Best Online Master of Social Work Programs in North Carolina
If your career goals involve helping those in need and you’re ready to earn your master’s, an MSW program in North Carolina may be the right educational move for you. North Carolina’s governor Josh Stein pointed out the particular need for social work leaders in schools and for vulnerable populations during a proclamation on Social Work Month.
Our guide will help you learn more about standout online and hybrid programs for master’s degrees in social work, the various program types that are available, which educational institutions offer them, and what job opportunities await graduates of MSW programs in North Carolina.
Explore Traditional MSW Programs in North Carolina
North Carolina’s conventional MSW programs provide students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in a different discipline with an introduction to social work. These programs take around three years to finish and involve a blend of classroom instruction and practical experience. Applicants must have a background in social services or a related field, such as psychology or sociology.
University of North Carolina – Pembroke
Diversity is the name of the game for the Master of Social Work program at this university, which offers online, hybrid, full-time, and part-time options for students. Even though there is a fully online option, an in-person practicum must take place for that option at UNC-Pembroke. One area of pride for UNC Pembroke’s MSW is its focus on the use of evidence-based practices in rural areas.
Duration: Two to three years, 50 to 62 credits
Mode: Online and Hybrid
Cost: $238-$963/credit, residency-dependent
Curriculum:
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment
- Social Work Practice with Individuals
- Advanced Practice with Groups/Organizations in Rural and Indigenous Populations
- Advanced General Assessment and Intervention
- Advanced Generalist Practicum
All About Non-GRE MSW Programs in North Carolina
Several schools are transitioning away from requiring applicants to take the GRE, as they don’t consider it a total reflection of achievement. Because preparing for the GRE can be both costly and time-consuming, programs that ignore it are becoming increasingly popular. As this is a trend in graduate programs throughout the nation, it is worth noting that no-GRE programs are just as respected, accredited, and valuable as their GRE-requiring counterparts
University of North Carolina – Charlotte
The curriculum and variety of choices at UNC-C’s online Master of Social Work program are tailored toward working professionals who want to advance in leadership or specialty in their field. Flexibility is key at UNC-C; plans of study are available that allow a full-time, two-year course of study, or going lightweight on course loads and taking up to three years.
A 16-hour per week internship is required, although all coursework is online and asynchronous. Admissions requirements include a bachelor’s degree, transcripts showing a 3.0 GPA or higher, three recommendation letters, and a statement of purpose.
Duration: Two to three years; 39-60 credits
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $289-$1,098/credit, residency-dependent
Curriculum:
- Social Work Research
- Advocacy and Policy Change
- Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals, Organizations, & Families
- Reflection and Synthesis
- Advanced Social Work Practicum
- Social Work, Justice, & Diversity
Deep Dive: California’s Best Advanced Standing MSW Degrees
These are programs for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in social work. Because of that requirement, these degrees take about two years to complete on a more accelerated track. Students dive right into advanced coursework and build on their prior education by participating in advanced fieldwork experience.
Appalachian State University
Appalachian State Online hosts a part- or full-time Master of Social Work program. The field placement requirement takes place with an online seminar. Concentrations are offered in Individuals and Families, and The Community and Organizational Practice. Both evening synchronous and open asynchronous classes are offered to ensure flexibility.
Admission requirements include a 3.2 GPA or higher in past social work major classes, a personal statement, and three reference letters.
Duration: One to two years; 33 credits
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $290-$1,217/credit, residency-dependent
Curriculum:
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment
- Practice in Individuals and Families
- Social Welfare Policy Analysis and Practice
- Advanced Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents
- Leadership in Health and Human Service Organizations
- Program Development and Evaluation for HHS
Part-Time MSW Programs in North Carolina
Part-time MSW degree programs are ideal for students looking to transition careers while also maintaining employment as they pursue their master’s degree. Part-time MSW degrees in North Carolina still offer a comprehensive curriculum that teaches students the theoretical and practical aspects of social work. Required fieldwork is stretched out over an extended period.
East Carolina University
The part-time MSW program at ECU mixes synchronous online courses on Saturdays and asynchronous online courses that can be taken anytime. Required field education can take place at the student’s employer upon approval.
The curriculum emphasizes a person-in-environment structure to encourage leaders that provide varied services and become advocates for respectful social work within diverse communities. Admission requirements include transcripts that feature a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the student’s previous 30 semester hours.
