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Online Master of Social Work

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Apply By:
November 1 for Spring 2025

Online MSW
Program at a Glance

Type
Online Master’s
College
Health Professions and Sciences
Costs
$487.45
Per Credit Hour
7
Week
Terms
Term Calendar
62
Credit
Hours
Credit Hour Clock
More about Traditional Track
Compare Online vs On-campus Tuition
Costs
$487.45
Per Credit Hour
7
Week
Terms
Term Calendar
32
Credit
Hours
Credit Hour Clock
More about Advanced Standing Track
Compare Online vs On-campus Tuition
US News World Report Most Innovative University

Change Lives Starting with Your Own in Social Work

Make a difference in the world. The UCF Online Master of Social Work (MSW) program addresses national and global health, as well as mental health challenges that impact individuals, families, groups and communities. Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), gain a deeper understanding of how we are all interconnected and how the challenges that affect one segment of our society or world may affect others. You will learn ways to promote positive change for future generations — helping you to succeed in the rewarding field of social work.

A Unique Online Social Work Program Designed for Today’s World

Students in the online MSW program get a hands-on look at social work theory, practice and clinical skills required to address the many challenges in our communities and develop solutions for a better quality of life. Field education internships offer first-hand learning experiences with clients and patients, giving students an opportunity to engage and collaborate with other social work professionals.

Learn from faculty who bring diverse backgrounds and experiences to the classroom. They’ll share the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in the industry, including their own research that covers areas such as mental health, trauma, health, disabilities, sexual trauma, domestic violence, military veterans and families, virtual reality, addictions, infant mental health, child welfare, foster care, community work, among others.

The UCF MSW Online program is a CSWE accredited program with two tracks:

The traditional track is designed specifically for students who do not have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or who completed their BSW more than six years ago. This track completes 62-credit hours within a 3-year cohort model for stronger peer support.

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The advanced standing track is designed for students who have earned a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program within the last six years with a GPA of 3.3 in their last 60 credit hours. The track admits only one time a year in the fall semester. This track completes 32-credit hours over four semesters in a cohort model.

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Online Master of Social Work graduate with client

Highlights

Badge Icon
Projected job growth for social work is 12% through 2030
Competitive Icon
Competitively priced and ranked No. 70 in social work by US News & World Report
Hands-on Icon
Hands-on U.S. field placement experience
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Graduates eligible to sit for state licensure exams
Council on Social Work Education
UCF’s online MSW program is fully accredited through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national accreditation body for professional social work education.

Application Deadline

Summer

April 1

Fall

June 1

Spring

November 1

Ready to begin
your journey?

Start Now

Application
Deadline

Summer

March 1

Fall

June 1

Spring

November 1

Ready to begin
your journey?

Start Now

Course Requirements

If you already have a BSW earned within six years of your intended start date, you’ll need to complete 32 credit hours to earn your MSW degree. If social work is new to you and you’ll be pursuing the traditional track, you’ll need to complete 62 credit hours beyond your bachelor’s degree.

Number of Core Classes

Based on your qualifications, you can choose from two different tracks. The traditional track is composed of core courses, clinical specialization courses, electives and field experience. The advanced standing track requires clinical specialization courses, electives and field experience. Core class details per track include:

Traditional Track – 21 credit hours of required courses, 18 credit hours of clinical specialization courses and 9 credit hours of elective courses.

Advanced Standing Track – 18 credit hours of required courses along with 6 credit hours of elective courses.

Field experience – required for both tracks and consists of 14 credit hours. Students in traditional track are required to complete a total of 1000 field hours and students in the advanced track are required to complete 600 field hours.

Courses You’ll Take Include

Study of human diversity, focusing on the needs, resources, problems and service issues of several identified minority client populations.

Focus on Social Work resources, social policy and clinical assessment, diagnosis and therapeutic interventions of LGBTQ+ individuals, families, groups and communities.

Practice with Families

Family-focused models of intervention applied to families in transition and to problems such as divorce, single parenting, and blended families.

Skills You’ll Gain

  • Apply your professional knowledge with diverse individuals, families, groups and communities
  • Engage in ethical practice grounded in human rights
  • Promote the optimal well-being of vulnerable, oppressed or marginalized populations
  • Advocate for policies and services that promote social change
Completing the MSW online degree program provides you with opportunities in and out of the classroom to ensure your success in the social work field. Get started today to begin impacting lives in the future.

*Please note that due to social work state licensure requirements, UCF is unable to offer the social work online program to students from Nebraska.
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Career Opportunities

Social work is among the fastest growing occupations in America, with a projected 12 percent average employment growth from 2020 to 2030. Today’s rapidly changing world requires well-trained clinical social workers. Widespread events including the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, changes in the economy and community and global violence are some of the unique circumstances people face today. A Master’s of Social Work degree can help prepare you for job positions like:

  • Social and Community Service Managers
  • Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
  • Marriage and Family Therapists
  • Child, Family and School Social Workers
  • Healthcare Social Workers

From the Program Director


“The program emphasizes clinical work with clients while also integrating the value of diversity and the importance of promoting social and economic justice.”

