Online MSW Program
Our CSWE-accredited online MSW prepares you to make a lasting impact.
- Pick from two specializations
- Growing field — 7% projected job growth from 2023 to 20331
- Transfer up to 15 credit hours to save time and money
- Advanced Standing option available for students with a BSW degree — earn your online MSW in as few as 12 months*
Defend the dignity and well-being of others. Sacred Heart’s CSWE-accredited online Master of Social Work prepares you to support and assist vulnerable populations. Gain a deeper understanding of modern social work theory and practice models, all from a perspective of truth and justice.
What Makes Us Unique?
Practicum Education Experience. Sacred Heart’s MSW program includes social work practicum education courses that let you apply skills in a hands-on work environment. Our practicum education liaisons will work with you one year before your placement begins, offering a level of support unmatched by other schools.
Focused Curriculum. The SHU MSW curriculum is created with today’s community and global issues in mind. Students will study topics spanning trauma, anti-racism and LGBTQ+ subject areas.
The MSW program is also offered on campus.
Learn More Today
Complete the form to learn more about this program.
Regular Standing MSW
FORMAT 100% Online
CREDITS 60
PROGRAM LENGTH 2-3 years
COST PER CREDIT $840
Advanced Standing MSW
FORMAT 100% Online
CREDITS 30
PROGRAM LENGTH 12-20 months
COST PER CREDIT $840
The Gold Standard of MSW Degree Programs
The Sacred Heart MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which ensures the highest quality curriculum available. It offers two program options to fit your educational background. Our Advanced Standing option, designed for students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program, takes you straight into coursework aligned to your level. The Regular Standing option provides students with an undergraduate degree in another field with the foundation and skills you need to begin a career in social work.
Choose from two specializations to gain the knowledge needed for licensure preparation with our convenient MSW online. Develop unique skills for your career with Direct Community Practice specialization in which you can explore the counseling realm, social welfare, human behavior and societal issues, or the Direct Clinical Practice specialization, providing treatment options for clients after completing a research study and clinical practicum.
Graduate ready to achieve your goal of making a difference in the lives of others.
Curriculum: Advanced Capabilities Through Active Learning
Our master’s of social work program is built on the tenets of social work, the Catholic intellectual tradition and a belief in experiential learning. Students with a bachelor’s degree in social work could be eligible for Advanced Standing status, with an accelerated version of the program to graduate in as few as 12 months.* Graduate with an understanding of advanced topics, such as:
- Social welfare and the impact of socioeconomic and political trends
- Human identity formation and how it’s affected by diversity and our environment
- Addressing inequities in social services due to institutionalized racism and sexism
- Social policy and its formulation, implementation and analysis
- Coursework experience in substance abuse and addiction, aging and gerontology, grief and working with children and families
Career Outlook: The Revolution is Only Expanding
Born only a century ago from the fight against poverty, social work has come to play a vital role in improving quality of life for people from all backgrounds. The profession has waged a “revolution of mercy,” based on justice and dignity for all.
That revolution is only expanding. Over the next 10 years, projections indicate faster-than-average employment growth for social workers who help children and families — and advanced practice areas are expected to experience even higher growth. For instance, projections show that health care social work employment will increase by 10%.2 Wherever your career takes you, you’ll be prepared to meet your clients’ needs.
Careers and SalariesProgram Outcomes: Expanded Impact in Service to Others
You’ll complete this program ready to:
- Sit for the Licensed Master of Social Work exam in your state*
- Integrate empirical knowledge, theoretical concepts and analytical skills
- Understand the assessment and diagnosis of individuals within the context of their environment
- Assess client-service systems at the micro, mezzo and macro levels
- Work with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations
*Students are responsible for understanding the licensing requirements in the state in which they plan to practice.
Specialize Your Degree in Clinical or Community Practice
Focus your education with one of two MSW online specializations, featuring practicum-related coursework relevant to either a clinical or a community practice setting. Specific courses cover a wide range of current topics including LGBTQ+, anti-racism and trauma.
Admission Requirements
To apply for the Master of Social Work from Sacred Heart University, you’ll need:
- Completed application
- 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA (students with 2.7 and up may be considered)
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (BA, BS, BSW), CSWE-accreditation required for Advanced Standing
- Résumé
- Personal statement outlining why you are pursuing the MSW at SHU
- Two letters of recommendation, no older than 2 years
- Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions
Advanced Standing applicants must meet additional requirements, which can be found on the admissions page.
