Alabama · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Alabama
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Alabama, and How Do You Get Licensed?
11 schools in Alabama offer 13 MSW programs we verified, including Alabama A & M University, Alabama State University and Auburn University. 7 can be taken online and 13 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $14,850 to $60,300 before fees. After the MSW, Alabama's clinical license is the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB examFor the LMSW
- Log supervised clinical hoursNot less than 3,000 work hours of post-master's experience and 96 hour…
- Earn the clinical license (LICSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Alabama
- 13
- schools
- 11
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 9
- offer advanced standing
- 13
- online programs
- 7
The Alabama Social Work License Path
Alabama Social Work Licenses
Alabama State Board of Social Work ExaminersLicensed Bachelor Social Worker
- Degree
- Baccalaureate degree in social work from an accredited college or university whose social work program is approved or accredited by CSWE
- Supervised experience
- After licensure, at least 96 hours of supervision: a minimum of 4 hours per month for 24 months within a 36-month period, concurrent with employment of at least 10 hours per week of social work practice. After completing supervision, an LBSW may practice without further supervision.
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Master Social Worker (Non-Clinical and Clinical)
- Degree
- Master of social work or doctor of social work from a college or university approved or accredited by CSWE
- Supervised experience
- After licensure, the LMSW designates non-clinical or clinical and obtains at least 96 hours of supervision: a minimum of 4 hours per month for 24 months within a 36-month period, concurrent with employment of at least 10 hours per week. Non-clinical supervision may come from an approved LMSW or LICSW; clinical supervision must come from an approved LICSW. Six months of non-clinical supervision may be applied toward the clinical requirement.
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master of social work or doctor of social work from a college or university approved or accredited by CSWE, plus a current LMSW license
- Supervised experience
- Not less than 3,000 work hours of post-master's experience and 96 hours of clinical supervision by a board-approved LICSW supervisor: a minimum of 4 hours per month for 24 months within a 36-month period, completed within a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 4 years of post-master's practice.
- Independent practice
- Yes
- Social Work Licensure Compact
- Listed by the Compact Commission among jurisdictions that have passed the compact language. The Commission states the compact has reached activation but multistate licenses are not yet being issued.
From Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners, reviewed 2026-09-30. Rules change; confirm with the board before you plan your supervised hours. Plan your own timeline with the license pathway planner.
Alabama Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn UniversityAuburn · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $36,417 |
| University of AlabamaTuscaloosa · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $28,800 |
| Alabama A & M UniversityNormal · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $25,560 |
| Alabama State UniversityMontgomery · Public | 1 | Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | |
| Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville · Public | 1 | Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $24,000 |
| Samford UniversityBirmingham · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online, Campus | CSWE | Yes | $60,300 |
| Troy UniversityTroy · Public | 1 | Online, Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $28,080 |
| University of North AlabamaFlorence · Public | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $14,850 |
| Oakwood UniversityHuntsville · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | Candidacy | Yes | $34,800 |
| Tuskegee UniversityTuskegee · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | Candidacy | Yes |
From each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published total.
Every MSW Program in Alabama
13 programs in Alabama
- FormatOn campus1,000 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$5,959per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline1,000 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$28,800$480/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline, On campus400 field hoursCredits–Est. tuition$475per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline900 field hoursCredits30Est. tuition$14,850$495/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$25,560$426/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatHybrid900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$24,000$400/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline, On campusCredits60Est. tuition$60,300$1,005/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusCredits61Est. tuition$39,223$643/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineCredits61Est. tuition$36,417$597/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatHybrid900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$12,628per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work: Clinical Social Work (Online) at Oakwood University
Oakwood University · HuntsvilleFormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$34,800$580/creditAccreditationCandidacy- FormatOnlineCredits–Est. tuition$745per creditAccreditationCandidacy
Master of Social Work (Clinical/Medical Social Work) at University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama at Birmingham · BirminghamFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$28,080$468/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
No programs match these filters.
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.
What an MSW Costs in Alabama
9 Alabama programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $14,850 at University of North Alabama to $60,300 at Samford University. The Alabama median is $28,800, against $40,180 nationally.
Public universities' figures are usually the in-state rate. Turn any program into a full cost and loan estimate with the MSW cost and loan calculator.
Largest MSW Programs in Alabama
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of Alabama has Alabama's largest program, followed by Troy University and University of North Alabama. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | MSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| University of Alabama | 145 |
| Troy University | 144 |
| University of North Alabama | 71 |
| Alabama A & M University | 56 |
| Jacksonville State University | 41 |
| Samford University | 23 |
| Auburn University | 19 |
| Alabama State University | 5 |
Online MSW Options for Alabama Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Alabama: 254 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Alabama residents online and arrange your field placement in Alabama.
Compare every option on the online MSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Social Worker Pay in Alabama
| Occupation | Alabama median | U.S. median | Jobs in Alabama |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $46,660 | $59,550 | 4,220 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $60,000 | $67,880 | 2,850 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $41,500 | $60,280 | 740 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $94,270 | $71,900 | 400 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with an MSW.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Alabama?
We verified 13 MSW programs at 11 schools in Alabama; 9 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Alabama Issue?
Alabama's board (Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners) issues LBSW, LMSW and LICSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), after Not less than 3,000 work hours of post-master's experience and 96 hours of clinical supervision by a board-approved LICSW supervisor: a minimum of 4 hours per month for 24 months within a 36-month period, completed within a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 4 years of post-master's practice.
Can Alabama Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Alabama's own programs, 254 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Alabama residents and place you in a field practicum in Alabama. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Alabama?
Estimated tuition for Alabama programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $14,850 to $60,300 before fees. Public universities usually charge nonresidents more, and advanced standing cuts the total for BSW graduates.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 11 Alabama schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025