6+ Master's in Social Work Programs in Virginia

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 16,150 social workers were employed in Virginia in 2023. Of these, approximately 8,590 worked as child, family, or school social workers, earning an average salary of $61,680 (1). Those working in the Washington-Alexandria-Arlington area earned an average of $75,580 annually (2). Job growth in the state for this type of social work position is predicted to increase 8.5% (3).

Featured Programs:

George Mason University - Throughout Mason’s online MSW program, you’ll build knowledge for evidence-based practice in classes led by practicing social workers. Visit School's Website
Arizona State University - Online offers the respected CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work online. ASU Online knows today’s MSW students need remote learning options with no compromises. That’s why you’ll find the same professors, field work requirements, and internship placement assistance that ASU provides on campus. Visit School's Website
Grand Canyon University offers Online Social Work Degrees. Choose between Bachelors of Social Work, Master of Social Work, Master of Social Work (Advanced Standing). Visit School's Website

Mental health and substance abuse social workers represent the next largest percentage of social workers employed in the state. As of 2023, 3,810 professionals in this field earned an average salary of $63,500 (4). The Washington-Alexandria-Arlington area once again offers the highest pay, with an average income of $75,110 for this type of social worker. Job opportunities are anticipated to keep rising in this sector, with a projected increase of 13% (5).

Issues Facing Social Workers in VA

Virginia is a state with two distinctly different populations: rural and urban.

Rural Virginia’s needs differ significantly from those of urban areas, and the challenges faced in rural Appalachia are distinct from those in other rural regions. Twenty-five counties in Virginia are part of the Appalachian region, 17 of which are classified as rural (6). The percentage of individuals living in poverty in rural Appalachia is 19.5% compared to non-Appalachian rural areas, which is 12.4% (7). Additionally, rural Appalachia experiences high rates of health risks such as smoking, diabetes, and obesity. Employment in coal mining and tobacco farming has also contributed to significant health disparities, with residents in Southwest Virginia being three times more likely to die from chronic lower respiratory disease than other state residents. This is especially problematic when you consider that, in 2020, approximately 10% of adults in the region under age 65 lacked health insurance (8). Residents have attributed the existing disparities to inequitable access to educational opportunities, safe jobs, and quality social services. Initiatives to address these disparities are underway through local government, nonprofits, and healthcare systems, all of which employ social workers.

Virginia’s cities, such as Richmond, face challenges similar to those of urban centers across the nation, including an affordable housing crisis, poverty and income inequality, racial disparities, community violence, and environmental racism. In response, Richmond has implemented an Equity Agenda with ten key goals, including ensuring equitable transit and mobility for residents, reimagining public safety, and addressing and preventing health disparities (9). Social workers will find many opportunities to engage in direct service, advocacy, or policy making to help advance these initiatives.

Virginia Social Work Schools and Master’s in Social Work (MSW) Programs

Are you hoping to pursue a Master’s in Social Work in Virginia and then work in the state? If so, you’ll find a variety of top-notch graduate programs and a growing job market.

According to the 2024 US News & World Report social work school rankings, Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Social Work is ranked 28th in the nation. Another Master of Social Work program in the top 100 social work schools is George Mason University, ranked 67th in the country (10). Both schools offer traditional and advanced standing programs.

Earning a master’s degree is expensive, but you may qualify for loan forgiveness through one of two programs. If you are willing to work in a “Health Professional Shortage Area” (HPSA), you can apply for loan forgiveness through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). This can result in as much as $40,000 of loan forgiveness over two years.

Another option is the Virginia State Loan Repayment Program (VA SLRP). This is a state-specific loan repayment program that provides loan relief for licensed clinical social workers or mental health counselors in the state.

Virginia MSW Programs

CSWE-Accredited Programs in VA

There are six universities in Virginia with an MSW program. Four of these programs are fully accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). Virginia State University is currently in pre-candidacy status, while Virginia Union University is in candidacy status for CSWE accreditation. To be eligible to take the social work licensure exam, you will need to have graduated from a CSWE-accredited MSW program.

