15 Best MSW Programs in Pennsylvania (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Should you enroll in one of the MSW programs in Pennsylvania? It’s a great idea! MSW programs in the Keystone State are tailored to meet a wide variety of learning needs. After you graduate, you’ll enter a profession that offers many employment opportunities and an average salary of $62,410 a year. Within the next 10 years, there will be even more employment opportunities as demand for these professionals is expected to increase by 11 percent. Licensed social workers in Pennsylvania can work in a wide range of settings, including government agencies, community organizations, hospitals, and schools. Review this list of the 15 best MSW programs in Pennsylvania for 2025.
RECOMMENDED ONLINE MSW PROGRAMSWHAT ARE THE BEST MSW PROGRAMS IN PENNSYLVANIA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 15 Best campus-based and online MSW Programs in Pennsylvania.
1) University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia
MSW Programs Offered: Full-Time MSW (On-Campus), Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus), and Part-Time MSW (On-Campus)
Full-Time MSW Concentrations Offered: Social Work in Health Care, Child Well-Being & Welfare, and Criminal Justice
Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Social Work in Health Care, Child Well-Being & Welfare, and Criminal Justice
Part-Time MSW Concentrations Offered: Social Work in Health Care, Child Well-Being & Welfare, and Criminal Justice
About University of Pennsylvania: The University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) is not only one of the best MSW programs in Pennsylvania but also one of the oldest social welfare programs in the world: It traces its beginnings back to 1908 when the Children’s Bureau of Philadelphia first launched a training program for social work professionals in Philadelphia. Penn’s program is outstanding because it emphasizes interdisciplinary partnerships and because it offers numerous ways that you can customize your MSW studies to fit your specific interests in the field.
SP2 offers traditional MSW and Advanced Standing MSW tracks at its campus in Philadelphia’s University City neighborhood. This MSW school in Pennsylvania offers three specialty concentrations: Social Work in Health Care, Child Well-Being, and Criminal Justice.
University of Pennsylvania MSW Program Details: Traditional MSW students must take a minimum of 16 classes to graduate from this MSW school in Pennsylvania. Full-time students will take four courses per semester and graduate in two years. Penn also offers a part-time traditional MSW program that takes three years to complete. Students begin their studies in the fall semester after attending a mandatory orientation in August.
Penn’s traditional MSW curriculum is made up of three parts: core MSW classes, coursework pertaining to your chosen specialty, and fieldwork. Core MSW classes include “History and Philosophy of Social Work and Social Welfare,” “Human Behavior in the Social Environment,” and “American Racism and Social Work Practice.”
Advanced Standing MSW students begin their coursework in the summer semester and graduate 10 months afterward. The Advanced Standing MSW curriculum essentially duplicates the specialty year of the traditional MSW curriculum.
All full-time MSW students typically participate in their fieldwork assignments three days a week. Part-time traditional MSW students only pursue fieldwork placements during their second and third years of study. The University of Pennsylvania maintains partnerships with more than 900 social and human services agencies throughout the Metropolitan Philadelphia Area, and its Field Office is responsible for making all fieldwork assignments.
University of Pennsylvania MSW Admission Requirements: You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a liberal arts perspective to be admitted into the traditional MSW program. Applicants to the Advanced Standing MSW track must have a BSW. Your undergraduate GPA must be 3.0 or higher. You’ll have to submit three recommendation letters, an essay, and a recorded video interview with your application. Preference is given to candidates with significant paid or volunteer experience in human services.
Key Highlights For University of Pennsylvania MSW Students
• In 2021, the University of Pennsylvania awarded MSW degrees to 163 students.
•
U.S. News & World Report ranks Penn’s graduate social work program as the 11th best in the nation.
• The University of Pennsylvania offers 12 joint MSW degree programs, which is more than any of the other accredited MSW programs in Pennsylvania. Penn offers a dual MSW/ Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in conjunction with Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine, a double MSW/Juris Doctor (JD) degree in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania Law School, a dual MSW/Master’s in Law (ML) degree, a dual MSW/Master’s in Bioethics (MBE) degree in conjunction with Penn’s Department of Medical Ethics & Health Policy, a dual MSW/Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) degree in conjunction with the Wharton School of Business, a dual MSW/Master’s of City Planning (MCP) degree in conjunction with the Weitzman School of Design, a dual MSW/Master’s of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in conjunction with the Weitzman School of Design, a dual MSW/Master’s Of Public Health (MPH), and a dual MSW/Master’s of Science in Criminology (MS.)
• At Penn, students can incorporate a number of specialties into their MSW degrees via certificate programs. Certificate and specialization programs include the Penn Aging Certificate in geriatric social work, the Cohen Veterans Network MSW Scholars Program in military social work, the MSW/Home-School Visitor Certification, and the Global Human Rights Certification.
• Penn also offers a customized MSW degree with reduced residency requirements for professionals currently employed in the social work field.
2) University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, Bradford, & Johnstown
MSW Programs Offered: MSW (On-Campus), Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus), Bradford MSW (On-Campus), and Johnstown MSW (On-Campus)
MSW Concentrations Offered: Direct Practice with Individuals, Families, & Small Groups and Community, Organization, & Social Action (Human Services Organization Management and Community Organization)
Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Direct Practice with Individuals, Families, & Small Groups and Community, Organization, & Social Action (Human Services Organization Management and Community Organization)
Bradford MSW Concentrations Offered: Direct Practice with Individuals, Families & Small Groups, with a Specialization in Children, Youth, & Families
Johnstown MSW Concentrations Offered: Direct Practice with Individuals, Families & Small Groups
About University of Pittsburgh: The University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work is known not only for graduating top-rate social workers but also for its scholarship: The Center on Race and Social Problems, which operates under the School of Social Work’s aegis, focuses on race-related social research in criminal justice, economic disparities, educational disparities, health, interracial group relations, mental health, and youth, families and the elderly.
