Verified September 2026

Medical and Health Care Social Work MSW Programs

Which MSW Programs Prepare You to Be a Medical Social Worker?

To become a medical social worker, you usually earn an MSW with a health, medical or integrated health concentration, and 67 program options at 57 schools in 24 states offer one. Estimated tuition runs from $20,924 at Cal State Long Beach (its published total for California residents) to $108,540 at the University of Denver's Denver campus MSW, with a median of $39,000. Healthcare social workers earned a national median of $67,880 in May 2025.

Researched and edited by · Updated

programs
67
schools
57
CSWE-accredited
60
offer advanced standing
61
median estimated tuition
$39,000
median credits
60
A hospital staff member leans in and holds the hand of a patient resting in a hospital bed
Photo: RDNE Stock project / Pexels

What a Medical Social Worker Does

The Bureau of Labor Statistics files medical social workers under healthcare social workers, who “help clients understand their diagnosis and adjust their lifestyle, housing, or healthcare.” They help people move from the hospital back to their homes and communities, connect them with home healthcare and support groups, and, according to the BLS, some specialize in geriatric social work, hospice care or medical social work.

In an MSW, that work is taught as a health, medical, or integrated health and behavioral health concentration. It sits on top of the generalist first year that every CSWE-accredited MSW shares, and it shapes your advanced field placement, which is where most students get their first hospital or clinic experience.

Who a Health Care MSW Suits

This concentration suits you if you want to work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, dialysis or cancer centers, hospice, home health or integrated primary care. It also fits nurses, medical assistants and other health workers who want to move into the psychosocial side of care.

Health rarely stands alone in these programs. Of the 67 options, 55 also list a mental health or clinical concentration, 36 a child and family track and 19 an aging track, which matters because hospital social work spans all three. If older adults and end-of-life care are your focus, compare gerontology MSW programs; if you want therapy-heavy training, see clinical MSW programs.

The Numbers Behind 67 Medical Social Work MSW Options

  • Format: 39 options are on campus, 27 online and 11 hybrid; 51 offer a part-time plan.
  • Accreditation: 60 are CSWE-accredited; 7 are in candidacy or pre-candidacy.
  • Length: the median traditional program is 60 credits. Advanced standing, offered by 61 options, has a median of 33 credits.
  • Field education: the median is 900 practicum hours.
  • Cost: 47 options publish enough to estimate tuition. Estimated tuition runs from $20,924 to $108,540, with a median of $39,000. Per-credit rates run from $350 to $1,494, with a median of $650.
  • GRE: 43 options say the GRE is not required or can be waived, and none of the 67 require it.

12 Most Affordable Health Care MSW Programs

How this list is ranked: lowest estimated tuition first. Estimated tuition is the school's published per-credit rate times the credits it states, before fees, or the school's own published program total, for programs that publish those figures (one program per school). General graduate rates and cost-of-attendance figures are left out. Rates were read on each school's site in September 2026.

  1. California State University-Long Beach: Master of Social Work (Long Beach Campus: 2-Year, 3-Year and Advanced Standing Plans)Master of Social Work (Long Beach Campus: 2-Year, 3-Year and Advanced Standing Plans)

    $20,924published program total

    California State University-Long Beach (Long Beach, CA, public) offers this on campus MSW in 60 credits (2-year plan (four semesters); 3-year plan (eight terms including summers)). The school publishes a program total of $20,924. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing. A part-time plan is offered. No GRE required. Field education: two 500-hour practicum placements. CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: Estimated total tuition and fees for California residents (as of 6/11/2026): Advanced Standing $14,962; 2-Year $20,924; 3-Year $33,720 (2026-27)

    California State University-Long Beach MSW credits, field hours and tuition · Total cost of California State University-Long Beach's MSW with loans · All 2 MSW options at California State University-Long Beach

  2. The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston: MSW in Clinical Social WorkMSW in Clinical Social Work

    $21,700estimated tuition

    The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Houston, TX, public) offers this MSW in 62 credits (2 years full time). At $350 per credit, estimated tuition is $21,700 before fees. That is the resident rate; the school publishes a different rate for nonresidents. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (30 semester credit hours including 12 practicum SCH), about $10,500 in tuition at the same rate. No GRE required. Field education: 1,020 field hours (540 field hours for advanced standing). In CSWE pre-candidacy (not yet accredited).

    School's tuition wording: 2026-27 tuition: $350 per semester credit hour resident; $1,256 per semester credit hour non-resident; plus school fees including a $235 per semester clinical placement fee

    Admission rules for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston's MSW · Can federal loans cover The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston?

