Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Pennsylvania

There are 19 master of social work programs in Pennsylvania. Of these, 13 of them are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), four of them are candidates for accreditation, and two are in the pre-candidacy stage. Earning a master’s degree through a Pennsylvania MSW program can be a great way to get into the rewarding field of social work, or expand your career and income opportunities, if you are already involved in social services. 

Social workers are qualified to help individuals and families in their community who are struggling with various financial, housing, mental health, or other issues. They might help by advocating for clients, providing them resources, collaborating with external agencies to get the clients what they need, and more. On a daily basis, a social worker might spend time out in the field, with clients face-to-face, writing case notes, making phone calls, and working with colleagues on cases. 

Earning a master’s degree in social work can help you qualify for higher-level jobs. For example, you might be able to become a clinical social services manager, or a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). As an LCSW, you would be qualified to provide clinical mental health therapy services to clients with mental health conditions. These leadership positions may allow you to make a bigger difference in the lives of those in your community. In general, your income as a master’s level social worker may differ depending on your specialization, where you live in the state, and your experience level, but below is a general idea of what to expect.

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

• Child, Family, and School Social Workers 
  • Projected Growth: 9% (much faster than the average career growth) 
  • Median Annual Wages: $48,520 
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 
  • Projected Growth: 13% (much faster than the average career growth)
  • Median Annual Wages: $44,040 
• Healthcare Social Workers 
  • Projected Growth: 11% 
  • Median Annual Wages: $60,710 
• Social Workers, All Other 
  • Projected Growth: 3% 
  • Median Annual Wages: $75,030 
• Social and Community Service Managers 
  • Projected Growth: 9% (much faster than the average career growth) 
  • Median Annual Wages: $76,490

Below is a review of MSW programs in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Online Masters in Social Work

There are ten universities in Pennsylvania that offer an online MSW program. Six of these also offer their MSW programs in person, while four offer the program only online. Below is a review of each of these programs, including their accreditation status and several other important factors to consider.

Attending an online program can be beneficial in several ways. In some of them, students have the flexibility to complete work on their schedule with asynchronous classes. Also, many students in MSW programs are already employed in social services, and online programs allow them to continue earning work experience while gaining an education at the same time and working around other responsibilities or a complicated schedule.

Online programs often offer the same opportunities as the on-campus experience, such as an advanced standing opportunity or certain specializations. Making the choice to attend an online program may be the right fit for you due to a number of circumstances.

Carlow University – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Eastern University – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Lancaster Bible College – Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania and Shippensburg University Collaborative – Millersville, Pennsylvania

Moravian University – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Western University – Edinboro, Pennsylvania

Saint Joseph’s University – Merion Station, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University – Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Temple University – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Widener University – Chester, Pennsylvania

CSWE Accredited MSW Programs in Pennsylvania

There are `13 MSW programs in PA that have CSWE accreditation. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the sole agency in the United States that is responsible for rewarding MSW programs with an accreditation status. They also determine the requirements that universities need to fulfill to earn accreditation. It is important to consider attending a CSWE-accredited MSW program because they have proven to provide an education that will adequately prepare their students for any licensing exams and their future careers.

Below are universities offering an MSW program in Pennsylvania, along with several universities in previous sections, including:

• Carlow University 
• Millersville University of Pennsylvania 
• Pennsylvanian Western University 
• Slippery Rock University
• Temple University 
• Widener University

Other CSWE-accredited universities with an MSW program include:

Alvernia University – Reading, Pennsylvania

Bryn Mawr College – Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

Kutztown University – Kutztown, Pennsylvania

Marywood University – Scranton, Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

West Chester University – West Chester, Pennsylvania

No GRE Required MSW Programs in Pennsylvania

None of the MSW programs in Pennsylvania require submission of GRE scores. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is an exam that tests a student’s skills in things like reasoning and analytical writing. Many universities require it to test how ready a student is for graduate level education. However, many universities are choosing to forgo requiring the submission of GRE scores, and instead choosing to assess a student’s qualifications based on factors such as their grades in undergraduate studies and professional experiences. As such, the submission requirements for MSW programs typically include things like undergraduate grades, letters of recommendation, resumes, and a personal statement. 

