How Online Social Work Degrees Work: A Guide to BSW and MSW Programs

What is an online social work degree?

An online social work degree is a program that combines online coursework with in-person, supervised field experience. The lectures, readings, discussions and assignments happen through a learning platform you can access from home. The fieldwork, sometimes referred to as a practicum or internship, happens face-to-face at an approved site in your community, under the supervision of an experienced social worker.

That blended structure lets you fit your coursework around a job, family or caregiving responsibilities. The in-person practicum gives you hands-on time working with real clients, which is how you build the skills the field requires.

Online social work programs prepare you to help individuals, families, groups and communities work through challenges. These cover all kinds of life situations, from a child welfare case to a hospital discharge to mental health counseling. The level of practice you can step into depends on your degree.

At the undergraduate level, a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is the most common degree for entry-level, generalist roles. At the graduate level, a Master of Social Work (MSW) prepares you for advanced practice and to pursue Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) status. Herzing University offers both social work degree levels online.

Online BSW programs: the foundation for generalist social work

A Bachelor of Social Work is a four-year undergraduate degree designed to prepare you for entry-level social work practice. It is the most common credential for nonclinical, generalist roles, and it is also the first step on the path toward an MSW and clinical licensure.

What's covered in a BSW

A BSW curriculum is built around the professional competencies defined by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. You can expect to complete coursework in areas such as:

• Behavioral sciences
• Counseling and communication skills
• Addiction and substance use disorders 
• Case management
• Crisis intervention 
• Psychosocial assessment
• Social welfare policy 
• Human behavior in the social environment

At Herzing, the online Bachelor of Social Work is a 120-credit program with all didactic courses delivered 100% online. Students typically complete the degree in 36 months when attending full-time. The program is designed to align with the nine CSWE professional competencies, and the capstone includes a digital portfolio demonstrating your work across those competencies.

What are the nine CSWE professional competencies?

The CSWE has outlined nine competencies all social work degree graduates should master:

1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
2. Engage in diversity and difference in practice
3. Advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice
4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
5. Engage in policy practice
6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
9. Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities

How long a BSW degree takes

Most traditional BSW programs take about four years of full-time study, the same as any bachelor's degree. Online BSW programs follow the same credit framework but give you more flexibility in how you schedule classes around the rest of your life. 

Herzing's online BSW takes full-time students an average of 36 months to complete. Students may transfer in up to 90 approved credits from prior coursework, which can shorten the timeline to graduation.

What you can do after graduation

A BSW prepares you for generalist roles in the field. Opportunities may include: 

• Direct service positions in child and family services
• School or youth-related roles
• Elder care and disability services
• Case management 
• Administrative or advocacy work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, some states may require entry-level non-clinical social workers to hold a bachelor's degree and gain licensure in order to practice. State licensing rules vary, so check with your state's social work board to confirm what's required where you live. 

Becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) requires more education — specifically a Master of Social Work — which is why many BSW graduates continue on to an MSW.

BSW fieldwork: how the practicum works

Every CSWE-aligned BSW program includes a supervised field practicum. The BSW field experience is generally the first time you apply social work skills with real clients, in a real agency, under the guidance of a credentialed supervisor.

Herzing's online BSW includes practicum courses totaling 400 hours of combined social work field experience. Those hours are split across two practicum courses — 200 hours in Field Practicum I and 200 hours in Field Practicum II. Both placements happen in person, even though your other coursework is online.

Common BSW practicum settings include:

• Community agencies
• Social service organizations
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Family services agencies
• Nonprofits

The right placement depends on where you live and what kind of social work you want to explore.

Finding a practicum site can feel intimidating from a distance, which is why Herzing offers practicum placement assistance. The Herzing team can help you identify and connect with approved sites in your area. 

Herzing also allows students to secure paid practicum and employment-based practicum experiences, which means a current job in a social service role may count toward field hours if the site and tasks meet the program's requirements. For working adults, that can be the difference between earning a BSW and waiting until later in life to start.

Online MSW programs: the path to advanced and clinical practice

A Master of Social Work is the graduate degree required for clinical social work practice. It is also the path to licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), which is what allows you to diagnose and treat mental, behavioral and emotional disorders, provide psychotherapy and practice independently.

