Verified September 2026

MSW Programs With No GRE Requirement

Which MSW Programs Don't Require the GRE?

MSW no GRE programs are easy to find: of 530 MSW options checked in September 2026, 173 at 132 schools state on their own pages that the GRE is not required or can be waived, and none in that group requires it outright. Estimated tuition runs from $11,155 at Florida Atlantic University's online advanced standing MSW to $116,155 at NYU's campus and online MSW, with a median of $39,693. In place of test scores, schools weigh your GPA, your bachelor's degree and, for advanced standing, a CSWE-accredited BSW.

Researched and edited by · Updated

programs
173
schools
132
CSWE-accredited
162
offer advanced standing
160
median estimated tuition
$39,693
median credits
60
A social worker in a white shirt reviews papers at a table with a couple seated across from her
Photo: Ron Lach / Pexels

What No GRE Means for MSW Admission

A no-GRE MSW program does not ask for Graduate Record Examination scores as part of your application. Programs word this in a few ways, and the wording matters:

  • Not required. 151 programs in this set say the GRE is simply not part of admission. Walden University, the largest MSW producer in the set with 1,060 MSWs awarded in 2022-23, requires neither the GRE nor the GMAT.
  • Waivable or optional. 22 programs keep a test on the books but let most applicants skip it, usually with a GPA cutoff. The University of West Florida requires the GRE or MAT unless you have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA.

CSWE leaves admission criteria to each accredited program, so the GRE question is a school decision, not an accreditation rule. Dropping the test does not change the degree: every accredited MSW meets the same standards and at least 900 hours of field education.

Who Benefits From an MSW With No GRE

Skipping the GRE saves you a test fee, weeks of preparation and one more deadline. It matters most if you:

  • Are changing careers. CSWE notes that most MSW programs admit students with a bachelor’s degree in any field, so a psychology, sociology or business graduate can apply to the full-length MSW without test scores.
  • Have been out of school for years. Your work history and GPA carry more weight than a timed exam you would need to relearn for.
  • Hold a BSW. 160 no-GRE programs also offer advanced standing, so you can skip both the test and the generalist year.
  • Need to keep working. 130 no-GRE programs allow part-time study and 91 have an online option.

If your GPA sits just under a school’s cutoff, a waivable-test program may still ask for scores. Check the exact policy wording in the table below.

No-GRE MSW Programs by the Numbers

The 173 no-GRE programs span 132 schools in 37 states and territories. 162 are CSWE accredited and 11 are in candidacy.

  • Format: 91 have an online option, 91 a campus option and 26 a hybrid option.
  • Credits: a median of 60 for the full degree and 33 with advanced standing.
  • Per-credit tuition: $203 to $2,322, median $655.90, among the 114 programs that publish a rate.
  • Estimated tuition (published per-credit rate times credits, before fees): $11,155 to $116,155, median $39,693.
  • Field education: a median of 900 hours.

No-GRE status does not predict price. NYU ($116,155), USC ($111,456) and Case Western Reserve ($102,000) sit at the top of the cost range and require no GRE, just like North Alabama ($14,850) and Arkansas ($15,151).

15 Most Affordable Online MSW Programs With No GRE Requirement

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. Only programs whose own pages say the GRE is not required, optional or waivable are included.

  1. Florida Atlantic University: Master of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced StandingMaster of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced Standing

    $11,155estimated tuition

    Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, FL, public) offers this online MSW in 30 credits (as few as 3 semesters (full time only)). At $372 per credit, estimated tuition is $11,155 before fees. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing. No GRE required. CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: $371.82 per credit hour for Florida residents (graduate tuition and fees, 2026-2027; online courses add a $30 per credit distance learning fee) (2026-27)

    Florida Atlantic University MSW credits, field hours and tuition · Total cost of Florida Atlantic University's MSW with loans · All 2 MSW options at Florida Atlantic University

  2. Appalachian State University: Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online)Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online)

