Graduate school is an exciting opportunity that can give motivated individuals the skills and expertise they need to make huge leaps in their chosen profession. For social workers, holding a Master of Social Work degree is more than a stepping stone for professional success – it’s an outright requirement, a necessary step that ensures all who hold the advanced responsibilities of a social worker have the extensive training needed to support those in need.
However, many prospective social workers are deterred from their dream careers by the high demands of a Master of Social Work (MSW) program, which traditionally requires two years of on-campus coursework. For those who live far from universities as well as people who need to balance school with other responsibilities, such as maintaining a day job or attending to personal needs like childcare, these programs are not feasible options.
Fortunately, thanks to the proliferation of online Master of Social Work programs, students have a new option to consider, one that emphasizes convenience to make a stellar social work education attainable for all.
Many online social work programs are offered by schools that also feature on-campus versions of the same courses, meaning there is no difference in the education you’ll receive by attending class remotely. Available in full-time and part-time options, with Advanced Standing MSW and traditional MSW programs offered, it’s easier than ever to make your dream social work career a reality.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about getting your master’s degree in Social Work online so that you can make an informed decision about where and how to pursue your MSW.
Advantages of Online Social Work Masters Degree Programs
There are many reasons why online social work masters programs may be advantageous for students, and many types of students who may benefit from this option. Below are a few of the top reasons why getting a Master of Social Work degree online may be the right choice for you.
Scheduling Flexibility
Of all the reasons to attend online social work masters degree programs, scheduling flexibility is the number one. Online classes spare students the time-intensive obligation of having to commute to class, which can eat up a significant amount of time that may get in the way of maintaining employment or upholding family responsibilities while in school. In some cases – particularly large lecture courses – students can even take their classes at whatever time is convenient for them, offering a maximum of convenience for those with busy schedules.
Online social work masters programs also offer the same variety of schedules as in-person programs, such as part-time options as well as night-time and weekend courses, which are specifically intended to help students with extracurricular obligations.
Online masters degree programs in social work were specifically designed to help students with outside responsibilities, meaning they are likely to meet your unique scheduling needs.
As a prospective applicant, it’s a great idea to start by identifying what setup you’ll need to thrive in an academic environment and work backwards to find the program that meets your requirements.
Stay Where You Are
Texas is home to numerous academic institutions, which can be found in major cities throughout the state. However, students who didn’t live near university campuses previously needed to relocate in order to attend school, a costly and stressful process that has been enough to keep many from following through with their academic plans. Fortunately, students no longer have to uproot their lives in order to further their professional goals. This is especially useful for those with families, who in most cases can’t consider such a drastic move.
Contribute to Change Close to Home
Even online MSW programs require students to complete their mandatory field work hours in person. If you are attending a school in a different city or town than the one you live in, you’ll have the opportunity to find local organizations where you can complete your internship. In many cases, social workers are moved to enter the profession because of causes that affect their own communities. By participating in local field work opportunities, you’ll be directly engaging with the causes that are literally closest to you, offering a rewarding experience as soon as you begin your education.
Why Would Students Still Opt for In-Person Classes?
With online degree programs offering so many advantages, one might wonder why present-day students would ever choose to take classes on campus. Indeed, the benefits of an online program may seem like a no-brainer for those contemplating program offerings near them. So why would someone still choose to attend school in person?
It all depends on what type of student you are, and what you hope to receive from your MSW program. Students who have trouble staying organized or motivated without external benchmarks may have an easier time staying on top of their workload if they are attending classes in person. This means it’s important to honestly evaluate your ability to maintain your commitments when there is less direct pressure on you to do so.
Some students also wish to attend school in-person because there is greater access to professors for mentorship and to other students for networking opportunities. Students in online programs can still be proactive about finding these, but it requires more effort to build these relationships in the absence of regular in-person interaction. This is another reason it’s important to evaluate your own disposition and instincts before you apply to graduate programs, as only you can determine if you’ll have the follow-through to cultivate this community while studying remotely.
In short, there are still benefits students can find in on-campus programs, especially if you struggle with time management or seek strong supportive relationships in your academic experience. However, motivated students who trust in their ability to manage their own schedules and build their own networks will still be able to find everything they’re looking for in an MSW from online courses.
What to Expect from an Online Social Work Masters Program
In many ways, online MSW programs offer the same education as in-person alternatives. Here’s what you can expect if you choose to pursue an online master’s degree in social work.