Pitt offers a traditional MSW at all three of its campuses in Pittsburgh, Bradford, and Johnstown. The university also offers an Advanced Standing MSW at its campus in Pittsburgh. Students can specialize in either Direct Practice with Individuals, Families, and Small Groups (Direct Practice) or Community, Organization, and Social Action (COSA).
University of Pittsburgh MSW Program Details: The traditional MSW program at the University of Pittsburgh involves 60 credits and 1,080 hours of fieldwork, while the Advanced Standing MSW program requires 39 credits and 720 hours of fieldwork. Like other social work master’s programs in Pennsylvania, the traditional MSW curriculum is split into generalist classes, specialized practice area coursework, and fieldwork. Generalist coursework includes classes like “Generalist Social Work Research,” “Social Work Practice With Diverse Populations,” and “Human Behavior and the Social Environment.”
The traditional MSW program at Pitt’s campus in Pittsburgh can be completed in two years. The traditional MSW program offered at Pitt’s Bradford and Johnstown campuses is a part-time program designed to accommodate working professionals. It can be completed in three and a half years. Classes at these satellite campuses are scheduled for the evening hours.
The Advanced Standing MSW track has a 12-month completion option (fall, spring, and summer semesters) and a 16-month completion track (fall, spring, and fall semesters.)
Fieldwork assignments are made by Pitt’s Field Education office, which has partnerships with more than 600 social and human services organizations throughout the Greater Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area. Full-time traditional MSW students must complete 360 hours of fieldwork during their first year and 720 during their second year.
University of Pittsburgh MSW Admission Requirements: For admission into the traditional MSW program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants qualify for admission into the Advanced Standing MSW program with a bachelor’s degree in social work.
Key Highlights For University of Pittsburgh MSW Students
• The University of Pittsburgh awarded 184 Master’s of Social Work degrees in 2021.
• Pitt’s social work program has been rated the 21st best in the nation by
U.S. News & World Report, making the University of Pittsburgh one of the best MSW programs in Pennsylvania.
• The University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work offers eight joint degree programs: an MSW/MBA degree in conjunction with the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, a dual MSW/Master’s of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, a dual MSW/Master’s of Public Administration (MPA) degree in conjunction with the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, a dual MSW/ Master’s of Public and International Affairs (MPIA) degree in conjunction with the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, a dual MSW/Master’s of International Development (MID) in conjunction with the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, a dual MSW/Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Social Work, a dual MSW/MPH in conjunction with the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, and a dual MSW/JD in conjunction with the School of Law.
• Direct Practice specialty students in this MSW school in Pennsylvania can pursue five certifications: Children, Youth, and Families; Gerontology; Home and School Visitor; Integrated Healthcare; and Mental Health.
• COSA specialty students can pursue three certifications: Human Services Management, Gerontology, and Community Organizing and Practice.
• The School of Social Work’s Center on Race and Social Problems publishes a journal called
Race and Social Problems.
3) Temple University - Philadelphia
MSW Programs Offered: Regular MSW (On-Campus), Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus), and Online MSW (Online)
Regular MSW Concentrations Offered: Clinical Practice with Individuals & Families and Macro Practice in Organizations, Communities & Policy Arenas
Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Clinical Practice with Individuals & Families and Macro Practice in Organizations, Communities & Policy Arenas
Online MSW Concentrations Offered: Clinical Practice with Individuals & Families and Macro Practice in Organizations, Communities & Policy Arenas
About Temple University: Temple University’s School of Social Work is affiliated with the university’s College of Public Health. Why is Temple University considered one of the best MSW schools in Pennsylvania? Because its curriculum is versatile enough to allow students to customize degree requirements based on students’ educational goals.
Temple offers a traditional MSW program and an Advanced Standing MSW program at its campus in Philadelphia. The university also offers an online MSW that follows the traditional MSW curriculum. This MSW in Pennsylvania offers two practice modalities: Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families and Macro Practice in Organizations, Communities, and Policy Arenas.
Temple University MSW Program Details: Temple University’s traditional MSW program involves 60 credits and can be completed in two years by full-time students or in three or four years by part-time students. The university’s Advanced Standing MSW program entails 34.5 credits and can be completed in one year by full-time students and in 18 months by part-time students. Full-time students begin their studies in the fall semester, while part-time students begin in the spring.
The traditional MSW program can also be pursued online as a three-year part-time program. This online MSW program in Pennsylvania primarily uses asynchronous technology, but synchronous classes are held one day each week. Students must also attend a three-day session on Temple University’s Philadelphia campus between their first and second years.
Like other MSW programs in Pennsylvania, Temple’s MSW curriculum is split into foundation coursework, concentration coursework, and fieldwork. Foundation courses include “Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions,” “Social Welfare Policies and Services,” and “Deconstructing White Supremacy in Social Work.”
Traditional MSW students are required to complete 1,050 hours of fieldwork, while Advanced Standing MSW students must complete 600. Temple University partners with more than 500 human services and social change organizations in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area that provide students with fieldwork placements and other training opportunities.