Below is an overview of MSW programs in Pennsylvania that do not require the submission of GRE scores that were not gone over in previous sections.

Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania – Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield, and Clearfield, Pennsylvania

La Salle University – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania CSWE Accredited MSW Programs

University Name	City	State	Program Title	Program URL
Cairn University	Langhorne	PA	MSW Online	https://cairn.edu/programs/msw/
Eastern University	Saint Davids	PA	MSW Online	https://www.eastern.edu/academics/graduate-programs/master-social-work-msw-online
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania	Edinboro	PA	Master of Social Work	https://www.edinboro.edu/academics/majors-and-programs/programs/master-of-social-work/
Lancaster Bible College	Lancaster	PA	MSW Online	https://www.lbc.edu/msw
Millersville University of Pennsylvania and Shippensburg University Collaborative	Shippensburg	PA	Master of Social Work	http://www.ship.edu/academics/colleges/coehs/social_work/msw_prospective_student_info/%20&%20https://www.millersville.edu/socialwork/index.php
Slippery Rock University	Slippery Rock	PA	Master of Social Work	https://www.sru.edu/academics/graduate-programs/social-work-(master-of-social-work)
Temple University	Philadelphia	PA	Master of Social Work	https://cph.temple.edu/departments-research/departments/school-social-work
Widener University	Chester	PA	Master of Social Work	https://www.widener.edu/academics/graduate-studies/master-of-social-work-msw-degree

Pennsylvania MSW programs with Accelerated Advanced Standing Options

There are 16 MSW programs in Pennsylvania that offer an accelerated and/or advanced standing option, all of which were reviewed in the previous sections. Advanced standing is an option in some MSW programs that allows those who qualify to complete their degree in about half the time as the traditional program. Some universities offer the advanced standing program part time as well, or online. To qualify, a student must have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited university. Most universities also have certain other requirements, like a minimum GPA that applicants must have earned in their undergraduate studies. If the requirements of your chosen MSW advanced standing program are fulfilled, you may be able to be admitted to complete your degree faster. 

Advanced standing MSW programs in Pennsylvania include:

• Carlow University 
• Eastern University 
• Millersville University of Pennsylvania and Shippensburg University Collaborative
• Moravian University 
• Pennsylvanian Western University 
• Saint Joseph’s University 
• Slippery Rock University 
• Temple University 
• Widener University 
• Alvernia University 
• Bryn Mawr College 
• Kutzton University 
• Marywood University 
• University of Pennsylvania 
• University of Pittsburgh 
• West Chester University

Affordable MSW Programs in Pennsylvania

For many, paying for school is a big consideration on where to attend. There are many factors that go into the cost of a university. While most MSW programs in Pennsylvania have a similar cost, some are more affordable than others. State schools are one consideration if you are trying to find a cheaper MSW program. They tend to be more affordable for students who are residents of PA because tax dollars go towards the education, and therefore the students are considered to have already paid for part of their attendance. 

More affordable MSW programs in Pennsylvania include:

• Eastern University 
  • Tuition: $14,400 (advanced standing) $28,800 (standard program) 
• Pennsylvania Western University 
  • Tuition: $399 per credit 
• Alvernia University 
  • Tuition: $516 per credit 
• University of Pittsburgh 
  • Tuition: $28,230 per year

Conclusion

If you live in Pennsylvania and want to help others, a master’s in social work may be for you. The state is in great need of many different kinds of social workers in various fields, with the projected growth of each type being well above the average for other careers. There are many universities to choose from in the state, both accredited and non-accredited, and some that are more accessible than others. It’s important to consider which school you want to attend to prepare for your future career. That being said, being a social worker is a rewarding career, and attending an MSW program can help you expand your opportunities in helping others.