<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="23" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> Syracuse University’s Online Master of Social Work—No GRE Required </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Learn to use the power of technology to become an advocate for vulnerable communities. </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>Syracuse University’s CSWE-accredited online Master of Social Work program is preparing the next generation of social work leaders through an emphasis on digital innovation and social justice. The program offers Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-23" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-23" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinegrad.syracuse.edu/requestinfo/msw/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://coins2day.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SYR_University_PrimaryLogo_Horizontal_One-Line_RGB_COLOR.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinegrad.syracuse.edu/requestinfo/msw/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="24" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> Earn your MSW online from the University of Denver </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Prepare for a career in social work with a curriculum grounded in social justice. No BSW or GRE required. </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>Complete DU’s CSWE-accredited online MSW program in as few as 21 months—or 12 months if you have a bachelor’s in social work. Choose a concentration in Mental Health and Trauma or Health, Equity and Wellness.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-24" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-24" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinemsw.du.edu/requestinfo/index/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://coins2day.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DEN_University_Stacked_RGB_Color.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinemsw.du.edu/requestinfo/index/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="102" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> Earn Your MSW Online with Simmons University. No GRE Required. </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Discover the innovative Master of Social Work from the nation’s oldest school of social work. </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>Aspiring direct practitioners can earn their MSW online from Simmons University in as few as 9 months. GRE scores are not required, and the program offers full-time, part-time, accelerated, and advanced standing tracks.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-102" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-102" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://online.simmons.edu/requestinfo/msw/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://coins2day.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SC_School-SocialWork_RGB_COLOR.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://online.simmons.edu/requestinfo/msw/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

ad_Social-work

cat_Graduate

Low Intent

ptype_Explainer

Sarah Thomas-Oxtoby

<p>People who are drawn to social work are generally seeking a career that’s defined by a sense of purpose, rather than lofty salary projections. But with the outlook for social work positions projected to grow at a rate faster than the average for all occupations, that demand will create more career pathways—and, potentially, ones that are higher paying—for students pursuing degrees in this field.</p><div class="paywall-selector"></div><div class="paywall">



<p>While the outlook for social work roles as a whole is projected to grow 9% by 2031, according to the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>, the demand is even stronger for some specific roles, including social workers who specialize in health care or in mental health and substance abuse. These job titles are expected to see job growth of 11%, <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BLS figures show</a>.</p>



<p>Being a mental health provider or substance use provider are “very good areas for social workers to focus on right now,” Mirean Coleman, clinical director at the <a href="https://www.socialworkers.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Association of Social Workers (NASW)</a>, tells <em>Fortune</em>. “Although we’re producing a lot of social workers for mental health and substance use services, the demand is so high that we’re not able to meet that demand.” </p>



<p>And some of these fast-growing roles require a <a href="https://coins2day.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">master’s degree in social work (MSW)</a> to get a foot in the door.<strong> </strong>“If you want to work in nursing homes or with hospice care, a lot of times an MSW is required,” Mandy Weirich, MSW online program coordinator at <a href="https://coins2day.com/education/health/west-virginia-university/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Virginia University</a>, tells <em>Fortune</em>. “In some places, it’s just easier to get a promotion if you have a master’s level education.” </p>



<p>Even with this backdrop of robust demand, people considering a master’s degree program in social work may understandably wonder whether the time and cost to attend a program that <a href="https://coins2day.com/education/articles/how-long-does-it-take-to-actually-earn-a-masters-in-social-work/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">typically takes about two to three years to complete</a> will be worthwhile. Here are some things to consider when weighing that decision. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-master-s-in-social-work-can-expand-your-career-horizons">A master’s in social work can expand your career horizons</h2>



<p>Earning a master’s degree in social work increases your salary potential partly thanks to the additional experience you’ll obtain. Along with the degree, completing two years in a clinical setting and passing the licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) exam can ultimately help you earn more money in the field, Coleman says.<strong> </strong></p>



<p>“For those who are licensed at the clinical level, they can go into private practice, and they can make more money in those types of settings,” she adds.</p>



<p>A master’s degree can also open the door to a <a href="https://coins2day.com/education/articles/what-careers-are-available-with-masters-in-social-work/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wider variety of career options</a> for social workers who hold only a bachelor’s degree.</p>



<p>“The majority of our students have already been doing this kind of work, and are looking to have the credentials to move into other spaces, or move into leadership,” Crystal Diaz-Espinoza, director of enrollment and alumni services at <a href="https://coins2day.com/education/health/baylor-university/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baylor University,</a> tells <em>Fortune</em>.</p>



<p>A master’s degree in social work can also help people pivot careers—and the COVID-19 pandemic inspired some people to move into this field.</p>



<p>“We’re seeing students switching careers. It’s not always a shift that is planned, and sometimes it’s a shift that is something they’ve always wanted to do and just didn’t get a chance to do earlier,” Christen Argueta, senior lecturer and online MSW program director at Baylor University, tells <em>Fortune</em>. </p>