Temple University MSW Admission Requirements: Applicants to the traditional MSW program must have a baccalaureate from an accredited institution of higher learning with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants to the Advanced Standing MSW program must have a BSW. You must submit three professional references, a CV or a resume, and a goal statement with your application.
Key Highlights For Temple University MSW Students
• One hundred and fifteen MSW students graduated from Temple University in 2021.
• In 2023,
U.S. News & World Report ranked Temple University’s School of Social Work as the country's 46th best social work program.
• Temple University offers two joint MSW degrees: a dual MSW/JD degree in conjunction with the Temple University Beasley School of Law and a dual MSW/MPH degree.
• Temple University offers a Maternal and Child Health Certificate to students interested in addressing maternal and child health issues at the local, national, and global levels.
• Temple University’s School of Social Work maintains an international partnership with Erfurt University in Germany.
4) West Chester University - West Chester & Philadelphia
MSW Programs Offered: Regular Standing MSW (On-Campus) and Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus)
Regular Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Advanced Practice with Individuals, Families, & Communities
Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Advanced Practice with Individuals, Families, & Communities
About West Chester University: West Chester University is the largest of the 10 universities in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. The university’s MSW programs stand out for their small class sizes, diverse student population, and study-abroad opportunities. This MSW school in Pennsylvania offers a traditional MSW and an Advanced Standing MSW at its West Chester and Philadelphia campuses. Its specialty curriculum is Advanced Practice with Individuals, Families, & Communities.
West Chester University MSW Program Details: Like other MSW schools in Pennsylvania, WCU’s MSW curriculum consists of three parts: generalist social work classes, specialization classes, and fieldwork. The 60-credit traditional MSW includes all three components, while the 36-credit Advanced Standing MSW focuses on specialization classes and fieldwork.
Generalist courses include “Dialectic of Oppression and Liberation,” “Social Welfare Policies and Services,” and “Human Development across the Lifespan.” Specialist classes include “Advanced Research Methods: Program Evaluation” and “Specialized Social Work Practice with Communities.”
Full-time traditional MSW students complete their degrees at the university’s campus in West Chester. Part-time traditional MSW students can complete their degrees in either three or four years at the university’s campus in Philadelphia. Advanced Standing MSW students can complete their studies in either one (full-time) or two (part-time) years at either campus.
Traditional MSW students are responsible for completing 952 fieldwork hours, but Advanced Standing MSW students need to only complete 504 hours of fieldwork. West Chester University’s Department of Graduate Social Work forges relationships with hundreds of human services agencies and organizations throughout the Greater Philadelphia Metropolitan Area to provide dynamic fieldwork placements.
West Chester University MSW Admission Requirements: Applicants to the Advanced Standing MSW program must have a BSW with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, but applicants to the traditional MSW program need to only have a bachelor’s degree. This is one of the MSW schools in Pennsylvania that requires you to submit a resume, a personal statement, and three professional references with your application.
Key Highlights For West Chester University MSW Students
• West Chester University conferred 128 Master’s of Social Work degrees in 2021.
• WCU has the 94th-best MSW program in the nation, according to
U.S. News & World Report.
• Students enrolled in WCU’s MSW program can pursue certifications in Gerontology, Applied Mindfulness, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Food Policy, Healthcare Ethics, Healthcare Management, Nonprofit Administration, Public Administration, Urban and Regional Planning, and Urban Education.
• West Chester University is one of the accredited MSW programs in Pennsylvania that participates in the Education and Programming for Integrated Care (EPIC) program, funded through a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that provides specialized training to social workers and school counselors who work with medically underserved communities.
• WCU’s Department of Graduate Social Work maintains a relationship with the Center for Global Education in Cuernavaca, Mexico, through which MSW students can pursue international fieldwork opportunities.
5) Widener University - Chester
MSW Programs Offered: Regular MSW (On-Campus), Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus), and Online MSW (Online)
Regular MSW Concentrations Offered: Trauma-Informed Clinical Social Work
Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Trauma-Informed Clinical Social Work
Online MSW Concentrations Offered: Trauma-Informed Clinical Social Work
About Widener University: Social work is a natural fit for Widener University. This institution belongs to Project Pericles, a network dedicated to putting social responsibility front and center in college and university curricula. Widener offers a traditional MSW program and an Advanced Standing MSW program at its campus in Chester. Both MSW tracks are also offered as online options. This MSW school in Pennsylvania offers Trauma-Informed Clinical Social Work as its concentration.
Widener University MSW Program Details: The traditional MSW program consists of 57 credits and 1,010 hours of fieldwork, while the Advanced Standing MSW program consists of 36 credits and 560 hours of fieldwork. Like other MSW programs in Pennsylvania, Widener’s curriculum consists of core coursework, concentration coursework, and fieldwork.
Full-time students should be able to complete the traditional MSW track in two years, but the track also offers a part-time four-year completion option. The Advanced Standing MSW track is designed to be completed in a single year.
Core coursework includes classes like “Human Behavior and the Social Environment I & II,” “Social and Economic Justice I & II,” and “Foundation Social Work Practice With Individuals, Families, and Small Groups.” Concentration coursework includes classes like “Organization and Program Development,” “Clinical Social Work Practice With Individuals,” and “Clinical Social Work Practice With Families.”
Widener’s online curriculum was set up to accommodate the needs of working professionals. You’ll have up to four years to finish your traditional MSW degree and up to two years to finish your Advanced Standing MSW degree. Learning materials are delivered in an asynchronous format.