Duration: Three years, 30 credits
Mode: Online
Cost: $290-$1020/credit, residency-dependent
Curriculum:
- Critical Thinking in Social Work Research
- Social Work Perspectives on Mental Health and Substance Abuse
- Social Work Practice: Community Foundations
- Advanced Practice: Individuals and Families
- Group Practice with a Clinical/Community Relational Perspective
- Trauma-Informed Practice with a Clinical/Community Relational Perspective
Quick Guide: FAQs for North Carolina MSW Students
What are the requirements for becoming a licensed social worker in North Carolina?
To receive a social work license in North Carolina, there are two levels: Certified Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. CSWs are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree, and a passing grade on the licensing examination.
The LCUSW requires an MSW degree and completion of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. It also requires the master level exam, and both state exams are from the Association of Social Work Boards, or ASWB.
Is fieldwork needed for an online MSW degree?
In short: yes. No matter how your classes are delivered, you will always need an in-person internship or practicum as part of your coursework. You’ll complete the same number of fieldwork hours as on-campus students, and most schools will help place you with an organization that will supply your hands-on training in your city.
What’s the difference between being a social worker and being a counselor, besides earning different types of master’s degrees?
While social work definitely has elements of counseling as part of everyday work, social workers who have earned an MSW mainly focus on client case management, advocacy, and systemic policy change to help communities. Some social workers at the master level also diagnose and help treat mental health issues while also connecting clients with federal, state, and local resources to help them meet their needs, improve their lives, and successfully adjust to changes and challenges in their lives.
An MSW also opens up leadership opportunities, as you may be in charge of other social workers with less experience or specialization.
What are some of the best traits of a successful social worker?
One of the most important traits to have is empathy, as you’ll need to understand the concerns of a person without being judgmental about his or her situation. Also important are important are a love of working with people from different backgrounds, a willingness to work outside of the office and go where you are needed most, and an ability to handle heavy caseloads with strong time management skills.
What types of roles are available to me once I earn a master’s degree in social work?
At the master level, some of the more prevalent roles are as a school social worker, where you can work with school administrators, parents, and students to help identify and solve issues among the student body. It is also ideal for becoming a mental health or substance abuse social worker, or working in other areas of healthcare such as family practitioners or home care as part of a larger team.
Earnings & Careers: MSW Graduates in North Carolina
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | Social Workers | $39,580 | $104,580 | $63,770 |
| North Carolina | Social Workers | $43,740 | $103,540 | $59,320 |
| Asheville, NC | Social Workers | $43,740 | $124,110 | $94,910 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | Social Workers | $46,490 | $106,680 | $80,250 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | Social Workers | $47,190 | $103,540 | $86,280 |
| Greenville, NC | Social Workers | $47,680 | $91,100 | $71,410 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | Social Workers | $42,240 | $94,910 | $43,740 |
| New Bern, NC | Social Workers | $42,240 | $82,910 | $44,970 |
| Raleigh, NC | Social Workers | $43,740 | $88,770 | $58,460 |
| Wilmington, NC | Social Workers | $43,740 | $91,100 | $71,410 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | Social Workers | $43,740 | $105,190 | $69,100 |
Source: Social Workers, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Occupation | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Social Workers | 68,400 | 72,900 | 4,500 | 6.60% |
| North Carolina | Social Workers | 1,460 | 1,600 | 140 | 9.60% |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
North Carolina MSW Training & Resources
There are plenty of groups and organizations in North Carolina that can provide support, help, and research materials as you navigate education and career in the more advanced world of social work. Here are a few of the groups that can be of great assistance to you.
- National Association of Black Social Workers
With several chapters in North Carolina, this association is dedicated to empowering Black social workers. The group provides research, advocacy services, publications, and continuing education. - National Association of Social Workers – NC Chapter
The North Carolina chapter of the NASW gives professionals the opportunity to network with each other during events in the state, as well as access to a career center and continuing education opportunities. - NC Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
The NC Social Work Certification and Licensure Board website includes details about first-time licensing and renewals for the various types available to state social work student graduates. - North Carolina School Social Workers Association
This group caters to the unique needs of school social workers and provides resources and professional development services to help them succeed. The group also has ongoing advocacy programs in the state. - North Carolina Society for Clinical Social Work
Since its founding in 1979, the North Carolina Society for Clinical Social Work has given professionals access to a variety of resources, such as workshops, education programs, and social events.
Best Online Options for MSW Programs in North Carolina
It’s important for North Carolina MSW students to do a lot of research before selecting a degree program, especially to see how it measures up to needs that are important to them, including costs, specific online offerings, career support, accreditations, and student-to-faculty ratios. This list of four-year-and-beyond schools provides those metrics as you do your research, using data volunteered by the schools themselves.
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke, North Carolina
Public
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
Public
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina
Public
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Public