<p>Similarly, the MSW program at West Virginia has attracted some new types of applicants, according to Weirich. “We get a lot of students who are typically older, so maybe this is career number two for them,” she says, adding that 2020 was “a big awakening” for people, in terms of racial injustice. “A lot of people have been moved by that to look into social work.”</p>



<p>Finally, shifts in other careers may be benefiting social work. “We have a big exodus of schoolteachers either looking for something different or they’ve already been doing social work, and that just means being a teacher,” Weirich notes. And earning a master’s degree allows teachers who perform many similar functions as social workers to learn the theory of social work and formally move into the occupation, she adds. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-specialty-areas-in-need-of-social-workers">3 specialty areas in need of social workers</h2>



<p>If you’re considering a master’s degree in social work, you should also consider your goals postgraduation. That’s because, as Coleman notes, three specialty areas are in the most dire need of social workers right now: mental health, behavioral health, and health care.</p>



<p>Health care is “a very good market” for social workers to be involved in, as certain health care positions—including as a clinical social worker—will require a master’s degree, Coleman says. One such role is assisting physicians who administer psychedelic therapy—a form of treatment for people who suffer from major depressive disorders. A clinical social worker monitors patients after a physician administers the psychedelic medicine. </p>



<p>“If you want to provide mental health treatment or substance use treatment, then you need to get the clinical license in order to perform work,” Coleman says. </p>



<p>And while a higher level of education often unlocks a higher level of pay, Coleman notes that a “passion” or calling is “the number one driver” for those entering the field of social work<strong>.</strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-master-s-degree-can-help-boost-salaries-for-social-workers">A master’s degree can help boost salaries for social workers</h2>



<p>As of February 2023, the median annual salary of social workers was more than $57,000, according to <a href="https://www.indeed.com/career/social-worker/salaries?from=top_sb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indeed</a>. However, with more years of experience, social workers can expect to earn higher pay. Social workers on the higher end of the pay scale can break the $83,000 earnings mark, <a href="https://www.indeed.com/career/social-worker/salaries?from=top_sb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indeed reports</a>.</p>



<p>And salaries for social workers who hold a master’s degree are at least $13,000 higher than people with only a bachelor’s degree, according to the <a href="https://www.socialworkers.org/careers/career-center/kickstart-your-job-hunt/social-work-salaries" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASW</a>.</p>



<p>What’s more, social workers in larger metropolitan areas may be able to even exceed the six-figure benchmark for salaries. For example, social workers in Washington, D.C., make well above the average, earning more than $109,000 annually, according to <a href="https://www.indeed.com/career/social-worker/salaries?from=top_sb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indeed</a>.</p>



<p>Still, the cost to obtain this advanced degree is a consideration for many applicants. An <a href="https://coins2day.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">online master’s in social work</a> is offered in two program tracks, and the tuition varies depending on whether you enter the program on the standard or advanced track. Applicants who already possess a bachelor’s degree in social work can enter on the advanced track, while the standard or regular track is for anyone who holds a bachelor’s degree in any other field.</p>



<p>The advanced track generally takes about half as long to complete as the standard track. The standard track generally takes at least two years to complete for full-time students, as compared to one year for full-time students on the advanced track.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><thead><tr><th><strong>If you…</strong></th><th><strong>Then check out…</strong></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Want to browse all online master’s of social work programs</td><td><a href="https://coins2day.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/">Directory of accredited online MSW programs</a></td></tr><tr><td>Want a program that’s based in New York</td><td><a href="https://coins2day.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/new-york/">Online MSW programs in New York</a></td></tr><tr><td>Want a program that’s based in California</td><td><a href="https://coins2day.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/california/">Online MSW programs in California</a></td></tr><tr><td>Want a program that’s based in Texas</td><td><a href="https://coins2day.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/texas/">Online MSW programs in Texas</a></td></tr><tr><td>Don’t want to take the GRE</td><td><a href="https://coins2day.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/no-gre-required/">Online MSW programs – no GRE required</a></td></tr><tr><td>Want to get your degree faster</td><td><a href="https://coins2day.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/accelerated/">Accelerated online MSW programs</a></td></tr><tr><td>Already hold a bachelor’s degree in social work</td><td><a href="https://coins2day.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/advanced-standing/">Advanced standing online MSW programs</a></td></tr><tr><td>Want to attend school part-time while working</td><td><a href="https://coins2day.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/part-time/">Part-time online MSW programs</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-pandemic-made-social-work-jobs-more-flexible">The pandemic made social work jobs more flexible</h2>



<p>A final consideration when thinking about whether a master’s degree is worthwhile is if the specifics of the jobs will match your expectations. The good news is there’s more flexibility for social workers now than prior to the pandemic.  </p>



<p>The pandemic highlighted an unfulfilled need for mental health and behavioral health services, which created flexibility in a field which Coleman says was once considered a “feet on the ground” profession. The end result is there are more settings in which people can work now, she adds.</p>



<p>Whereas social workers were previously confined to the geographic areas where they were physically located, now they can serve more communities in a hybrid or online setting. “This makes it really convenient for social workers to select a job where you have the option of working remotely,” Coleman notes.</p>