    $11,359estimated tuition

    Appalachian State University (Boone, NC, public) offers this online MSW in 33 credits (1 year full time; 2 years part time). At $344 per credit, estimated tuition is $11,359 before fees. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (33 credit hours, 1 year full time; 2 years part time), about $11,359 in tuition at the same rate. A part-time plan is offered. GRE: GRE scores required unless waived. Field education: face-to-face practicum with an online seminar. CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: App State Online graduate, Fall 2026/Spring 2027: NC resident $306.95 tuition plus $37.33 fees ($344.21 per credit hour); non-NC resident $1,291.00 tuition plus $37.33 fees ($1,328.33 per credit hour) (2026-27)

    Admission rules for Appalachian State University's MSW · Can federal loans cover Appalachian State University? · Compare Appalachian State University's other formats

  3. University of North Alabama: Master of Social Work (Online)Master of Social Work (Online)

    $14,850estimated tuition

    University of North Alabama (Florence, AL, public) offers this online MSW in 30 credits (24 months (two-year MSW); 12 months (Advanced Standing)). At $495 per credit, estimated tuition is $14,850 before fees. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (30 credit hours, 12 months), about $14,850 in tuition at the same rate. No GRE required. Field education: 900 hours (400 foundation and 500 advanced); 500 hours for the one-year Advanced Standing program. CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: $495 per credit hour plus fees (2025-26)

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

  4. University of Arkansas: Online Advanced Standing Master of Social WorkOnline Advanced Standing Master of Social Work

    $15,151estimated tuition

    University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR, public) offers this online MSW in 32 credits (12 months full time). At $473 per credit, estimated tuition is $15,151 before fees. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (32 credit hours, 1 year), about $15,151 in tuition at the same rate. No GRE required. Field education: year-long internship at 22 hours per week. CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: $473.47 per credit hour plus online fees (library $5.38, network and data systems $18, off-campus $30, online facilities $2 per credit hour) (Fall 2026)

    University of Arkansas MSW format and advanced standing · University of Arkansas MSW cost with fees and living costs · All 2 MSW options at University of Arkansas

  5. University of North Carolina at Charlotte: Master of Social Work Online (2-Year, 3-Year, 1-Year and 2-Year Advanced Standing)Master of Social Work Online (2-Year, 3-Year, 1-Year and 2-Year Advanced Standing)

    $20,473estimated tuition

    University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Charlotte, NC, public) offers this online MSW in 60 credits (2 or 3 years (summer, fall and spring semesters)). At $341 per credit, estimated tuition is $20,473 before fees. That is the resident rate; the school publishes a different rate for nonresidents. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (39 credit hours, 1 year (May to May, full time) or 2 years (part time)), about $13,307 in tuition at the same rate. A part-time plan is offered. No GRE required. Field education: 16 hours per week of in-person practicum during fall and spring semesters; 464 hours per academic-year placement. CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: NC resident $341.21 per credit hour; non-resident $1,305.87 per credit hour; plus College of Health and Human Services fee of $30 per credit hour

    What the University of North Carolina at Charlotte MSW asks of applicants · Loan gap at University of North Carolina at Charlotte under 2026 limits · Compare University of North Carolina at Charlotte's other formats

  6. Missouri State University-Springfield: Master of Social Work (Online)Master of Social Work (Online)

    $22,852published program total

    Missouri State University-Springfield (Springfield, MO, public) offers this online MSW in 62 credits (2 years full time (regular standing)). The school publishes a program total of $22,852. That is the resident rate; the school publishes a different rate for nonresidents. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (34 graduate credit hours, one year (three semesters) full time; part-time plan available). A part-time plan is offered. No GRE required. CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: Regular standing estimated program tuition $22,852 (plus $1,802 student service fees; $27,424 estimated total), same for in-state and out-of-state; based on 2024-2025 rates (2024-25)

    Missouri State University-Springfield MSW credits, field hours and tuition · Total cost of Missouri State University-Springfield's MSW with loans

  7. University of Nevada-Reno: Online Master of Social WorkOnline Master of Social Work

    $23,100estimated tuition

    University of Nevada-Reno (Reno, NV, public) offers this online MSW in 60 credits. At $385 per credit, estimated tuition is $23,100 before fees. That is the resident rate; the school publishes a different rate for nonresidents. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (30 credits), about $11,550 in tuition at the same rate. No GRE required. CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: $385 per credit hour in-state ($23,100 traditional; $11,550 advanced standing); $770 per credit hour out-of-state ($46,200 traditional; $23,100 advanced standing)

