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Master of Social Work Online

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CSWE-Accredited Online Master of Social Work Degree for Georgia Students

Apply your passion for helping others to make a difference for Georgia communities. Pursue the CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) degree that you can complete online—without leaving Georgia.

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Regular Standing MSW

Format 100% Online

Total Credits 60

Program Length As few as 4 semesters

Certificate Options Yes

Advanced Standing MSW – Accelerated Format

Format 100% Online

Total Credits 30

Program Length As few as 2 Semesters

Certificate Options Yes

Foster Social Change for Georgia Communities.

Prepare to support Georgia residents and families with diverse backgrounds through UK’s Master of Social Work degree program. After earning our CSWE-accredited master’s degree, you’ll be ready to advance human rights and social justice ideals in Georgia.

The College of Social Work enables Georgia residents to earn a CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work degree program in two modalities, including online. No matter which option you choose, UK’s high-quality education remains the same. You can also tailor your master’s degree program by choosing from multiple certificate options to customize and enrich your education.

Begin our online Master of Social Work degree program to prepare to offer research-informed assistance to Georgia communities. At the same time, you can gain macro-level expertise to help improve Georgia’s social policies and systems of care. And with the Advanced Standing MSW option, eligible full-time students can complete our online master’s degree program in 12 months.

Qualify for Careers Where You Make a Difference in Georgia.

The need for social workers has accelerated in Georgia. Projections show the employment of mental health counselors will increase 28% from 2018 to 2028, while the number of healthcare social worker jobs will grow 17%—faster than the national rate.1,2 With our CSWE-accredited social work degree program, you can prepare to support vulnerable populations in these in-demand roles.

Georgia’s Social Work Jobs by the Numbers.

Here are five social work roles you could pursue in Georgia after completing our online master’s degree program.

  • Child, Family, and School Social Workers: 10,440 jobs3
  • Mental Health Counselors: 8,390 jobs1
  • Healthcare Social Workers: 4,260 jobs2
  • Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: 1,650 jobs4
  • Social Workers (All Other): 1,230 jobs5

12% Ten-year projection for social workers in the U.S.6

17% Ten-year projection for healthcare social workers in Georgia.2

28% Ten-year projection for mental health counselors in Georgia.1

Careers Details

Prepare to Sit for Licensure in Georgia.

Earn our social work degree online to build the confidence and expertise needed to foster social change in Georgia. Moreover, our CSWE-accredited MSW degree program was created with a focused Licensing Preparation Initiative (LPI) that uses specific instruction and exam structure that better prepares you to sit for the social work licensure exam. Our licensure pass rates surpass the national average.

Professional licensure or certification may be required to practice, advance, or specialize in social work. However, educational requirements for licensure vary by state. You can view more information on social work licensure here.

Get more information about our online MSW program’s SARA compliance.

“I have felt driven to work with hospice patients for many years and have been a volunteer. I wanted to pursue my MSW to work at a different level with families experiencing end-of-life trauma. I am working toward licensure in Georgia and will move to hospice social work as a volunteer and then as a part-time hospice social worker.”

– Debra Thomas of Georgia
woman being hugged by child while she works at laptop

Curriculum: Enabling Social Workers in Georgia to Make an Impact.

Georgia students with a bachelor’s degree in social work can apply to our 30-credit Advanced Standing program, which offers an accelerated route to a master’s degree. We also offer a 60-credit Regular Standing MSW program for students with bachelor’s degrees in other fields. While seeking your social work degree online, you will complete one of our multiple certificates in areas like Clinical Social Work, Child Welfare, Trauma-Responsive Practice, Military Behavioral Health, School Social Work and Substance Use Disorder, or select elective courses to complete an Individualized Plan of Study.

Each study path helps you realize your passion for effective social work practice for organizations throughout Georgia. Prepare to address poverty, inequality, and other complex issues as you learn to apply the theory behind setting effective policies, offering direct service, and overseeing group practice in your work in Georgia. You will also engage in a series of practicums with guidance from a faculty field professor and agency field instructor.

Our online social work degree program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Explore Curriculum

Choose an Area of Focus for Careers in Georgia.

Our CSWE-accredited social work degree program lets you choose either a certificate or an individualized plan of study. With each option, you’ll take online classes that offer an enhanced learning experience and prepare you for professional success in Georgia.

Build a comprehensive understanding of topics influencing child welfare practice, including historical perspectives, child protection policy, and abuse intervention. Students may apply for the certificate after being accepted to the online MSW program.

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Gain an advanced level of clinical knowledge and skills including application of social work practice in a variety of clinical settings. Students may apply for the certificate after being accepted to the online MSW program.

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Gain a deeper understanding of the unique experiences of military members, veterans, and their families, and explore effective and culturally-sensitive behavioral healthcare services for this population. Students may apply for the certificate after being accepted to the online MSW program.

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Develop critical skills through study and experience to assess and intervene on behalf of children and adolescents in a school setting. Students may apply for the certificate after being accepted to the online MSW program.

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Learn treatment and prevention approaches related to substance use disorders and develop essential intervention skills through a curriculum founded on evidence-based practice. Students may apply for the certificate after being accepted to the online MSW program.

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Create your plan of study based on your specific career goals through a selection of social work elective courses designed for your professional success. Students may apply for the certificate after being accepted to the online MSW program.

View IPS

Learn how to help individuals in their healing journeys and promote post-traumatic growth and healing. Students may apply for the certificate after being accepted to the online MSW program. Students who have a conferred MSW from a regionally accredited institution may also apply.