<p>Finally, thanks to an expanding number of jobs and ways to work as a social worker, a master’s degree in social work has become even more valuable, according to Diaz-Espinoza of Baylor University. </p>



<p>“There’s so many areas that people don’t realize that when you have an MSW it really does empower you to do almost anything,” she says. “The breadth of areas that our students are in, really, it’s all over the place. I think that’s the beauty of the MSW.”</p>



<p><em>Check out all of </em>Fortune’<em>s </em><a href="https://coins2day.com/education/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>rankings of degree programs</em></a><em>, and learn more about specific </em><a href="https://coins2day.com/education/careers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>career paths</em></a><em>.</em></p>



<div class="wp-block-group pro-tip-box-widget"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
<h3 class="wp-block-heading pro-tip-box-heading">Read more</h3>



<li>We created a list of more than 150 <a href="https://coins2day.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/">accredited online master’s degree programs in social work</a>.</li>
<li>This list of <a href="https://coins2day.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/no-gre-required/">accredited online MSW programs that don’t require a GRE score</a> can help you earn an online degree without needing to have excellent standardized test scores.</li>
<li>You can work towards a degree on your own time by selecting from our list of the <a href="https://coins2day.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/part-time/">best part time MSW programs</a>.</li>
<li>We compiled a list of <a href="https://coins2day.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/advanced-standing/">advanced standing online MSW programs</a> that can help you make an upgrade to take the next step in your career.</li>
<li>Earn a graduate degree faster than normal with one of these <a href="https://coins2day.com/education/health/accredited-online-msw-programs/accelerated/">accelerated online MSW programs</a>.</li>
</div></div>
</div>

A master's degree in social work (MSW) can help grads land a promotion, become a clinical social worker, open a practice, or even pivot careers.

Is a master's degree in social work worth it?

F-Search

Education

Education Articles

Jasmine Suarez

Business

A master's degree in social work can be leveraged to promote, or pivot careers.

Is a master’s degree in social work worth it?

Fortune earns a commission for purchases made from affiliate partners via some links on our site; other links are not affiliate partner links. <a href='/affiliate-disclosure/'>Click here</a> to read the full Fortune advertiser disclosure and how we earn commissions.

We have independently evaluated the products and services below. We may earn affiliate revenue from links in the content.

Fortune Editors

Fortune Education is designed to be your guide to navigating this new, rich and somewhat overwhelming world of education. Our team of experienced editors is committed to scouring the universe of online offerings in order to rank, rate, provide comparisons and recommend the right solutions for you and your career.

Fortune Education

Uncategorized

homepage

articles

Articles Hub

By Region

By State

By Cost

Career Hub

Health and Wellness

Tech

EDUCATION

EDUCATION ARTICLES

IS A MASTER'S DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK WORTH IT?

Is a master’s degree in social work worth it? | Fortune Education

Is a master's degree in social work worth it? | Fortune Education

Preston Fore

2024 real estate school review: AceableAgent

https://coins2day.com/education/articles/real-estate-school-review-aceableagent/?itm_source=parsely-api

Rich Griset

10 free data analytics courses you can take online

https://coins2day.com/education/articles/free-data-analytics-courses/?itm_source=parsely-api

Brad Haft

Best nutritionist certifications for 2024

https://coins2day.com/education/articles/best-nutritionist-certifications/?itm_source=parsely-api

Brit Morse

A law associate making $300,000 a year at Skadden Arps quit over the firm’s deal with Donald Trump

/article/rachel-cohen-making-300k-year-law-associate-skadden-arps-quit-protest-firms-deal-trump/

Get ready to pay more than $2,000 for a new iPhone: Experts say Trump’s 125% tariff on China is a ‘complete disaster for Apple’ akin to ‘Armageddon’

/2025/04/10/apple-iphone-16-price-complete-disaster-china-trump-tariffs/

It’s about to get a lot harder for job seekers as tariffs are set to make the hiring landscape even more daunting

/2025/04/07/trump-tariffs-labor-market-more-challenging-job-seekers-economists-say/

This company does peer performance reviews—And then lets everyone read each other’s evaluations

/2025/03/24/performance-review-process-company-allows-all-workers-read-garner-health-workplace-culture/

2024 health coach certification review: Catalyst Coaching Institute

/education/articles/health-coach-certification-review-catalyst-coaching-institute/

A guide to a nurse’s salary: Broken down by all 50 states and industry type

/education/careers/nurse-salary/

2024 health coach certification review: Institute for Integrative Nutrition

/education/articles/health-coach-certification-review-institute-for-integrative-nutrition/

10 high-paying public health jobs right now

/education/careers/public-health-jobs/

Whether you’ve just completed your undergraduate degree or you are a professional with years of experience, Fortune is here to guide you on the next step of your educational journey.

Is a master’s degree in social work worth it?

About the Contributors

Top Articles

2024 real estate school review: AceableAgent

10 free data analytics courses you can take online

Best nutritionist certifications for 2024

Earn Your MSW Online with Simmons University. No GRE Required.