During their generalist year, traditional MSW students will participate in fieldwork placements 16 hours a week. Second-year traditional MSW students and Advanced Standing MSW students participate in fieldwork experiences 20 hours a week. Widener University maintains relationships with hospitals, school districts, community agencies, and other human service organizations in Philadelphia and surrounding communities. The university’s field director will help online students find fieldwork placements in their own communities. So long as your fieldwork assignment doesn’t overlap with your paid responsibilities, you may be able to complete your fieldwork assignment at your place of employment.
Widener University MSW Admission Requirements: For the traditional MSW program, you’ll need a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants to the Advanced Standing MSW program must have a baccalaureate from an accredited social work program. Your application must be accompanied by two professional references, a resume, and a personal statement. All campus applicants, plus applicants to the online Advanced Standing MSW program, must sit for an interview.
Key Highlights For Widener University MSW Students
• In 2021, 263 students received MSW degrees from Widener University.
•
U.S. News & World Report rates Widener as the 163rd best Master’s of Social Work degree program in the nation.
• For students interested in complex issues related to human sexuality, Widener University may be one of the best MSW programs in Pennsylvania because the university offers a unique dual MSW/Master’s of Education, Human Sexuality Studies (MEd) degree.
• Widener MSW students have the opportunity to earn a graduate certificate in trauma recovery.
6) Marywood University - Scranton & Lehigh Valley
MSW Programs Offered: MSW (On-Campus) and Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus)
About Marywood University: Marywood University is the leading provider of social work education in the Wyoming Valley and other parts of northeastern Pennsylvania. Marywood offers two MSW tracks at its campus in downtown Scranton: a traditional MSW program and an Advanced Standing MSW program.
Marywood University MSW Program Details: Marywood University offers two completion tracks for its 60-credit traditional MSW program: a full-time two-year track and a part-time three-year track. Unlike many other accredited MSW programs in Pennsylvania that offer a set concentration after students complete their core MSW classes, Marywood’s program allows students more ability to customize their educational experience. Foundational MSW classes include “Human Behavior I: Psychosocial Analysis of Human Behavior,” “Social Work Research: Design & Methodology,” and “Ethical Issues in Social Work Practice.”
After completing 20 credits of specialized generalist classes, students can choose among 19 electives that reflect their own unique social work interests. Students can even design their own independent study curricula. For this reason, Marywood University may be one of the best MSW programs in Pennsylvania for students whose interests lie outside the beaten MSW path.
Students enrolled in Marywood’s Advanced Standing MSW program can apply up to 21 undergraduate credits to the generalist year of their studies.
Traditional MSW students must complete 920 hours of fieldwork, while Advanced Standing MSW students must complete 490. Marywood’s Field Education Office arranges all fieldwork placements. Marywood University has cultivated relationships with potential fieldwork sites throughout Pennsylvania, the Southern Tier, upstate New York, and New Jersey.
Marywood University MSW Admission Requirements: Applicants to this Advanced Standing MSW in Pennsylvania must have a BSW. However, applicants to the traditional MSW program need only a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Successful applicants will have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Submit two letters of recommendation and an 800-word informal statement with your application.
Key Highlights For Marywood University MSW Students
• Ninety-one individuals earned Master’s of Social Work degrees at Marywood University in 2021.
•
U.S. News & World Report rated Marywood University #196 on its list of the country’s best MSW programs.
• Marywood offers three joint MSW degree programs: a dual MSW/MPA degree in conjunction with the Reap College of Professional Studies, a dual MSW/Master’s of Health Services Administration (MHSA) degree in conjunction with the College of Health and Human Services, and a dual MSW/MDiv degree in conjunction with the Moravian Theological Seminary.
• Students enrolled in this MSW school in Pennsylvania are eligible to earn a Home and School Visitor certification.
• Each spring, Marywood’s School of Social Work hosts a widely-attended colloquium focused on important issues in contemporary social work.
7) Shippensburg University Collaborative - Shippensburg
MSW Programs Offered: Regular MSW (On-Campus), Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus), and Online MSW (Online)
About Shippensburg University Collaborative: Shippensburg University collaborates on its online MSW program with Millersville University, 80 miles to the east. By pooling their resources, these two online master’s in social work programs in Pennsylvania can give prospective students a much more comprehensive range of educational options. Shippensburg University also offers a traditional MSW and an Advanced Standing MSW at its campus in south-central Pennsylvania.
Shippensburg University Collaborative MSW Program Details: The traditional MSW program consists of 60 credits and 900 hours of fieldwork.
Its curriculum is organized differently than many other MSW programs in Pennsylvania because Shippensburg doesn’t offer a specific second-year concentration. Instead, Shippensburg offers core MSW coursework, fieldwork, and electives. All core MSW classes are offered in the evenings, either in a classroom or a hybrid format. Elective courses, however, are offered exclusively online. The same faculty members teach campus classes and distance learning classes.
Core MSW coursework includes “Principles and Philosophies of Social Work,” “Understanding Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations,” and “Human Behavior in the Social Environment I & II.” Electives include “Child Welfare Settings Credits,” “Military Social Work,” and “Social Work and the Law.” Full-time students will begin classes in the summer semester and graduate in two years. Part-time students will begin classes in the summer semester and graduate in four years.
The Advanced Standing MSW track includes 35 credits and 500 hours of fieldwork. Full-time students should be able to complete this MSW in Pennsylvania in one year, but Shippensburg University also offers a two-year completion option for part-time students.
