Flexible Format
Complete all courses 100% online, with an in-person field education practicum at your location.
Application deadline
Credits and costs
CSWE Accreditation
Program is currently in Candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education's (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA).
Gain Skills and Knowledge to Lead Change as a Professional Social Worker
Effectively engage, evaluate, and intervene on behalf of individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations.
Combine progressive clinical computer simulations and instructional techniques with applied field experiences in real-world settings.
Address growing societal needs related to children and families or mental health and substance use.
Study models and practice skills covering the lifespan, including trauma-informed therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, family and group therapy, holistic therapy, and telehealth/digital practice.
Demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills, ethics, and values necessary for clinical social work practice.
Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare for the social work licensure exam in all 50 states.
Earn Your Master of Social Work Degree with Online Courses
Earn Your Master of Social Work Degree with Online Courses
The courses in this 60-credit online program examine social work across the lifespan and emphasize cultural competence in working effectively with diverse populations across varying geographic settings.
The curriculum is divided into two levels — generalist and advanced. The required generalist curriculum includes knowledge, values, processes, and skills essential for the practice of social work. It includes social work methods, human development theory, social policy, and research methods. This foundation of knowledge is built upon by the advanced curriculum found in both the Children and Families specialization and the Mental Health and Substance Use specialization.
You will also be required to complete 12 credits of field education practicum courses.
Required Courses (36 credits)
- 3credits
This course is designed to introduce social research methods in the context of social work practice.
- 3credits
This advanced research course builds on material covered in the foundation research course about the design, development, and execution of sound scientific practices.
- 3credits
This course will provide first-year MSW students with foundational concepts, knowledge, values, and skills in clinical social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- 3credits
This course will provide an in-depth exploration of the foundational concepts and knowledge of the ethics, values, techniques, skills, and roles in clinical social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities by generalist and clinical practitioners.
- 3credits
This course explores conceptual frameworks in human development throughout the lifespan.
- 3credits
This course surveys the history of social welfare policy, services, and the social work profession in the United States.
- 3credits
This course will provide students with foundational concepts, knowledge, values, and skills in clinical social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- 3credits
This foundation practice course is the second in a two-course sequence designed to provide MSW students with foundational knowledge, values, and skills in social work practice with families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- 3credits
This course will explore the origins and development of selected social variables characterizing the diversity dimensions (including race, ethnicity, class, gender identity, gender expression, geography, and nationality) in contemporary U.S. society.
- 3credits
The Diagnosis and Assessment in Clinical Social Work Practice course addresses the etiology, nature, course, and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders across the life development cycle.
- 3credits
The Essential Skills for Clinical Social Work Practice course is an advanced graduate course intended for second-year MSW students to reflect, review, and consolidate their graduate studies into a coherent and structured plan of practice as social work professionals.
- 3credits
This course provides students with knowledge in clinical social work practice in the area of urban versus rural settings.
Children and Families Specialization Courses (12 credits)
- 3credits
This course will examine core theories, dynamics, functions, policies, and ethics associated with the management of private and public child welfare services — analyzed and examined with a particular focus on the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to successfully lead organizations providing such services in the environment of today and the future.
- 3credits
This course covers the major problems of at-risk children and youth, including cognitive, communication, behavioral and emotional problems, attachment disorders, trauma, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities noted in the current DSM.
- 3credits
The course examines state and federal laws that govern the funding and operation of child welfare systems; the history of child welfare policies; and the legal, political, and social forces that influence the structure and function of child welfare systems in the United States.
- 3credits
This course will cover trauma theories and treatments, and conduct an in-depth critical examination of different populations affected by trauma, including child abuse survivors, war veterans, domestic violence survivors, victims of accidents or crimes, and communities and schools that are devastated by abuse, neglect, and addiction.
Mental Health and Substance Use Specialization Courses (12 credits)
- 3credits
This course provides students with knowledge of assessment based on the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association; psychotropic medications; and social worker roles when interacting with people with mental health issues and interdisciplinary teams.