  3. Florida Gulf Coast University: Master of Social Work (MSW)Master of Social Work (MSW)

    $22,403estimated tuition

    Florida Gulf Coast University (Fort Myers, FL, public) offers this on campus MSW in 60 credits (2 years full time; 4 years part time). At $373 per credit, estimated tuition is $22,403 before fees. That is the resident rate; the school publishes a different rate for nonresidents. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing. A part-time plan is offered. No GRE required. Field education: 500 hours of field education per academic year. CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: $373.38 per credit hour for Florida residents; $1,439.75 per credit hour for non-residents (graduate tuition and fees)

    How the Florida Gulf Coast University MSW is structured · Monthly payment on a Florida Gulf Coast University MSW

  4. The University of Texas Permian Basin: Master of Social Work (Online)Master of Social Work (Online)

    $25,414published program total

    The University of Texas Permian Basin (Odessa, TX, public) offers this online MSW in 65 credits (2 years full time). The school publishes a program total of $25,414. No GRE required. Field education: 900 clock hours of practicum. In CSWE candidacy (not yet accredited).

    School's tuition wording: $25,414.35 program tuition (additional fees may be added)

    The University of Texas Permian Basin MSW format and advanced standing · The University of Texas Permian Basin MSW cost with fees and living costs

  5. Ball State University: Master of Social Work (Muncie and Fishers Center)Master of Social Work (Muncie and Fishers Center)

    $26,448estimated tuition

    Ball State University (Muncie, IN, public) offers this hybrid MSW in 57 credits (traditional: 2 years full time or 3 years part time; advanced standing: 1 year full time or 2 years part time). At $464 per credit, estimated tuition is $26,448 before fees. That is the resident rate; the school publishes a different rate for nonresidents. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (36 credits, 1 year (3 semesters; 4 with summer start) full time or 2 years part time), about $16,704 in tuition at the same rate. A part-time plan is offered. CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: $464 per credit basic graduate tuition (Indiana resident); non-resident $1,269 per credit for main campus courses or $696 per credit for off-campus and online courses; fees extra (2026-27)

    What the Ball State University MSW asks of applicants · Loan gap at Ball State University under 2026 limits

  6. Louisiana Christian University: Master of Social Work (MSW)Master of Social Work (MSW)

    $26,520estimated tuition

    Louisiana Christian University (Pineville, LA, private nonprofit) offers this on campus MSW in 60 credits (full time: 15 hours/semester, 2 years; part time: 6 hours/semester, 3-4 years). At $442 per credit, estimated tuition is $26,520 before fees. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (30 hours, 15 hours/semester, 1 year), about $13,260 in tuition at the same rate. A part-time plan is offered. CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: MSW Program: $442 per credit hour (rates per semester, 2026-2027) (2026-27)

    Louisiana Christian University MSW credits, field hours and tuition · Total cost of Louisiana Christian University's MSW with loans

  7. University of Illinois: Online MSW Program (iMSW)Online MSW Program (iMSW)

    $27,412estimated tuition

    University of Illinois (Champaign, IL, public) offers this online MSW in 44 credits. At $623 per credit, estimated tuition is $27,412 before fees. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (32 credit hours of advanced coursework plus 1-2 semesters (12-24 credit hours) of field placement), about $19,936 in tuition at the same rate. A part-time plan is offered. No GRE required. Field education: minimum 900 hours for traditional students; minimum 500 hours for advanced standing students (600 for the school social work focus area). CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: $623.00 per credit hour (iMSW, 2026-2027) (2026-27)

    Admission rules for University of Illinois's MSW · Can federal loans cover University of Illinois? · All 2 MSW options at University of Illinois

  8. University of Alabama at Birmingham: Master of Social Work (Clinical/Medical Social Work)Master of Social Work (Clinical/Medical Social Work)

    $28,080estimated tuition

    University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, AL, public) offers this on campus MSW in 60 credits (four semesters (two academic years) full time). At $468 per credit, estimated tuition is $28,080 before fees. That is the resident rate; the school publishes a different rate for nonresidents. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (42 total credit hours, three semesters (Fall/Spring/Fall) full time; 2.5 years part time), about $19,656 in tuition at the same rate. A part-time plan is offered. No GRE required. Field education: 900 total contact hours (Regular Program); 600 field practicum hours (Advanced Standing). CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: College of Arts & Sciences graduate tuition $468 per hour in-state; $1,109 per hour out-of-state (other fees not included)

