Students that are seeking out degree programs that can satisfy their desire to engage in altruistic work within their communities can consider the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. The most popular version of the MSW is one that allows students to take courses at a full-time rate, which offers the quickest completion time of all other options.
Another component of higher degree programs that can provide an optimum level of convenience is online program offerings. Students that desire an online program that can be completed in the fastest time period may find full-time online MSW programs can be the best option for what they are looking for.
The MSW Outlined
Most students enrolled in full-time online MSW programs can expect to engage in 3-4 courses per term. This may require great self-discipline and focus for the length of the program and is ideal for students that are seeking quick entry into the social work field.
Depending on the college you choose, the full-time curriculum may look slightly different. Some schools offer students the option of engaging in 2 courses for 10 week terms, while other colleges may require you to take 4 classes for the standard 3 month term.
Each of these options can provide you with unique advantages according to your learning style and your preferred pace in the higher learning environment.
Full Time Online MSW Options
Students may find their journey into full-time online degree programs to be a smooth process. One of the most challenging steps towards enrollment into these programs is choosing the right college to apply to.
There are many different collegiate options available for you to review, especially since the full-time online MSW program is one of the most popular options currently available. Things to consider before solidifying your enrollment should include the program accreditation, considerations of any on-campus requirements during the program, and the included specializations through your university.
Our team of educational experts has been researching educational degree programs for over a decade. The colleges listed below were found by our experts during a search for relevant degree programs currently available to new applicants.
You can read through these degree options to see if any of these programs would be a good fit for you.
- Arizona State University - Online Full-Time MSW: Arizona State University is currently a leading provider of full-time online MSW programs. This university currently allows students to pursue the Advanced Generalist specialization with their MSW program, making it a potentially great option for students with the desire to work in multiple fields throughout their career. Most students can complete this program within 2 years.
- California State University at Northridge - Online Full-Time MSW: The Online Full-Time MSW at California State University at Northridge can be an excellent option for students seeking higher education without the burden of campus visits. Courses in this program are currently offered to students 24/7, making it great for students with diverse needs in terms of scheduling. Currently specializations available through this university include Urban Family Studies.
- Campbellsville University - Online Full-Time MSW: Campbellsville University provides a full-time MSW that can be completed entirely online. Offering an Advanced Generalist specialization to incoming students, this university could be a prime option for learners that wish to have careers influencing a wide array of different clients. Most students can complete this full-time program in around 2 years.
Example Courses for the Full Time Online MSW
As you transition into full-time online MSW programs, you should be prepared to engage in classes that can increase your awareness of the social context and the needs of the population. The skills learned in this program can provide you with a foundation for helping others, improving services, and analyzing progress towards individual treatment goals.
Foundation courses such as Human Behavior and the Social Context can give you some insight into the development of social behavior from an unbiased viewpoint. This course can outline some of the basic elements of behavior development, as well as include some influential components related to social influence and environment.
As a social work professional, it may be important to learn more about human development from a behavioral, social, and emotional point of view. Knowledge of this type of growth can be beneficial when working with clients from a broad range of backgrounds while in the field.
Courses such as Social Advocacy and Diversity can provide you with skills helpful in providing services to clients from different walks of life within your career. These courses can provide you with historical information about discrimination, court cases, and social milestones that have influenced changes in equal treatment within the U.S.
In addition to specific courses about different types of social groups and advocacy, you may also take courses that can outline social work practice from an outside perspective. Your role as a social work can look different depending on the type of career you choose, so a basic set of skills for providing services to the public can be beneficial in general.
What Can You Do With a MSW?
The full-time online MSW can help you prepare for a wide range of career options focused on helping individuals and groups in many different ways. When you first start searching for available online degree programs, you may notice that some offer specialization options in a few different areas.
Some of the most popular MSW specialization options can provide you with focus in different general service areas for social work professionals. These broader areas can cover social work in the field of education, healthcare, and social services.
Choosing a broad specialization can help you when seeking out diverse careers in any of these different fields, without associating you with one specific career option. If you were to choose a degree program in school social work, you may find career opportunities within many diverse educational settings from a variety of school systems.
More specific degree specializations can also help you solidify a direct path into your career of choice. Some individuals may seek out MSW programs focusing on Geriatric Social Work or Child and Adolescent Social Work as a means for working with the population that they are most passionate about.
Even within these specializations you may find extremely diverse career options in multiple professional fields. Regardless of which specialization you choose for your program, achieving licensure as a social work professional can be beneficial during your career search and throughout the duration of your career.
Graduates that achieve licensure at the MSW level can expand their expertise into fields such as counseling, since MSW graduates may be permitted to provide counseling services under the supervision of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Social Work Licensing
There may be numerous benefits associated with pursuing your full-time online MSW. One of those benefits is the opportunity to become licensed at the MSW level, which can lead you into many intriguing positions in healthcare, education, social services, and even private practice.
The licensing process for social work professionals can actually begin at the bachelor’s level. Most states require that students completed a CSWE-accredited degree program in order to qualify for licensure, with a number of students choosing masters-level programs to exercise their highest potential.
Licensing involves the completion of an accredited degree program, as well as a 2-year supervised experience component under the supervision of a licensed social worker. Some schools can help you identify a placement for your supervised experience, while others may allow you to seek out a local agency for this experience.
In addition to degrees and experience, you may also be required to take a board examination for social work professionals. This final step can help to ensure that you have learned all of the critical components of social work and can apply them in a variety of different scenarios.
As with most licensing options, you can also be subject to license renewals every few years, as well as continuing education. Choosing to become licensed at the masters-level can open up opportunities to become involved in counseling professions when supervised by a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
Advantages of Full Time Online MSW Programs
Most students pondering enrollment into higher degree programs may be seeking ways to make more money in their career, or quickly gain access to more fulfilling positions in fields they are passionate about. While some students may not have the time or resources to engage in full-time learning, it can be the quickest way to pursue better career options in the social work domain.
Full-time online MSW programs can provide students with the benefit of a maximum number of courses per semester, with the opportunity to complete these courses completely online. For students that currently hold full-time jobs or have busy family lives, the online component may be the main reason why they are able to complete a degree program.
Full-time degree programs on campus may also require students to spend a majority of their week on-campus, going from class to class each day. In the online setting, students can complete their work at times that work for them and have the capability of learning at their own pace.
Classes in the traditional setting may be anywhere from 1-3 hours long, which can take up valuable time for students that are able to complete their homework in a short amount of time. If you are the type of person that is quick to learn and independent in completing tasks, full-time online MSW may be the right choice for you.
Length of Time to Completion
One of the advantages to completing a full-time online MSW program is the length of time it takes to complete it. Most master’s level degree programs can last around 2 years for students that are enrolled at a full-time rate, unless the university offers expedited learning opportunities or shorter-term courses.
In most cases, students can complete their online full-time MSW in 1.5-2 years. There are some colleges throughout the U.S. that state their programs can be completed in a little over one year.
One way that you can expedite your graduation from the MSW is through gaining relevant experience in the social work field prior to applying. Students that are entering into MSW programs from the BSW level may also qualify for shorter programs that build upon social work language learned in lower degree programs.
Regardless of whether or not you have had educational or professional experience in the social work field, online full-time MSW programs can be a great way for you learn more about this field and enter into a highly in-demand career field.
