Become an active agent of social change
for individuals, families, and their communities
Many individuals in the US, especially those in underserved communities, lack access to earnest social advocates capable of recognizing inequities, identifying solutions, and facilitating inclusive, healthier outcomes.
You can learn what it takes to achieve those outcomes. Discover the professional skills and knowledge required to join the field of social work and begin making a significant impact in the lives of individuals, families, and their communities.
We are proud to introduce our Master of Social Work (MSW) online program, designed for non-social work bachelor’s degree holders seeking a new, rewarding career path.
Your career in social work is possible with Herzing University
- Learn online in Herzing’s Everywhere Classroom: on your schedule, at your pace
- CSWE aligned curriculum2
- Core class topics include Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Social Policy and Services, Advanced Clinical Social Work Interventions, Advanced Psychosocial Assessment & Clinical Diagnosis, and much more
- Full-time and part-time enrollment options available
Classes Start September 7th
Learn More Today
Why choose Herzing University?
Key specializations
Focus your education in one of three fast-growing social work specializations: Mental Health, Medical Social Work, and Children, Families, and Aging.1
Extensive support
You are never alone. Your online learning experience is personalized and asynchronous, with access to a host of student services.
Practiced faculty
All Herzing MSW program instructors are Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) with deep experience in the field.
Satisfaction rate
Our overall student satisfaction rate, according to the 2021 Herzing Graduate Survey.
MSW program classes & curriculum details
Our curriculum is designed to prepare you to become a culturally informed clinical practitioner through both academic coursework and practical application. The program emphasizes lifelong learning, professional development, service, networking, and adherence to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
All didactic, lecture-style courses are delivered online, with 900 total field practicum hours.
You will need to choose one of three career-focused social work specializations: Mental Health, Medical Social Work, and Children, Families, and Aging.
| Program | Monthsi | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Social Work (MSW) | 24 | 60 |
i. Average number of months for students to complete program.
Choose a career-focused specialization
When you enroll in the Herzing MSW program, you will choose one of three unique specializations:
Develop an understanding of mental health assessment, diagnosis and intervention. Learn theories of human behavior, trauma, and diversity—and how to apply this knowledge to mental health provision and wellbeing.
Discover policies and laws related to mental health systems and become familiar with the service delivery structure of public and private mental health facilities.
Build an understanding of medical diagnoses in the context of a person-in-environment model. Study social work intervention strategies including crisis intervention, biopsychosocial assessment, and trauma-informed clinical approaches.
Immerse yourself in a curriculum focusing on how you can utilize evidence-based social work research in clinical practice of community public health and prevention services.
Become an advocate for vulnerable children, families, and elderly clients in need of assistance. Build your understanding of social problems and their impact on individuals, families, and their communities across all age groups.
This specialization explores the delivery structure of social services and how you can become a key facilitator of protective services for pediatric and gerontological clients.
Unsure what to choose? Our admissions team can help you determine what specialization is right for you based on your personality and desired career path.
24 months | 60 credits
$536 per credit
after scholarship*
You are worth it.
*When student accepts awarded scholarship with Fall 2022 start.
Tuition & Cost
Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculums and processes to make our MSW program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.
With Herzing University, you are never alone, and we offer many options to help you invest in yourself and earn your master’s degree. Financial aid options include:
MSW program enrollment requirements
Prerequisites to enroll in the Herzing University Master of Social Work program include:
- Non-social work baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education
- Minimum 2.75 GPA in baccalaureate degree
- No GRE required
- Submit 3 letters of recommendation from prior professors, supervisors, and a social worker (if possible)
- Interview with program chair, designee, or admission representative
- Submit original essay response to a series of prompts
Please contact admissions for details regarding the letters of recommendation, interview, and original essay response.
"It is an honor and privilege to be part of a building a new MSW program with current, evidence-based curriculum to prepare students for high demand jobs in the areas of mental health, medical social work and children, family and aging services.
Our goal is to help support each student through our program to maximize their potential as a social worker and be a successful change agent."
