Connecticut · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Connecticut
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Connecticut, and How Do You Get Licensed?
7 schools in Connecticut offer 8 MSW programs we verified, including Central Connecticut State University, Fairfield University and Quinnipiac University. 5 can be taken online and 7 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $46,500 to $69,662 before fees. After the MSW, Connecticut'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 (required for applicants who earned the MSW on and after January 1, 2026))For the LMSW
- Log supervised clinical hours3,000 hours of post-master's social work experience, including not les…
- Earn the clinical license (LCSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Connecticut
- 8
- schools
- 7
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 6
- offer advanced standing
- 7
- online programs
- 5
The Connecticut Social Work License Path
Connecticut Social Work Licenses
Connecticut Department of Public Health, Practitioner Licensing and Investigations Section (Social Work Licensure)Licensed Master Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program, or from a Connecticut program in CSWE candidate status during or after spring 2024 and before spring 2028; foreign education must be deemed equivalent by CSWE
- Exam
- ASWB Masters (required for applicants who earned the MSW on and after January 1, 2026)
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's or doctorate from a CSWE-accredited social work program (or a Connecticut program in CSWE candidate status in the spring 2024 to spring 2028 window); foreign education must be deemed equivalent by CSWE
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- 3,000 hours of post-master's social work experience, including not less than 100 hours of work experience under professional supervision by a licensed clinical or certified independent social worker; hours completed in Connecticut on and after October 1, 2011 must be as a licensed master social worker.
- 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 Connecticut Department of Public Health, Practitioner Licensing and Investigations Section (Social Work Licensure), 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.
Connecticut Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of ConnecticutStorrs · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $52,800 |
| Fairfield UniversityFairfield · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $58,500 |
| Quinnipiac UniversityHamden · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $46,500 |
| Sacred Heart UniversityFairfield · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $50,400 |
| Southern Connecticut State UniversityNew Haven · Public | 1 | Online, Hybrid, Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| University of Saint JosephWest Hartford · Private nonprofit | 1 | Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $69,662 |
| Central Connecticut State UniversityNew Britain · Public | 1 | Campus | 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 Connecticut
8 programs in Connecticut
Master of Social Work (on Campus, Hartford and Stamford) at University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut · StorrsFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$19,512per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$52,800$880/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus, Online1,000 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$50,400$840/creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work at Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University · New HavenFormatOnline, Hybrid, On campus950 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$4,358per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatHybridCredits61Est. tuition$69,662$1,142/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus, Online900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$46,500$775/creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (Trauma-Informed Healthcare MSW) at Central Connecticut State University
Central Connecticut State University · New BritainFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$7,281per term · resident rateAccreditationCandidacyMaster of Social Work (Online, Low Residency) at Fairfield University
Fairfield University · FairfieldFormatOnline500 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$58,500$975/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 Connecticut
5 Connecticut programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $46,500 at Quinnipiac University to $69,662 at University of Saint Joseph. The Connecticut median is $52,800, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac University: Master of Social WorkMaster of Social Work | 60 | $46,500 | $23,250 |
| Sacred Heart University: Master of Social WorkMaster of Social Work | 60 | $50,400 | $25,200 |
| University of Connecticut: Online Master of Social WorkOnline Master of Social Work | 60 | $52,800 | |
| Fairfield University: Master of Social Work (online, low residency)Master of Social Work (online, low residency) | 60 | $58,500 | $29,250 |
| University of Saint Joseph: Master of Social WorkMaster of Social Work | 61 | $69,662 | $35,402 |
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 Connecticut
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of Connecticut has Connecticut's largest program, followed by Sacred Heart University and Southern Connecticut State 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 |
|---|---|
| University of Connecticut | 134 |
| Sacred Heart University | 133 |
| Southern Connecticut State University | 94 |
| University of Saint Joseph | 52 |
| Quinnipiac University | 21 |
Online MSW Options for Connecticut Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Connecticut: 256 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Connecticut residents online and arrange your field placement in Connecticut.
| 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 Connecticut
| Occupation | Connecticut median | U.S. median | Jobs in Connecticut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $78,970 | $59,550 | 5,230 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $79,900 | $67,880 | 1,650 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $78,640 | $60,280 | 1,540 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $69,080 | $71,900 | 460 |
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 Connecticut?
We verified 8 MSW programs at 7 schools in Connecticut; 6 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Connecticut Issue?
Connecticut's board (Connecticut Department of Public Health, Practitioner Licensing and Investigations Section (Social Work Licensure)) issues LMSW and LCSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), after 3,000 hours of post-master's social work experience, including not less than 100 hours of work experience under professional supervision by a licensed clinical or certified independent social worker; hours completed in Connecticut on and after October 1, 2011 must be as a licensed master social worker.
Can Connecticut Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Connecticut's own programs, 256 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Connecticut residents and place you in a field practicum in Connecticut. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Connecticut?
Estimated tuition for Connecticut programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $46,500 to $69,662 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 7 Connecticut schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, Practitioner Licensing and Investigations Section (Social Work Licensure)
- 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