Master's Degree
Social Work
Online College Program Tracks
CLASSES START
Multiple Pathways
12-24 Mo. Program Length | 36-60 Credits |
Online Format | 3 Areas of Practice |
Master's Degree
Social Work
Online College Program Tracks
MSW program highlights
| Accreditation | Herzing University has achieved Candidacy for Accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation;1 Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
|---|---|
| Tracks | Traditional and Advanced Standing MSW tracks; options available for both non-BSW and BSW students |
| Format | 100% online classes delivered asynchronously, with hands-on Field Practicums completed in the student's own community concurrently with your coursework |
| Enrollment | Full-time and part-time options available |
| Faculty | Learn from experienced professionals: all professors are Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) |
| Specializations | Choose electives across three unique career-focused areas of practice: Mental Health, Medical Social Work, and Children, Families, and Aging Services |
Satisfaction rate
Our overall student satisfaction rate, according to the 2023 Herzing Graduate Survey.
Satisfaction rate
Our overall student satisfaction rate, according to the 2023 Herzing Graduate Survey.
Herzing University Online Social Work Program Tracks
Our social work degree options are graduate MSW program tracks which prepare you for a career as a professional social worker. The traditional and Advanced Standing MSW degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in clinical social work theory and practice, psychosocial assessment, clinical diagnosis, and much more.
Career-focused curriculum
Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.
Flexible schedule
You can take classes during the day or in the evening. We strive to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.
Virtual services
Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.
Lifelong support
We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.
Rolling admissions
No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.
Learn More Today!
Choose your degree pathway with Herzing
- Length: 24 months
- Credits: 60 credits
- Classes: View the curriculum
- Length: 12 months
- Credits: 36 credits
- Classes: View the curriculum
Why choose Herzing University?
Key areas of practice
Focus your education in one of three fast-growing social work areas of practice: Mental Health, Medical Social Work, and Children, Families, and Aging Services.2
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 full-time MSW faculty are Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) with deep experience in the field.
Satisfaction rate
Our overall student satisfaction rate, according to the 2023 Herzing Graduate Survey.
Meet our Faculty and Leadership
Elizabeth Wilson - PhD, MSW, LCSW
"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, families 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
Program Chair
Master of Social Work
Nicki Schoonover - MSW, LCSW
"Field Education is the referred to 'Signature Pedagogy of Social Work Education' by the Council on Social Work Education, our accrediting body. Practicum is a keystone experience of your social work education, providing you a hands-on experience to develop your social work skills and determine your area of practice. At Herzing you will have support in locating and completing your practicum from our Director of Field, Practicum Readiness Training, Practicum Orientation, and Practicum Courses. We have partnerships with a variety of agencies and help you complete your practicum in a setting and with a population the matches your passion and expertise."
Nicki Schoonover is the Director of Field Education at Herzing University in the Master of Social Work Program. Nicki Schoonover is a licensed clinical social worker with 10+ years of practice in a variety of social work settings. She received her Bachelor’s in Social Work from William Woods University (2009) and her Master’s in Social Work from the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis (2010). Nicki has practiced previously in St. Louis County public schools as a Child, Family, and Youth Therapist. She has also worked as a Training Coordinator with Every Child’s Hope in St. Louis, training staff on a variety of topics and helping the agency receive certification as a Trauma Informed Agency though the State of Missouri. Nicki has experience in social work education as the previous Director of Field Education and Assistant Professor of Social Work at Greenville University in Greenville, IL. While at Greenville University, Nicki directed the field program and taught practice-oriented courses in-person and online. Nicki also played a significant role in the accreditation reaffirmation of the Bachelor of Social Work Program in February of 2023.
Nicki Schoonover
Director of Field Education
Dr. Hyacinth McKee DBH, LCSW-BACS, ACSW
"An MSW from Herzing allows for the student to acquire skills that will help them become effective social work practitioners in today's world. Being a part of Herzing allows students to engage in bi-directional innovation, scholarship and leadership with their professors.
An MSW from Herzing promotes opportunities to develop interconnected relationships with students and professionals in other Herzing programs such as criminal justice, nursing, and other medical degrees that are long lasting well after graduation."