Coursework
Coursework across MSW programs is identical regardless of your choice of format, covering the same material and including the same assignments. If you are in a full-time, traditional MSW program, this entails two years of coursework alongside mandatory field work each year.
In a traditional MSW program, your first year of classes will be primarily devoted to an overview of the social work discipline, with information about its origins and evolution as well as the key methodologies that ground contemporary social work practice. This will also touch on the variety of focus areas within the social work field, helping students choose where they’d like their own professional efforts to lie. By the second year of your program, you’ll have the opportunity to take electives that expand upon your knowledge of your chosen specialty, amassing richer, more focused expertise to help you take on the exact work that matters to you.
Assignments
Like with classes themselves, your assignments in an online Master of Social Work program are likely to be the same as in an on-campus one. This can include written essays, presentations, and even group work, which may require more coordination than would be necessary if you were meeting with other students on campus. It’s imperative to stay on top of these assignments to ensure you are keeping up with your courses and receiving high grades in your program.
You shouldn’t expect to do less work in an online MSW program, but you will have a maximum of autonomy if you attend one.
It’s worth noting that the increased freedom of getting your social work master’s degree online will require you to take greater responsibility for staying on schedule. Because of this, it is necessary for students of online programs to stay highly organized and diligent in completing their work to ensure that they are keeping up with expectations.
Field Work
Field work is a standard part of any social work education, offering students exposure to the daily ins and outs of their chosen profession. It can be an important way that students choose their social work specialization and refine their particular professional goals.
As noted above, as a student of an online MSW program, you will still be expected to complete your field work in person. This is because the experience gained from an internship can’t be replicated in an online format. However, you will have the freedom to choose opportunities that are convenient for your needs, making it possible to complete your field work hours without traveling very far.
What to Look Out for When Choosing Your Online Master of Social Work Degree Program
If you’re committed to attending an online graduate program, you’ll be pleased by the large number of excellent program offerings available to you. There are numerous Master of Social Work online programs in Texas that you can choose from to pursue your MSW. However, you need to know what to look out for.
- This is a must, as you will only be eligible for state licensing if your degree is from a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited school. There are many accredited online social work masters programs in Texas, so you will have no shortage of options, but make sure to confirm that your program is legitimate before enrolling, as there are some programs out there that will not leave you eligible for the next stage of your career.
- There are many affordable social work masters programs online, including at institutions that also offer on-campus classes. Oftentimes, these online courses are marginally more affordable than in-person alternatives, sparing students fees related to maintaining campus resources. Make sure that when you are surveying your options, you’re seeing the tuition rates intended for online students so that you can make the appropriate financial plans for school.
- Financial aid and scholarship opportunities. It’s always a good idea to look into the funding opportunities available at any school you’re applying to, as well as opportunities offered by independent organizations. These can require some extra work on your part, but they can be game-changing for students who aren’t sure how they’ll cover the cost of graduate school. You should be able to receive many of the same funding opportunities to get your social work master’s degree online as you would for an on-campus program.
Are you ready to take the next steps to pursue an online MSW? Take a look at our guides to the Best MSW Programs in Texas and Most Affordable MSW Programs in Texas to find the online degree program that’s right for you.
FAQs
Will I get the same degree from an online Master of Social Work program as an in-person one?
Yes, with an education directly comparable to the one you would receive if you were attending classes on campus. The top online social work programs in Texas should offer all of the same advantages of in-person programs, leaving you equally equipped for prestigious professional opportunities.
Are there part-time online MSW options?
Yes, many programs offer online classes on a part-time schedule, as well as in evening and weekend formats to make graduate school an option for more students.
Are there online Advanced Standing MSW programs?
Yes. Several schools in Texas offer Advanced Standing MSWs (one-year programs that are only available for those who hold BSWs) online.
Will I be able to complete my field work hours online?
No. Mandatory field work hours are the one part of an online MSW that still must be completed in person to provide students with the same depth of professional experience and insight. However, students who live far from their universities can arrange to complete their field work at social work organizations near where they live so that these opportunities are still accessible and convenient for their schedules.
Is it possible to take a mix of online and in-person classes?
At many institutions, yes. Several schools offer “hybrid programs” that are designed to give students the best of both worlds. If you live near your university and wish to spend more time with your cohort or professors, this is an excellent opportunity to do so without the extensive obligations of an in-person program.