    How the University of Alabama at Birmingham MSW is structured · Monthly payment on a University of Alabama at Birmingham MSW

  9. Southern University at New Orleans: Master of Social Work (MSW)Master of Social Work (MSW)

    $28,500estimated tuition

    Southern University at New Orleans (New Orleans, LA, public) offers this on campus and online MSW in 60 credits (full time: 2 years (fall and spring); part time: 3 years (fall, spring and summer)). At $475 per credit, estimated tuition is $28,500 before fees. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (36 hours of coursework (admissions page); the FAQ lists 39 credit hours, three semesters (summer, fall, spring)), about $17,100 in tuition at the same rate. A part-time plan is offered. No GRE required. Field education: 900 hours of field education (advanced standing: 450 hours). CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: SUNO Online graduate tuition $475 per semester credit hour, Fall 2026 (2026-27)

    Southern University at New Orleans MSW format and advanced standing · Southern University at New Orleans MSW cost with fees and living costs

  10. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale: Master of Social Work (Campus-Based or Online)Master of Social Work (Campus-Based or Online)

    $28,740estimated tuition

    Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (Carbondale, IL, public) offers this on campus and online MSW in 60 credits (2 years). At $479 per credit, estimated tuition is $28,740 before fees. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (9 hours of transition courses and 30 hours of advanced curriculum), about $14,370 in tuition at the same rate. A part-time plan is offered. GRE: GRE not required (required only for graduate assistantship applicants). Field education: 360 hours in the foundation year and 607 hours in the second (advanced) year; advanced standing students complete the 607-hour advanced practicum. CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: $479.00 per credit hour resident-equivalent graduate tuition (Fall 2026), plus a general student fee of $131.50 per hour on campus or $80.00 per hour online/off-campus (2026-27)

    What the Southern Illinois University-Carbondale MSW asks of applicants · Loan gap at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale under 2026 limits

  11. Indiana University: Master of Social Work (Indianapolis Campus)Master of Social Work (Indianapolis Campus)

    $31,755estimated tuition

    Indiana University (Indianapolis, IN, public) offers this on campus MSW in 60 credits (varies by full-time or part-time enrollment; two-semester accelerated path for advanced standing). At $529 per credit, estimated tuition is $31,755 before fees. That is the resident rate; the school publishes a different rate for nonresidents. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (30 credit hours, two-semester accelerated path; full-time or part-time), about $15,878 in tuition at the same rate. A part-time plan is offered. No GRE required. CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: Fall 2026 Social Work Graduate Tuition (Indianapolis): $529.25 per credit hour in-state, $793.88 Indiana Partner, $1,137.00 out-of-state (2026-27)

    Indiana University MSW credits, field hours and tuition · Total cost of Indiana University's MSW with loans · Compare Indiana University's other formats

  12. Bowling Green State University-Main Campus: Master of Social Work (MSW)Master of Social Work (MSW)

    $32,115estimated tuition

    Bowling Green State University-Main Campus (Bowling Green, OH, public) offers this on campus and online MSW in 56 credits (2 years full time; 3-4 years part time). At $573 per credit, estimated tuition is $32,115 before fees. That is the resident rate; the school publishes a different rate for nonresidents. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (35 credit hours, 1 year (three semesters) full time beginning in summer; generally 2 years part time), about $20,072 in tuition at the same rate. A part-time plan is offered. No GRE required. Field education: 900-hour internship (500 hours for advanced standing). CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: Main Campus graduate, Fall 2026/Spring 2027/Summer 2027: $573.49 per credit hour Ohio resident and $906.34 non-resident (instructional plus general fee); $6,881.88 Ohio resident and $10,876.08 non-resident for 12-18 credits per semester (2026-27)

    Admission rules for Bowling Green State University-Main Campus's MSW · Can federal loans cover Bowling Green State University-Main Campus?

All 67 Medical and Health Care Social Work MSW Programs

Filter by format, schedule, advanced standing, specialization, the GRE and state; tick up to three programs to compare them side by side.

67 programs

Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published program total; "resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.

How Health Care MSW Programs Compare

Estimated tuition below is the published per-credit rate times credits, before fees, at the resident rate where schools split pricing. Where a school publishes its own program total, the table uses that and says so.