What's covered in an MSW program

Where the BSW develops generalist skills, the MSW builds advanced clinical knowledge. Coursework typically covers similar topic areas to the BSW degree, but at a more advanced level. These can include:

• Human behavior in the social environment
• Social policy and services
• Clinical social work interventions
• Psychosocial assessment
• Clinical diagnosis and ethics

Herzing's online Master of Social Work is a 60-credit program delivered 100% online through asynchronous courses, with virtual simulated experiences built into the curriculum. The program is designed for students whose bachelor's or graduate degree is not in social work and who want to enter the profession at the graduate level.

How long it takes to finish an MSW

A traditional online MSW typically takes about two years of full-time study and three or more years part-time. Herzing's online MSW takes 24 months full-time, or up to 48 months part-time, depending on the schedule you choose.

The professional pathway after graduation

All states require clinical social workers to be licensed. Becoming an LCSW typically requires: 

• A master's degree from a CSWE-accredited program
• Supervised post-master's clinical experience
• A passing score on a state clinical licensing exam

The specific number of supervised hours and the exam path vary by state, so check with your state social work board for the rules where you plan to practice.

Beyond the LCSW credential, the NASW offers voluntary professional credentials in specialty areas — including gerontology, hospice and palliative care, case management, healthcare, addictions and youth and family practice. These credentials sit on top of state licensure and signal advanced expertise in a particular area.

MSW areas of practice: the different types of social workers

Social work is one occupation with many practice settings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recognizes several broad categories: child, family and school social workers; healthcare social workers; and mental health and substance abuse social workers, among others. Many MSW programs let you tailor your electives toward the area of practice you want to enter.

Herzing's online MSW offers electives across three career-focused areas of practice:

• Mental Health — Develop an understanding of mental health assessment, diagnosis and intervention, plus theories of human behavior, trauma and diversity.
• Medical Social Work — Study intervention strategies, biopsychosocial assessment and trauma-informed clinical approaches used in medical and addiction settings.
• Children, Families and Aging Services — Prepare to advocate for vulnerable children, families and elderly clients in need of assistance.

You can choose electives across all three areas, which gives you a chance to explore your interests before committing to a single setting after graduation.

MSW fieldwork: hours, sites and placement support

MSW fieldwork is more substantial than BSW fieldwork — both in total hours and in the depth of clinical work expected. Most CSWE-accredited MSW programs require around 900 hours of supervised field experience across two phases: a generalist practicum and a specialized practicum.

Herzing's online MSW includes 900 total field practicum hours. Those are split across four field courses — a 400-hour Generalist Field Practicum across two semesters (200 hours each) and a 500-hour Specialized Field Practicum across two more semesters (250 hours each). The generalist phase builds foundational clinical skills. The specialized phase concentrates your work inside your chosen area of practice.

Practicum sites include:

• Community agencies
• Counseling centers
• Criminal justice organizations
• Hospitals
• Mental health facilities 
• Schools, colleges and universities

Herzing's Director of Field Education provides practicum placement assistance and can help if you need support securing a site in your area. As with the BSW, Herzing also allows paid practicum and employment-based practicum experiences, so a qualifying social service role you already hold may count toward your field hours.

Online MSW with Advanced Standing: a shorter pathway for BSW graduates

If you already have a Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program, an Advanced Standing MSW lets you complete your master's faster. The reasoning is straightforward: you already covered foundational social work content in your BSW, so the master's program can focus on advanced clinical work without repeating the basics.

Herzing's online Advanced Standing MSW is a 36-credit program that students typically complete in 12 months full-time, or up to 24 months part-time. The didactic courses are delivered online, with synchronous sessions offered weekly so you can discuss the material with your professors in real time. Field practicum totals 500 hours across two 250-hour courses inside your chosen area of practice — the same three options as the traditional MSW.

To qualify, you'll typically need a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned within the past seven years and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75. 

What to look for in an online social work program

Not every program is built the same way. If you're comparing online BSW or MSW options, these are the features that matter most:

CSWE accreditation

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation is the single most important factor. CSWE is the recognized accrediting body for social work education in the United States. Most state licensing boards require a CSWE-accredited degree to qualify for a social work license, including the LCSW. If a program is not CSWE-accredited — or at minimum in candidacy — your degree may not count toward licensure later. 