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

  8. 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)

    How the The University of Texas Permian Basin MSW is structured · Monthly payment on a The University of Texas Permian Basin MSW

  9. Radford University: Master of Social WorkMaster of Social Work

    $25,742estimated tuition

    Radford University (Radford, VA, public) offers this on campus and online MSW in 61 credits (5 semesters full time; 11 semesters part time). At $422 per credit, estimated tuition is $25,742 before fees. That is the resident rate; the school publishes a different rate for nonresidents. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (40 credits), about $16,880 in tuition at the same rate. A part-time plan is offered. No GRE required. CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: $422 per credit hour in-state and $825 per credit hour out-of-state (main campus graduate part-time rate, before mandatory fees); full time $5,066 in-state and $9,910 out-of-state per semester (2025-26)

    Radford University MSW format and advanced standing · Radford University MSW cost with fees and living costs

  10. University of Houston-Downtown: Master of Social WorkMaster of Social Work

    $26,475estimated tuition

    University of Houston-Downtown (Houston, TX, public) offers this online MSW in 60 credits (2 years full time; 4 years part time). At $441 per credit, estimated tuition is $26,475 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, 12 months full time; 24 months part time), about $13,238 in tuition at the same rate. A part-time plan is offered. No GRE required. Field education: 900 or more field practicum hours (500 or more for advanced standing). In CSWE pre-candidacy (not yet accredited).

    School's tuition wording: Fall 2026-Summer 2027 non-MBA graduate tuition: $441.25 per credit hour Texas resident; $796.25 non-resident; mandatory fees extra (2026-27)

    What the University of Houston-Downtown MSW asks of applicants · Loan gap at University of Houston-Downtown under 2026 limits

  11. Florida State University: Online Master of Social WorkOnline Master of Social Work

    $27,084estimated tuition

    Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL, public) offers this online MSW in 61 credits (3 years). At $444 per credit, estimated tuition is $27,084 before fees. That is the resident rate; the school publishes a different rate for nonresidents. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (39 credit hours, 16 months; part-time option in two years), about $17,316 in tuition at the same rate. A part-time plan is offered. No GRE required. Field education: 2 field placements (traditional); 1 field placement (advanced standing). CSWE-accredited.

    School's tuition wording: $444 per credit hour in-state; $625 per credit hour out-of-state

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

  12. 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? · University of Illinois school profile and CSWE status

  13. 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)

    How the Southern University at New Orleans MSW is structured · Monthly payment on a Southern University at New Orleans MSW

  14. 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)

    Southern Illinois University-Carbondale MSW format and advanced standing · Southern Illinois University-Carbondale MSW cost with fees and living costs

  15. 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)

    What the Bowling Green State University-Main Campus MSW asks of applicants · Loan gap at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus under 2026 limits

All 173 MSW Programs With No GRE Requirement Programs

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

173 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.

Most Affordable No-GRE MSW Programs Compared

These are online and online-option programs with the lowest estimated tuition: published per-credit rate times credits, before fees, unless marked as the school’s published total. Where a school lists resident and nonresident rates, the figure is the resident rate.

Program Credits Test policy in the school’s words Estimated tuition CSWE status
Florida Atlantic online advanced standing MSW (FL) 30 GRE not required $11,155 Accredited
Appalachian State online advanced standing MSW (NC) 33 GRE required unless waived $11,359 Accredited
University of North Alabama online MSW (AL) 30 (advanced standing) No GRE or other test required $14,850 Accredited
University of Arkansas online advanced standing MSW (AR) 32 No GRE required $15,151 Accredited
UNC Charlotte online MSW (NC) 60 GRE not required $20,473 Accredited
Missouri State online MSW (MO) 62 GRE not required $22,852 (published total) Accredited
University of Nevada-Reno online MSW (NV) 60 GRE not required $23,100 Accredited
UT Permian Basin online MSW (TX) 65 GRE not required $25,414 (published total) Candidacy
Radford University MSW (VA) 61 GRE or MAT not required $25,742 Accredited
University of Houston-Downtown online MSW (TX) 60 GRE not required $26,475 Pre-Candidacy
Florida State online MSW (FL) 61 GRE not required $27,084 Accredited
University of Illinois online iMSW (IL) 44 GRE not required $27,412 Accredited
Southern University at New Orleans MSW (LA) 60 GRE not required $28,500 Accredited

