Master of Social Work, M.S.W. – Online

1-Year Online Plan of Study (Advanced Standing)

The 1-Year Advanced Standing online plan of study is designed for students who have earned a B.S.W. from an accredited social work program within the past seven years and wish to pursue the M.S.W. through an on campus format. Advanced Standing students are not required to complete the generalist curriculum for the M.S.W. Under the 1-Year Advanced Standing plan of study, the M.S.W. can be completed in one calendar year, May to May. Students complete 39 graduate credit hours, which includes 33 credit hours in the classroom and 6 credits in an approved practicum placement.

Classes begin during Extended Summer Session and meet 10 weeks in the summer months online. In Summer, Advanced Standing students complete 9 hours of graduate level work. In the Fall and Spring semesters, students complete the remainder of the specialized curriculum along with students completing the 2 and 3-Year plan of study.

2-Year Online Plan of Study (Advanced Standing)

The 2-Year Advanced Standing Online plan of study is designed for students who have earned a B.S.W. from an accredited social work program within the past seven years and wish to pursue the M.S.W. through a online format. Advanced Standing students are not required to complete the generalist curriculum for the M.S.W. Under the 2-Year Advanced Standing online plan of study, the M.S.W. can be completed over the course of two academic years (summer/fall/spring semester for two years). Students complete 39 graduate credit hours, which includes 33 credit hours in the classroom and 6 credits in an approved practicum placement.

The 2-Year Advanced Standing online plan of study is offered with fully online classes. All courses in the program are offered in synchronous “live” and asynchronous “not live” learning experiences. Synchronous means students and instructors will log in at the same time for live virtual classes. Asynchronous means students do not have to log in at the same time as other students and instructors, as they complete assignments when it is convenient for them as long as they are completed by their weekly due dates.

During the Summer, Fall and Spring semesters, students continue to take courses through online classes, and during the second year they also complete a practicum placement during other days of the week. The practicum placement requires a total of 16 hours per week on site at a social work services agency under the supervision of someone with an M.S.W.

Students must be living within the United States to be enrolled in the online M.S.W. program.

The 2-Year Advanced Standing online plan of study is outlined below. Course sequence may vary slightly depending on year of entry. Electives can be taken at any time.

3-Year Online Plan of Study

The 3-Year Online M.S.W. plan of study is designed for students who wish to complete an M.S.W. but cannot attend graduate school full time. The 3-year Online M.S.W. can be completed over the course of three academic years. Students take the same courses as students in the 2-Year plan of study, but at a slower progression. They complete 60 graduate credit hours, which includes 48 credit hours in the classroom and 12 credits in approved practicum placements.

The 3-Year Online plan of study is offered with fully online classes. All courses in the program are offered in synchronous “live” and asynchronous “not live” learning experiences. Synchronous means students and instructors will log in at the same time for live virtual classes. Asynchronous means students do not have to log in at the same time as other students and instructors. They can complete assignments when it is convenient for them as long as they are completed by their weekly due dates.

During the Summer, Fall and Spring semesters, students continue to take courses through online classes, and during the last two years they also complete the generalist practicum placement during other days of the week. The practicum placement requires a total of 16 hours per week on site at a social work services agency under the supervision of someone with an M.S.W.

Students do have the option of enrolling in hybrid or face to face elective courses for those who prefer additional learning opportunities. Please note that regular main campus tuition rates will be charged for optional hybrid or face to face courses and these are not eligible for the Online rate.

Students must be living within the United States to be enrolled in the Online M.S.W. program. Priority seating is given to North Carolina residents and those in the surrounding region. The program is able to accommodate students from other regions of the U.S. on a limited basis.

The 3-Year Online plan of study is outlined below. Course sequence may vary slightly depending on year of entry. Electives can be taken earlier than year three.

Three available pathways

Courses are delivered online with most having virtual class meetings weekday evenings or Saturdays. Field practicum is completed in person.

• 1-Year Advanced Standing Plan of Study – Available to applicants with a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program or an equivalent international accreditation. Students begin in the first summer session and complete the program within one year.
• 2-Year Advanced Standing Plan of Study – Designed for applicants with a CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work or an equivalent international credential. Students start in the first summer session and complete the program over two years.
• 3-Year Plan of Study – This program begins in the summer and spans three years, with an in-person practicum requirement.

Minimum Admissions Criteria

• Earned baccalaureate degree or its U.S. equivalent, from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body. See the Graduate Catalog Glossary for a list of accrediting bodies.
• GPA 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) as indicated by transcripts – If an applicant has earned or attempted a post-baccalaureate degree (i.e. a master’s, doctoral or other), grades in that program will also be taken into consideration. The website includes this note: It is rare that applicants with undergraduate GPAs below 3.0 are offered admission and usually those who are have other compelling evidence pointing to success (e.g., – GPAs very close to 3.0, extensive work experience, earned master’s degree or graduate certificate in a related area with a 3.0 or higher).
• Three recommendations
• Resume
• Statement of Purpose addressing all of the following in no more than four (4) double-spaced pages:
  • Describe why you want to become a master’s level social worker.
  • Discuss how the M.S.W. program at UNC Charlotte will help you achieve your career goals.
  • Describe the population(s) and/or social problems(s) you are interested in.
  • Identify a social, economic, or environmental challenge in the NC/Charlotte region and how you, as a master’s level social worker, might intervene.
  • Using the principles outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics, describe how you think a social worker can bring about social change.
• For non-native English language speakers: A minimum score of 83 on the Internet-based TOEFL or a minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS is required for admissions consideration.

