Hawaii · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Hawaii
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Hawaii, and How Do You Get Licensed?
2 schools in Hawaii offer 3 MSW programs we verified, including Hawaii Pacific University and University of Hawaii at Manoa. 2 can be taken online and 3 offer advanced standing. After the MSW, Hawaii'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 LSW
- Log supervised clinical hoursAt least 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical social work …
- Earn the clinical license (LCSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Hawaii
- 3
- schools
- 2
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 2
- offer advanced standing
- 3
- online programs
- 2
The Hawaii Social Work License Path
Hawaii Social Work Licenses
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Social Worker ProgramLicensed Bachelor Social Worker
- Degree
- Bachelor's degree in a social work program accredited by, or deemed equivalent to an accredited program by, CSWE
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in a social work program accredited by, or deemed equivalent by, CSWE; or a doctoral degree in social work from a WASC-accredited or comparable regionally accredited institution
- Exam
- ASWB Masters
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in a social work program accredited by, or deemed equivalent by, CSWE; or a doctoral degree in social work from a WASC-accredited or comparable regionally accredited institution
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- At least 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical social work experience in an agency setting, completed in no fewer than 2 and no more than 5 years, including at least 2,000 hours of assessment, clinical diagnosis and psychotherapy, no more than 900 hours of client-centered advocacy, consultation and evaluation, and at least 100 hours of direct face-to-face supervision; supervisor must be an LCSW with at least 4,500 hours of post-master's clinical experience.
- Independent practice
- Yes
From Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Social Worker Program, 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.
Hawaii Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| Hawaii Pacific UniversityHonolulu · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $70,395 |
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 Hawaii
3 programs in Hawaii
Master of Social Work (Campus-Based, Manoa) at University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Hawaii at Manoa · HonoluluFormatOn campusCredits57Est. tuition$650per credit · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work, Distance Education (DE) Option at University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Hawaii at Manoa · HonoluluFormatOnlineCredits57Est. tuition$650per credit · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineCredits57Est. tuition$70,395$1,235/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 Hawaii
One Hawaii program publishes enough to estimate tuition: Hawaii Pacific University, $70,395 before fees. The Hawaii median is $70,395, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Pacific University: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) | 57 | $70,395 | $37,050 |
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 Hawaii
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of Hawaii at Manoa has Hawaii's largest program, followed by Hawaii Pacific 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 Hawaii at Manoa | 124 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | 17 |
Online MSW Options for Hawaii Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Hawaii: 259 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Hawaii residents online and arrange your field placement in Hawaii.
| 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 Hawaii
| Occupation | Hawaii median | U.S. median | Jobs in Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $68,270 | $59,550 | 1,170 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $85,420 | $67,880 | 660 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $54,390 | $60,280 | |
| Social Workers, All Other | $116,130 | $71,900 | 200 |
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 Hawaii Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Hawaii?
We verified 3 MSW programs at 2 schools in Hawaii; 2 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Hawaii Issue?
Hawaii's board (Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Social Worker Program) issues LBSW, LSW and LCSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), after At least 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical social work experience in an agency setting, completed in no fewer than 2 and no more than 5 years, including at least 2,000 hours of assessment, clinical diagnosis and psychotherapy, no more than 900 hours of client-centered advocacy, consultation and evaluation, and at least 100 hours of direct face-to-face supervision; supervisor must be an LCSW with at least 4,500 hours of post-master's clinical experience.
Can Hawaii Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Hawaii's own programs, 259 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Hawaii residents and place you in a field practicum in Hawaii. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Hawaii?
Estimated tuition for Hawaii programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $70,395 to $70,395 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 2 Hawaii schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Social Worker Program
- 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