Two notes on residency. Florida Atlantic’s online advanced standing program admits Florida residents only. Missouri State publishes the same program tuition for in-state and out-of-state students, while Nevada-Reno’s $23,100 is the in-state rate and its out-of-state total is $46,200. Model fees and living costs with the MSW cost calculator, or compare the broader affordable online MSW programs list.

GRE Waivers and Optional Tests

Waivable policies vary more than “not required” ones. Here is how the waivable and conditional programs word it.

Program Test policy in the school’s words Format and length
Savannah State University MSW GRE not required for applicants with a minimum 2.8 GPA Campus, two years
University of West Florida MSW GRE or MAT required; waived with a 3.0+ undergraduate GPA Campus, 24 months
Appalachian State online advanced standing GRE scores required unless waived Online, 1 year FT or 2 years PT
Cal State Dominguez Hills part-time MSW Not required; strongly recommended if GPA is below 3.0 Campus, 3 years part time
Southern Illinois University Carbondale MSW Required only for graduate assistantship applicants Campus or online, 2 years
Cal State Fullerton MSW GRE optional Campus, 2 or 3 years
UT Arlington out-of-state online MSW GRE not required (optional) Online

When a test survives, a GPA of 2.8 to 3.0 often removes it, as at Savannah State and West Florida. The SIU Carbondale case is different. There the GRE is tied to funding, so you may want scores if you are applying for a graduate assistantship.

Requirements for a Master’s in Social Work Without the GRE

With the test gone, the MSW requirements that remain are mostly about your degree, grades and readiness for field work.

  • A bachelor’s degree. CSWE says most programs admit graduates in any field, and an accredited BSW is not a CSWE admission requirement.
  • A GPA floor. Savannah State’s 2.8 and West Florida’s 3.0 thresholds are typical of the waiver cutoffs in this set.
  • A CSWE-accredited BSW, for advanced standing only. Bowling Green State asks for a 3.2 major GPA and a BSW earned within three years, or a BSW plus LSW licensure and three years of field experience. Radford asks for a 2.75 overall GPA and 3.0 in social work courses. Houston-Downtown wants a 3.0 social work GPA and your final BSW field evaluation.
  • Prerequisites and timing. Radford’s next advanced standing start is Fall 2027, and SIU Carbondale’s advanced standing track begins in summer.

Full lists of what schools ask for are in the MSW requirements guide, and the social work degree guide explains how the BSW, MSW and DSW fit together.

No-GRE Programs With Advanced Standing

If you hold a CSWE-accredited BSW, 160 no-GRE programs let you skip the generalist year too. Several of the lowest-cost options are advanced standing tracks: Florida Atlantic (30 credits), North Alabama (30 credits in 12 months) and Arkansas (32 credits in 12 months).

Advanced standing estimates at other no-GRE schools include $13,238 at Houston-Downtown, $14,370 at SIU Carbondale, $17,100 at Southern University at New Orleans and $17,316 at Florida State. Field hours shrink too: SUNO’s advanced standing students complete 450 hours, and Case Western Reserve’s and Cleveland State’s 500. Compare eligibility windows on the advanced standing MSW programs page or with the advanced standing checker.

What You Study in a No-GRE MSW

The curriculum is identical to that of any accredited MSW: a generalist foundation, then a specialized year that extends CSWE’s nine social work competencies into one area of practice.

Mental health is the most common focus among no-GRE programs (93), followed by child and family (56), macro practice (54), health (43), school social work (18), aging (18), substance use (13) and military practice (7). Concentrations include Boston University’s Trauma, Violence and Justice, Stony Brook’s Community, Policy, and Political Social Action, Chamberlain’s Crisis and Response Interventions, Campbellsville’s Forensic and School Social Work options, and Cal State Long Beach’s Adulthood and Aging. See the MSW specializations guide to compare.

