Arizona · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Arizona
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Arizona, and How Do You Get Licensed?
3 schools in Arizona offer 6 MSW programs we verified, including Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University and Northern Arizona University. 5 can be taken online and 4 offer advanced standing. After the MSW, Arizona's clinical license is the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB exam (Masters)For the LMSW
- Log supervised clinical hoursAt least 3,200 hours of supervised work experience in clinical social …
- Earn the clinical license (LCSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Arizona
- 6
- schools
- 3
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 3
- offer advanced standing
- 4
- online programs
- 5
The Arizona Social Work License Path
Arizona Social Work Licenses
Arizona Board of Behavioral Health ExaminersLicensed Baccalaureate Social Worker
- Degree
- Baccalaureate degree in social work from a regionally accredited college or university in a CSWE-accredited program, or a board-approved substantially equivalent foreign degree
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Master Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's or higher degree in social work from a regionally accredited college or university in a CSWE-accredited program, or a board-approved substantially equivalent foreign degree
- Exam
- ASWB Masters
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's or higher degree in social work from a regionally accredited college or university in a CSWE-accredited program, or a board-approved substantially equivalent foreign degree
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- At least 3,200 hours of supervised work experience in clinical social work in no less than 24 months, including at least 1,600 hours of direct client contact using psychotherapy (no more than 400 in psychoeducation), at least 100 hours of clinical supervision, and at least one hour of clinical supervision in any month with direct client contact.
- 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 Arizona Board of Behavioral Health 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.
Arizona Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State UniversityTempe · Public | 3 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff · Public | 2 | Online, Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix · Private for-profit | 1 | Online, Campus | CSWE | Yes | $37,820 |
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 Arizona
6 programs in Arizona
Master of Social Work, Standard Program (on Campus) at Arizona State University
Arizona State University · TempeFormatOn campus480 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition–AccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work, Standard Program (ASU Sync, Live Online) at Arizona State University
Arizona State University · TempeFormatOnline480 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition–AccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (ASU Online, Advanced Generalist) at Arizona State University
Arizona State University · TempeFormatOnline960 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition–AccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work, 2-Year Program (Online) at Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University · FlagstaffFormatOnline900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$12,564per yearAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work, 1-Year Advanced Standing Program at Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University · FlagstaffFormatOnline, On campus450 field hoursCredits39Est. tuition$13,582per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnline, On campusCredits62Est. tuition$37,820$610/creditAccreditationCSWE
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 Arizona
One Arizona program publishes enough to estimate tuition: Grand Canyon University, $37,820 before fees. The Arizona median is $37,820, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon University: Master of Social Work (MSW)Master of Social Work (MSW) | 62 | $37,820 | $20,130 |
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 Arizona
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Arizona State University has Arizona's largest program, followed by Northern Arizona University and Grand Canyon University. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | MSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| Arizona State University | 199 |
| Northern Arizona University | 59 |
| Grand Canyon University | 30 |
Online MSW Options for Arizona Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Arizona: 256 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Arizona residents online and arrange your field placement in Arizona.
| Lowest-cost CSWE-accredited online programs elsewhere | Est. tuition |
|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic University: Master of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced StandingMaster of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced Standing · Florida | $11,155 |
| Appalachian State University: Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online)Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online) · North Carolina | $11,359 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Maestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / PresencialMaestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / Presencial · Puerto Rico | $12,939 |
| University of North Alabama: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) · Alabama | $14,850 |
| University of Arkansas: Online Advanced Standing Master of Social WorkOnline Advanced Standing Master of Social Work · Arkansas | $15,151 |
| East Carolina University: Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing)Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing) · North Carolina | $16,624 |
Compare every option on the online MSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Social Worker Pay in Arizona
| Occupation | Arizona median | U.S. median | Jobs in Arizona |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $50,150 | $59,550 | 7,560 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $64,030 | $67,880 | 3,100 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $46,380 | $60,280 | 3,690 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $62,150 | $71,900 | 2,850 |
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.
MSW Programs Near Arizona Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Arizona?
We verified 6 MSW programs at 3 schools in Arizona; 3 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Arizona Issue?
Arizona's board (Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners) issues LBSW, LMSW and LCSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), after At least 3,200 hours of supervised work experience in clinical social work in no less than 24 months, including at least 1,600 hours of direct client contact using psychotherapy (no more than 400 in psychoeducation), at least 100 hours of clinical supervision, and at least one hour of clinical supervision in any month with direct client contact.
Can Arizona Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Arizona's own programs, 256 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Arizona residents and place you in a field practicum in Arizona. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Arizona?
Estimated tuition for Arizona programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $37,820 to $37,820 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 3 Arizona schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Arizona Board of Behavioral Health 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