Shippensburg University partners with hundreds of children, youth, and families agencies; behavioral health and substance abuse agencies; senior citizen organizations; and other human service providers throughout south-central Pennsylvania. The university’s field coordinators are responsible for making all fieldwork assignments.
Shippensburg University Collaborative MSW Admission Requirements: You’ll need a BSW from an accredited university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for admission into the Advanced Standing program. Applicants to the traditional MSW program must have a liberal arts bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher. You’ll need to submit a professional statement, a comprehensive resume, and three professional references with your application.
Key Highlights For Shippensburg University Collaborative MSW Students
• Master’s of Social Work degrees were conferred on 23 Shippensburg University graduates in 2021.
• According to
U.S. News & World Report, Shippensburg University and Millersville University are tied for the 116th-best MSW degree in the U.S.
• Students enrolled in this MSW school in Pennsylvania can opt to choose a multidisciplinary minor in Gerontology in conjunction with the Gerontology Department.
8) Millersville University of Pennsylvania - Millersville
MSW Programs Offered: Regular Standing MSW (On-Campus), Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus), and Online MSW (Online)
Regular Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Advanced Generalist
Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Advanced Generalist
Online MSW Concentrations Offered: Advanced Generalist
About Millersville University of Pennsylvania: Millersville University’s online MSW program is offered in partnership with Shippensburg University. While students benefit from the faculty and resources of both universities, students who enroll through MU will graduate from MU. The university also offers a traditional MSW and an Advanced Standing MSW at its campus in Lancaster County. Millersville University offers an Advanced Generalist concentration.
Millersville University of Pennsylvania MSW Program Details: Like most traditional MSW programs in Pennsylvania, Millersville University’s traditional MSW program has three components: a foundational MSW component, a specialization component, and a 900-hour fieldwork component. If you enroll full-time, you can complete this MSW in Pennsylvania in two years. Part-time students can complete it in either three or four years.
Foundational classes in the 60-credit curriculum include “Principles & Philosophies of Social Work,” “Human Behavior in the Social Environment I & II,” and “Social Welfare Policy.” Specialization classes include “Advanced Human Behavior in the Social Environment” and “Advanced Social Welfare Policy.”
The Advanced Standing MSW track at MU consists of 39 credits and 500 hours of fieldwork. The curriculum aligns with the second year of the traditional MSW program, but it also includes a summer bridge course. The Advanced Standing MSW track can be completed in one year (full-time) or three or four years (part-time.)
The university’s online MSW programs offer both traditional MSW and Advanced Standing MSW tracks utilizing both synchronous and asynchronous technology. Your fieldwork assignment will be set up close to where you live.
MSW students attending campus-based Master’s of Social Work degree programs will benefit from Millersville University’s extensive network of relationships with social and human services providers across the central Pennsylvania area.
Millersville University of Pennsylvania MSW Admission Requirements: Like other MSW programs in Pennsylvania, MU only accepts students into its Advanced Standing Master’s of Social Work degree program who have an undergraduate degree in social work. Applicants to the traditional MSW program must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate institution with a GPA of 2.8 or higher. You must submit a personal statement, a current resume, and three professional references with your application.
Key Highlights For Millersville University of Pennsylvania MSW Students
• In 2021, Millersville University awarded 69 MSW degrees.
• According to
U.S. News & World Report, Shippensburg University and Millersville University are tied for the 116th best MSW degree in the U.S.
• MU offers two MSW dual degree programs: a joint MSW/Master’s of Education in Sport Management (MEdSM) degree and a joint MSW/Master’s of Science in Emergency Management (MSEM.)
• Millersville University’s School of Social Work also offers post-Master’s certifications in School Social Work and Children, Youth, and Families.
9) Kutztown University - Kutztown
MSW Programs Offered: MSW (Traditional MSW (On-Campus) & Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus)) and Executive MSW (Traditional MSW (Hybrid) & Advanced Standing MSW (Hybrid)
MSW Concentrations Offered: Behavioral Health, Community Development, Leadership & Management, and Family & Child Wellness
Executive MSW Concentrations Offered: Behavioral Health, Community Development, Leadership & Management, and Family & Child Wellness
About Kutztown University: Kutztown University’s Department of Social Work prepares students to work in rural, suburban, and urban communities throughout Berks County, eastern Pennsylvania, and other parts of the U.S. The university offers traditional MSW and Advanced Standing MSW programs as campus-based options. KU also offers a unique Executive MSW path specifically designed for working individuals who want to pursue a traditional MSW or Advanced Standing MSW degree. This MSW school in Pennsylvania offers four concentrations: Behavioral Health, Community Development, Leadership & Management, and Family & Child Wellness.
Kutztown University MSW Program Details: Kutztown University’s traditional MSW program requires 60 credits and 900 hours of fieldwork. The curriculum is offered as a full-time two-year sequence or part-time sequence spread over three or four years. Unlike most other social work master’s programs in Pennsylvania, Kutztown University’s graduate degree in social work culminates with a capstone experience, which requires students to develop a scholarly project based on experiences they’ve had during fieldwork.
Like most other accredited MSW programs in Pennsylvania, KU’s MSW curriculum is split into generalist classes, specialization classes, and fieldwork. Generalist MSW classes include “Foundations in Human Behavior in the Social Environment,” “Foundations of Social Welfare Policies,” and “Foundations of Social Work Practice with Groups and Families.”
