Advanced Standing Master's in Social Work Programs

What is Advanced Standing?

Essentially, advanced standing gives you credit for time served in your Bachelor’s in Social Work program. You have demonstrated an understanding of social work’s basic tenets and are ready to move into the more practical applications of those theories. In some ways, it’s like transferring into the Master’s in Social Work program with half your degree earned already.

Featured Programs:

Baylor University Master of Social Work - Bachelor's holders can prepare for social work licensure with Baylor's CSWE-accredited MSW program online. Complete in as few as 12-16 months. No GRE required. Visit School's Website
Fordham's top-ranked Graduate School of Social Service Online Master of Social Work - Top-25 ranked online MSW offers both Traditional and Advanced standing programs. Both CSWE-accredited programs allow you to earn your degree full-time or part-time. Visit School's Website
Howard University top 25-ranked School of Social Work is proud to offer its MSW program online with no GRE required to apply. In as few as 36 months, you can earn a 60-credit MSW on a part-time schedule. Visit School's Website
Grand Canyon University offers online Bachelor of and Master of Social Work degrees that prepare you to begin or position yourself for possible career advancement in social work.
USC University of Southern California Online MSW - With options for both online and in-person field placement, USC's CSWE-accredited MSW program allows those with a BSW to earn their degree in as few as 12 months. Visit School's Website
Capella University's CSWE accredited online Master of Social Work program helps prepare students to enter the general or clinical practice role. An Advanced Standing MSW option is available. Capella also offers an online Doctor of Social Work. Click Here to contact Capella University about their Master of Social Work program or Doctor of Social Work program.
Regis College School of Health Sciences MSW program offers a 100% online* accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). It has been designed for those interested in growing in their current role, including licensure, as well as those interested in a new career in social work. Visit School's Website
Ohio University - America’s most vulnerable citizens lack equitable access to critical social services. But with an online Master of Social Work, you’ll help implement meaningful solutions that deliver care to underserved communities in both rural areas and big cities. Visit School's Website
Our Lady of the Lake University offers its Online BSW and MSW: No GRE or GMAT is required for admission. Advanced Standing available. Visit School's Website

What Are the Benefits?

advanced standing saves you time and money and puts you one giant step closer to starting your social work career. Even though you earn your MSW in half the time, your degree is still fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which is something you will definitely want when it comes time for licensure.

How Do I Know if I Qualify?

BSW recipients generally qualify for advanced standing in the MSW program if they meet the following requirements:

A bachelor’s degree in social work from a program accredited by CSWE that has been earned within the university’s given timeframe (typically 5-7 years).
Meet your university’s minimum undergraduate GPA requirements – this varies by college but is generally a 3.0 or higher.
Positive evaluations from your undergraduate field experience – specifics vary by college.
Some colleges require that you participate in a personal interview.

FIND SCHOOLS

What Does an advanced standing MSW Program Look Like?

With advanced standing, you skip the generalist requirements and move directly into your upper-level coursework, often in a specific area of concentration (i.e. healthcare, children and family services, addictions, etc.).

Sample Three Semester Program

Summer	Fall	Spring
Advanced Field Experience	Advanced Field Experience	Advanced Field Experience
Social Policy	Addictions (Elective)	Adductive Families (Elective)
Individual Therapy Practice	Family Therapy Practice	Group Therapy Practice
Advanced Research Methods	Independent Research Thesis

Sample Two Semester Program

Fall	Spring
Micro Practice I	Macro Practice II
Social Justice	Social Policy Analysis
Resource Development	Elective I
Advocacy	Elective II
Advanced Field Experience	Advanced Field Experience

Some Things You Might Not Know About advanced standing:

Be sure to read all the information available on your college’s advanced standing option. Some schools have different application deadlines for students with advanced standing.
Some universities require that you apply for advanced standing if you hold a BSW.
Your BSW faculty and field supervisors will get to sing your praises during the application process, so be sure to stay in touch and keep copies of your evaluations.
Students who earned their BSWs outside the US may have their transcripts evaluated to determine whether they qualify for advanced standing at some universities.
If your program allows students to select multiple areas of concentration (say you’re interested in both criminal justice and addictions) you can devote the time and money you would have spent on your first year of the MSW program toward additional electives in those areas and still graduate on time.

Advanced Standing Master’s in Social Work Programs: What it is and Why it Matters