Earn Your MSW — 100% Online

No GRE/MAT
Required

CSWE
Accredited

96%
Grad Employment1

Top 15
Program in the Nation2

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Programs Curriculum Careers

A Clinically Focused, Trauma-Informed MSW

At Widener University, our online Master of Social Work (MSW) program is built around a clinical, trauma-informed approach to practice. You’ll learn to recognize how trauma shapes mental health, relationships, and community well-being, and to apply evidence-based interventions that address its root causes rather than just its symptoms.

Alongside clinical practice, you’ll strengthen your systems thinking and advocacy skills, learning to work across individual, organizational, and community levels. Faculty who are practicing clinicians will guide you through an experiential curriculum designed to enhance your confidence and professional judgment. You can pursue the MSW or the dual MSW/MEd in Human Sexuality Studies, both delivered by faculty who bring real-world clinical expertise into every course.

The Widener Advantage

With a degree from Widener University, you’ll take the inside track to long-term success. Small, interactive classes and an engaged faculty give you the advantages of focused mentorship and continual feedback. Our curriculum addresses current and emerging trends and technologies to help you hit the ground running and embrace change in your chosen field.

  • The social work MSW at Widener University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
  • Students who graduate with an MSW from Widener University have a 96% employment rate.1
  • Recognized as the best trauma-focused MSW program in the nation.3

Online Degree Options

Widener University offers two master’s degree options and a graduate certificate in social work.

Learn to deliver culturally competent, evidence-based social work services to diverse populations. This program offers additional experiences and community partnerships that prepare you for counseling, therapy, and clinical supervisory positions in mental health settings. We offer two different options to meet your educational needs. Students without a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited institution can apply for the 57-credit hour MSW program and earn their degree in three years. Students with a CSWE-accredited BSW degree are eligible to apply to the Advanced Standing 36-credit hour program that can be completed in just two years. Both program options prepares you to sit post-graduation for the Licensed Social Work Exam (LSW) in your state.*

This degree option prepares you to teach, consult, provide counseling, and therapy, and conduct research on complex issues related to human sexuality. This degree encompasses two tracks: Sex Education emphasizes the developmentally and culturally appropriate design, delivery, and assessment of educational interventions across the broad spectrum of human sexuality; Sex Therapy explores how to help others through sex therapy or related work. You’ll graduate with two degrees in three years, and be eligible for the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) certification.

The Graduate Certificate in Practices in Trauma Recovery program is designed to provide enhanced experiences for adult learners who work in social work settings with populations impacted by individuals and/or community trauma. Students in this program will gain the necessary skills to identify and treat the root causes of trauma. This program is built to help busy learners meet their career goals with coursework that fits into their busy lives.

Required for Admission:

  • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited institution
  • Currently working in a clinical placement or work environment

Why Widener?

At Widener University, academics, leadership, and service come first. This is apparent in the personalized attention and support you’ll receive from your professors. As a graduate, you’ll benefit from connections to our ever-growing group of accomplished and influential alumni.

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The Flexibility You Need

Whether you’re looking to start, change, or elevate your career, you can earn a degree from Widener University on your schedule. The MSW and MSW/MEd specializations are offered in a 100% online format, which means you can maintain your daily commitments and train for your dream job. You can even customize your degree path by adding one of our Advanced Practice Options to gain an additional area of expertise.

Our Courses

At Widener, you’ll have an opportunity to deep-dive into the field of social work, viewing issues from different perspectives. Some of the courses you may take are featured below.

SW 655 Social Work Practice with People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Increase your understanding of many of the issues relating to people who have developmental disabilities and who exhibit challenging behaviors.

SW 664 Treating Trauma

This course concentrates on conditions that contribute to the development of acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, dissociative disorders, and other disorders of extreme stress.

SW 636 Organization and Program Development

Considering agencies as the foundation from which most services emanate, this course prepares students both to effectively work within the organizational context, including developing new programs, and to enhance organizational capacity and treat the agency as a client when necessary.

SW 541 Social and Economic Justice

Explore and understand community and communities, analyze community problems, formulate community-level interventions, and develop advocacy skills appropriate to such tasks.

Testimonials

“I’ve been in behavioral health for about six years. Since starting the program, I actually obtained a new position at the Department of Human Services, and I’m able to apply the skills I’m learning directly to my current role.”

–Michelle Cardillo, MSW Candidate

“Three years is going to pass regardless. You might as well spend it earning your degree.”

–Michelle Cardillo, MSW Candidate

“What sets them (the faculty) apart is their empathy, their ability to be direct while also being compassionate, and the depth of skill and knowledge they bring to the material.”

–Michelle Cardillo, MSW Candidate

“Being an online MSW student has been a wonderful experience. I have been able to connect with faculty and other online students all over the country. The online students are able to have the same learning experience as the on-campus students. The technology used is top notch.”

–Melissa Fisher, Online Master of Social Work Graduate

Careers

Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. About 78,300 openings for social workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.4 The $50,470 median annual wage for social workers across all specializations ranks significantly higher than the median wage for all U.S. occupations, which is $41,950.4

Primary Jobs for Professionals with an MSW:5

  1. Clinical Social Worker
  2. Healthcare Social Worker
  3. Community Health Worker and Administrator
  4. Healthcare Administrator
  5. Public Health Administrator

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Sources and Disclaimer

  1. “College Rankings,” GradReports.com. Retrieved on October 1, 2021, from https://www.gradreports.com/.
  2. “Best 15 Online MSW Programs in 2021,” Best Value Schools. Retrieved on October 21, 2021, from https://www.bestvalueschools.org/.
  3. “Best Master’s in Social Work (MSW) Degree Programs of 2022,” Intelligent.com. Retrieved on October 21, 2021, from https://www.intelligent.com/.
  4. “Social Worker,” Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved on September 28, 2021, from https://bls.gov/.
  5. “Master of Social Work,” Social Work Guide. Retrieved on September 28, 2021, from https://socialworkguide.org/.

*Licensure requirements vary by state. Students are responsible for understanding the requirements for social work licensure in their resident state.

*Licensure requirements vary by state: https://socialworkonline.widener.edu/msw/masters-of-social-work/license-requirements. Students are responsible for understanding the requirements for social work licensure in their resident state.