40 cheapest CSWE accredited online MSW programs

On this page, you will find the cheapest Master of Social Work (MSW) programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

This article is for students who are searching for some cheap master’s in social work programs, in this article we will talk about these programs and how much their tuition fees cost, other costs attached to the program can be found by following the program’s link.

If you already have a Bachelor of Social Work degree certificate, then check our list on some of the 1-Year (advanced) Master of Social Work online programs.

40 cheapest CSWE accredited online MSW programs

Here are the 40 cheapest online Master of Social Work programs:

Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University offers an online master of social work program in clinical social work, this program is made up of self-paced courses but with fixed deadlines, and the flexibility of the program makes it an ideal option for full-time workers.

The program has two start dates every academic session and only students living in the United States are accepted into the program, these students also have the pass the program’s admission requirements.

Students who enroll in this program will complete 60 credit hours, and have a minimum cumulative grade of 3.0. The students will also need to have a minimum grade of C in each of the individual courses. The program is accredited by the CSWE.

Average tuition fee: $4,500.

Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University has an online MSW program available to all students in the United States, the full-time program is available to students who live in Maryland, New Jersey, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Texas, Illinois, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Mississippi.

This program helps graduate and working social workers to prepare for an advanced level of work in the field of social work.

The program is available to BSW and no BSW degree holders, however, no BSW degree holders have to spend an extra year on foundational courses, while BSW degree holders take the advanced Master of Social Work program lasting a year.

Average tuition fee: $5,610.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The program is an online Master of Social Work programs and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), this program was developed to improve human care services in the Latino community.

There are two concentrations or specializations available in the program: (1) Administration and Community Practice, and (2) Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families, and Groups.

This program is aimed at helping students develop the leadership skills and dedication required to deliver better social services for Latino families, communities, and groups. This program lasts for about 2 years.

Average tuition fee: $7,350.

New Mexico State University

This program is also accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, this program aims at teaching students the best skills need for social work and human care services in a city with diversified cultural backgrounds, such as New Mexico.

This program is available for students with bachelor’s degrees in social work and students without it, but students who already have a bachelor of social work degree will only have to spend one year in the program while students who don’t have one will spend two years in the program.

This program is only available to students who are physically present in the city of New Mexico.

Average tuition fee: $7,406.

Mizzou University of Missouri

Mizzou University of Missouri’s online program is an affordable Master of Social Work program, there are two focus areas in the program and an option for general studies.

The program has an acceptance rate of 78 percent, and a graduation rate of 71 percent, also, over 89 percent of the population receives financial aid to support their education.

Average tuition fee: $7,720

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

The Edinboro University of Pennsylvania offers an online Master of Social Work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); a national accreditation body for social work programs in the United States.

This program focuses on trauma-informed family practice only, it also has a compulsory internship program. Students outside the United States are also accepted into the program once they fulfill the requirements.

Average tuition fee: $7,740.

University of Central Florida

This program was developed by the University of Central Florida and is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education. The University of Central Florida is a prestigious university in the United States.

This program covers topics on national and global health, trauma, and mental health problems affecting individuals. The program is available to all students in the United States who have a Bachelor’s degree.

In this program, students will learn the connection between all societies in the world and how problems facing a society may affect the rest of the world. This program also promotes positive change in society.

Average tuition fee: $7,799.

Western New Mexico University

This online program run by Western New Mexico University is recognized as one of the best online MSW programs, it is made up of nine compulsory courses, and students who complete these courses will earn a Master of Social Work degree.

This program includes topics in Human Trafficking, Social Welfare Policy, and Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice.

Students who enroll in this program will also have to complete fieldwork education or practicum; the practicum is completed at the Nearest agency, or organization approved by the management of the program.

Average tuition fee: $8,029.

Campbellsville University

Campbellsville University is located in Campbellsville, Kentucky. The university has a nationwide reputation for it affordability.

This master of social work online program is one of the fastest and can be completed in just nine months. This program includes a compulsory fieldwork education that all students must pass before graduation.

This program is open to students from any of the 50 states in the United States of America and is fully delivered online. This program is ideal for students who want to have an advanced career in social work while saving on dollars.

Average tuition fee: $8,385.

University of South Dakota

Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, the University of South Dakota has an online MSW program and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

This online Master of Social Work Program supports traditional and advanced standing programs and takes between one and two years to complete, Students who study the program will qualify for advanced generalized social work services for individuals, families, societies, and communities.

This program is only available to students in South Dakota because in only meets the licensing requirements of South Dakota State. The curriculum of this program involves policy, practice, and research in social work.

Average tuition fee: $8,469.

Boise State University

The MSW program was created to suit social workers who want to advance in their careers delivering social services to individuals and families.

