Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Washington

There are six universities in Washington that offer an MSW program. Four of these are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and two are in the pre-candidate stage of accreditation. Washington is a beautiful state in which to become a social worker, with a population of 7.7 million. Although it is a smaller state, it has a lot to offer, including beautiful outdoors and racing cities such as Seattle. The state is not without its problems though, as homelessness is a big issue, with the rate rising gradually each year. In fact, Washington is among the top ten for how many homeless individuals there are. There are also other issues in the state, such as the high cost of housing. 

If you become a social worker, you can potentially help address these problems to improve the community as a whole. Social workers provide various services for individuals and families, such as connecting them to services for things they need. Other types of social workers, such as licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), can provide mental health services. You can become an LCSW in Washington by earning a license after you graduate from an MSW program. In fact, there are many career opportunities that can arise with a master’s degree in social work. You might find yourself working in healthcare, leading a social services organization, helping families and children, and much more. If you already work in social services, you can potentially expand your income opportunities as well by earning a MSW degree. However, this depends on many different factors, such as where you live in the state, what kind of organization you work for, your years of experience, and more.

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

• Child, Family, and School Social Workers 
  • Projected Growth: 15% (much faster than average career growth) 
  • Median Annual Wages: $61,830 
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 
  • Projected Growth: 17% (much faster than average career growth) 
  • Median Annual Wages: $55,490 
• Healthcare Social Workers 
  • Projected Growth: 15% (much faster than average career growth) 
  • Median Annual Wages: $73,490 
• Social Workers, All Other 
  • Projected Growth: 7% 
  • Median Annual Wages: $85,010 
• Social and Community Service Managers 
  • Projected Growth: 28% (much faster than average career growth) 
  • Median Annual Wages: $84,180

Washington Online Masters in Social Work

There is one university in Washington that will offer an MSW program online. It is outlined below. There are many advantages to attending an online master of social work program. Doing socan allow students to complete their work at home, or another comfortable environment. Many MSW students are already full-time employees, and an online program allows the students to earn their master’s degree while keeping their job. This can be helpful because students can often receive their internship hours that are required in the MSW program through their place of employment. While the number of online MSW programs in Washington is limited, online programs can be accessed from any state, and there are many out there. They are often as good of quality as their in-person counterparts, with options such as the advanced standing option or a part-time class schedule.

Heritage University

CSWE Accredited MSW Programs in Washington

Four of the twelve masters of social work programs in the state of Washington have been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The CSWE is an important organization to the career of social work, as it ensures quality and innovation for social work programs, thus promoting a higher quality practice among future social workers. For a university to earn an accreditation status, they must meet certain qualifications that have been set by the Council on Social Work Education. The CSWE comprises experts in the field who determine what these standards are, and said standards are the same across the United States. Attending a CSWE-accredited school is important towards being prepared for your future career and any licensing exams you might take. Additionally, most employers prefer to hire social workers who graduated from an accredited university. 

Below are the MSW programs in Washington that were accredited by the council on social work education.

Eastern Washington University – Cheney, Washington

Eastern Washington University strives to prepare students for professional social work practice in many different settings, whether rural or urban. Students will become educated in subjects such as mental health, disability, poverty, social justice, and much more. Students start their education learning the foundations of the field, and the second year learning specialist information.

Seattle University – Seattle, Washington

Seattle University offers an innovative social work program that educates students on diversity from a social justice based perspective. The program offers grants that go up to $51,500 to help students pay for school, if they are in an advanced standing program.

University of Washington – Seattle, Washington

The MSW program at University of Washington educates students in areas such as public education, health, aging, and mental health. Students are prepared to work in a number of agencies and organizations to provide excellent care through their social work. UW was ranked second in best graduate programs by the US News and World Report, and works to innovate the curriculum constantly. Students can choose among three degree paths that are offered on campus to fit their scheduling needs.

Walla Walla University – College Place, Washington

Walla Walla University’s MSW program is fully accredited by the CSWE. They work to help students develop their social work practice until they become professionals who promote social justice in their community. Classes take place on Mondays, which can allow students to work around employment schedules. Students in this program can apply for the Ballmer Behavioral Health Scholarship so they can graduate debt-free.

No GRE Required MSW Programs in Washington

There are six master of social work programs in Washington that do not require the submission of GRE scores. This includes universities that were reviewed in previous sections, and ones that are reviewed below. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is intended for universities to determine if a student is qualified for graduate level studies. However, many universities are choosing to opt out of this requirement depending on the program, and instead are requiring other materials to be submitted. These materials may differ between universities, but it is generally expected that applicants to Washington MSW programs should submit things like a resume of professional work and volunteer experiences, undergraduate grades via a transcript, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. This may provide universities with a more holistic understanding of a student’s interests and qualifications for their program of study, as well as their commitment and likelihood of success.

Pacific Lutheran University – Tacoma, Washington

Pacific Lutheran University’s master of social work program prepares students for leadership in the social services field who are prepared for social justice advocacy and who are educated on diversity and equity. The program is working to become accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, so students will be fully prepared in their practice and when they take their exams.

Washington MSW programs with Accelerated Advanced Standing Options

There are six universities with a master of social work program in Washington that offer an advanced standing accelerated option. This is a helpful option for students who qualify because it can allow one to get a head start on their education by completing the MSW program faster than the typical program. To qualify, Washington MSW programs require students to have a GPA of 3.0 or above (depending on the school), and potentially specific professional experience. The most important factor, however, is earning a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited institution. Earning a BSW degree shortens the MSW program because a student has already covered topics that are a part of the foundational year in the master’s program. Many of those who already have a BSW work in social work already, so the MSW degree program simply opens the door for more career opportunities and possibly even promotions. 

The universities with an accelerated MSW program include:

• Eastern Washington University 
• Hertage University 
• Pacific Lutheran University 
• Seattle University 
• University of Washington 
• Walla Walla University

Affordable MSW Programs in Washington

Attending an MSW program can open up many career and income opportunities. However, one must graduate from the first program that they determine to be the best fit for them. Cost can be a big deciding factor in this, and for many, this means finding one that is more affordable than others. There are many factors that play a part in the cost of a university. However, the schools that tend to have the most affordable MSW programs are state universities. This is because state residents pay into education with tax money. When a resident of Washington attends a state university, they are considered to have already paid part of the tuition. Some of the most affordable universities are below:

• University of Washington 
  • Tuition: $31,825 
• Walla Walla University 
  • $695 per credit hour 
• Seattle University 
  • Tuition: $25,750-$51,500

Conclusion

Social workers and social service managers are in high demand in the state of Washington, with each different career area projected to grow far faster than other careers. This means that you mahy be able to find a career after graduation in your chosen area of social work. Although there are a small number of social work programs in the state, they often offer affordable tuition, with several of them being accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. With none of the programs requiring the graduate record examination for enrollment, you can demonstrate your unique qualifications in other ways when applying. Social work is a rewarding career that can allow you to better your community and help individuals and families with their struggles along the way.