Master of Social Work
Through specialized coursework, research and field experience, our M.S.W. students find their focus as advanced practitioners and policy leaders, and position themselves to make immediate impacts in the lives and communities they touch.
18:1
18:1 faculty-to-student ratio
110+
Learn from nearly 40 full-time and 70+ community-embedded (adjunct) M.S.W. faculty
Choose your path
On campus M.S.W. Program
- Opt for regular (fall start) or advanced standing (summer start)
- Enroll as a full-time or part-time student
- Choose from two specializations
Online M.S.W. Program format
- Opt for regular or advanced standing
- Enroll full time or part time
- Choose from two specializations
- Start the program in fall, spring or summer semester
- Complete your classroom assignments from your home
Compare M.S.W. Program options
Not sure which M.S.W. option is right for you? Check out our program options overview, which covers the regular standing, advanced standing, full-time and part-time tracks. You can also review each option in depth with our detailed comparison table. Please note: The online M.S.W. format includes required synchronous class days.
Ready to learn more?
Complete a certificate, certification or dual degree
Our students can combine their M.S.W. studies with other programs to earn special certificates in Aging Studies, Gender Violence Intervention or Nonprofit Management. Clinical M.S.W. students can earn the School Social Work Certification, offered through the Virginia Department of Education. Students also can do dual-degree study to combine their M.S.W. with law, divinity or public health degrees. Find out more about our certificate, dual-degree and certification options.
Accreditation
VCU’s B.S.W. and M.S.W. programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education – the accrediting body for all schools of social work at both the baccalaureate and master’s levels.
Financial aid
M.S.W. students can apply for support such as school scholarships, assistantships and stipends through the Child Welfare Stipend Program or Project PIRR — in addition to aid accessible through VCU's Student Financial Services.
Have questions?
Prospective students interested in an online M.S.W. program option can contact onlinemsw@vcu.edu. For on-campus M.S.W. questions, please reach out to sswinfo@vcu.edu.