Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Massachusetts

There are 12 universities in Massachusetts that offer a master’s degree in social work. Of these, eleven of them are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and one of them is a candidate for accreditation. Earning a master’s degree through one of these programs is a great way to expand your career and income opportunities or enter into the field of social work. 

Social work can be a difficult, but rewarding career that involves helping one’s community in a number of ways. Social workers might work with families and individuals to help them get resources that they need, such as housing, food, or other assistance. They do so through collaborating with various organizations, advocating for families, and guiding clients. On a day-to-day basis, they work on writing case notes, working with other colleagues to help clients, and having meetings with clients. 

If you are already a social worker or in the social services field, or just want your MSW, earning a master’s degree may qualify you to take on high level careers. For example, you might be able to be the manager or director of a social services clinic, with a certain amount of experience. Or, going through an MSW program can prepare you to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, in which case you would be qualified to provide mental health therapy to clients, which is a whole other level of help you can provide clients. A master’s degree may also provide a social services job with a higher income.

 According to O*Net Online, the annual wage and career growth for Massachusetts social workers is as follows:

• Child, Family, and School Social Workers 
  • Projected Growth: 10% (much faster than the average career growth)
  • Median Annual Wages: $55,170 
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 
  • Projected Growth: 15% (much faster than the average career growth)
  • Median Annual Wages: $51,630 
• Healthcare Social Workers 
  • Projected Growth: 11% 
  • Median Annual Wages: $60,970 
• Social Workers, All Other 
  • Projected Growth: 4% (slighty below average career growth) 
  • Median Annual Wages: $74,710 
• Social and Community Service Managers 
  • Projected Growth: 14% 
  • Median Annual Wages: $77,380

Massachusetts Online Masters in Social Work

There are ten MSW programs in MA that offer an online option through which to complete the degree. These are reviewed below, and many of them also offer an on-campus component. Attending an online program can be beneficial for many students. It allows one to work a full-time job while expanding their career and income opportunities through education. Online programs are often equal in quality to their in-person counterparts, and many are accredited by the CSWE. Some of them include a part-time and/or advanced standing option too.

Boston University – Boston, Massachusetts

Regis College – Weston, Massachusetts

Salem State University – Salem, Massachusetts

Simmons University – Boston, Massachusetts

Westfield State University – Westfield, Massachusetts

CSWE Accredited MSW Programs in Massachusetts

The CSWE – Council on Social Work Education – is the sole agency in the United States that works to promote excellence and innovation in social work education. The CSWE comprises experts in the field who create standards that MSW programs must work towards to earn the accreditation status. Attending an accredited school is a good way to hopefully ensure that you will be properly prepared for your social work career and any exams that may arise upon completion of the program. Most organizations of employment also usually prefer that their social workers attend a CSWE-accredited program. The CSWE’s standards are useful because they are universal across the United States, which allows social workers who move across states to transfer their license if needed.

Anna Maria College – Paxton, Massachusetts

Boston College – Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Bridgewater State University – Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Lesley University – Cambridge Massachusetts

Smith College – Northampton, Massachusetts

Springfield College – Springfield, Massachusetts

No GRE Required MSW Programs in Massachusetts

There are 12 MSW programs in Massachusetts that do not require applicants to submit GRE scores. However, two of the programs DO require the GRE if the applicant has below a 3.0 GPA. Most of the MSW programs that do not have a GRE requirement were reviewed in previous sections, and some are reviewed below. 

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is a standardized exam that many universities require students to take to enroll in their master’s degree program. The test measures a student’s strengths, and is intended to help universities determine what students are ready for graduate level coursework. However, many universities and programs are choosing to not have the GRE requirement, and instead assess a student through other ways. This may include requiring the submission of a resume, letters of recommendation, undergraduate GPA, and possibly more. This gives the universities and programs a more holistic view of a student’s qualifications.

Merrimack College – North Andover, Massachusetts

Massachusetts CSWE Accredited MSW Programs

University Name	City	State	Program Title	Program URL
Boston University	Boston	MA	Master of Social Work	http://www.bu.edu/ssw/
Regis College	Weston	MA	Master of Social Work	https://online.regiscollege.edu/master-of-social-work/
Simmons University	Boston	MA	Master of Social Work	https://www.simmons.edu/graduate/academic-programs/graduate-and-certificate-programs/social-work

Massachusetts MSW programs with Accelerated Advanced Standing Options

Eachc of the twelve MSW programs in Massachusetts offer an advanced standing option. Advanced standing is for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work and maintained a certain GPA (usually at least a 3.0, but it depends on the university) in their coursework. The advantage of an advanced standing option is that it can usually be completed in half the time of a standard MSW program. This allows a student to take their exams and begin their career sooner than they would otherwise. However, do not worry. If you are looking to get your MSW and don’t have a bachelor’s degree in social work, you can still apply for a traditional MSW program.

The MSW programs in Massachusetts that do not require the submission of GRE scores include:

• Anna Maria College 
• Boston College 
• Boston University 
• Bridgewater State University 
• Lesley University 
• Merrimack College 
• Regis College 
• Salem State University 
• Simmons University 
• Smith College 
• Springfield College 
• Westfield State University

Affordable MSW Programs in Massachusetts

When looking for an MSW program to attend, cost is often a big deciding factor for many. It can be important to find the most affordable MSW program that suits one’s budget and expectations. There are many factors that go into what makes a university affordable. However, the most affordable tend to be state universities. They have a more accessible price point for residents of the state because students in the state have already paid towards their education through taxes.

That being said, more affordable MSW programs in Massachusetts include:

• Bridgewater State University 
  • Tuition: $11,389 per year 
• Anna Maria College 
  • Tuition: $945 per credit hour 
• Merrimack College 
  • Tuition: $1,069 per credit hour

Conclusion

Massachusetts is a state where a social worker may find themselves with lots of career options. Most social work careers and specializations are in high demand in the state. If you enroll in an MSW program, you might find yourself helping others with their mental health, advocating for clients to get what they need, or even supervising various social service organizations. There are many possibilities with an MSW degree, and they often involve helping your community. Massachusetts has a lot to offer aspiring social workers, with many excellent programs to choose from.