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
Study at the First and Only College of Public Health in Virginia
The College of Public Health at George Mason University is the first and only College of Public Health in Virginia and a national leader in inclusive, interprofessional, public health research, education, and practice. The College’s transdisciplinary research seeks to understand the many factors that influence the public’s health and well-being throughout the lifespan. With more than 500 partners, the College serves the community through research, practice, and clinical care with a focus on the social determinants of health and health equity. Our graduates are uniquely prepared to thrive in an increasingly multi-cultural multidisciplinary, community-focused public health landscape.
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.
Application Deadline
The online MSW program accepts applications on a rolling basis and is currently accepting applications. Applicants for the online program should apply here.
Virtual Open House
George Mason’s Department of Social Work faculty dedicates time throughout the year to hold interactive sessions online for those who want to learn more about the online programs we offer. If you would like to find out more about what you can expect from an online Master of Social Work, visit our pre-recorded Virtual Open House and watch at your convenience. For information on upcoming sessions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Learning Online
Avoid commute times or “traditional” classroom hours, so you can complete your degree and advance your career even if you travel for work, have kids at home, or keep a busy or non-traditional schedule.
Coursework is delivered through a variety of prepared video lessons, readings, or engagement-orientated learning tasks that you’ll complete by predefined dates.
You won’t learn alone – participate in lively conversations with peers and faculty in discussion posts, virtual office hours, group assignments, and peer-initiated study groups.
Faculty provide mentorship throughout your program to ensure you’re on the right path to meet your career goals.
*The MSW online option was approved by CSWE in June of 2019.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
This program has been identified by George Mason University as one that may lead to a career requiring professional licensure/certification. Federal regulations require Mason to disclose information as to whether this program meets/does not meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in your state, or whether such a determination has not been made. Please consult our Licensure Disclosure Tool (https://provost.gmu.edu/licensure) for the disclosure statement specific to your desired state/program combination.
Stipend Programs 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.
Behavioral Health (CAP-BH) Stipend Program: Increase the number and quality of MSW professionals with specialized behavioral health training to address complex issues like untreated trauma and behavioral and violence exposure. Each CAP-BH recipient will receive a $10,000 stipend during the year they are in the MSW specialization field practicum. Specific requirements and more information can be found here.
Web Page Disclosure
Risepoint maintains this web page in cooperation with George Mason University. George Mason University maintains responsibility for curriculum, teaching, admissions, tuition, financial aid, accreditation, and all other academic- and instruction-related functions and decisions. Learn more about Risepoint.
George Mason University’s online MSW program is ideal for students of all academic backgrounds. Whether you are a current social work professional looking to build on your Bachelor of Social Work or you’re new to the field, this program is designed to help you take the next step toward a career in advancing social justice through direct client service. Work experience is not required, just a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning is required.
Graduates are prepared to enter a variety of social work settings including, but not limited to, aging and disability services, family assistance, alcohol and drug abuse counseling, international NGOs, child protection, lobbying and advocacy, poverty alleviation, employee assistance, and school social work.
Why Choose George Mason?
Students choose George Mason’s online MSW because of its:
Renowned faculty of experts and researchers with years of experience
Curriculum developed around social justice and systems transformation
Advanced Standing option available for those qualified
Practicum Education Program that provides comprehensive, hands-on skill development
Competitively priced value for a respected master’s degree program – Ranked a top 10 Best Online MSW Programs of 2022 by Forbes Advisor
Financial aid programs and lifetime access to George Mason’s career services
Program requirements for the online Master of Social Work are adapted to face the challenges of social work practice
Requirements: 60 total credit hours
Courses for George Mason University’s online MSW are offered in a convenient, part-time, online format that is mostly asynchronous so you can study when and wherever works best for you. Students will also complete two supervised field practica which are in-person learning opportunities in local communities to apply their social work learning to real-world practice. The online curriculum mirrors George Mason’s on-campus program.
Specializations
George Mason University’s MSW program offers a choice between two specializations: 1) Adults & Healthy Aging or 2) Children, Youth, & Families. To graduate with the MSW degree, students must successfully complete the generalist courses and the courses for one specialization. Before beginning specialization courses, students must complete all generalist courses.
Certification
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.
