Start or Advance Your Social Work Career Online with Herzing
Herzing's online Master of Social Work combines the convenience of virtual classes with hands-on field experience at sites near you.
MSW program highlights
Whether you are looking for a career change or already hold a BSW, our online Master of Social Work (MSW) program can help you build the clinical background and field experience you need to become an active agent of social change for individuals, families and their communities.
Already hold a BSW? Finish in as little as 12 months!
Non-social work bachelor’s degree holder? Finish in as little as 24 months!
Flexible online study with live weekly interactions with your professors
Clinical-focused social work curriculum with 3 areas of practice
Four supervised field experiences
Complete coursework and fieldwork simultaneously
Earn Your MSW Online with Hands-On Fieldwork Experience
In as little as 12-24 months, you can develop the clinical knowledge, professional skills and personal competencies to positively impact vulnerable people's lives, from children in foster care to individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders.
Choose your degree pathway with Herzing
- Program length: 24 months when attending full-time
- 60 credits
- 900 practicum hours
- Program length: 12 months when attending full-time
- 36 credits
- 500 practicum hours
What Will I Learn in the Online MSW Program?
Courses cover clinical social work theory, program development and assessment, policy advocacy and practical skills for assessment, intervention and evaluation of clients.
Core Courses Include
- Clinical Social Work Theory and Practice
- Clinical Social Work Interventions
- Psychosocial Assessment and Clinical Diagnosis
- Advanced Research and Program Evaluation
- Advanced Policy: Social Justice and Advocacy
- Social Work Seminar
- Capstone Social Work Seminar
Areas of Practice Electives
Herzing offers you the option to choose electives in areas of practice, including Mental Health, Medical Social Work or Children, Families and Aging Services.
Mental Health Social Work
- Substance Use Disorders and Treatment
- Trauma-Focused Theory and Interventions
- Mental Health Services and Interventions
Children, Families and Aging Services
- Advanced Child Welfare Services and Interventions
- Clinical Practice with Families
- Gerontology Services and Interventions
Medical Social Work
- Medical Social Work Services and Interventions
- Community Health and Prevention
- Substance Use Disorders and Treatment OR Gerontology Services and Interventions
Tuition & Cost
Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculums and processes to make our MSW program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.
With Herzing University, you are never alone, and we offer many options to help you invest in yourself and earn your master’s degree.
What Fieldwork Experience Will I Complete?
Field education at Herzing is designed to bridge classroom curriculum to professional social work practice. You’ll complete supervised fieldwork experiences during your MSW program to help you demonstrate social work knowledge, skills and values across nine areas of competence defined by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Your fieldwork also includes a seminar and weekly meetings with your supervisor. Placement settings can include hospitals, schools, substance abuse clinics, nursing homes, child welfare services and many other agencies and organizations.
Required Fieldwork Experience Hours
Generalist practicum: Students without a social work undergraduate degree complete a 400-clock hour generalist agency practicum experience as part of the two-year program.
Specialized practicum: Both two-year and Advanced Standing students complete a 500-clock hour specialized field practicum experience.
Why choose Herzing University?
Key specializations
Focus your education in one of three fast-growing social work areas of practice: Mental Health, Medical Social Work, and Children, Families, and Aging Services.1
Extensive support
You are never alone. Your online learning experience is personalized and asynchronous, with access to a host of student services.
Practiced faculty
All Herzing MSW program instructors are Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) with deep experience in the field.
Over 90%
Satisfaction rate
Our overall student satisfaction rate, according to the 2022 Herzing Graduate Survey.
Herzing University has achieved Candidacy for Accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation.
You're Much More Than a Number
At Herzing, we believe that providing you with a caring, supportive community will have a positive impact on your learning experience. We know our students by name and are committed to your academic, personal, and professional success. Discover why Herzing's student-first approach, individual attention, and caring community set us apart from other colleges and universities.