- 3credits
This course will provide students with foundational concepts, knowledge, values, and skills in clinical social work practice with mental health and substance abuse.
- 3credits
This course focuses on contemporary policy issues related to mental health and substance use, including social determinants of mental health, treatment and access to care, rights and privacy, systems transformation, and disparities in care.
- 3credits
The course explores the multi-systemic impact of trauma and substance use on the functioning of individuals, families, and communities.
- Prerequisite
MSW 885
Field Education Practicum Courses (12 credits)
- 1–3credits
This foundation practicum course emphasizes professional social work roles, skills, ethics, and regulatory standards.
- 1–3credits
This field practicum focuses on clinical practice experience by integrating classroom knowledge and professional skills.
- 1–3credits
This field practicum offers increased independent clinical practice in an agency setting.
- 1-3credits
This course emphasizes integrating classroom knowledge with clinical practice and the development of the capstone project.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
Advance Your Career
Advance Your Career
Penn State’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program can help you gain social work competencies, knowledge, and skills and prepare you to enter a diverse employment market centered on helping individuals, families, communities, and organizations. Master’s-level social workers often enjoy increased career flexibility and opportunities.
Job Titles Related to This Degree
The following roles are often held by people with this type of degree:
- Social Services Director
- Child Welfare Services Director
- Clinical Social Worker
- Social Work Case Manager
- Child Protective Services Social Worker
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Hospice Social Worker
- Health Care Social Worker
Employment Outlook for Occupational Fields Related to This Degree
Estimates of employment growth and total employment are provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are subject to change. While these occupations are often pursued by graduates with this degree, individual outcomes may vary depending on a variety of factors. Penn State World Campus cannot guarantee employment in a given occupation.
Healthcare Social Workers
Social and Community Service Managers
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Counselors, All Other
Social Workers, All Other
Career Services to Set You Up for Success
From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.
- Opportunities to connect with employers
- Career counselor/coach support
- Occupation and salary information
- Internships
- Graduate school resources
Ready to Learn More?
Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.
Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State master's degree?
Costs and Financial Aid
Costs and Financial Aid
Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.
Costs and Financial Aid
Graduate Tuition
Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
2026–27 Academic Year Rates
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $1,048 per credit |
| 12 or more | $12,572 per semester |
2027–28 Academic Year Rates
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $1,069 per credit |
| 12 or more | $12,823 per semester |
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Federal financial aid may only be used to pay for credits used to satisfy program requirements.
Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
Additional Cost of Attendance Details
To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements:
- visit the Tuition Information site
- click the plus sign to expand the table
- select a semester from the World Campus row
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this program.
Field Education Practicum Experience
Field Education Practicum Experience
Field education and classroom instruction hold equal importance in social work education. The field education practicum is where you will have the opportunity to apply the concepts, skills, and techniques learned in the classroom in actual clinical practice.
As a student in the MSW program, you will be required to complete a minimum of 900 hours of field practicum. Full-time master’s students will complete their 900 hours across four semesters — 225 hours per semester at approximately 15 hours per week. Part-time students can complete their field education experience in either 1-credit or 2-credit increments per semester, spending 5–10 hours per week, depending on their credit load.
There are two types of field practicum included in the program, a foundational field practicum that allows the student to gain general experience and an advanced practicum that allows them to focus on their chosen specialization.
The field education practicum will occur in a social service agency, hospital, school, or other appropriate facility in your local region. You’ll work closely with Penn State’s MSW field education director to identify an appropriate field placement that will align with your educational and professional goals while meeting the program’s standards.
Your final semester in the program will culminate with your last field education practicum credits. During this capstone experience, you will incorporate your course work and put the knowledge you have gained into practice. You will either (1) create and implement a project at your final fieldwork placement, or (2) critically analyze an issue in your field experience and develop a solution.
This capstone project will also give you the opportunity to contribute to the knowledge base of the profession and to develop and enhance your professional presentation skills through the design and delivery of an oral presentation and the writing of an executive summary describing the project.
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Accreditation
The Penn State World Campus MSW program is currently in candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education's (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA).
What Is Social Work?
What Is Social Work?