Program Health concentration Format Credits Field hours Estimated tuition CSWE
Cal State Long Beach MSW Integrated Health Campus 60 Two 500-hour placements $20,924 (published total) Accredited
UTHealth Houston MSW in Clinical Social Work Clinical and medical social work Campus 62 1,020 $21,700 Pre-Candidacy
Florida Gulf Coast University MSW Medical Social Work Concentration Campus 60 500 per year $22,403 Accredited
UAB MSW (Clinical/Medical) Clinical/Medical social work Campus 60 900 $28,080 Accredited
Washburn University MSW Healthcare Concentration Campus, hybrid 63 Two practicums $32,886 Accredited
Chamberlain University online MSW Medical Social Work Online 48 $34,320 Accredited
University of Minnesota MSW Health, disability, and aging Campus 53 1,020 $48,389 Accredited
University of Louisville MSSW Cancer and Health Social Work Campus, online 60 Two year-long placements $51,780 Accredited
University of the Pacific hybrid MSW Health Care; Behavioral Health Hybrid 55 1,104 $57,475 Accredited
University of New England online MSW Medical Social Work Online 60 900 $60,600 Accredited
Samuel Merritt University hybrid MSW Integrated health, behavioral health, and medical social work Hybrid, part time 55 $63,113 (published total) Accredited

A blank cell means the school’s program page gives no figure for that item.

Three things stand out. Public schools in California, Texas and Florida anchor the low end. Samuel Merritt’s $63,113 is a fixed all-inclusive price covering tuition and most fees, so it is closer to your real bill than a per-credit estimate. And the Louisville figure uses its online rate of $863 per credit; the school lists a $250 per credit military tuition rate.

Advanced standing lowers each price sharply: UTHealth Houston’s estimate drops to $10,500, UAB’s to $19,656, Pacific’s school-published advanced standing total is $33,440 and New England’s is $30,300. Check your eligibility with the advanced standing checker and model your own costs in the MSW cost calculator.

What You Study in a Medical or Health Concentration

Concentration titles show three approaches:

  • Medical social work by name: Florida Gulf Coast’s “Medical Social Work Concentration,” Chamberlain’s “Medical Social Work” and New England’s “Medical Social Work” track. Point Loma Nazarene University, in candidacy, and the University of New Mexico, in pre-candidacy, also list Medical Social Work.
  • Integrated health and behavioral health: Cal State Long Beach’s “Integrated Health,” Salem State’s “Integrated health and behavioral health practice,” Stony Brook’s “Integrated Health: Physical, Psychological, and Social Well Being” and the University of Chicago’s “Integrating Health, Mental Health, and Social Care.”
  • Health equity and population health: Denver’s online MSW offers “Health, Equity and Wellness,” and the University of Chicago lists “Global Health and Social Development.”

Some programs target a setting or population. UT Permian Basin’s online MSW, in candidacy, focuses on clinical social work in healthcare and behavioral healthcare settings with an emphasis on rural areas. Central Connecticut State, in candidacy, runs a Trauma-Informed Healthcare MSW. Ball State builds health, addictions and gerontology coursework into a rural advanced generalist track.

Hospital Social Worker Training: Field Placements

Your health-focused placement is where you learn discharge planning, family meetings and care coordination in a real clinical setting, and hours vary widely. The University of the Pacific requires 1,104 field practicum hours (744 for advanced standing), UTHealth Houston requires 1,020 (540 for advanced standing), and Yeshiva’s online MSW requires 1,200. Florida Gulf Coast sets 500 hours per academic year.

Health settings also carry costs you won’t see in tuition. UTHealth Houston charges a $235 per semester clinical placement fee. If you choose an online program, remember that a hospital placement is in-person work, even when your classes are not.

Hospital and Oncology Social Worker Jobs and Pay

Hospitals and clinics are major employers. Across all social workers, the BLS counts ambulatory healthcare services at 15% of jobs and hospitals at 10%, and it notes that some social workers work evenings, weekends and holidays or are on call.

Oncology, hospice and palliative care are specializations within healthcare social work. The University of Louisville’s Cancer and Health Social Work specialization and Yeshiva’s optional Gerontology and Palliative Care certification are the most direct routes in this set.

In May 2025, healthcare social workers held 187,630 jobs with a national median of $67,880; the lowest-paid 10% earned under $46,220 and the top 10% over $100,360. The median reached $94,100 in the District of Columbia, $89,660 in California and $84,350 in Oregon, against $60,000 in Alabama. The social work careers guide compares all four occupations.