Advanced Standing Programs

Advanced standing programs are offered by most MSW programs in the country as a way for students with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree to obtain their MSW more quickly. If you qualify for an advanced standing program, you will reduce your program length by half and end up paying significantly less for tuition as well.

When reviewing the MSW programs listed below, please note that “traditional program” refers to the full-length program for students without a BSW degree. In addition, the tuition rates provided are based on full-time enrollment in on-campus programs. If you enroll part-time or choose an online or hybrid format, the rate is often slightly different. Additionally, the tuition price does not include program-specific fees or additional costs such as housing, food, or health insurance. Please check with the university directly to determine the most accurate enrollment cost based on your circumstances.

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA
1-2 years
Online + Campus + Hybrid

Location: Fairfax, VA

Modality: Online, Hybrid, On-campus

Credits required:

Traditional Program: 60
Advanced Standing: 33

Program Length:

Traditional Program: 2 years
Advanced Standing: 1 year

Cost:

$5,196/year + fees (Resident)
$17,430/year + fees (Non-resident)

Program Overview:
The MSW program at George Mason University offers flexibility in online, hybrid, and on-campus formats. During the specialization year, students choose between children, youth, and families (CYF) or adults and healthy aging (AHA). Both specializations offer practicum experiences in clinical or macro service delivery. George Mason also offers a dual degree program where students can earn their MSW and a Master of Science in Conflict Resolution and Analysis. Students interested in working in public child welfare or behavioral health might be eligible for a stipend program to help cover the cost of their education.

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Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA
1-2 years
Online + Campus

Location: Richmond, VA

Modality: Online, On-campus

Credits required:

Traditional Program: 60
Advanced Standing: 42

Program Length:

Traditional Program: 2 years
Advanced Standing: 1 year

Cost:

$6,885/semester + fees (Resident)
$14,148/semester + fees (Non-resident)

Program Overview:
The MSW program at Virginia Commonwealth University has traditional and advanced standing options available online or on campus. Students enroll in either clinical social work practice or macro social work practice. Several certificates are offered, including school social work and child welfare, as well as dual degree programs combining an MSW with a Juris Doctor or Master of Public Health. Field placements require 14 hours per week during the first year of the program and 21 hours per week during the second year.

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Norfolk State University (NSU)

Norfolk, VA
1-2 years
Online + Campus

Location: Norfolk, VA

Modality: Online, On-campus

Credits required:

Traditional Program: 60
Advanced Standing: N/A

Program Length:

Traditional Program: 2 years
Advanced Standing: 1 year

Cost:

$4,654/semester + fees (Resident)
$10,861/semester + fees (Non-resident)

Program Overview:
The MSW program at Norfolk State University was the first master’s degree offered at NSU. Students receive specialized training in child welfare, mental health, and health care. They can additionally choose from more than 100 public and private agencies and armed forces bases for their field practicum. NSU offers the Child Welfare Stipend Program, which provides specialized training in child welfare and funding for students who demonstrate a commitment to working in the field of public child welfare in Virginia.

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Radford University

Norfolk, VA
1-2 years
Online + Campus

Location: Norfolk, VA

Modality: Online, On-campus

Credits required:

Traditional Program: 61
Advanced Standing: 40

Program Length:

Traditional Program: 2 years
Advanced Standing: 1 year

Cost:

$5,066/semester + fees (Resident)
$9,910/semester +fees (Non-resident)

Program Overview:
Radford University offers an MSW program with traditional or advanced standing options that can be completed full- or part-time. Students who are interested in the fields of child welfare or the foster care system, should look into Radford University’s programs offering specialized training and funding in these areas, including the Community Resource Adoptive and Foster Family Training (CRAFT), the Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program (CWSP) and the Child Welfare Employee Education Assistance Program (CWEEAP).