View Certificate

Admission Requirements

You don’t need to take the GRE or have previous work experience to apply to the online Master of Social Work degree program at UK. Admission requirements include*:

An application to the 30-credit-hour Advanced Standing program requires:

  • A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited program, earned within the past seven years
  • Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0, social work GPA of 3.5, or a graduate GPA of 3.0 (if applicable)

An application to the 60-credit-hour Regular Standing program requires:

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • A GPA of 3.0 or above in all of your academic endeavors

Other requirements include:

  • Application Form
  • Personal Résumé
  • Two letters of recommendation
    • If you graduated within the past five years, at least one academic reference is required
    • References you provide should fit the following categories: professor, social work professor, professional social worker/field instructor, and work or volunteer supervisor
    • Please exclude personal, pastoral, and relative references
  • 4-page autobiographical personal statement
  • 250-word writing sample on an ethical dilemma
  • All transcripts from any higher education institution attended

*Students may apply for the certificate after being accepted to the online master’s degree in social work program.

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Tuition & Financial Aid

Students in the online MSW pay UK’s in-state tuition regardless of the state in which you reside. With a cost per credit hour of $753, the total tuition for the 60-credit Regular Standing master’s degree program is $45,180*, or $22,590* for the 30-credit Advanced Standing master’s degree program.

Students can save up to 40% on tuition by taking advantage of the block tuition rate offered for our online Master of Social Work degree program.

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We’re here to help students in Georgia fulfill their commitment to academic excellence and connect them with a variety of forms of financial aid—from federal loans to scholarships and military benefits.

Note that additional fees may apply, and total tuition will depend on various factors, such as the number of credits taken and time to complete our CSWE-accredited master’s degree program. Tuition rates are subject to annual changes.

*Published tuition costs to attend UK may differ from a student’s estimated total “cost of attendance,” which includes the amount an online student may choose to spend on expenses such as housing and food, books and supplies, transportation and other personal items or activities per academic year. For further information regarding specific charges for instruction and related services (excluding other living and personal expenses), please refer to the tuition and fees page.

Tuition Details
Military man holding child

Military Student Support

The flexible nature of our online Master of Social Work degree program is ideal for U.S. military service members and veterans located in Georgia. With faculty who have military backgrounds, courses specific to the issues relevant to you, and military-specific benefits like our Veterans Resource Center, our mission is to support your academic success.

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Passionate Faculty Prepare You to Support Vulnerable People in Georgia.

UK’s faculty understand the theory behind social work and the realities of professional practice in the field. Because many of our faculty members are licensed professionals, you’ll benefit from their deep passion and experience as you pursue a social work degree online.

Our master’s degree program lets you engage directly with professors committed to the ideals of justice and equity in social work. Plus, work with a field advisor to cultivate hands-on experience supporting communities in Georgia.

Our Faculty

Why Should Students in Georgia Choose UK Online?

Bring the Big Blue Nation to the Peach State

By enrolling in the online MSW degree program at UK, you’ll become part of a tradition of excellence where you can build your career with confidence—all while learning at your pace. With experienced faculty, a thoughtfully designed curriculum, and a licensure exam pass rate that surpasses the national average, we can help you graduate exceptionally prepared for real-world practice in Georgia.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to apply to our online MSW program:

  • Create an online account
  • Submit your undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other supporting materials
  • Pay the $65 application fee

You can expect to receive a decision 2 to 3 weeks after you apply.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions about our CSWE-accredited master’s degree program? Visit our Resource Center to find answers fast.

Resource Center
Yes, the online MSW program is fully CSWE accredited. This affirms our commitment to the core competencies, outcomes, and practices required by the CSWE, the nation’s premier social work accrediting body.

Up to 25% of coursework can be transferred toward either program courses or electives, with up to 15 credit hours for Regular Standing and 9 for Advanced Standing.

Yes, the online MSW program does offer virtual open houses. These events are held regularly—register to participate in an upcoming virtual open house here.

Regular Standing requires three practicum courses and Advanced Standing requires two practicum courses. Each practicum requires 300 hours over 16 weeks.

The online MSW program does not offer concentrations. However, students may choose to complete a certificate or Individualized Plan of Study along with their master’s degree to gain in-depth skills in a specific area of study. Learn more about available certificates and developing an Individualized Plan of Study here.

Sources

  1. O*NET OnLine. (2022, March 1.) Georgia Employment Trends for: 21-1014.00 – Mental Health Counselors. Retrieved March 14, 2022, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/21-1014.00?st=GA&g=Go.
  2. O*NET OnLine. (2022, March 1.) Georgia Employment Trends for: 21-1022.00 – Healthcare Social Workers. Retrieved March 14, 2022, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/21-1022.00?st=GA&g=Go.
  3. O*NET OnLine. (2022, March 1.) Georgia Employment Trends for: 21-1021.00 – Child, Family, and School Social Workers. Retrieved March 14, 2022, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/21-1021.00?st=GA&g=Go.
  4. O*NET OnLine. (2022, March 1.) Georgia Employment Trends for: 21-1023.00 – Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers. Retrieved March 14, 2022, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/21-1023.00?st=GA&g=Go.
  5. O*NET OnLine. (2022, March 1.) Georgia Employment Trends for: 21-1029.00 – Social Workers, All Other. Retrieved March 14, 2022, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/21-1029.00?st=GA&g=Go.
  6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021, October 21.) Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social Workers. Retrieved March 14, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm.