Master of Social Work (MSW)

The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program is online with synchronous and asynchronous course delivery methods. Synchronous means students would meet with their course instructors using online learning technology for real-time lectures, activities, and peer interactions. Asynchronous means students are able to navigate an online course (e.g., electives) via the use of learning modules that may include recorded lectures, online discussions, and various learning activities without real-time class meetings.

Saint Joseph’s online graduate programs are built for busy working professionals ready for career advancement. You’ll learn real-world skills from accomplished faculty that you can apply to your current job or use to pursue a new career path, no matter where you’re located.

Smaller class sizes allow for individualized instruction and attention from faculty, opportunity for hands-on learning and build a community with peers. For programs that do not meet the 1:12 faculty-to-student ratio, the program has evidence to demonstrate achievement of student competence and program outcomes.

Our Master of Social Work program is designed to help students remain employed during their studies because we prioritize students’ and their families’ wellbeing. We offer a flexible field course sequence which accommodates full-time or part-time practicums. In addition to traditional practicums, our field education office will work with you and your employer to design field practicums at your employer that blend paid and unpaid labor while meeting the standards of a practicum for licensure and accreditation. Employment-based placements will engage you in new job tasks and responsibilities to satisfy the MSW program’s learning objectives.

We use a flexible curriculum that enables students to enter the program during any semester and build practice skills before entering completing a practicum at a local human services agency. Students can take between one to four years to complete their degree, and students will work closely with their advisor to determine the plan of study that fits with their life. One year programs of study require a BSW and admission into the Advanced Standing program.

Through Saint Joseph's 4+1 program, current undergraduate students can start earning credits toward their Social Work (MSW) degree during their senior year. This unique option allows you to graduate with two degrees — a bachelor's and master's — in just five years, saving you time and money. Students from all majors are welcome to apply, but students majoring in areas outside of computer science may be required to complete prerequisite coursework. Students interested in this program should apply to the graduate program in their junior year and be conditionally accepted before they complete their bachelor's degree.

All classes in the social work department use resources that are free to Saint Joseph's students. Our administration works diligently to minimize the hidden costs of social work education.

Throughout the curriculum, students will produce public interest scholarship, engage with stakeholders, and produce change in global, digital, and local communities.

There are multiple social work organizations where students may become involved to network and broaden their knowledge about the diversity of social work practice. Those organizations include, but are not limited to:

• National Association of Social Workers
• International Federation of Social Workers
• Alliance of Social Workers in Sports
• Latino Social Workers Organization
• Network for Social Work Management
• National Association of Black Social Workers
• Society for Social Work Leadership in Healthcare
• Clinical Social Work Association
• School Social Work Association of America

View required courses for this program in the academic catalog. Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.

Affordable tuition options start at $862 per credit.*

*Pricing does not include room and board, health insurance or any professional, clinical or transportation fees. Visit our Tuition & Fees page for a detailed cost breakdown.

Merit scholarships are now available!

You do not have to apply separately for merit scholarships. We will evaluate your admission application for merit scholarships at the time of review.

Financial aid may be available to you to help offset the cost of your degree. Explore your options on our Financial Aid page. We also offer benefits for veterans.

Discount Eligibility

Alumni of Saint Joseph's are eligible to receive 10% off the cost of this program through our alumni discount.

Have you completed a year or more of service with a recognized service organization? You may be eligible for our mission discount.

Check with your employer to see if they are an Edcor or a Bright Horizons EdAssist member, which may entitle you to a discount on graduate programs. 

Note: discounts cannot be combined.

The Saint Joseph's University Master of Social Work Program does not grant social work course credit for

• Life Experience
• Previous Work Experience

Saint Joseph's University has achieved candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA).

Candidacy for a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the BOA indicates that it has made progress toward meeting standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process. A program that has attained candidacy status has demonstrated a commitment to meeting the standards set by the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) but has not yet demonstrated full compliance.

Students that are admitted to candidate programs in the fall (or later) of the academic year in which the program is granted candidacy status will be retroactively recognized as graduates from a CSWE-BOA accredited program as long as the program attains initial accreditation. Candidacy is typically a 3-year process and attaining candidacy does not guarantee that a program will eventually attain initial accreditation.

Candidacy applies to all program options, which includes locations and delivery methods.

Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

Review our program’s candidacy status in CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs (https://www.cswe.org/accreditation/directory/?). For more information about social work accreditation, contact CSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation.

Graduate assistantships are offered on a limited basis. Please contact the program director for availability.

SJU is a Yellow Ribbon School that accepts GI education benefits. Our Office of Veterans Service can help you access and understand your benefits.

To be considered for admission you must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and have earned an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The Master of Social Work program does not grant social work course credit for: 1) life experience, and 2) previous work experience.

Visit our Graduate Admission Information page to learn more about admission requirements.

• Apply online.
• Submit official college transcripts from all colleges attended.
• Submit a personal statement.
• Submit resume.
• Submit two letters of recommendation.

Visit our Graduate Admission Information page to learn more about admission requirements, key deadlines, additional requirements for international students and how to submit your application.

Graduate applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. New students may enroll in courses during the fall, spring or summer semesters.

Start Terms:

• Fall: August
• Spring: January
• Summer: May

If you’re applying as an international student, you must provide proof of English Language Proficiency and Certification of Finances along with your application. Check the graduate admission page for additional requirements.

In addition to a student support coordinator, we have a variety of other tools and resources that make it easy for you to get technical assistance, chart your course and focus your career search. Check out our online learning resources.

The Office of Information Technology supports the computing needs of students, faculty and staff at Saint Joseph’s. Contact IT Services to learn more about computing hardware and software requirements.

The MSW program is designed to deliver content that supports licensure preparation. However, each student should review the licensure requirements for their specific geographic location and the level of licensure they wish to pursue. Regardless of location, students will work with their advisor to gain professional support about the licensure process. The program will monitor student and alumni success on licensure attainment as part of evaluating its success alongside classroom assessments, signature assignments with rubrics, and evaluations by field education supervisors.