Full RequirementsTuition Details
The standard 60-credit-hour program costs $840 per credit hour. The Advanced Standing program is 30 credit hours and costs $840 per credit hour. Affordability and transparency are priorities at SHU. We want you to have everything you need in order to make a decision about investing in a high-quality education.
Tuition and Fees“My first week in the MSW graduate program has been wonderful. The classes are truly designed for working professionals and the course information provided by instructors is thought-provoking and engages student perspective in meaningful ways. For people like myself, who prefer asynchronous learning the program affords students the opportunity to learn on their own time in their own way while still making students feel like their professors are easily accessible in times of need.”
– Leslie Slade
Faculty: Leaders in the Field
Our award-winning faculty come from diverse backgrounds, having worked in areas such as social and economic justice, social policy, child welfare, trauma, grief, parenting, addiction, adoption, homelessness and hospice care.
Why Learn Online?
Flexible Learning: Study at your own pace and on your schedule, fitting education into your busy life.
Expert Faculty Support: Learn from the same accomplished faculty as on-campus students, with personalized, one-on-one guidance.
Equal Opportunities: Access the same resources and opportunities as on-campus students, ensuring a comprehensive and enriching experience.
ONLINE AT SHUFinancial Aid
At Sacred Heart University, we strive to offer competitive tuition and encourage you to explore all financial aid options, including federal aid, U.S. military benefits and available scholarships.
FINANCIAL AIDFrequently Asked Questions
If you have a question we don’t cover here, request more information or call 877-791-7181.
Sacred Heart University’s online MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States and its territories.
Our accredited status lets you know the education you receive at Sacred Heart University is rigorous and prepares you for the realities of practice.
- Bachelor’s degree (BA, BS, BSW) from an accredited college or university with a 3.0 GPA or higher (2.7 and up may be considered)
- Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions
- Résumé
- Personal statement outlining why you are pursuing the MSW at SHU
- Two letters of recommendation: Must be from an employer, professor or manager and be dated by no more than 2 years from the enrollment date
- Interview with social work faculty
- Bachelor’s degree earned within the last six years from a CSWE-accredited college or university, with at least grade B in each course
- Practicum Education evaluation form(s) from all placements, completed by BSW practicum placement supervisor(s) after each BSW practicum placement. (It was likely provided to your BSW program director, practicum coordinator/director, academic advisor, or practicum liaison.)
- Applicants will print a copy of the MSW program evaluation form and provide it to their BSW program director or designee (e.g., academic advisor, practicum liaison, etc.) for completion.
The MSW does prepare you for licensure. License requirements vary by state. Though students are responsible for verifying license requirements in the state in which they plan to practice, our friendly admissions team is ready to answer questions and guide you through this process. Reach out to them at 877-791-7181 or onlineadmissions@sacredheart.edu.
Sacred Heart University’s Catholic intellectual traditions guide the School of Social Work through the ethical principles of service, respect for human dignity, social and economic justice, and the needs of vulnerable and diverse populations. These principles guide the School of Social Work’s anti-racist mission, work with students, and service to the community.
If you have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work with a 3.0 GPA within the past six years, you’re eligible for our Advanced Standing program and can graduate within 12 months if you begin your program in fall. Students starting the program in Spring or late spring can complete the program in 15 months while students starting in the summer term can finish in 20 months. If your undergraduate degree is focused in a field other than social work, you can complete the online MSW at Sacred Heart within 2-3 years depending on what term you begin your program. Contact an enrollment counselor for more details.
Currently, Sacred Heart University does not offer scholarships. Please consider the following options regarding finances:
- Complete the FAFSA® to determine your financial aid eligibility
- Apply for a Sallie Mae loan
- Review our payment plan
For assistance, please reach out to the SHU Online Admissions Office for further details at 877-791-7181 or onlineadmissions@sacredheart.edu.
*Students who enroll in the advanced standing MSW program in fall can complete the program in as few as 12 months. Students enrolling during the spring terms can complete the program in 15 months.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024 August 29). Social Workers. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved March 4, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024 August 29). Social Workers: Job Outlook. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved March 4, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-6.