Social work is more than a career — it’s a calling to help others, create change, and build stronger communities. At its heart, social work is about understanding people’s challenges, standing beside them in difficult moments, and helping them find a path forward.
A Profession Built on Compassion and Advocacy
Social workers are often the bridge between people and the resources they need to live safer, healthier lives. Whether it’s helping a family find housing, supporting someone through recovery, or advocating for fair policies, social workers create real, lasting impact.
They work with individuals, families, and entire communities — addressing issues like poverty, mental health, trauma, and inequality — always guided by a commitment to equity, dignity, and human connection.
Where Social Workers Make a Difference
Social workers can be found in almost every setting where care, advocacy, and problem-solving are needed:
- hospitals and health care systems, helping patients and families navigate treatment plans or emotional stress
- schools, supporting students’ social and emotional well-being so they can thrive academically
- government and nonprofit organizations, managing programs that fight homelessness or expand access to social services
- counseling practices and mental health clinics, where licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) provide therapy and emotional support
Different Paths, Shared Purpose
Social work offers many directions — each one with the same core goal of helping others. You might choose to focus on clinical social work, child and family services, substance use recovery, medical social work, school social work, or policy and advocacy. No matter the path, your work will touch lives in meaningful ways.
Education and Growth
While some social work professions have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree opens doors to advanced practice and leadership roles. MSW programs teach students how to combine compassion with critical thinking, ethics, and evidence-based methods to make a measurable difference.
A Career That Creates Change
If you’re someone who listens deeply, believes in fairness, and wants your work to matter, social work offers a career full of purpose and possibility. It’s about showing up for others, helping them find hope, and creating systems that make life better for everyone.
What Can I Do With an MSW Degree?
What Can I Do With an MSW Degree?
If you’ve ever wanted to turn your compassion for others into lasting change, earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) can help you do exactly that. Social workers serve on the front lines of some of today’s most pressing challenges — from mental health and substance use to child welfare and family support.
An MSW equips you with the advanced skills and professional confidence to make a difference wherever people need help most — in clinics, schools, hospitals, community agencies, and policy organizations.
Work Directly With People as a Clinician
Many MSW graduates become licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) or licensed master social workers (LMSWs), providing counseling, therapy, and case management to individuals, families, and groups.
For example, a clinical social worker might help a young adult manage anxiety and self-doubt, guide parents through a family crisis, or counsel a child coping with grief or trauma. Others work in substance use recovery centers, helping clients set goals for sobriety, reconnect with loved ones, and rebuild their sense of self-worth.
These professionals blend empathy with evidence-based practice, helping people heal, grow, and discover new possibilities for their lives.
Strengthen and Support Children and Families
One of the most meaningful areas of social work focuses on protecting children and empowering families.
MSW graduates might work in child welfare services, advocating for the safety and stability of children in challenging home environments. They may also support foster families, help parents access housing or food assistance, or provide therapy for children recovering from trauma.
Picture a school social worker helping a student who’s struggling academically because of stress at home — coordinating with teachers, parents, and community resources to create a support plan. These roles require both heart and skill, and they often make the difference between a family surviving or thriving.
Lead and Advocate in Communities
Social workers with an MSW are also powerful community leaders and advocates. You might coordinate programs that address homelessness, organize neighborhood-based parenting workshops, or design initiatives that expand access to mental health services.
For example, an MSW graduate might lead a local outreach program that connects families to affordable childcare or advocate for policies that improve access to substance use treatment. In these positions, social workers turn compassion into community progress.
Support Health and Education Systems
Many MSW graduates find meaningful careers in health care or education.
As a medical social worker, you might help patients and families understand treatment options, navigate financial assistance, or find emotional support after a diagnosis.
As a school social worker, you could help students overcome behavioral or emotional challenges that affect learning, collaborating with teachers to create safer, more inclusive environments.
In both fields, social workers play a vital role in bridging the gap between systems and the people they serve.
Influence Policy and Drive Systemic Change
For those who want to impact change on a larger scale, an MSW opens the door to policy and advocacy work.