The Advanced Standing MSW program at Kutztown University consists of 39 credits and 450 hours of fieldwork. Most of the coursework involves classes traditional MSW students take during their second year, but the Advanced Standing MSW curriculum starts with bridge classes taken during the summer semester.
KU’s Executive MSW aims to meet the needs of working students. Its content includes the familiar traditional MSW and Advanced Standing MSW tracks, but its delivery blends classroom instruction with distance learning. Campus classes are offered on weekday mornings from 7:00 to 9:30 am, on Tuesday evenings, and on Saturdays.
KU’s Department of Social Work makes fieldwork assignments. The department maintains close relationships with human service providers in Allentown, Bethlehem, and adjacent central Pennsylvania communities.
Kutztown University MSW Admission Requirements: You’ll need a liberal arts baccalaureate from an accredited college or university for this traditional MSW in Pennsylvania. Applicants to the Advanced Standing program must have a BSW. Submit a personal and social issues essay and three professional letters of recommendation with your application.
Key Highlights For Kutztown University MSW Students
• Kutztown University awarded 28 MSW degrees in 2021.
• KU’s Department of Social Work offers a post-Master’s certificate in School Social Work.
• Kutztown’s Department of Social Work administers several social work-related institutes, including the Addiction Studies Institute, the Center for the Study of School Social Work, and the Institute on Justice.
10) Carlow University - Pittsburgh
MSW Programs Offered: MSW (Traditional MSW (On-Campus) & Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus)) and Online MSW (Traditional MSW (Online) & Advanced Standing MSW (Online))
MSW Concentrations Offered: Direct Practice and Macro Practice
Online MSW Concentrations Offered: Direct Practice and Macro Practice
About Carlow University: While Carlow University is open to students of all faiths and backgrounds, its educational offerings reflect the religious principles of its Roman Catholic founders. Carlow offers a traditional MSW track and an Advanced Standing track at its campus in downtown Pittsburgh. This MSW in Pennsylvania also offers these same two tracks as distance learning options. Students can choose between a Direct Practice concentration that aims to educate clinical social workers and case managers and a Macro Practice concentration that aims to educate community organizers.
Carlow University MSW Program Details: Carlow’s MSW programs are longer than their counterparts at other accredited MSW programs in Pennsylvania. The 60-credit traditional MSW requires 900 hours of fieldwork and can be completed full-time in three years. The 45-credit Advanced Standing MSW requires 600 hours of fieldwork and can be completed in a year and a half. So long as you maintain your enrollment, however, you can take all the time you need to complete your degree.
Like most other MSW programs in Pennsylvania, Carlow’s MSW curriculum is divided into generalist MSW classes, concentration-specific MSW classes, and fieldwork. As a traditional MSW student, you’ll take classes like “Foundations of Practice,” “Social Welfare History & Policy,” and “Strength-Based Leadership.” Specialization classes in your chosen concentration begin in the fall of your second year.
Carlow’s MSW program has start dates in January, May, and August of each year. Carlow allows MSW students to switch between campus classes and low residency depending upon their needs. (Low residency classes enable students to take classes primarily online, but they must attend a mandatory skills laboratory session one Saturday a month.) Fieldwork assignments are made to social and human services agencies and organizations throughout the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area.
Carlow University MSW Admission Requirements: You’ll need a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher from an accredited college or university for admission into the traditional MSW track and a BSW for entry into the Advanced Standing track. Additionally, you’ll need to submit two professional references, a resume, and an essay that speaks to your academic objectives with your application.
Key Highlights For Carlow University MSW Students
• Carlow University awarded 10 MSW degrees in 2021.
• Carlow offers a dual MSW/MBA degree.
• MSW graduates can pursue a post-Master’s certificate in Alcohol & Drug Counseling from Carlow University.
11) Alvernia University - Reading & Philadelphia
MSW Programs Offered: Entry-Level MSW (Hybrid) and Advanced Standing MSW (Hybrid)
Entry-Level MSW Concentrations Offered: A Clinical Focus in Addiction & Mental Health
Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: A Clinical Focus in Addiction & Mental Health
About Alvernia University: Alvernia University is one of three Catholic institutions of higher learning that offer MSW programs in Pennsylvania. Its Master’s of Social Work degree program is characterized by the university’s strong commitment to experiential learning. The program offers A Clinical Focus in Addiction & Mental Health as a concentration.
Students have two pathways to their graduate social work degree: a traditional MSW track and an Advanced Standing MSW track. Both programs are taught using a blend of classroom and distance learning methodologies at Alvernia University’s main campus in Reading and at its satellite campus in Melrose Park.
Alvernia University MSW Program Details: Like other MSW programs in Pennsylvania, Alvernia University offers two pathways to a Master’s of Social Work degree: a 60-credit traditional (two-year) MSW program and a 33-credit Advanced Standing (one-year) MSW program. Alvernia also offers part-time tracks for these two programs. You can elect to start classes in the fall, spring, or summer semesters.
Students in both pathways must take an interdisciplinary "Ethics and Moral Leadership” class before they begin their social work curriculum. The curriculum itself is divided into core MSW coursework, fieldwork, and courses about the offered concentration. Core MSW classes include “Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice,” “Foundations in Human Behavior in the Social Environment,” and “Foundations of Social Welfare Policies.” Concentration-related classes include “Advance Theories of Social Work and Addiction Practices” and “Advance Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities.”