What to Weigh Beyond the Test

A missing GRE requirement is a convenience, not a quality signal. Weigh these instead:

  • CSWE status. UT Permian Basin, Eastern Oregon, Calvin, Tuskegee and Palo Alto University are in candidacy; Houston-Downtown, Mount St. Joseph and UTHealth Houston are in pre-candidacy. CSWE counts you as an accredited graduate if the program reached candidacy in or before your first year and later earns initial accreditation. If you start during pre-candidacy, you are covered only if the program reaches candidacy that same year. See CSWE-accredited MSW programs.
  • Cost. Estimated tuition spans $11,155 to $116,155 within the no-GRE group.
  • Field placement logistics. Online coursework still means an in-person placement. UNC Charlotte asks for 16 hours a week in fall and spring, and San Francisco State two days a week in year one and three in year two.
  • Pace. Cleveland State finishes in 5 to 6 semesters full time; Boston University’s online program is three to four years part time.

Licensure After a No-GRE MSW

Licensing boards care about accreditation, not your admission test. CSWE notes that most state and territory requirements call for a degree from a CSWE-accredited program before licensure or the exam.

ASWB offers Bachelors, Masters, Advanced Generalist and Clinical exams, each with 122 questions and a four-hour limit, and you apply to your state board before registering. Texas shows the clinical path: a CSWE-accredited MSW, at least 3,000 supervised clinical hours over at least 24 months with 100 hours of supervision, the ASWB Clinical exam and a Texas jurisprudence exam. That is why the candidacy status of Texas options like UT Permian Basin and Houston-Downtown matters. See the Texas state page, the LCSW requirements guide and the license pathway tool.

BLS notes that clinical social workers typically need an MSW, and reports a May 2025 median wage of $61,780 for social workers.

How to Choose a No-GRE MSW Program

  • Read the exact test wording. “Not required” at Walden differs from “required unless waived” at Appalachian State.
  • Check your GPA against any waiver cutoff: 2.8 at Savannah State, 3.0 at West Florida.
  • Confirm CSWE status, especially at the 11 candidacy programs.
  • Compare estimated tuition and residency rules. Florida Atlantic’s $11,155 option is for Florida residents; Missouri State charges one rate to all.
  • Use advanced standing if you have a BSW. North Alabama and Arkansas finish in 12 months.
  • Match format to your life with the program matcher, or browse online MSW programs and part-time MSW programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Any MSW Programs Still Require the GRE?

Among the 173 programs here that publish a test policy, none requires the GRE outright. 22 make it waivable or optional: the University of West Florida waives the GRE or MAT with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale asks for it only from graduate assistantship applicants.

What GPA Do I Need for an MSW With No GRE?

GPA is the usual replacement. Savannah State drops the GRE for applicants with at least a 2.8 GPA, the University of West Florida waives it at 3.0, and Cal State Dominguez Hills recommends the GRE only if your GPA is under 3.0.

Do I Need a BSW to Apply to a No-GRE MSW?

No, unless you want advanced standing. CSWE says most master's programs admit students with a bachelor's degree in any field, and an accredited BSW is not a CSWE admission requirement. A CSWE-accredited BSW is required only for advanced standing.

Are Online MSW Programs Without the GRE Accredited?

Most are. Of the 173 no-GRE programs, 162 are CSWE accredited and 11 are in candidacy, such as UT Permian Basin and Eastern Oregon University. CSWE holds online and campus programs to the same standards.

Is a No-GRE MSW Less Rigorous?

No. Dropping a test changes admission, not the degree. Every accredited MSW must meet the same CSWE standards and at least 900 field hours, and NYU, USC and Case Western Reserve, all without a GRE requirement, carry some of the highest estimated tuition in the set.

Can I Start a No-GRE MSW Part Time?

Yes. 130 of the 173 no-GRE programs offer part-time study. Cleveland State's online MSW runs 8 to 10 semesters part time, and Boston University's online program is built for three to four years part time.

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. CSWE: accreditation FAQs (admission criteria, advanced standing, field hours, candidacy)
  5. CSWE: accreditation and licensure
  6. CSWE: program directory
  7. ASWB: social work licensing exams
  8. Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council: how to become an LCSW
  9. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: social workers

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