You might work with a state agency to improve foster care systems, develop new funding models for addiction treatment, or create policies that make mental health care more accessible to children and families.
These professionals help shape the future of social services — ensuring that the systems meant to protect people actually serve them with fairness and compassion.
Shape a Career That Reflects Your Values
Earning an MSW isn’t just about professional growth — it’s about living your values through your work. Whether you’re counseling a teen through trauma, helping a parent in recovery reunite with their child, or advocating for community reform, the impact you make is deeply personal and lasting.
For those who feel called to help others, a Master of Social Work degree offers the opportunity to create change one person, one family, and one community at a time.
Set Your Own Pace
Set Your Own Pace
Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals.
Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall).
Penn State’s online Master of Social Work program can be completed in a full- or part-time plan of study. The time to completion as a full-time student is two years, taking five courses each semester for four semesters (fall and spring only). For part-time students, you will work closely with your academic adviser to setup an appropriate plan of study.
Convenient Online Format
This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.
A Trusted Leader in Online Education
Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.
Professional Licensure / Certification
Professional Licensure / Certification
As a social worker, you will be eligible for licensing at multiple levels. The social work license in most states is called either a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
Many U.S. states and territories require professional licensure/certification for employment. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map for more information.
Information for Military and Veterans
Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, and application instructions.
How to Apply to Penn State
How to Apply to Penn State
Apply by March 15 to start August 23
Application Instructions
Deadlines and Important Dates
The MSW program is committed to a low student-to-faculty ratio to maintain program quality. We strongly encourage applicants to aim for the posted deadline for the best chance of securing a spot in the fall-only intake. We will, however, continue to review applications and admit candidates on a rolling basis after the deadline, as long as space is available.
Fall Deadline
Apply by March 15 to start August 23
Steps to Apply
For admission to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.
The program requires an undergraduate degree with a broad liberal arts foundation from an accredited college or university.
All applicants are expected to have earned a minimum average of a B (3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale) in all undergraduate work.
Advanced Standing
Starting in fall 2025, students who have received a social work degree (BSW) within the past five years and have a minimum 3.25 GPA from a Council for Social Work Education–accredited undergraduate program are eligible for advanced standing. Students who are granted advanced standing during the admissions process can receive credit for the required generalist courses offered during Year 1 of full-time study. The number of advanced credits granted depends on the comparability of the student’s undergraduate courses to the Penn State World Campus MSW program’s courses and on the grades earned in those undergraduate courses (i.e., must be a B grade or higher).
In addition, students entering with advanced standing can receive 6 field education credits. The 6 credits of field education are granted based on the number of hours of field experience completed at the undergraduate level, provided that the undergraduate social work practicum totals a minimum of 400 hours and the student achieved at least a B grade.
Consistent with the Council for Social Work Education’s Educational Policies and Accreditation Standards, the Penn State World Campus MSW program does not grant course credit, transfer credit, or exemptions for prior life, volunteer, or employment experience.
You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:
Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If you are a Penn State alum, you do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history.
Test Scores — GRE test scores are not required for admission to this program.
English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Fox Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
References (3) — You will need to initiate the process through the online application by entering the names, email addresses, and mailing addresses of the three references. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to the recommenders requesting they complete a brief online recommendation regarding your commitment for success in an online program. Please inform the recommenders they must submit the form in order for your application to be complete.
Students applying for Advanced Standing must include their field supervisor as one of their references.
Program Specific Materials
Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Goal Statement — In 1,000 to 1,500 characters (not including spaces), outline your personal career goals and reasons for wanting to enroll in the program. We seek students passionate about helping their communities and striving for economic and social justice. Applicants must exhibit potential and professional capabilities essential for effective functioning in the graduate school environment. Applicants must also have personal qualifications essential for effective social work practice, including sensitivity and responsiveness in relationships, concern for the needs of others, adaptability, good judgement, critical thinking, creativity, integrity, and skill in oral and written communications.
To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.
Create a New Penn State Account
If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].
Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.
You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.
- Choose Enrollment Type: "Degree Admission"
- Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus
Checking Your Status
You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form.5. Complete the application.
