Mason Online

Degree: MSW

Social Work (MSW)

Program Description

  • Develop your passion for helping others
  • Gain the latest understanding of equity and human rights in social work
  • Take advantage of George Mason’s established community connections and explore interactive learning opportunities through our Practicum Education Program
  • Choose between two specializations: 1) Adults & Healthy Aging or 2) Children, Youth, & Families
  • Learn to integrate intersectionality in social work practice with diverse populations
  • Learn online and advance your career at a pace that works for you
  • Prepare to meet the diverse needs of different populations
  • By completing this program, you may be eligible to sit for one of these national licensing exams:* Licensed Social Worker or Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  • Advanced Standing requires that the BSW have been earned in the last five years

Focus on Social Justice and Empowerment

  • Emphasis on empowerment and systems transformation
  • Preparation to meet the needs of underserved populations and advance the ideals of social justice
  • Curriculum is built around a Social Justice Core, delivering interdisciplinary perspectives on topics like human behavior, social policy, research methods, and clinical practice

Learn From Faculty With Real-World Experience

  • Learn from current research findings, develop an evidence-based practice, and establish strong relationships with practicing social workers, some with extensive international experience that will lend a global perspective to your education

MSW Advanced Standing

George Mason University’s Online Master of Social Work is now offering an Advanced Standing program for those qualified with a Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution. This competitive program gives those who qualify the opportunity to complete their Master of Social Work in less time, in 33 credit hours.

MSW Accelerated Track

George Mason University’s online Master of Social Work program is now offering an accelerated track that allows students to take 9 credits per semester, thereby finishing the degree at a faster rate.

Stipend Program Available

  • Child Welfare Stipend Program (CWSP): Specialized training program aimed to prepare social work students for a career in public child welfare. Each CWSP recipient will receive a $10,000 stipend per academic year, with a work payback requirement. Specific requirements and more information can be found here.

Practicum Education Program

We offer two types of practicum placements:

  • Traditional: Get matched with affiliated agencies.
  • Employment-Based Practicum (EBP): Through your current company

Our Practicum Education Program Office works to support students by placing them in a broad range of interdisciplinary social work settings where they gain hands-on experience. These structured interactive learning experiences prepare students for professional practice in environments that provide a globalized approach to learning.

Students will have opportunities to demonstrate social work competencies in their home communities through local, in-person internships. We work with over 400 practicum agencies in Northern Virginia, the Washington Metropolitan area (DMV), and within the United States (50 states) to ensure our students have access to organizations that span beyond the traditional divisions of social work.

We offer two types of practicum placements:

  • Traditional: The Practicum Education Program Office matches students with affiliated agencies who are a part of a large data base of agencies that have worked with our students. This data base also includes agencies in other states that have worked with George Mason University online students. Practicum hours must mirror the agency’s hours of operations. Programs, Instructors, and Supervision must be available during this time.
  • Employment-Based Practicum (EBP) Requirements
    • A student holds full-time employment with an eligible social service agency with social work-related job responsibilities.
    • A student has worked for the agency for at least six months and/or completed the employment probation period by the start of their practicum.
    • Letters of reference from the Program Director and Supervisor stating the support of the EBP arrangement.***