assistant Professor

Dr. Phillips’ areas of interests are women’s issues, teen advocacy, trauma-informed services and accessible mental health care.

Learn More about Sheba Phillips, DSW, LCSW

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Admission Requirements
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What would you like to study?

Are you a licensed RN?

Spalding University's education level requirementI have or will have a bachelor's degree as required for Spalding University’s online social work programs.I have or will have a master's degree as required for Spalding University’s online doctorate program.

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Professional Role

Work Environment

Job Outlook

Learn More About the Online MSW Program

Earn your degree at a university that recognizes the connection between human rights and social work.

We created this versatile master’s program to prepare professionals for a variety of fulfilling and meaningful roles in social services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an MSW Degree?

An MSW degree is a Master’s degree in Social Work. This graduate-level degree equips students to pursue a variety of purpose-driven careers in social work focused on connecting people to the social and economic resources they need to improve their overall well-being.

What can you do with a Master’s of Social Work?

A Master’s of Social Work can lead to many opportunities for a meaningful career. Some career paths include (but are not limited to):

Substance Abuse Therapist
Youth Services Advocate
Family Social Worker
Healthcare Social Worker
School Therapist
Intensive Case Management
Behavioral Health Technician
Clinical Social Worker
Child Welfare Specialist

Is Spalding University’s online MSW program accredited?

Spalding University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

How long does it take to get an MSW?

The accelerated, fast-track MSW program can be completed on a full-time basis in 4 semesters (16 months), and the part-time MSW program can be completed in 8 semesters (32 months) with the flexibility to work while studying.

How much does the online MSW program cost?

Our online MSW program costs $660 per credit hour, for a total program investment of $39,600. Financial aid may be available to our online students.

Is the online MSW faculty experienced?

You will learn and gain insight from licensed social work practitioners who are actively involved in the pursuit of an equitable, diverse society.

Check out our blog

Accelerated MSW: The Fastest Way to Get an MSW Online

Social Work

Accelerated Master of Social Work (MSW) programs turn motivated and compassionate students into social workers in less time than traditional programs.

What Is Anti-Oppressive Practice (AOP) in Social Work?

Social Work

In order for social workers to make a real, positive impact in their communities, they need practice models that empower them to champion the oppressed and advocate for fairness, equality and inclusion. One such social work theory is Anti-Oppressive Practice (AOP).

Sam Montoya - Spalding University Online Advisor

Sam Montoya - MSW Enrollment Advisor

Darren Orcutt - Spalding University Online Advisor

Darren Orcutt - EdD Enrollment Advisor

Enrollment Support

Complete the form and get instant access to your program guide. An enrollment advisor will also connect with you to learn more about your goals and share how Spalding can help you reach them.

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Requirements Not Met

To proceed with either the BSN to MSN FNP or the BSN to DNP FNP, you are required to have a bachelor’s degree and hold your RN license.

If you don’t meet these requirements but would still like further information, please contact us.

To proceed with the EdD in Educational Leadership and Organizational Leadership, you are required to have a master’s degree.

If you don’t meet this requirement but would still like further information, please contact us.

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