Generalist Courses:
SOCW 600 Foundations of Social Work and Social Welfare
SOCW 623 Human Behavior and Social Systems
SOCW 644 Community Practice Across the Life Course
SOCW 656 Poverty, Oppression, and Inequity
SOCW 659 Organizing and Advocating for Change
SOCW 660 Foundations of Direct Practice
SOCW 671 Research Methods for Social Workers
SOCW 672 Generalist Field Practicum and Seminar I
SOCW 673 Generalist Field Practicum and Seminar II
SOCW 674 Psychopathology
Elective Courses:**
Select at least 1 or up to 4 courses from the following:
SOCW 653 Immigration Policy
SOCW 654 Social Policy for Children and Youth
SOCW 655 Aging Programs and Policies
SOCW 663 Global Human Rights Policy
SOCW 676 Selected Topics in Social Work and Social Change
SOCW 684 Social Work and the Law
SOCW 685 Organizational Leadership for Social Workers
SOCW 664 Creative Arts in Social Work Practice
SOCW 667 Advanced Group Theory and Practice
SOCW 675 Selected Topics in Clinical Practice
SOCW 677 Family Therapy
SOCW 678 Trauma and Recovery
SOCW 679 Military Social Work
SOCW 682 Substance Abuse Interventions
SOCW 710 Behavioral Health Interventions
Specialization in Children, Youth, and Families (CYF)
Core Courses:
GCH 500 Foundations of Public Health
SOCW 630 Forensic Social Work Practice
SOCW 650 Advanced Social Work Policy Practice Skills
SOCW 683 Clinical Practice with Children, Youth, and Families
SOCW 688 Program Evaluation for Social Workers
Specialization in Adults and Healthy Aging (AHA)
Core Courses:
GCH 500 Foundations of Public Health
SOCW 640 Clinical Practice with Adults
SOCW 650 Advanced Social Work Policy Practice Skills
SOCW 688 Program Evaluation for Social Workers
SOCW 689 Clinical Practice with Older Adults
Field Practicum Courses
Generalist Practicum Courses:
SOCW 672 Practicum Education and Seminar I
SOCW 673 Practicum Education and Seminar II
Specialized Practicum Courses:
SOCW 696 Practicum Education and Seminar I
SOCW 698 Practicum Education and Seminar II
Advanced Standing
Courses:
33 total credit hours
1 MSW Generalist Course
Specialization Core Courses
12 total credit hours of elective courses (at least one must be a macro elective)
Practicum Education Program
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 field 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 field 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 field 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. Field Practicum hours must mirror the agency’s hours of operations. Programs, Field Instructors, and Supervision must be available during this time.
Employment-Based Field 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 field practicum.
Letters of reference from the Program Director and Supervisor stating the support of the EBP arrangement.***
*Licensing requirements differ by state, but the MSW degree is the qualifying degree for any state license.
**Elective curriculum is subject to change. Students are required to take four electives with one being a macro elective to meet the graduation requirements of the program. GCH 500, Foundations in Public Health, will be a required course as one of these four electives. Please note, not all electives are offered in the online format. Currently, the electives offered online are SOCW 654, SOCW 655, SOCW 675, SOCW 677, SOCW 678, SOCW 682. If you have additional questions, please reach out to an Admissions Representative.
***Additional requirements for EBP will apply.
Tuition & Fees (2024–2025):
Tuition is $795 per credit hour. An additional charge of $35 per credit hour applies for a Distance Learning fee.
Financial Aid:
For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers, and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for social workers is high and expected to grow 16 percent by 2026—a rate more than double that of all other positions.1
George Mason’s MSW graduates go on to fill roles in a wide variety of fields, including:
If you are unable to find the answers to your questions, submit a Request For Information form or contact our admissions representative via the contact information below.
The part-time online MSW is 60 credit hours and can be completed in 10 semesters.
When are classes held?
MSW classes for part-time online students are offered in an asynchronous format, meaning they can be viewed interactively at your convenience. However, there may be opportunities for synchronous participation in some courses.
How do I plan for the field practicum courses?
Our in-person practicums are deliberate, structured, intentional and interactive learning experiences that prepare future social workers for professional practice. They will occur within your community, which is the most common model for only MSW programs. Students will be expected to complete the practicum during regular business hours (8am – 5pm). Personnel who are required to supervise students do not commonly work on evenings and weekends. There are some options for completing the practicum within your work setting if certain qualifications are met, otherwise students will be expected to plan to set aside 16 to 20 hours per week.
What is an asynchronous format?
Learning online in an asynchronous format means that you can complete your degree in the times and locations that are best for you. Field practicum courses must be in-person during regular work hours.
Coursework is delivered through a variety of prerecorded video lessons, readings, or game-based learning tasks that you’ll complete according to the due dates in the syllabus, but this doesn’t mean you learn alone. Instead, you’ll get to know faculty and your peers in discussion posts, virtual office hours, group assignments, peer-initiated study groups, online chats and video when everyone logs in at the same time to hold discussions and work together.
What accreditations do George Mason and the MSW program hold?
The MSW is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). George Mason University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
How much does it cost to apply?
While there is a $75 application fee, there are multiple times throughout the year that the fee may be waived.
What are the admissions recommendations?
Completed online application
$75 application fee
Resume
2 Letters of Recommendation
Statement of Purpose essay
Undergrad GPA-minimum 3.0
GPA Addendum Essay if undergrad GPA below 3.0
All official undergraduate and graduate transcripts*
Required courses: Statistics, English Composition, History or Government, Social Science – listed in Experience Grid
Work or volunteer experience in related field highly recommended
Experience Grid: Please list out any previous course work or experience you have with the prerequisites listed above (For an example grid, please reach out to your enrollment coordinator)
One Letter of Recommendation must be from a supervisor
Are there additional requirements for Advanced Standing?
Students must have received a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program
BSW must have been received in the past 5 years
2 Letters of Recommendation (one must be from BSW program director or full-time faculty)
BSW field evaluation
Undergrad GPA minimum of 3.2 (must submit undergraduate and graduate transcripts)
Video interview
*All official transcripts with a degree conferral need to be approved and processed by the second semester. Degree conferral’s typically post 2-3 months after courses close.
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