As of 2026, Herzing's MSW and Advanced Standing MSW programs are CSWE accredited. The Herzing BSW program is in pre-candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education's Board of Accreditation; details on what that means are linked from the BSW program page.

Practicum placement support

Finding a practicum site is one of the harder parts of being an online student, especially if you don't already work in the field. Look for programs with a dedicated field education team that helps you identify approved sites in your area. 

Ask whether paid practicum or employment-based practicum experiences are allowed — that flexibility can make the difference between finishing your degree on schedule and pausing your career to do it.

Electives and areas of practice

Social work covers a wide range of settings, and you don't always know which one fits until you've spent some time inside the field. Programs that offer electives across multiple areas of practice — mental health, medical, children and families, aging services and so on — give you room to explore before you commit. 

That's especially valuable at the MSW level, where your specialized practicum and post-graduation career often align with your electives.

Simulated learning experiences

Online programs vary in how they bridge the gap between coursework and the field. Programs that include virtual simulated experiences — case studies, role-play exercises and recorded client interactions — give you a safer space to practice skills before you sit across from a real client. 

Herzing's online MSW includes virtual, simulated experiences built into the curriculum for exactly this reason.

Frequently asked questions about online social work degrees

What's the difference between a BSW and an MSW?

A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is an undergraduate degree that prepares you for generalist, entry-level social work practice. A Master of Social Work (MSW) is a graduate degree that prepares you for advanced and clinical practice, including the path to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). You can enter many nonclinical social work jobs with a BSW, but clinical roles — diagnosing and treating mental, behavioral and emotional disorders — require an MSW plus state licensure.

Can I become a clinical social worker with just a BSW?

No. Clinical social workers need a master's degree in social work, supervised clinical experience after graduation and a state license. A BSW is an important first step, but it does not, on its own, qualify you for clinical practice. Many BSW graduates continue on to an MSW, and an Advanced Standing MSW can shorten that timeline.

Can I complete my social work practicum at my current job?

Sometimes. Some programs allow employment-based practicums if the role you’re working in meets specific criteria for supervision, scope of work and learning objectives. Herzing allows paid practicum and employment-based practicum experiences in both the BSW and MSW programs, which can be a meaningful advantage if you already work in a social service setting.

How long does it take to earn an online MSW with Advanced Standing?

Most Advanced Standing MSW programs take about a year of full-time study, sometimes longer part-time. At Herzing, students typically complete the online Advanced Standing MSW in 12 months full-time, or up to 24 months part-time. To qualify, you'll need a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned within the past seven years, along with a minimum 2.75 GPA.

What areas of practice can I focus on in an MSW program?

The areas vary by program. Many MSW programs let you tailor your electives and your specialized field practicum to a particular practice area. At Herzing, you can choose electives across three areas of practice: Mental Health; Medical Social Work; and Children, Families and Aging Services. Your elective choices can help you build toward the kind of role you want after graduation.

Why is CSWE accreditation important for an online social work degree?

CSWE is the recognized accrediting body for social work education in the United States. State licensing boards generally require a degree from a CSWE-accredited program (or, for some advanced standing pathways, a degree in pre-candidacy that achieves accreditation while you're enrolled) to qualify for a social work license, including the LCSW. If you plan to pursue licensure, CSWE accreditation is one of the most important details to verify before you enroll.

Take the next step toward a career in social work

Whether you're starting with a BSW, moving from a non-social-work bachelor's into a traditional MSW or continuing your social work education through Advanced Standing, the right online program can meet you where you are in life and prepare you for what's next. Get in touch to learn more about Herzing University's online social work programs and how to choose the path that fits your career goals.

Disclaimer: Herzing University's Bachelor of Social Work program is currently in pre-candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education's Board of Accreditation. Pre-candidacy status indicates that the program has applied to be reviewed for candidacy and received approval of its Benchmark 1 from CSWE Accreditation Staff to move forward for a candidacy review within one year. A program that has attained pre-candidacy status has not yet been reviewed by the BOA nor verified to be compliant with the accreditation standards. Candidacy is typically a three-year process, and attaining pre-candidacy does not guarantee that a program will eventually attain candidacy and initial accreditation.