This program encourages social equality by teaching students the policy, and clinical skills required to achieve equity in the community and give people better living conditions.

This program is delivered fully online and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and is available to students from all parts of the United States, it is also flexible and of great quality.

Average tuition fee: $8,158.

The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama runs an online MSW program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the program support advanced standing and traditional online MSW programs.

Just like other programs, this program is delivered online with the exception of face-to-face skill labs and field placement.

As part of the program requirements, applicants must have access to a computer with a high-speed internet connection. There are two possible specializations in the program: (1) Adults and Their Families, and (2) Children, Adolescents and Their Families.

Average tuition fee: $8,240.

Brescia University

Brescia University offers an online MSW degree program, which the CSWE accredits. The program is ideal for generalist social workers who want to go for advanced work in the field of therapy and use evidence-based practice intervention.

This program also prepares social workers for leadership and supervision roles. Students who enroll in this program will acquire the advanced skills required for social workers to take up advanced roles in social work.

Through this program, students will learn about mental diseases, health issues, dying, and death, they will also learn how to handle individuals in these conditions. This program is open to local and international students.

Average tuition fee: $8,375.

University of Northern Iowa

The University of Northern Iowa offers an MSW online program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

There is one concentration in the program: trauma-informed care. This program prepares students for a career in seeking equity and proper social change.

Students who enroll in this program become professionals in handling traumatized and mentally challenged individuals, they also learn the different factors that may cause individuals to become traumatized.

This online Master of Social Work program only meets the licensure requirements of Iowa state, hence only students who intend to work in Iowa are encouraged to enroll.

Average tuition fee: $9,565.

West Virginia University

West Virginia University runs an online master’s program in social work, the program helps students prepare for an advanced level of social work practice and be able to fit into various roles in social work.

In this program, students prepare for the incorporation of micro, mezzo, and macro practice skills in the different fields of social work.

This program has an acceptance rate of 72 percent and a graduation rate of 61 percent, also 94 percent of students in the program receive financial aid.

Average tuition fee: $9,594.

Rutgers University

Rutgers University offers an MSW program that was developed for students who are too busy to attend the traditional MSW programs because of their schedules.

This program is a flexible one with no fixed dates or times for classes, the traditional online program takes between 2 and 3 years to complete.

The school has an acceptance rate of 58 percent, a graduation rate of 84 percent, and 71 percent of the students receive financial aid.

Average tuition fee: $9,600.

University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota is a public research university in North Dakota, it is accredited by CSWE.

This program was developed for students who are full-time workers but want to advance in their social work careers. People who are not under this condition may also apply.

The program is available for students with a Bachelor of Social Work degree, however, students who don’t have a Bachelor of Social Work degree may apply but they will have to spend more time on foundation courses.

The school has an acceptance rate of 83%, and a graduation rate of 61%, also 92% of the students receive financial aid.

Average tuition fee: $9,616.

University of Alaska Anchorage

The social work Master’s degree offered by the University of Alaska is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and is delivered online with the exception of field education and research.

This program is relatively cheap and convenient for an average student; costing between $19,000 and $20,000.

The Master’s degree is an advanced generalist program in social work, the aim of the program is to train social workers who will fight against racial discrimination, injustice, and oppressive social work practice.

Average tuition fee: $9,752.

University of Missouri-Columbia

The University of Missouri-Columbia is a public university and was founded in 1839, the Council on Social Work Education recognizes its school of social work.

This program was developed to help students who wish to go into advanced clinical practice, planning, policy, and administration. It is open to students living in any of the supported states: Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

Students who enroll in this program have to complete a compulsory field education program while under supervision; this doesn’t require students to visit the campus as the field placement can be undergone at the closest approved agency.

Average tuition fee: $9,752.

Aurora University

The Aurora University offers a Master of Social Work Online Program that prepares students for social work practice involving individuals, families, communities, and societies

There are seven available tracks in the program: Child Welfare, Forensics, Gerontology, Health Care, Leadership Administration, Military and Veteran Social Work, and School Social Work.

This online program is of the same quality as the on-campus program and both are taught by the same people, this program is only available to students in the United States.

Average tuition fee: $9,900.

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago school of social work offers one of the cheapest online Master of Social Work programs, the program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

This program is ideal for social workers who work in the clinical. school, and or community environment and wish to advance in their career. This program helps students acquire the required skills needed for leadership roles in social work.

There are two available specializations in the program:

• Micro Practice
• Leadership, mezzo, and macro practice (LLMP)

There are five available tracks in the program; four in Micro Practice Specialization and one in LMMP:

• Advanced clinical practice
• Certified alcohol and other drugs counselor training program
• Migration studies
• Social work or professional educator license
• Leadership, community, advocacy, and policy

Average tuition fee: $10,500.

