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Welcome to Capella
Select your program and we'll help guide you through important information as you prepare for the application process.
Classes Start October 12th
Ready to get started? We’re ready for you. Chat with an enrollment counselor or apply now to take the first step on the journey toward your future.
We’ve decided to waive all application fees until further notice.
MSW-Advanced Standing program highlights
Blended, flexible learning
Prepare to serve as an advanced generalist practitioner. Build leadership skills that are valued in this field with online and in-person learning experiences and unique curriculum.
Scholar-practitioner faculty
The expertise, diversity, and real-world experience of our scholar-practitioner faculty can guide you in your practice and career. All social work faculty members have a doctoral degree.
Licensure support
Get support from our licensure team throughout the license application process. They’ll be ready to help you, even after you graduate.
Technology-enhanced impact
Learn to use technology to help expand the reach and effectiveness of social service programs and enhance the services you provide.
90% of alumni are satisfied with their Capella experience.
Source: Alumni Outcomes Survey 2018-2019
Practicum/Internship
Apply your skills and knowledge in the field with direct client contact and supervision.
Meet Your MSW–Advanced Standing Faculty
All social work faculty members have a doctoral degree. As leaders in their field, they help enrich your education and career by bringing real-world relevance to the courseroom.
“I started using what I learned in my job right away. For example, my residency really helped me hone my skills in open-ended questions, reflective listening, and understanding body language. I’m now able to reply to my client’s questions with more sensitivity.”
Toni Vadala*
MSW student
*Actual Capella student who agreed to appear in Capella promotional materials.
Get the Support You Need for Success
Our dedicated support teams guide and advise you through every step of your educational journey. Here are some of the people you’ll work with:
Enrollment Counselors
These folks are superstars. We hear it from our students (and grads). They’re here to help find a program fit and set you up for success.
Financial aid counselors
Our team knows how to run the numbers and help find ways to save on costs.
Advisors
Advisors know the details of your program. Got questions about courses? Instructors? Resources? Advisors have answers.
Cost & learning format
A more 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 term
$21,000–$26,775*
MAX TRANSFER CREDITS–TYPICAL TRANSFER CREDITS
$525 per credit,
52 total quarter credits,
12 max transfer credits
*This is only an estimate, using general program pricing, and it does not include fees (including application and resource kit fees). Your price may be higher or lower depending on your specialization, transfer credits, and tuition discounts. If transfer credits are allowed in this offering, the prices above show what you would pay if you brought in the average number of transfer credits and the price if you brought in the maximum allowed transfer credits.
Get the details
Speak with an enrollment counselor to get a personalized cost estimate for what you can expect to pay.
Accredited & recognized
Capella University Master of Social Work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education's Commission on Accreditation (CSWE). For more information about social work accreditation, you may contact CSWE’s accreditation staff.
In addition to being accredited by the CSWE, this program is aligned to national standards and designed around advanced generalist practice licensing standards.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide the assurance we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all of our accreditations and recognitions.
Ways to save
Affording your education shouldn’t be an obstacle to reaching your goals. We can help you find ways you can save.
Employer & association discounts
If your employer or organization is a partner with Capella, you may be eligible for a tuition discount.
10% military discount
If you're an active-duty military service member, spouse, or veteran, discounts may be available.
MSW–Advanced Standing sample courses
Here is just a sample of the online MSW-Advanced Standing courses you can choose from in this program.
| SWK5013 * |
Mental Health Practice and Advanced Interventions: Theory and Practice
This course prepares learners for advanced mental health best practice. Learners use multiple theoretical frameworks and technology to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities within the mental health field. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): SWK5007; completion of or concurrent registration in SWK5008. Learners in the MSW—Advanced Standing degree program are exempt from these prerequisites. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer except by coursework from a CSWE-accredited program. |
4 quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| SWK5016 * |
Integrative Technology in Advanced Social Work Practice
This course is an introduction to transformative and innovative methods of client interviewing, follow up, documentation, evaluation, professional development, and communication through the use of technology, with particular emphasis on 21st-century social work practice skills used to serve diverse clients. Learners engage in interactive role-play activities and create a technology-based initiative that promotes social justice and best practices. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in SWK5015. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
| SWK5017 * |
Clinical Supervision and Leadership in Social Work Practice
This course is an introduction to leadership theories and skills, ethical decision-making, self-care efficacy, strategic planning, and administrative roles in social work organizations. Throughout the course, learners investigate technology integration; administrative, educational, and supportive supervision; supervision procedures; conduct of supervision; and legal and regulatory guidelines. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in SWK5016. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer except by coursework from a CSWE-accredited program. |
4 quarter credits |
| SWK5018 * |
Systems Analysis of Social Work Practice: Theories, Skills, Values, and Professional Practice
This course provides a synthesis of all social work practice systems. Learners apply critical-thinking skills as they delve into the identification of social work values and ethics; the assessment of professional behaviors and skills; the engagement of cultural competence; the integration of research, knowledge, human behavior, and theory; and the application and analysis of social work best practice, social justice, policy, technology, and leadership. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in SWK5528. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
What you’ll learn
Develop a confident approach to social work. Earning an MSW can help you gain advanced leadership skills and prepare to step into a general or clinical practice (in most states).
- Connect with clients to assess their needs.
- Apply your knowledge of human behavior.
- Incorporate diversity and difference.
- Maintain professional resilience to meet challenges.
- Advance as a professional social worker.
- Use critical thinking to find relevant solutions.
- Uphold ethical principles to guide your practice.
- Champion human rights and social justice.
- Employ strategies for effective social work services.
- Combine research with real-world practice.
Social Work Career Insights
Tips as You Pursue a Career as a Social Worker
Your guide to becoming a social worker—from Capella University.
Career Paths to Explore With an MSW
Check out five career paths that relate to an MSW.
The Importance of Accreditation in Social Work
Capella University recently earned CSWE accreditation, an endorsement of the high quality of its MSW programs.
MSW-Advanced Standing Career Opportunities
Your education can help you reach your goals, professionally and personally. Here are some of the jobs and employment settings to consider with an MSW.
Related job titles to explore*
- Social worker
- Clinical manager
- Case manager
- Director of social services
- Clinical director
- Program director
- Social services coordinator
- School social worker
- Adjunct or part-time social work faculty
- Full-time social work faculty
Employment settings to explore
- Ambulatory care services
- Hospital
- Individual and family services
- Health insurance carrier
- Government- local, state, federal
- K-12 schools
- Community college
- Land-based or online college or university
*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.
Looking to Make a Difference in People’s Lives?
If you’re interested in pursuing a career that allows you to help others, our Helping Professions Guide can provide insights into a variety of options to consider.
Other programs to explore
Is this program close to what you need, but maybe not a perfect fit? The programs below might be interesting. Check them out to find one that suits your academic and professional goals.