Traditional MSW students must complete 900 hours of fieldwork, while Advanced Standing MSW students must complete 450. The final field practicum functions as a capstone in which students integrate classroom learning with experiential learning to demonstrate clinical skills, ethical decision-making, and professionalism. Fieldwork experiences occur at behavioral health agencies and other social and human services organizations throughout Reading, Philadelphia, and central Pennsylvania.
Alvernia University MSW Admission Requirements: Applicants to the Advanced Standing MSW program must have a BSW from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants to the traditional MSW program must have a bachelor’s degree. You’ll need to submit three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume with your application. Applicants must also sit for a personal interview.
Key Highlights For Alvernia University MSW Students
• In 2021, 20 students earned MSW degrees at Alvernia University.
• Alvernia’s undergraduate and graduate social work programs mirror Franciscan values and engagement.
• Alvernia offers a certificate in Gerontology for caregivers and other individuals involved with older adults. The certificate is designed for people who have never attended college as well as for those with undergraduate or graduate social work degrees.
12) Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania - Bloomsburg
MSW Programs Offered: MSW (On-Campus) and Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus)
About Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania: Bloomsburg University’s MSW program was launched in August 2021 to help relieve the critical shortage of social workers and other behavioral health professionals throughout Columbia County and other parts of northeastern Pennsylvania. Bloomsburg University is one campus of the three-campus Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University, which also includes Mansfield University and Lock Haven University. This MSW school in Pennsylvania offers a traditional MSW and an Advanced Standing MSW. Both MSW tracks are taught at Bloomsburg’s campus.
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania MSW Program Details: Like other accredited MSW programs in Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg University’s curriculum is split between foundational MSW classes, advanced MSW classes, and fieldwork. The university’s traditional MSW track consists of 60 credits and 900 hours of fieldwork, while its Advanced Standing track consists of 36 credits and 500 hours of fieldwork.
During your first year of enrollment in the traditional MSW program, you’ll take foundational MSW classes like “Social Identities and Inequalities,” “Human Behavior in the Social Environment I & 2,” and “Generalist Practice with Individuals and Families.” During your second year, you’ll take classes like “Advanced Practice with Individuals, Couples, and Families” and “Advanced Practice with Groups and Communities.” The Advanced Standing MSW curriculum comprises the second year of the traditional MSW program but includes a social work capstone.
You’ll collaborate on your fieldwork placement with Bloomsburg’s field office team, but the Field Director must approve all assignments before your assignment is finalized. Fieldwork assignments will be made to social and human services agencies and organizations in Bloomsburg, Wilkes-Barre, and other communities throughout Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Valley.
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania MSW Admission Requirements: Applicants to the traditional MSW program must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Advanced Standing MSW applicants must have a baccalaureate degree in social welfare.
Key Highlights For Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania MSW Students
• Although Bloomsburg University’s MSW program has not yet been fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, graduates may sit for professional licensure in Pennsylvania and other parts of the U.S.
• Bloomsburg University’s MSW program is affiliated with the university’s Department of Anthropology, Sociology, and Criminal Justice.
13) Eastern University - St. Davids
MSW Programs Offered: MSW (Online) and Advanced Standing MSW (Online)
MSW Concentrations Offered: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice
Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice
About Eastern University: Eastern University has one of the only two entirely online MSW programs in Pennsylvania. You can enroll in either a traditional or Advanced Standing MSW program. Both tracks offer a concentration in Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice.
The university is affiliated with the American Baptist Church. While enrollment is open to students of all religious denominations, spirituality, and Christian beliefs play a significant role in EU’s educational philosophy. If you’re looking for an MSW program that aligns with your Christian faith, this may be one of the best MSW programs in Pennsylvania for you.
Eastern University MSW Program Details: Classes start in January and August. Coursework is delivered via a distance learning platform that utilizes asynchronous technology with guided assignment dates. Each term is seven weeks long. The traditional MSW program involves 60 credits, while the Advanced Standing MSW program requires 30 credits. The Advanced Standing MSW curriculum consists of the final year of the traditional MSW curriculum plus a social work bridge course.
As a student enrolled in Eastern University’s traditional MSW program, you’ll take classes like “Human Diversity and Social Justice,” “Generalist Practice with Individuals and Families,” “Differential Assessment,” and “Trauma, Resilience, and Spirituality.” The traditional MSW program is designed to be completed in two years, while the Advanced Standing MSW can be completed in a single year.
Fieldwork assignments will be made to a social or human services agency near your home.
Eastern University MSW Admission Requirements: For admission into the traditional MSW program, you must have completed a bachelor’s degree at an accredited university with a GPA of at least 2.5. Advanced Standing MSW students must have a bachelor’s degree in social welfare. You must submit two references, two essays, and a resume or curriculum vitae along with your application. A member of the Social Work Department will interview all applicants.
Key Highlights For Eastern University MSW Students
• Eastern University’s online Master’s of Social Work degree program launched in the spring of 2021.
• EU’s MSW curriculum is grounded in a spiritually informed model of trauma-informed care derived from the Christian worldview.
• Eastern University offers students a social work licensure course that specifically prepares them to pass the Association of Social Work Boards, qualifying them for licensure as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW.)
14) La Salle University - Philadelphia
MSW Programs Offered: Regular MSW (On-Campus) and Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus)
About La Salle University: La Salle University is affiliated with the Roman Catholic faith. It welcomes students from all religious backgrounds, but its educational approach reflects the philosophy of its Christian Brothers founders. Two MSW sequences are offered at La Salle’s campus in Philadelphia: a traditional MSW track and an Advanced Standing MSW track.