University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky runs one of the cheapest online Master of Social Work programs, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, this program is ideal for social workers who are looking to advance in their career by receiving a top-quality MSW education while saving on dollars.

This program is fully delivered online but still boasts of being top-quality, there are two specializations in the program: Clinical Social Work Practice and Substance Use Disorder; however, students may also choose from other elective courses to make sure they are in the right concentration area.

This program is designed to suit social workers who serve individuals and families, and also those who serve communities and societies. At the end of the course, participants should be able to build connections with people and give them the necessary support required to fulfill their needs.

In addition to being one of the cheapest Master of Social Work programs online, the University of Kentuck school of social work has been in existence for over 80 years.

Average tuition fee: $10,508.

Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research university in Arizona that offers an accredited master of social work program through its school of social work.

The aim of this program is to train social workers to deliver effective home services to; individuals, families, communities, societies, and the entire world. Social workers who enroll in this program will learn to advocate for justice and equity in society, irrespective of sex, religion, race, etc.

In this program, students will also learn the best way to make policies and provide solutions to the problems affecting society.

Average tuition fee: $10,559.

Western Kentucky University

Western Kentucky University runs one of the MSW programs that are affordable to students, the program is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

The flexibility of this program makes it an ideal choice for social workers who are already employed but want to further their education in social work.

The program is open to students in the United States and those outside the United States who want to advance in their social work careers. It prepares social workers to deliver social services to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

Average tuition fee: $10,605.

Indiana University

Indiana University is a public research institution in Indiana, its School of Social Work’s program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

This program teaches students the skills that will enable them to work in different fields of social work. The students who pass through this program gain many skills: policy analysis, fighting social injustice, etc.

This program is available to students who are physically present in the United States, in addition to its affordability, this program is also of high quality.

Average tuition fee: $11,098.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock

This program was developed by the school of social work at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the program is accredited by Higher Learning Commission and Council on Social Work Education.

This program helps social workers gain the skills needed for leadership and supervisory roles in social work, the methods taught in this program are evidence bases and can be applied in social work services involving individuals, families, and groups.

This program is open only to students who are physically present in Arkansas and the fieldwork must be completed by the students in the nearest approved agency within the state of Arkansas.

Average tuition fee: $11,490.

Florida State University

Florida State University has an online MSW program, the program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and was designed to suit social workers who have jobs.

This program is part-time and partially self-paced; hence it suits busy working professionals who don’t want to give up their jobs or take study leaves to obtain their Master of Social Work degrees.

Students who want to enroll in this program are encouraged by the school to submit their application 9 to 12 months before the beginning of the program. The program is only available to students who are physically present in the United States.

Average tuition fee: $12,188.

California State University-San Bernardino

California State University, San Bernardino’s online distance program social work program is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission and the Council on Social Work Education.

The program was made to accommodate students who either live far away from the schools or due to some other circumstances find it impossible to attend the on-campus program. The flexibility of this program makes it stand out as one of the most suitable online Master of Social Work for social workers who are working with a busy schedule.

Average tuition fee: $13,000.

Colorado State University

Colorado State University is one of the Universities in Colorado that offer Master of Social Work degree programs online, the Council on Social Work Education accredits its online social work degree program.

While in this program, students may choose to complete an extra degree program in any of the listed degree programs: conflict resolution and mediation, military and veteran culture, advanced behavioral health, and nonprofit administration.

Students in all parts of North America are accepted into the program, international students are also accepted.

Average tuition fee: $13,050.

University at Buffalo

University at Buffalo offers an online advanced standing program in social work, the program is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

This Master of Social Work program is highly flexible; it can be completed in 18 months, but students can extend their studies to a six-year period just to suit their demands, hence the program is highly recommended to social workers who have a busy schedule but want to advance in their career.

The program is trauma-informed and revolves around human rights and values. The degree is 100% online and very affordable, there are also about three dual degree options available.

Average tuition fee: $13,080.

Delaware State University

This online program offered by Delaware State University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Currently, it is the only available online Master of Social Work program in the State of Delaware.

The program is an advanced generalist Master of Social Work program. Students who complete the program will be qualified for advanced social work practice involving individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and societies.

This program gives students a universal perception of interpersonal, societal, international, social, political, and economic problems, it also makes them understand the effects of these problems.

Average tuition fees: $13,140.

University of Memphis

University of Memphis’ online MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education,l

In this program, students gain the skills needed for evidence-based practice, policy-making and implementation, service to populations at risk, and leadership in social work.

Advanced Practice Across Systems is the only concentration in this program, however, this program also has some elective courses ensuring the program satisfies the needs of every student.