Shellene Mazany, MSW, LCSW

Associate Instructor

Frequently Asked Questions

At this time our program meets the educational eligibility criteria for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of Florida.

We are unable to confirm the licensure and certification requirements of other states not listed above. If you intend to pursue such credentialing in your state or elsewhere, we advise you to contact the applicable state credentialing authority to familiarize yourself with its specific requirements and determine if our program meets its eligibility criteria. You may review state requirements through the Association of Social Work Boards.

You are welcome to contact Shellene Mazany, MSW, LCSW, the Online MSW Program Director, with questions in this regard and we will do our best to assist you in your career planning.

The accredited online Master of Social Work tracks are only available on a part-time basis.

The traditional online Master’s in Social Work track will take 3 years to complete. The Advanced Standing track will take 16 months to complete.

The CSWE accredited online MSW is a 62 credit hour track. The Advanced Standing online Social Work masters degree is a 32 credit hour track.

You are absolutely welcome to visit campus if you wish, but it is not a requirement. Everything is completed online except for your field placement. We attempt to place students within a 45-mile radius of their location, unless you are located in a restricted state.

Online MSW Equivalent Non-Online MSW Program For Cost Comparison Only
Fee Name In and Out of State Rate In State Rate Out of State Rate
Tuition 448.29 288.16 288.16
Non-Resident Fee 0.00 0.00 785.15
Capital Improvement Fee 6.76 6.76 6.76
Financial Aid Fee 14.40 14.40 14.40
Non-Resident Financial Aid Fee 0.00 0.00 39.25
Activity & Service Fee 0.00 11.67 11.67
Transportation Access Fee 0.00 9.10 9.10
Health Fee 0.00 10.84 10.84
Athletic Fee 0.00 14.32 14.32
Technology Fee 0.00 14.40 14.40
Distance Learning Course Fee (Per Hour) 18.00 0.00 0.00
Tuition and Fees Total for 1 Credit Hour 487.45 369.65 1,194.05

Learn more about the cost to attend UCF.

The traditional online MSW track was created for students who do not have a BSW degree or who earned their BSW more than six years prior to initial enrollment. The Advanced Standing option is for students who have earned a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program within the last six years with a GPA of 3.3 in their last 60 credit hours. This track admits only once a year in the fall semester.

Graduate social work education is both difficult and time consuming. Many of our students maintain employment, but we strongly emphasize that you schedule your time wisely for both your online courses, and for your field placement. In addition, during your field placement, you will be required to complete at least 50% of your hours during business hours (M-F, 8-5pm), so please keep that in mind.

UCF Online students have access and privileges to a wide range of student services. However, some campus resources and services are supported by student fees that are waived for UCF Online students. You can learn about the services that are available as an online student by visiting: https://www.ucf.edu/online/student-resources/online-student-guidelines/

No. Your diploma will state that you earned an Master of Social Work at the University of Central Florida.

The accredited online masters degree in social work is a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree track offered through the University of Central Florida. There are two online options available at this time: Online Part-Time track and Online Part-Time Advanced Standing track.

The online Master of Social Work degree is completed fully online with the exception of in-person field experiences. Your participation is expected and required much like in face-to-face courses. That said, not all students are suited for online learning. The online MSW may not be the right fit for you if:

  • You do not have unlimited access to high-speed internet
  • You cannot type or type very slowly
  • You do not have access or basic knowledge of computer and internet skills including software applications, uploading and downloading documents
  • You have difficulty with time-management and/or are unable to commit to 18 hours per week of coursework and an additional 10-15 hours for field placement

The Master of Social Work program at UCF is fully accredited through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

There are two differences between the Online MSW and the Orlando MSW tracks: method of delivery and length of classes. The curriculum content is the same for both options and is regulated by the CSWE through its accreditation standards. While the online Master of Social Work courses are completed entirely online, the Orlando MSW options offer primarily face-to-face courses along with some online courses. Courses in the online program are set an accelerated pace of 7-weeks each. Each semester you will have two 7-week terms in which you will focus on one course at a time. This does not including field seminar classes which last the duration of a semester (14-16 weeks). The Orlando MSW courses last an entire semester (14-16 weeks).

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Why UCF Online?

With over 25 years of experience in online teaching and learning, UCF Online offers students an innovative approach to education. Our degrees are accessible, convenient, and designed with working professionals in mind so you can receive a quality education on your terms.

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Online Support for Success

You’ve made the decision to continue your education and we’re here to help. From the moment you express interest in a UCF Online program, you’re assigned an enrollment coach to help you navigate everything from completing an application to understanding tuition and the financial aid resources available to you. Once you’re admitted, you’ll be transitioned to a personal success coach who will support you with maintaining school-life balance from the first day of classes through graduation. You’ve committed to furthering your education and we’re committed to guiding you along the way.

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