MSW
Master of Social Work

Help people and communities in need and become an advocate for social change with a Master of Social Work from Capella University. Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the competency-based program equips you with advanced skills in generalist social work practice and the foundational knowledge to prepare for your state’s initial social work license. You’ll learn to apply a strengths-based model, focusing on assets rather than deficits, to support individuals, communities and organizations. Through online learning and hands-on practicum experiences, you’ll develop the ability to help vulnerable populations and work toward a more equitable future.

If you already have a CSWE-accredited BSW, our MSW – Advanced Standing program may be a better fit for you.

It is important to understand all educational and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state.

Gain advanced practitioner and leadership skills

Our CSWE-accredited program will equip you with advanced generalist social work practice skills and a strengths-based approach, positioning you for leadership opportunities in the field.

Hands-on learning experiences with expert guidance

Under the guidance of scholar-practitioner faculty who are active in social work, you’ll apply evidence-based practices learned in the courseroom as you interact directly with clients during practicums and internships.

Comprehensive support at every step

Benefit from the guidance of enrollment counselors, academic coaches and a dedicated scholar-practitioner faculty advisor who brings real-world social work experience to your clinical training.

Classes start August 4

Apply today with no application fee.

At a glance

Online & in-person
15 Core courses
2 Elective courses
5 Practicum/internship
CSWE accredited
Mission-focused curriculum

Reduce your tuition up to $2,500

Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $2.5K Capella Progress Reward scholarship to help fund your master's degree. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.

See the details

Explore social work courses

This degree requires a total of 88 quarter credits
You’ll need to complete 15 core courses, two elective courses and five practicum/internships

Show all descriptions

SWK5002 Social Welfare History, Policy, and Practice 4 quarter credits Learners in this course critically analyze social welfare history, domestic social policies, and social welfare programs. Learners use theoretical frameworks and social work best practices to understand the human rights of children, youth, adults, families, communities, and organizations, in order to effectively prepare for policy leadership and planning, advocacy, and social action. For MSW and MSW-Advanced Standing learners only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer except by coursework from a CSWE-accredited program. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in SWK5001 4 quarter credits

SWK5003 Human Behavior and the Social Environment 1 4 quarter credits Learners identify biological, psychological, sociological, and other factors that influence human behavior in the social environment from a person-in-environment perspective through the use of theory, a conceptual framework, and social work best practices. Learners analyze human behavior from young infancy through adolescence. For MSW and MSW-Advanced Standing learners only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer except by coursework from a CSWE-accredited program. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in SWK5001, SWK5002. 4 quarter credits

SWK5007 Mezzo Social Work Practice 4 quarter credits Learners develop knowledge of social work best practices with particular emphasis on small-to-medium-sized groups. Learners explore the link between mezzo and micro and macro social work practices, as well as the link of person to environment, the research literature that informs this level of practice, and ethical concerns. Throughout the course, learners apply social work best practices and technology integration in their work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and colleagues. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer except by coursework from a CSWE-accredited program. Prerequisite(s): SWK5003, completion of or concurrent registration in SWK5004. 4 quarter credits

SWK5025 Foundation Practicum 1 4 quarter credits This is the first course in a sequence of two required practicum courses during which learners complete a minimum of 400 supervised practice education hours. Throughout the practicum, learners engage in experiential learning in an agency setting and apply social work best practice theories, professional values, and practice techniques gained from their social work foundation courses. This course includes an integrative seminar that facilitates learners' leadership development and technology skills with regard to entry-level generalist social work practice. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite(s): SWK5014, SWK5015, completion of or concurrent registration in SWK5016. Approval of practicum application. All application materials must be received two quarters in advance of the proposed start date. See campus resources for deadlines. 4 quarter credits

*Course has prerequisite(s). See catalog for details.

What you’ll learn

The Master of Social Work degree program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to pursue specialized, advanced generalist social work practice as an administrator, social work practitioner, supervisor or leader in your community.