Dr. Wilson is an established social work professor with over 20 years of teaching experience and 15 years as a social work program director in higher education. Dr. Wilson has extensive practice and teaching experience in crisis response, crime victimization, child abuse and neglect, family violence, mental health, and suicide prevention. She has delivered numerous professional presentations, continuing education sessions, and chaired numerous dissertations focusing on social issues. Dr. Wilson is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Missouri, a member of NASW, and has provided service to many community boards. Dr. Wilson has received several teaching recognitions and was awarded the Jane Bierdeman-Fike Humanitarian Award in 2019.
Elizabeth Wilson
PhD, MSW, LCSW
Program Chair - Master of Social Work
What you can do with a master’s in social work
While the field of social work has evolved to become more diverse and specialized, core master’s degree courses prepare you for a wide variety of job possibilities.
Choose the MSW specialization best reflecting the social work career path you want to walk.
Job titles can vary widely with overlap across each specialty.3
Your choice of specialty today doesn’t necessarily preclude you from pursuing job possibilities in other areas.
- Behavioral Health Therapist
- Mental Health Social Worker
- Psychiatric Social Worker
- Psychosocial Coordinator
- Residential Therapist
- Substance Use Disorder Clinician
- Suicide Prevention Specialist
- Therapist
- Victim Advocate
- Home Health & Hospice Social Worker
- Hospice Social Worker
- Medical Social Worker
- Oncology Social Worker
- Residential Treatment Coordinator
- Social Work Case Manager
- Adoption Social Worker
- Adult Protective Services Worker
- Child Protective Services Supervisor (CPS Social Worker)
- Domestic Violence Advocate
- Family Protection Specialist
- Family Resource Coordinator
- Family Service Worker
- Foster Care Social Worker
- Gerontology Social Worker
- Pediatric Social Worker
- School Social Worker
- Veteran Affairs (VA) Social Worker
- Youth Specialist
Job outlook
12%
Projected employment growth, 2020-2030, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)*
Employment of social workers is expected to increase across all specialties, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. News and World Report scores social worker an 8 out of 10 in terms of future growth.
Among available BLS occupational groupings, employment of mental health and substance abuse social workers is expected to rise the fastest (15% growth).
Frequently Asked Questions
Social workers provide assistance to individuals, families and communities to address problems in their everyday lives. They can work in a “macro” role directly coordinating with organizations or policymakers, or a “micro” role focusing on individuals and their families.
The job description varies—social workers can have a wide variety of duties:
- Find those in need of help
- Work with people in all stages of life from birth to end of life
- Assess their situation: what they need, who supports them, what their goals are and develop interventions and strategies to help
- Collaborate with community resources to offer a network of care and refer clients accordingly
- Diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional health problems
- Maintain clear case files and records
- Raise awareness and advocate for solutions at the local, state, or even national level
- Navigate crisis situations, such as child abuse, family and community violence, or health emergencies
No. Our 2-year MSW program is designed for those without a BSW.
As long as you’ve earned a non-social work bachelor’s degree earned through an accredited university recognized by the US Department of Education, you can potentially qualify to enroll in our program.
The average salary for a social worker depends on several factors, including where they work, the state in which they practice, how long they have practiced, and chosen specialization.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides average salary estimates for three different types of social workers. According to 2021 data:*
- Child, family, and school social workers earn an annual average salary of $54,880 per year ($26.39 per hour)
- Healthcare social workers earn an annual average salary of $62,310 per year ($29.96 per hour)
- Mental health and substance abuse social workers earn an annual average salary of $57,800 per year ($27.79 per hour).
Yes, you can elect an extended 4-year part-time program as an alternative to the 2-year full-time plan. The extended 4-year plan spans 12 semesters as opposed to 6 semesters in the full-time plan.
According to the CSWE’s most recent Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, the 9 Social Work Competencies are listed as such:
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
- Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
- Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
- Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
- Engage in Policy Practice
- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Educational and licensing requirements can vary by state and employer across both jobs. The disciplines are distinct enough to demand separate master’s degree curriculums.
The primary difference between clinical social workers and mental health counselors is the scope of their duties and the education required to perform them. Generally, counselors focus solely on mental health issues, while clinical social workers carry a wide variety of responsibilities including and beyond mental health care.
Becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) includes more involvement in managing your clients’ support network and larger community. While clinical social workers can potentially adopt a direct, active role in diagnosing and treating mental health issues, it’s not the sole purpose of the profession as it is for mental health counselors.
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