Admissions Help
If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].
Contact Us
Contact Us
Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.
For general questions about Penn State World Campus or how to apply, contact:
World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
[email protected]
For specific inquiries about the Master of Social Work program, contact:
Rukmalie Jayakody
Program Director
[email protected]
Learn from the Best
Learn from the Best
This program is offered in partnership with the Penn State College of Health and Human Development. Courses are collaboratively developed and taught by faculty with combined social work experience in clinical treatment, child welfare, mental health, substance use, trauma, policy, and research.
Faculty
Rukmalie Jayakody
- DegreePh.D., Joint Program in Social Work and Sociology, University of Michigan
- DegreeMSW, University of Michigan
- DegreeM.A., Sociology, University of Michigan
- DegreeB.A., Sociology, Boston College
Rukmalie Jayakody is an associate teaching professor of sociology. Professor Jayakody’s research and teaching interests focus on families as well as poverty and inequality. Her work has examined the role of mental health and substance use in welfare receipt, the impacts of poverty on child development, the strengths of African American families, and family structure changes in the United States. She has also examined inequality based on ethnicity in Vietnam and the impacts that economic changes have on families. Jayakody’s teaching interests mirror her research focus. She has taught undergraduate classes on social and economic impacts on families and graduate classes on family and social policy and quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Heather McElroy
- DegreePh.D., Human Development, Marywood University
- DegreeMSW, Marywood College
- DegreeB.A., Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario Canada
- DegreeB.Ed., Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario Canada
Heather McElroy is the Interim Director of Field Education. She is a licensed social worker with thirty-four years of practice and research experience with individuals across the lifespan. This includes work assessing the mental health, academic, and community support needs of young children and their families, and the biopsychosocial needs of older adults. As a higher education educator, much of her work has focused on facilitating and supervising undergraduate and graduate internships. She is committed to working with students as they successfully navigate practicum experiences that illustrate linkages between theory and practice within the context of the helping relationship and professional social work practice.
Janet Melnick
- DegreePh.D., Human Development (Social Work Specialization), Marywood University
- DegreeMSW, Marywood College
- DegreeB.S., Human Services, University of Scranton
Dr. Janet Melnick is a teaching professor of human development and family studies and the program and field coordinator for the HDFS program at Penn State Scranton. Dr. Melnick was the assistant coordinator of the social work field program at Marywood University prior to moving to Penn State. Prior to working on her doctorate, she was in clinical practice and administration in local agencies that specialize in work with the elderly and did consulting work for Robert Wood Johnson.
Annjane Ross
- DegreePh.D., Administration and Leadership Studies, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- DegreeMSW, Marywood University
- DegreeB.S., Psychology, University of Maryland
Annjane Ross is a registered play therapist, licensed clinical social worker, and supervisor. Her vast clinical training in working with families and children across different life stages and her experience as a medical social worker in rural communities have given her valuable insights into families' challenges. Additionally, her 20 years of experience teaching social work in higher education demonstrates her dedication to educating and training future social workers to effectively support children and families in need. Her research interest focuses on family trauma.
Joseph A. Twumasi-Ankrah
- DegreePh.D., Sociology Administration and Leadership Studies, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- DegreeMSW, City University of New York, Lehman College
- DegreeB.A., English, State University of New York at Oswego
- DegreeLicensure, New York State Licensed Master Social Worker
Joseph A. Twumasi-Ankrah, Ph.D., LMSW, is a licensed master social worker with years of experience addressing the mental health needs of urban and rural at-risk populations who deal with trauma, depression, and anxiety. Previously, Joseph was the social work site director for a New York City social work nonprofit organization based in low-performing public schools that provided mental health services to students dealing with various mental, behavioral, and emotional health challenges. With a teaching/research interest centering around diversity, mental health, substance use, child welfare, social justice, and school social work, Joseph strongly believes in providing the appropriate support services for the overall growth of each individual within society.
We Are Penn State Online
This is the real Penn State. You will take courses with curriculum developed by the same professors who teach on campus. You can expect the same caliber of academic quality that you associate with Penn State.