Licenses for Medical Social Workers

The BLS says all states require clinical social workers to be licensed, so if your hospital role includes clinical assessment or counseling, plan for the clinical license. Requirements differ by state. Here is how Florida and Texas compare:

Requirement Florida LCSW Texas LCSW
Degree CSWE-accredited MSW with 24 semester hours of clinical coursework, including psychopathology CSWE-accredited master’s in social work with a field placement
Supervised experience Two years post-master’s, 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy 3,000 hours over at least 24 months
Supervision At least 100 hours over no less than 100 weeks At least 100 hours of supervisory sessions
Exams and courses ASWB Clinical, plus laws and rules, HIV/AIDS and domestic violence courses ASWB Clinical plus the Texas jurisprudence exam

Florida also requires at least 18 months of post-master’s experience before you can sit for the clinical exam. The ASWB Clinical exam has 122 questions with a 4-hour limit and costs US$260. See LCSW requirements by state, plan your route in the license pathway tool, and compare local programs on the Florida and Texas state pages.

How to Choose a Medical Social Work MSW

  • Accreditation status. CSWE says most state licensing rules require an accredited degree, and Florida and Texas both do. Seven health-focused options, including UTHealth Houston and UT Permian Basin, are not yet accredited.
  • A named health concentration. A dedicated track like Florida Gulf Coast’s Medical Social Work Concentration gives you more health coursework than a single elective.
  • Clinical coursework for your state. If you plan to seek a Florida LCSW, confirm the program covers psychopathology and enough clinically oriented credits.
  • Placement hours and fees. Compare the 900-hour median with programs requiring 1,020 or more, and add placement fees to your budget.
  • Advanced standing rules. Ball State accepts a BSW with no limit on how long ago it was earned; Bowling Green State wants it within the past three years.

Trade-Offs to Weigh

Online versus campus. Campus programs lead here, 39 to 27. A campus program lets you build placement contacts in one health system; online programs like Chamberlain or New England give you flexibility, but you will need a health setting near home that will take you.

Health versus clinical. A health concentration trains you for care coordination and medical settings, while a clinical track goes deeper into psychotherapy. Programs that pair both, such as UAB’s Clinical/Medical track or Pacific’s Behavioral Health and Health Care concentrations, avoid forcing the choice.

Accredited versus candidacy. UTHealth Houston’s $21,700 estimate is among the most affordable, but it is in pre-candidacy. Weigh the price against the licensing risk before you enroll, and browse the full MSW specializations guide or online MSW programs for accredited alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Medical Social Workers Need an MSW?

An MSW is the usual route. The BLS says clinical positions require an MSW and that all states require clinical social workers to be licensed. Of the 67 health-focused options here, 60 are CSWE-accredited.

How Long Does a Medical Social Work MSW Take?

The median traditional program is 60 credits, about two years full time. Advanced standing, offered by 61 of the 67 options, has a median of 33 credits; the University of the Pacific's hybrid MSW lists 12 months for advanced standing.

Can You Specialize in Oncology Social Work?

A few programs name it. The University of Louisville's MSSW lists a Cancer and Health Social Work specialization, and Yeshiva University's online MSW offers an optional Gerontology and Palliative Care embedded certification.

Is There a Fully Online Medical Social Work MSW?

Yes. 27 options are online, including Chamberlain University's online MSW with a Medical Social Work specialization ($34,320 estimated tuition for 48 credits) and the University of New England's online MSW. Plan on an in-person field placement near home.

What Do Healthcare Social Workers Earn?

The BLS reports a national median of $67,880 in May 2025 across 187,630 jobs. The top 10% earned more than $100,360; the median was $89,660 in California and $94,100 in the District of Columbia.

Does Florida Require Extra Courses for the LCSW?

Yes. Florida asks for an 8-hour laws and rules course, a 3-hour HIV/AIDS course and a 2-hour domestic violence course, plus 24 semester hours of clinically oriented coursework including psychopathology.

Related Program Lists

Sources

  1. Official program, tuition and admissions pages of each school listed, reviewed September 2026
  2. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs, captured September 30, 2026
  3. U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2022-23 completions and institutional characteristics
  4. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social Workers
  5. CSWE: accreditation
  6. ASWB: the social work licensing exams
  7. Florida Board of Clinical Social Work: licensed clinical social worker
  8. Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners: how to become an LCSW

Every program on this site was checked against the school's own website. Accreditation status comes only from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) directory, license rules from each state's social work board, and graduate counts from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS). Sponsored listings are labeled and never change which programs we list or how we rank them. How we verify programs