What is an MSW?

A Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is a worthwhile educational investment given the accelerated increase in social work job opportunities and a high potential for career growth. Graduates of MSW programs enter the workforce ready to help vulnerable communities and individuals facing crises. They provide clinical interventions and help clients navigate the services necessary for better lives.  

MSW programs typically require two years of full-time coursework and field placements, though part-time programs have longer timelines. Let’s explore why an MSW might be right for you before exploring what goes into a good MSW program. 

 

What Can I Do with an MSW? 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 63,800 job vacancies for social workers annually through 2032. An MSW degree opens the door to most of the social work roles that will become available during that time. Here are a few social work careers available to MSW graduates. 

 

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 

MSW graduates are well-positioned for roles as Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW). LCSWs provide behavioral health services and crisis interventions as independent practitioners or members of counseling practices.  

The MSW is the minimum educational standard for LCSWs nationwide, though states may set additional requirements. For example, the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling requires LCSW applicants to: 

• Achieve a passing score on the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical exam 

• Complete a three-hour HIV/AIDs course 

• Finish an eight-hour laws and rules course 

• Report 1,500 hours of post-MSW supervised psychotherapy experience with clients 

• Submit proof of a completed two-hour domestic violence course 

 

Policy and Advocacy 

Advocacy remains a core tenet of social work with the National Association of Social Work (NASW) noting that, “social workers…strive to end discrimination, oppression, poverty, and other forms of social injustice.” 

Experienced social workers can lead local campaigns for better housing, access to healthcare, and essential services. State and federal legislators sometimes employ social workers as community outreach directors to identify district-specific issues needing remedy. As advocates and legislative staff, they can shape legislation using their knowledge of systemic challenges to a better society. 

 

Managerial and Leadership Roles 

Nonprofits, hospitals, and public agencies employ MSW graduates in management or leadership positions. These social work careers range from handling outpatient services to managing crisis response units for cities or counties. Social work professionals may also find corporate leadership roles related to workplace culture and employee engagement. 

MSW programs build strong foundations for leadership roles with courses on program evaluation and human behavior. Graduates with progressively responsible experience use these skills and learn the lessons necessary for effective leadership.  

 

Career Outlook for MSW Graduates 

An aging workforce and consistent demand for social services will drive demand for social workers. The BLS estimates a 7% growth in social work employment from 2022 to 2023, exceeding the 4% growth for other occupations during the same time. Growth in social work careers will be the strongest for behavioral health (11%) and healthcare (10%) specialists. 

MSW graduates can expect to earn more than their BSW-trained counterparts when they enter the workforce. An NASW study of social workers found respondents with MSWs earned an average of 29.7% more than those with BSWs. The highest 10 percent of earners in social work careers earned $87,300 or more in 2022, showing a high ceiling for MSW-prepared professionals. 

 

Is an MSW Right for Me? 

Social work careers are ideal for compassionate problem-solvers who want to impact their communities positively. The MSW is right for you if you fit this description and want the expertise to advocate for change at the individual or macro level. MSW students can shape future career opportunities through graduate research and clinical experiences. 

An MSW degree is a good fit if you are looking for a satisfying career from the start. A three-year study of new MSW graduates found that 90.4% of respondents were somewhat or very satisfied with their first post-graduate jobs.  

Online MSW degree programs make this educational option a great choice for people in social work and other helping or service professions. They also offer avenues to social work careers for those switching from another profession. You no longer need to attend in-person classes on a full-time basis to complete your degree thanks to online and part-time MSW degrees. Let’s look at what makes leading MSW programs stand out from the competition. 

 

Tackling the Practical Needs of Performing Social Work 

Recognizing that powerful social work education is not all theoretical or even preparing to work face-to-face with clients, MSW degree curricula must also encompass some of the more pragmatic needs of the profession. Here are courses offered by the Online MSW program at Florida State University that meet these needs.: 

  

Introduction to Social Work Research 

Social workers often must be armed with hard data to advocate effectively for their clients and at-risk populations. In this research course, students will learn to effectively comprehend and leverage qualitative and quantitative research and empirically based knowledge to improve their practices and initiate progressive change. 

  

Grant Writing and Grant Management 

Adequate support for vulnerable populations begins with adequate funding. Often funding comes in the form of grants. In this course, students will learn the practicalities of grant writing including purpose statements, timelines, and how to advocate for funding for underserved populations. Because social workers are trained to look at the needs of a population and the impact of social services, they often make excellent grant writers. 

  

Budgeting and Finance in the Social Services 

Budgets are a critical portion of nearly every profession. Learning to manage resources well—and advocate for fair resource allotment ensures that students will be better able to serve their clients and lead within their organizations. Students will become technically proficient in fundraising, contracting, and managing budgets and payroll. 

  

Personnel Administration in the Social Services 

Preparing students for leadership in their future organizations, this course addresses staff management, employee retention and development, and diversity issues. 

 

FSU’s Online MSW Degree Program — Practical Application for the Future 

FSU’s innovative online MSW program was the first of its kind in the nation. It is designed for working professionals looking to switch careers or move up in the social work profession. Depending on your educational background, you may work on your degree in the Traditional or Advanced Standing Online MSW tracks.   

The Traditional Online MSW is built for students who have already earned bachelor’s degrees in other disciplines. The Traditional Online MSW pathway is designed for students with bachelor’s degrees in another discipline outside of social work. Traditional-track candidates complete their coursework and placements in three years of part-time study. The 61-credit curriculum brings career-changing students up to speed on topics like: 

• Clinical Social Work Practice 

• Human Behavior and the Social Environment 

• Mental Health and Child Welfare 

Students enter the Advanced Standing track having already earned their Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degrees. This part-time option for social work professionals can be completed in two years from anywhere in the United States. Advanced Standing candidates build on their BSW education with 39 credits of coursework covering areas such as: 

• International Social Work 

• Psychopathology in Clinical Practice 

• Social Program and Policy Evaluation 

Both tracks offer courses designed to prepare you to work autonomously and help clients make meaningful changes in their lives: 

• Social Work Practice 

• Social work with groups and communities 

• Psychopathology 

• Clinical practice 

• Trauma Informed social work 

• Cognitive Behavioral social work practice 

Having offered social work and social welfare classes for over a century, Florida State University is recognized as one of the nation’s leading institutions in social work education. Below is a list of our accrediting partners and publications that have identified FSU as a leader in education: 

• Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools 

• Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 

• Best Online MSW Program of 2023 by Forbes Advisor 

• Top 12% of Best Social Work Schools by U.S. News & World Report 2024 

• Diversity Champion for seven consecutive years by INSIGHT Into Diversity 

No matter where you live, you can learn the skills necessary for social work careers at FSU. Graduates join a diverse alumni network of more than 400,000 FSU graduates working globally. Broaden your horizons with an online MSW from Florida State University’s College of Social Work.