Online Master of Social Work (MSW)

Advance Social Justice While Supporting the Underserved

Located in Virginia. Serving the World.

Let your passion for helping others lead to an impactful career. The online MSW program from George Mason University is designed to help you develop the expertise to advance equity, promote social justice, and support vulnerable populations in your community. The MSW offers accessible online classes that fit your busy schedule, and our Practicum Education Program provides hands-on experience in a broad range of professional environments, ensuring our students have access to organizations that span beyond the traditional divisions of social work.

Throughout George Mason’s online MSW program, you’ll build knowledge for evidence-based practice in classes led by practicing social workers. Learn from their experience supporting clients in the U.S. and abroad, gaining a global perspective for your career. In addition to developing relationships with George Mason’s faculty, who are active researchers and passionate social workers, you’ll network with peers who will be your future colleagues.

Did you previously earn a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution? You can apply for our Advanced Standing program and earn your MSW by taking 33 credits.

Discover the rich online learning experiences available exclusively from Virginia’s largest research university. Plus, capitalize on the proven career and advancement achieved by graduates of George Mason’s online programs.

CSWE Accreditation

You Can Finish in 10 Semesters

Prepare to Seek Licensure

Download a Program Brochure

The brochure includes program details, course information, and more. Get your copy and connect with an admissions representative by completing the following form.

Note: All fields required.

Choose Between Two Specialized Practices

Learn to support clients through the family lifecycle as you prepare to work in schools, family service agencies, foster care, and other settings.

Prepare to address the physical and mental health challenges adults face during their lifespans, getting ready for careers in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings.

Online Courses That Prepare You to Improve Lives

Learn to support underserved populations in courses that emphasize empowerment and systems transformation while gaining globalized, hands-on experience through our Practicum Education Program. Our curriculum is built around a Social Justice Core that gives you interdisciplinary perspectives of human behavior, social policy, research methods, and clinical practice.

In addition to courses aligning with your Adults & Healthy Aging or Children, Youth, & Families specialization, you’ll take the following generalist courses:

Foundations of Social Work and Social Welfare

Get introduced to social welfare issues with a focus on the social work profession’s commitment to serving diverse and at-risk populations, as well as promoting social, economic, and environmental justice.

Poverty, Oppression, and Inequity

Investigate the root causes of poverty, oppression, and inequity while exploring the political, economic, and social factors that influence programs and services.

Human Behavior and Social Systems

Learn about ecological approaches to human behavior, bolstered by psychology, sociology, biology, and anthropology theories.

Community Practice Across the Life Course

Examine how poverty, income inequality, and other environmental factors influence life course development from conception to late adulthood.

Testimonials

“George Mason University is a great school, and the MSW Program was the best program to help me advance in my career. The online program allowed me to pursue my MSW while working full-time.”

– George DeGroat, 2023 Graduate

“I chose George Mason University for my MSW due to it being close to Washington, DC for policy-based social work practice, and I was able to create a bond with my professors and classmates.”

– Gary T. Taylor

“The GMU Online MSW Program was highly rated, and flexibility was a big factor in choosing the program.”

– Aja Caban, 2024 Graduate

Rigorous Academic Standards. Flexible Online Format.

At George Mason, we curate online programs that offer innovative experiences to further your ambitions in a way that works with your schedule. Like our on-campus students, you’ll benefit from our commitment to academic rigor and integrity while learning from the same renowned faculty.

We’ve been recognized as a top university for non-traditional learners, and our commitment to your success goes beyond graduation. After you’ve earned your degree, you’ll maintain lifetime access to our career services and world-renowned guest speakers.

Support Positive Change in a Growing Career Field

With 9% projected employment growth, demand for social workers is expected to outpace most other fields.1 George Mason’s online MSW program gives you a deep understanding of how to empower the success of individuals and families, helping you become an asset for social work organizations in your community.

8 Career Focuses for George Mason’s MSW Graduates

  1. Aging/Gerontology
  2. Child Protection, Foster Care, and Adoption
  3. Family Services
  4. Health and Mental Health Practice
  5. International Governmental and NGOs
  6. Nonprofit Agency Management
  7. School Social Work
  8. Substance Abuse Services

A World-Class Education Within Reach

George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. We welcome students from all walks of life, and we’ve designed our programs with that in mind. Our modern curriculum, responsive faculty, and innovative solutions combine to produce a six-year graduation rate that exceeds the national average, with no disparity based on ethnicity or economic status. We’re proud to be continuously recognized – and ranked – for offering an education that is affordable, accessible, and valuable.

Download a Program Brochure

Sources:

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Social Workers. Retrieved September 13, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/.

Professional Licensure Disclosure:

This program has been identified by George Mason University as one that may lead to a career requiring professional licensure/certification. Federal regulations require George Mason to disclose information as to whether this program meets/does not meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in your state, or whether such a determination has not been made. Please consult our Licensure Disclosure Tool (https://provost.gmu.edu/licensure) for the disclosure statement specific to your desired state/program combination.