Dr. Hyacinth McKee has 22 years of combined experience as a licensed clinical supervisor, clinical practitioner and professor. Her expertise includes integrated health, disease care management and educational social work. She holds leadership positions in the social work profession as she serves as the board chairperson of the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners, her state social work licensing board, and on other boards nationally in the social work profession. She holds additional national and state certifications in the areas of school social work, school-based mental health counseling, and trauma informed supports. Dr. McKee has conducted local, state and national presentations on school based mental health, behavioral health, and social work services. She continues to provide supervision to clinical social workers who aspire to engage in independent clinical practice. She is considered among her colleagues as an expert in the field of behavioral health, mental health, child welfare and educational social work. Dr. McKee is an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusive practices as evidenced by her life's work serving marginalized and disadvantaged populations.
Dr. Hyacinth McKee
Professor
KaRon Spriggs-Bethea, DSW, MSW, LCSW
Dr. KaRon Spriggs-Bethea has a combined 8 years of experience as a clinical social worker, clinical supervisor/mentor, and professor. He earned his Bachelor’s in Psychology & Sociology at Washington & Jefferson College, his Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh, and his Doctorate in Social Work from Capella University. Dr. Spriggs-Bethea’s experience is in mental health, LGBTQIA+ health, self-reflection/self-awareness, and working with diverse populations as well as working in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and substance use facilities. He holds a clinical license in Pennsylvania and Ohio where he sees clients in private practice.
KaRon Spriggs-Bethea
Professor
Clinically confident. Culturally informed. Competent social workers.
MSW Mission Statement
The mission of the Herzing University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program is to educate and empower competent, ethical social work practitioners with the culturally informed knowledge, values, and skills necessary for advanced practice within diverse populations and environments. Consistent with the purposes and values of the social work profession, Herzing’s social work program is committed to service, social and economic justice, the dignity and worth of the individual, and the importance of human relationships. We are dedicated to preparing leaders who will critically analyze systems, evaluate and implement evidence-based interventions, advocate for social and economic justice, use a person-in-environment framework, provide inclusive services, and practice strength-based approaches to promote the health and wellbeing of all individuals, families, and communities.
MSW Program Goals
- The program will prepare confident, professional social work practitioners who are qualified to practice in advanced specializations, including mental health, medical social work, and children, families, and aging services.
- The program will prepare professional social worker practitioners who will advocate for populations experiencing oppression and discrimination by critically examining systems, developing and changing policies, advocating for social justice, and increasing access to services in their specialization areas.
- The program will prepare culturally informed practitioners who will conduct multi-dimensional assessments and provide specialized, evidence-based clinical practice interventions at all practice levels.
- The program will promote clinical social work excellence through lifelong learning, professional development, service, networking, and adherence to the NASW Code of Ethics.
Now Through Dec 31st
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 area of practice electives best reflecting the social work career path you want to walk.
Job titles can vary widely with overlap across each area of practice.3
- 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
7%
Projected employment growth, 2022-2023, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)*
Employment of social workers is expected to increase across all areas of practice, 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 (11% growth).
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Disclosures
Disclosures & Accreditation
1. Herzing University has achieved Candidacy for Accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation.
Candidacy for a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that it has made progress toward meeting criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. A program that has attained Candidacy has demonstrated a commitment to meeting the compliance standards set by the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, but has not yet demonstrated full compliance.
Students who enter programs that attain Candidacy in or before the academic year in which they begin their program of study will be retroactively recognized as having graduated from a CSWE-accredited program once the program attains Initial Accreditation. Candidacy is typically a three-year process and attaining Candidacy does not guarantee that a program will eventually attain Initial Accreditation. Candidacy applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
For more information about social work accreditation, you may contact Accreditation.
2. The Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies three specialties projected to grow at an above average rate from 2022-2032: Mental health and substance abuse social workers (11%), Healthcare social workers (10%), and Child, family, and school social workers (5%).*
3. Individuals considering the Master of Social Work program should be aware that state certification/ licensure requirements and eligibility to apply for certification/licensure vary from state to state. While certification/licensure is not a requirement for certain types of jobs, in some states, it may be required for any positions titled ‘Social Worker’ and to refer to yourself as a Social Worker in professional settings.
Program Outcomes
Programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation (COA) are required to measure and report student learning outcomes. Students are assessed using a minimum of two measures on their mastery of the nine competencies that comprise the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) and any additional competencies programs may choose to add. These holistic competencies reflect the dimensions (knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive & affective processes) of social work practice that all social workers are expected to master during their professional training. Herzing makes this information regarding our MS program available to you here.
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the Virgin Islands.
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