La Salle University MSW Program Details: La Salle’s traditional MSW track requires 60 credits, while its Advanced Standing MSW track involves 30 credits. As with other MSW programs in Pennsylvania, La Salle’s curriculum is split into generalist coursework, specialized coursework, and fieldwork. Students can delve deeper into concentrations of specific interest by taking electives that focus on Clinical Practice, Children & Families, Mental Health & Substance Use and Recovery, School Social Work, Public Health, Nonprofit Leadership, Strategic Communication, or Business Administration.
Generalist coursework consists of classes like “Multidimensional Approaches to Human Development,” “Preparation for Professional Practice,” and “Social Work Research.” Specialized coursework includes courses like “Anti-Racist & Anti-Oppressive Practice” and “Social Work Leadership.”
These MSW programs in Pennsylvania have been designed to accommodate the needs of working students. Coursework is delivered through a mix of in-person, online, and hybrid courses. Many of the campus classes are scheduled for the early evenings. Full-time traditional MSW students start in the fall and take two years to graduate; part-time traditional MSW students can take three or four years to graduate. Full-time Advanced Standing MSW students begin in the fall and take one year to graduate; part-time Advanced Standing MSW students can start in the spring or fall and take two years to graduate.
Traditional MSW students must complete 1,100 hours of fieldwork, while Advanced Standing MSW students must complete 600 hours. Philadelphia-based human services organizations that provide fieldwork experiences for La Salle MSW students run the gamut from Albert Einstein Medical Center, Casa del Carmen, and Philadelphia Juvenile Probation to Catholic Social Services, Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Coalition, and Congreso de Latinos Unidos.
La Salle University MSW Admission Requirements: The Advanced Standing MSW program requires a baccalaureate degree in social work with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Admission into the traditional MSW program requires a baccalaureate degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. Your application must be accompanied by a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and a current resume.
Key Highlights For La Salle University MSW Students
• This MSW in Pennsylvania was launched in the fall of 2021 to help meet the rising demand for social workers in the Keystone State and elsewhere.
• Depending on the concentration you choose, you may find yourself partnering with other graduate-degree programs at the university, such as public health, non-profit leadership, and counseling.
15) Lancaster Bible College - Lancaster
MSW Programs Offered: Regular Standing MSW (Online) and Advanced Standing MSW (Online)
Regular Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Clinical Social Work and Advanced Child & Family Practice
Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Clinical Social Work and Advanced Child & Family Practice
About Lancaster Bible College: Lancaster Bible College is one of the MSW programs in Pennsylvania that teaches graduate social work from a spiritual perspective, using the Bible as a reference framework. It is one of only two online MSW programs in Pennsylvania, and it offers both a traditional MSW degree and an Advanced Standing MSW degree. You can choose one of two concentrations when you pursue your MSW at Lancaster Bible College: Clinical Social Work or Advanced Child & Family Practice.
Lancaster Bible College MSW Program Details: Though programmatic instruction occurs primarily online, you must attend face-to-face classes at the college’s campus in Lancaster several times each semester. The traditional MSW program consists of 60 credits and 900 hours of fieldwork, while the Advanced Standing MSW program consists of 34 credits and 500 hours of fieldwork. Fieldwork is scheduled with human services organizations throughout Harrisburg and Lancaster County, with which the college maintains a relationship, such as Children and Youth Services, the Office of Aging, Boys and Girls Club, and Bethany Christian Services.
Courses are taught over 15-week periods. Like other MSW programs in Pennsylvania, the curriculum is divided into foundational MSW coursework, concentration-related coursework, and fieldwork. All students are required to take a 3-credit Biblical & Theological Course. Foundational MSW coursework includes classes like “Foundations of Social Work,” “Human Diversity and Social Justice,” and “Micro & Mezzo Generalist Practice.”
Lancaster Bible College offers full-time and part-time completion tracks for Master’s of Social Work degree candidates. Traditional MSW students on the full-time track should be able to graduate in two years, while part-time students should be able to graduate in three to four years. Full-time Advanced Standing MSW students should be able to graduate in a single year, while part-time Advanced Standing MSW students should be able to graduate in two years.
Lancaster Bible College MSW Admission Requirements: The traditional MSW track is open to applicants who’ve earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Applicants to the Advanced Standing MSW track must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited social work program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. You’ll need to submit a statement of spiritual journey and a statement of faith with your application as well as two professional references.
Key Highlights For Lancaster Bible College MSW Students
• Before you can be accepted into this program, you must confirm you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and agree with the college’s Statement of Faith.
• Lancaster Bible College’s MSW program is a relatively new one. The college is still pursuing accreditation with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE.)
• Students who graduate from this program before its accreditation process is complete will be retroactively recognized as having graduated from a CSWE-accredited MSW program once the program attains accreditation.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Are The Total Number Of Accredited MSW Programs In Pennsylvania?
As per the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), currently, there are 19 accredited Master Of Social Work programs in Pennsylvania.
Total MSW Programs in Pennsylvania |
19 |
How Much Does An MSW Graduate Make Per Hour In Pennsylvania?
The average salary of an MSW graduate per hour in Pennsylvania is $29.80.
How Much Does An MSW Graduate Make Per Year In Pennsylvania?
The average salary of an MSW graduate per year in Pennsylvania is $61,990.
Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Pattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.
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