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Virginia State University (VSU)

Petersburg, VA
1-2 years
Online + Campus

Location: Petersburg, VA

Modality: Online, On-campus

Credits required:

Traditional Program: 60
Advanced Standing: 45

Program Length:

Traditional Program: 2 years
Advanced Standing: 1 year

Cost:

$2,770/semester + fees (Resident)
$8,271/semester + fees (Non-resident)

Program Overview:
The MSW program at Virginia State University provides a trauma-informed specialization in either clinical or macro practice. This trauma-informed lens is infused throughout the instruction of all nine social work core competencies. VSU’s MSW program is in pre-candidacy status for CSWE accreditation. If VSU attains candidacy during the academic year in which a student begins their program of study, the student will be retroactively recognized as graduating from a CSWE-accredited program once the program attains Initial Accreditation.

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Virginia Union University

Richmond, VA
1-2 years
Online + Campus

Location: Richmond, VA

Modality: Online, On-campus

Credits required:

Traditional Program: 51
Advanced Standing: 24

Program Length:

Traditional Program: 2 years
Advanced Standing: 1 year

Cost: $751/credit hour + fees

Program Overview:
The Master of Social Work program at Virginia Union University offers a traditional or advanced standing program, and students can enroll full- or part-time. The program prepares students for trauma-informed advanced generalist social work. Virginia Union University is in candidacy status for CSWE accreditation.

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FAQs for Aspiring VA Social Workers

1. What Can I Do With an MSW Degree in VA?

There are many opportunities for micro or macro social work jobs in Virginia, whether you are interested in rural or urban settings. For example, Virginia has the 7th largest veteran population in the country (11) and ranked number 1 on Smilehub.org’s list of states providing the greatest amount of support for veterans (12). Nationwide, Veterans Affairs (VA) is the largest employer of social workers. There are over 4,300 social workers currently working in the VA’s homeless services in Virginia. This can include engaging in screening, assessment, case management, advocacy, or education (13). If you want to work with veterans, consider beginning your career in Virginia.

2. Which Virginia School of Social Work has the best MSW program?

The best MSW program can be found at Virginia Commonwealth University, as it is currently ranked 28th in the country according to the U.S. News and World Report (14). The on-campus program is well-established, having been accredited by the CSWE since 1919.

3. How much does an MSW in VA cost?

A Master’s of Social Work education is always cheaper if you are a resident of the state in which you enroll. Residency is usually defined as having lived in the state for at least one year prior to enrollment. In Virginia, tuition for residents ranges from $11,080 to $27,540. Non-residents can expect to pay considerably more, with tuition extending from $33,084 to $69,720. Virginia Union University has the same rate, $36,048, regardless of state residency. There are several other costs to consider in addition to tuition, however, such as program-specific fees, housing, and food.

4. How much does a social worker in VA make?

The average social worker salary in Virginia is $63,473, with pay typically ranging between $56,977 and $70,936 (15). Child, family, and school social workers earn a mean wage of $61,680, healthcare social workers make an average salary of $62,200, and mental health and substance abuse social workers receive an average income of $63,500. The average salary for all other social workers in the state is $78,630 (16).

5. What is the ROI of getting an MSW in VA?

The Return on Investment (ROI) in Virginia is especially favorable for state residents. As a resident of Virginia, it would be possible to obtain your MSW degree for $18,616 in tuition at an accredited university and later secure an average salary of $63,473 (17). This income exceeds Virginia’s cost of living, estimated at $55,776 (18). These data points indicate a strong ROI for earning an MSW degree in Virginia. Additional factors to consider include whether you plan to live in a rural or urban area and the type of social work jobs that align with your interests.

6. How long does it take to become a social worker in VA?

The MSW programs in Virginia require two years to complete if you are enrolled full-time in one of their traditional programs. If you already have your BSW, you can graduate after just one year of full-time study.

Licensure and Professional Development Resources

Once you have graduated with your MSW degree, you will likely want to obtain your social work license, and some jobs will require it. There are two licenses in Virginia for MSW graduates, including the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The LMSW qualifies you for generalist social work practice, while the LCSW is required for clinical social work. Both necessitate that you pass a license-specific exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).

References

MSW Programs in Other States