Advanced Standing Eligibility

Applicants ​are ​eligible ​to ​apply ​for Advanced ​Standing if ​they ​meet the minimum criteria used for admission and​ one​ of ​the ​following​:

• Applicants in their final year of study in a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) ​and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Applicants who have earned a BSW within the past ​seven years from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) ​and who have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher​.
• Applicants who have earned a B.S.W. recognized by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service or who earned a B.S.W. covered under a memorandum of understanding by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) with international social work accreditors are also eligible to apply for Advanced Standing. International applicants should contact the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) for more information and visit the Council on Social Work Education International Degree Review website.

Applicants who have earned a B.S.W. within the past seven years and have opted for the full 60-credit M.S.W. program (traditional/campus-based and online) rather than Advanced Standing will not be expected to repeat courses where they have demonstrated mastery. They can substitute courses. See the ​Course Substitution Policy in the M.S.W. Student Handbook.

Overview Selection Process

The application process for the M.S.W. program (traditional/campus-based and online) is competitive and not all applicants who meet the minimum criteria for admission will be accepted. Applications must be submitted through the Graduate School portal by the School of Social Work priority deadline of January 15th for full consideration. Applications submitted after January 15th will be reviewed by the School of Social Work on a space-available basis. Applicants that apply to more than one program option will be considered for their first option during the initial full application review. If not accepted to the first program option preference, applicants will be considered for their second choice on a space-available basis. 

Priority deadline: January 15 (summer)

• Applications will continue to be accepted after the priority deadline, but will only be reviewed on a space-available basis.

Ready to apply? Apply here through the Graduate School.

The application process for the M.S.W. program (traditional/campus-based and online) is competitive and not all applicants who meet the minimum criteria for admission will be accepted. Applications must be submitted through the Graduate School portal by the School of Social Work priority deadline of January 15th for full consideration. Applications submitted after January 15th will be reviewed by the School of Social Work on a space-available basis. Applicants that apply to more than one program option will be considered for their first option during the initial full application review. If not accepted to the first program option preference, applicants will be considered for their second choice on a space-available basis.

Applications are reviewed by the M.S.W. Admissions Committee which is composed of full-time social work faculty members who regularly teach in or administratively support the M.S.W. program. Additional faculty members and staff may also review components of the application. The following materials are submitted: Application form, transcripts, Statement of Purpose, resume, three recommendations, and any additional materials required by the Graduate School. Standardized test scores are not required. Application elements (academic preparation, experience, recommendations, and Statement of Purpose prompts) are scored using a M.S.W. Application Rating Rubric which is based on a point system. Competitive applicants (those with the highest scores) are selected until all seats are filled. ​The committee’s recommendation is submitted to the Graduate School for a final decision.

What Can You Do With Your Master of Social Work Degree?

UNC Charlotte M.S.W. graduates have gone on to pursue careers in:

• Schools
• Hospitals
• Hospice facilities
• Home health care agencies
• Health and social services departments
• Trauma centers
• Shelters
• Domestic violence centers

M.S.W. graduates are also qualified to pursue state licensure or certification.

Our graduates are found working in organizations and agencies such as:

• Atrium Health
• Mecklenburg County
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
• Novant Health
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• Thompson Child & Family Focus

Our graduates hold job titles such as:

• Therapist
• Licensed clinical social worker
• Psychotherapist
• Social worker
• Case manager

Solid salary expectations

Lightcast, a global leader in labor market analytics research, collects job and salary data from UNC Charlotte graduates. Lightcast surveyed UNC Charlotte M.S.W. graduates and found their estimated average annual salary to be $66,800.

Why Earn Your Master of Social Work Degree Online From UNC Charlotte?

By choosing UNC Charlotte’s online M.S.W. program, you’ll enjoy a number of advantages, including:

Choose to earn your M.S.W. online in two or three years. Our two-year Advanced Standing online plan of study is designed for students who have earned a BSW from an accredited social work program within the past seven years and wish to pursue the M.S.W. through a online format. Our three-year online M.S.W. plan of study is designed for students who cannot attend graduate school full time. You will take the same courses as the two-year students, but at a slower pace.

Choose the learning format that works best for you. All courses in the program are offered in synchronous (live) or asynchronous (recorded) learning formats. Courses are delivered online, with most classes offering virtual class meetings on weekday evenings or Saturdays. The practicum experience is completed in-person.

Gain real-world skills through a practicum experience. UNC Charlotte’s School of Social Work maintains partnerships with over 200 urban and rural practicum placement agencies serving vulnerable populations in the Charlotte region. You will learn a social worker’s role in an agency setting while working with your practicum instructor and faculty to gain the knowledge and skills you will need as a professional. M.S.W. students are able to connect what they learn in the classroom to their work. Research faculty and students also engage in community-based research projects.

Learn from faculty experts. Our M.S.W. faculty members are experts and practitioners in the field of social work. They pursue many different research interests and offer areas of expertise, including:

• Mental health
• Racial institutional inequity
• Trauma
• Public health
• Substance abuse
• Gerontology
• Social justice
• Youth development
• Grief and loss
• Social work relating to HIV and AIDS

Our faculty members present research at conferences nationwide, such as the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and Society for Social Work Research (SSWR).

Resident: $288.82 per credit hour

Outside of NC Non-Resident: $536.98 per credit hour

Non Resident: $1,098.21 per credit hour