MSW – Advanced Standing
Master of Social Work
Help people and communities navigate challenges, access resources and find a path to well-being with a Master of Social Work – Advanced Standing from Capella. 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 use a strengths perspective, focusing on assets rather than deficits, when assessing issues and developing interventions. The program includes three practicums or internships that offer opportunities to enhance and reinforce critical skills as you work with individuals and families, serve communities and organizations, or advocate for systemic change on a larger scale.
If you don’t have a CSWE-accredited BSW, check out our MSW program.
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.
At a glance
- Online & in-person
- 7 Core courses
- 2 Elective courses
- 3 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.
Explore social work courses
- This degree requires a total of 48 quarter credits
- You’ll need to complete seven core courses, two elective courses and three practicum courses/internships
*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 in a variety of fields.
The curriculum includes online course work and face-to-face learning experiences. Students will encounter social work practice skills that promote personal growth and competence in ethics, values, 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
How much does the MSW – Advanced Standing 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
- $540 per credit
- $150 resource kit
- 48 total quarter credits
- 12 max transfer credits
*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.
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.
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.
Get licensure details or contact an enrollment specialist for more information.
What are the MSW admission requirements?
Admission requirements
Applicants to the MSW–Advanced Standing degree program must provide the following information for admission:
- A conferred bachelor's degree from a CSWE-accredited program in good standing
- Your official bachelor's transcripts, with a grade point average of 3.0 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.
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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.