The curriculum includes online course work and face-to-face learning experiences. Learners will encounter social work practice skills that promote personal growth and competence in ethics, values, diversity, ecological perspectives, cultural competence, technology and leadership in 21st-century specialized advanced generalist social work practice.

As you complete this program, you’ll learn to:

Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
Advance human rights and social, racial, economic and environmental justice
Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
Engage in policy practice
Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession

The mission of Capella University’s online Master of Social Work program is to educate and prepare diverse adult students to serve as innovative, ethical and culturally responsive advanced generalist social work practitioners. Students will demonstrate skills and knowledge based on scientific inquiry and apply strengths-based, person-in-environment and ecological perspectives.

Students will make a commitment to ethical practice by demonstrating humility, inclusion and technology best practices.

Students will also develop advanced general practice skills to aid business, community and government leaders in leading with an inclusive lens by engaging in social work practice while expanding access to work and improving communities.

How much does the MSW cost?

The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.

A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.

Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or quarter

Learn more about the resource kit »

$540 per credit
$150 resource kit
88 total quarter credits
20 max transfer credits

$47,520 NO TRANSFER CREDITS 45 months

*This is only an estimate, effective July 7, 2025, and is subject to change.

Capella is committed to transparency in tuition and pricing. You will be responsible for costs in addition to tuition, which may include your resource kit, travel expenses and practicum costs.

Your tuition amount will vary depending on your unique circumstances such as your program specialization, transfer credits and any applicable tuition discounts. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses are not included. Tuition estimates shown for the GuidedPath learning format depend on the number of credits accepted for transfer.

New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs. Review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.

Get the details

Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education.

Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.

Questions about cost?

Contact an enrollment counselor.

Are there scholarships available for master's degrees?

Your education is an investment in your future. There are more ways to save than you might think.

$2,500 toward your master’s

Apply for a $2,500 Capella Progress Reward scholarship to help fund select master's degrees. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.

10% military discount

Capella offers a tuition discount to active-duty service members, guard and reserve members, veterans, their spouses and dependents.

Transfer credits

Get the credits you deserve. You may be able to save time and money on your Capella degree by transferring credits from an accredited university.

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

Accreditations and recognitions provide evidence that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.

Capella University’s Master of Social Work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation. For information about social work accreditation, visit: https://www.cswe.org/. In compliance with the CSWE public disclosure policy, Capella University reports this program's student learning outcomes.

Get licensure details or contact an enrollment counselor for more information.

What are the MSW admission requirements?

Admission requirements

Applicants to the MSW program must provide the following information for admission:

Bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency or an internationally recognized institution
Your official bachelor's transcripts, with a grade point average of 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale; if your GPA is lower, call enrollment services at 1-866-736-1751
A signed Acknowledgement Agreement
A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
Admission application – no application fee required

GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.

All admissions decisions are final.

International student requirements

If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.

In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:

Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
Transcript evaluation

Learn more about international student admissions.

What support does Capella offer online students?

Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a master’s student. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces to help you earn your degree with support from faculty, staff and online resources.

Faculty

Our courses are taught by distinguished faculty members who hold top credentials and have hands-on expertise in their fields.

Enrollment counselors

These experts can help set you up for success. They’ll assist you in finding the right program and answer your questions about Capella.

Academic coaches

Once you enroll, these specialists can help tailor a program to your goals and experiences and help you stay on track to meet program requirements.

Learn more about support from Capella

Articles and resources

Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.

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What can you do with an MSW degree?

Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with a master of social work (MSW) degree.

Job titles to explore*

Behavioral health clinician
Case manager
Clinical social worker
Licensed clinical social worker
Medical social worker
Mental health social worker

Employment settings to explore*

Child and youth services
Colleges, universities and professional schools
General medical and surgical hospitals
Home health care services
Individual and family services
Kidney dialysis centers
Offices of mental health practitioners (except physicians)
Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers
Residential intellectual and developmental disability facilities
Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities

*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.

MSW Master of Social Work