M.S.W. Program options
The M.S.W. Program at VCU's School of Social Work is available in several formats so you can choose the best option for you.
Check out our explanations below to learn the differences between the online and on-campus, regular and advanced standing, and part-time and full-time options.
M.S.W. Program options comparison chart
| Program attributes | On campus, advanced standing, full time | On campus, full time | On campus, part time | Online, advanced standing | Online, full time | Online, part time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 60 | 60 | 42 | 60 | 60 | |
| 1 year | 2 years | 3-4 years | 1 year | 16-24 months | 3-4 years | |
| 12-15 | 15 | 6-9 | 12-15 | 15 | 6-9 | |
| In person | In person | In person | Asynchronous1 | Asynchronous1 | Asynchronous1 | |
| Summer | Fall | Fall | Fall, Summer | Fall, Spring2 | Fall, Spring, Summer | |
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| 14-21 | 14-21 | 14-21 | 14-22 | 14-22 | 14-22 | |
| Both | Both | Both | Both5 | Both5 | Clinical |
1-Asynchronous classes are all online and completed on your own time. Each course has three live synchronous classes per course a semester.
2-The 24-month option is only available for fall program starts.
3-All field placements are in-person internships at an agency in the student’s community.
4-Social work administration, planning and policy practice, i.e., macro social work
5-The SWAPPP specialization is now available online in the regular standing, full-time, two-year format (fall start) and the advanced standing, one-year format (summer start).
The on-campus full-time option requires students to enroll in four three-credit courses and one three-credit field placement each semester over two years, ultimately completing 60 credit hours. After one year of generalist study, students enroll in specialized courses in either clinical social work practice or social work administration, planning and policy practice.
Students will complete two field practice placements, one in the first year and another in the second year. Students typically dedicate 14 hours per week to their generalist placement during the first year and 21 hours per week to their area of specialization placement in the second year. Students should anticipate these hours to be met during regular business hours.
Available: fall start
This part-time option allows students to start the program part time over five semesters for the generalist curriculum and then switch to full time for two semesters for the specialization curriculum. Students in this track will complete their field placements during the second and third years of study. Students should anticipate these hours to be met during regular business hours.
Available: fall start
This part-time option gives students the flexibility to complete their degree requirements over a four-year period, with six credits taken each semester. This option includes two summers. Part-time students complete the two required field placements during the second and fourth years of study, making full-time employment during this time very difficult. The part-time program cannot be completed entirely at nights and on weekends due to field placement requirements and daytime scheduling of courses.
Students complete two field practice placements, one in the generalist year and another in the area of specialization year. Students typically dedicate 14 hours per week to their generalist placement and 21 hours per week to their area of specialization placement through a variety of field options. Students should anticipate these hours to be met during regular business hours.
Available: fall start
The advanced standing option is open to applicants who have earned a B.S.W. degree from a CSWE-accredited institution during the previous five years and have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0. This format leads to a Master of Social Work upon completion of 42 credit hours, taken over the course of three continuous semesters. Advanced standing is a full-time format only and cannot be pursued part time. It is available on-campus starting in the summer and can be completed in one year.
Students complete 12 credits of generalist study in the summer that includes three classes and a field placement. For on-campus students, classes are typically held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and fieldwork takes place on Thursdays and Fridays. Advanced standing students have only one field placement that lasts through the summer, fall and spring semesters. After completion of the summer session, advanced standing students join full-time students in the regular standing option to complete their area of specialization curriculum in the fall and spring.
Available: summer start
The M.S.W. online full-time option requires students to enroll in four three-credit courses and one three-credit field placement each semester over four continuous semesters, ultimately completing 60 credit hours. The curriculum is delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction. After two semesters of generalist study, students enroll in specialized courses. Students can specialize in either clinical social work practice or social work administration, planning and policy practice (two-year track only).
Students complete two field practice placements, one in the generalist year (first two semesters) and another in their area of specialization (last two semesters). Students typically dedicate between 14 and 16 hours per week to their generalist placement and between 21 and 22 hours per week to the area of specialization placement. Students should anticipate these hours to be met during regular business hours. This program format has a 16-month or two-year curriculum track.
Available: fall and spring starts for 16 months; fall for 24 months
This M.S.W. online part-time option allows students to earn their M.S.W. degree over a three-year period. In this curriculum track, students take two semesters with nine-credit courses followed by two semesters of six-credit courses (three credits of which are the field placement) for the generalist curriculum, and then repeat this pattern for the specialization courses. The curriculum is delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction. All students in this online option specialize in clinical social work practice.
Students complete two field practice placements, one in the generalist year and another in the clinical area of specialization year. Students typically dedicate between 14 and 16 hours per week to their generalist placement and between 21 and 22 hours per week to the clinical area of specialization placement through a variety of field options. Students should anticipate these hours to be met during regular business hours.
Available: fall, spring, summer starts
This M.S.W. online part-time option allows students to earn their M.S.W. degree over a four-year period. The curriculum is delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction. After five semesters of generalist study, students enroll in specialized courses. All students in this online option specialize in clinical social work practice.
Students complete two field practice placements, one in the generalist year and another in the clinical area of specialization year. Students typically dedicate between 14 and 16 hours per week to their generalist placement and between 21 and 22 hours per week to the clinical area of specialization placement through a variety of field options. Students should anticipate these hours to be met during regular business hours.
Available: fall, spring, summer starts
The advanced standing option is open to applicants who have earned a B.S.W. degree from a CSWE-accredited institution during the previous five years and have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0. This format leads to a Master of Social Work upon completion of 42 credit hours, taken over the course of three continuous semesters. Advanced standing is a full-time format only and cannot be pursued part time. It can be completed in one year, and specializations are available online in clinical social work practice (summer and fall starts) and social work administration, planning and policy practice (summer start).
Students complete 12 credits of generalist study in the summer that includes three classes and a field placement. For online students, classes are mostly asynchronous, with three synchronous class days per semester per course. Synchronous days are typically Monday-Thursday from 6-8 p.m. ET or Saturdays from 9-11 a.m. ET or 1-3 p.m. ET for electives. Advanced standing students have only one field placement in their local community that lasts through the all three semesters. After completion of the first semester, advanced standing students join full-time students in the regular standing option to complete their area of specialization curriculum in the final two semesters.
Available: fall and summer starts
Online M.S.W. synchronous class days
In synchronous classes, students develop essential social work skills and professional competencies; and participate in activities that include live presence and interaction, collaborative teamwork, team projects, presentations, and experiential activities, such as role plays and videotaping of clinical simulations. View our meeting schedules. »
Accreditation
VCU’s B.S.W. and M.S.W. programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education – the accrediting body for all schools of social work at both the baccalaureate and master’s levels.
Financial aid
M.S.W. students can apply for support such as scholarships, assistantships and the Child Welfare Stipend Program through the school — in addition to aid accessible through VCU's Student Financial Services.
Have questions?
Prospective students interested in an online M.S.W. program option can contact onlinemsw@vcu.edu. For on-campus M.S.W. questions, please reach out to sswinfo@vcu.edu.