Students who take this program will gain numerous skills, including relationship building and enhancement, advanced assessment, evidence-based practice, goal-oriented interventions, and evaluation of practice.

Average tuition fee: $13,243.

Metropolitan State University

Metropolitan State University is a public university in Denver, Colorado. The school offers an accredited MSW online program. Students who complete the program will gain the skills required to render social services to individuals, families, communities, societies, and groups in a culturally diversified and global society.

The skills and values gained from this program include cultural awareness, global awareness, scientific inquiry, clinical assessment and intervention, policymaking, leadership, organization, etc. As a social worker who has plans to lead social work agencies, you should endeavor to enroll in some online diploma is social work programs.

This program has a 100% admission rate and has 4 concentrations:

• Healthcare and mental health
• Families and child welfare
• Gerontology social work
• International social work

Average tuition fee: $13,486.

University of South Florida

The University of South Florida offers an online MSW degree program. Students from all parts of the United State of America are accepted into the program if they meet the admission requirements for the program.

The program encourages interaction among students through the use of the cohort model that allows students to connect and interact with one another, this practice boosts performance and helps bridge the gap between traditional education and online education.

The online Master of Social Work program is not self-paced. It prepares students for leadership roles in clinical social work practice and advanced clinical social work practice with individuals, families, groups, societies, and communities.

Average tuition fee: $13,018.

Our Lady of the Lake University

Our Lady of the Lake University offers an online Master of Social Work program that can be completed online, the program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Students who enroll in this program will earn many skills, including engagement, intervention, treatment, evaluation, and assessment. The skills gained in this program prepare students for advanced social work practice involving individuals and families.

This program is a perfect blend of online classes and field education which gives the students a great study experience, it is also partially self-paced allowing students to learn at their own rate

This program is one of the few online Master of Social Work programs that focus on training social workers to provide social work services to the Hispanic population, it is also affordable to students.

Average tuition fee: $13,875.

Temple University

Temple University runs one of the online Master of Social Work programs in Philadephia, the program is accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

This program is ideal for social work professionals who want to further their education while managing a busy schedule, the program also includes field education and features small classes with an average of 17 students per class.

Students who enroll in this online program will have access to all educational resources that traditional students use, they will also be able to get in touch with the tutors online or offline, even after class hours.

There are also dual degree options available in this program, which makes the Master of Social Work program even cheaper.

Average tuition fee: $14,625.

Related content: Top 5 free online MSW programs.

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

The University of Tennessee – Knoxville has a social work school with programs accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and Commission On Colleges.

The foundation of this program is based on the fundamental values and ethics of professional social work. The skills and values in the program include culturally affirming practice, social and economic justice, critical thinking, racial equity, etc.

The main goal of this program is to train social workers who will dedicate their time to providing social work services to at-risk populations (individuals, families, groups, communities, societies, etc) in need of such services.

There is only one available specialization in this program: Evidence-based Interpersonal practice, this specialization prepares students for advanced social work practice involving children and families.

Average tuition fee: $14,630.

Widener University

Widener University’s school of social work offers online Master of Social Work programs. The MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

This program focuses on trauma as the major subject because of the fact about ninety percent of cases of mental health problems in the United States of America are rooted in trauma.

In this program, students will gain the knowledge needed for them to advance in their careers of giving social care to individuals, families, groups, societies, and communities that suffer mental health problems as a result of trauma.

This online degree program is self-paced, so it is an ideal program for social work professionals who have busy schedules, it is also affordable, hence it receives students who also have families to take care of and give their time to.

Average tuition fee: $16,488.

Cal Poly Humboldt

Cal Poly Humboldt was formerly known as Humboldt State University, the school is located in Arcata, California. The school offers social work programs accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission and the Council on Social Work Education.

This program is an advanced generalist program that was developed to train social workers who will provide students with the skills they need to offer social work services to people in rural and indigenous communities.

In addition to serving people in rural areas, students who complete this program will get a universal understanding of current social issues.

Average tuition fees: $16,680.

University of Houston

The University of Houston is a public research university in Houston, Texas, and it was founded in 1927. The university offers social work degree programs to students.

The program utilizes the cohort system; students in the program are admitted in batches, and these groups of students are allowed to build connections and communicate with each throughout the program.

The program is partially self-paced; students are only given deadlines for completion of their assignments and class work without any mandate on the period they do this class works, the program also includes fieldwork, it is one of the cheapest online Master of Social Work programs.

Average tuition fee: $16,796.

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

This article is a compilation of the programs we could find, this list is to be updated regularly and is prone to slight variation from the authentic statistics, if you notice such do not hesitate to contact us.

For more information on social work programs, see online social work certificate programs.

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