Massachusetts · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Massachusetts
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Massachusetts, and How Do You Get Licensed?
13 schools in Massachusetts offer 16 MSW programs we verified, including Assumption University, Boston College and Boston University. 8 can be taken online and 15 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $34,705 to $78,720 before fees. After the MSW, Massachusetts'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 exam (Masters)For the LCSW
- Log supervised clinical hoursAt least 3,500 hours of clinical social work services over not less th…
- Earn the clinical license (LICSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Massachusetts
- 16
- schools
- 13
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 11
- offer advanced standing
- 15
- online programs
- 8
The Massachusetts Social Work License Path
Massachusetts Social Work Licenses
Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers, Bureau of Health Professions LicensureLicensed Social Work Associate
- Degree
- Associate degree or at least 60 credit hours in a human service field, a bachelor's degree in any field, or a minimum of 1,000 hours of board-approved education in social work theory and methods (258 CMR 9.06); the board's summary also lists a high school diploma with four years of documented experience
- Exam
- ASWB Associate
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Social Worker
- Degree
- Bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program, or a bachelor's degree in another field (or less college education) plus supervised work experience
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Supervised experience
- None with a CSWE-accredited BSW. Alternative routes: a bachelor's degree in another field plus a minimum of 3,500 hours of work experience over not less than two years; 2.5 to 4 years of college plus 8,750 hours over not less than five years; two years of college plus 10,500 hours over not less than six years; one year of college plus 14,000 hours over not less than eight years; high school diploma plus 17,500 hours over not less than ten years; supervision at not less than one hour for every 35 hours of work experience
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Certified Social Worker
- Degree
- MSW, DSW or PhD in social work from a CSWE-accredited school of social work
- Exam
- ASWB Masters
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited graduate school of social work
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- At least 3,500 hours of clinical social work services over not less than two years after LCSW licensure, with 50 hours of individual face-to-face supervision per year (100 hours total) under an LICSW
- Independent practice
- Yes
From Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers, Bureau of Health Professions 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.
Massachusetts Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston UniversityBoston · Private nonprofit | 3 | Campus, Online, Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $52,000 |
| Salem State UniversitySalem · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| Boston CollegeChestnut Hill · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $44,820 |
| Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater · Public | 1 | Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $34,705 |
| Lesley UniversityCambridge · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $78,720 |
| Merrimack CollegeNorth Andover · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online, Campus | CSWE | Yes | $45,000 |
| Regis CollegeWeston · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $48,600 |
| Simmons UniversityBoston · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $78,325 |
| Smith CollegeNorthampton · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| Springfield CollegeSpringfield · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online, Campus | CSWE | Yes | $51,000 |
| Westfield State UniversityWestfield · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $38,016 |
| Assumption UniversityWorcester · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online, Campus | Candidacy | Yes | $58,590 |
| College of Our Lady of the ElmsChicopee · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | Candidacy | Yes | $57,936 |
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 Massachusetts
16 programs in Massachusetts
- FormatOn campus, OnlineCredits65Est. tuition$78,325$1,205/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus1,000 field hoursCredits65Est. tuition$41,184per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineCredits65Est. tuition$66,170$1,018/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatHybridCredits65Est. tuition$52,000$800/creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work at Boston College
Boston College · Chestnut HillFormatOn campusCredits30Est. tuition$44,820$1,494/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (In-Person Fall Start Program) at Salem State University
Salem State University · SalemFormatOn campusCredits–Est. tuition$9,821per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineCredits–Est. tuition$546per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusCredits70quarter creditsEst. tuition$38,340per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus, Online500 field hoursCredits66Est. tuition$38,016$576/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatHybridCredits62Est. tuition$34,705$560/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline, On campusCredits60Est. tuition$51,000$850/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline480 field hoursCredits54Est. tuition$48,600$900/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline, On campus900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$45,000$750/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$78,720$1,312/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline, On campus900 field hoursCredits62Est. tuition$58,590$945/creditAccreditationCandidacy
Master of Social Work (MSW) at College of Our Lady of the Elms
College of Our Lady of the Elms · ChicopeeFormatOn campus900 field hoursCredits48Est. tuition$57,936$1,207/creditAccreditationCandidacy
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 Massachusetts
12 Massachusetts programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $34,705 at Bridgewater State University to $78,720 at Lesley University. The Massachusetts median is $51,000, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater State University: Master of Social WorkMaster of Social Work | 62 | $34,705 | |
| Westfield State University: Clinical Master of Social WorkClinical Master of Social Work | 66 | $38,016 | $21,312 |
| Boston College: Master of Social WorkMaster of Social Work | 30 | $44,820 | $65,736 |
| Merrimack College: Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) | 60 | $45,000 | $27,000 |
| Regis College: Online Master of Social Work (MSW)Online Master of Social Work (MSW) | 54 | $48,600 | $27,000 |
| Springfield College: Master of Social WorkMaster of Social Work | 60 | $51,000 | $28,050 |
| Boston University: Worcester Hybrid MSW ProgramWorcester Hybrid MSW Program | 65 | $52,000 | |
| College of Our Lady of the Elms: Master of Social Work (MSW)Master of Social Work (MSW) | 48 | $57,936 | |
| Assumption University: Social Work (MSW)Social Work (MSW) | 62 | $58,590 | |
| Boston University: Online MSW ProgramOnline MSW Program | 65 | $66,170 | $43,774 |
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 Massachusetts
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Simmons University has Massachusetts's largest program, followed by Boston University and Boston College. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | MSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| Simmons University | 564 |
| Boston University | 321 |
| Boston College | 307 |
| Salem State University | 121 |
| Smith College | 108 |
| Westfield State University | 97 |
| Bridgewater State University | 93 |
| Springfield College | 70 |
Online MSW Options for Massachusetts Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Massachusetts: 253 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Massachusetts residents online and arrange your field placement in Massachusetts.
| 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 Massachusetts
| Occupation | Massachusetts median | U.S. median | Jobs in Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $75,570 | $59,550 | 10,900 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $76,440 | $67,880 | 7,220 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $62,500 | $60,280 | 7,440 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $101,280 | $71,900 | 540 |
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 Massachusetts Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Massachusetts?
We verified 16 MSW programs at 13 schools in Massachusetts; 11 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Massachusetts Issue?
Massachusetts's board (Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers, Bureau of Health Professions Licensure) issues LSWA, LSW, LCSW and LICSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), after At least 3,500 hours of clinical social work services over not less than two years after LCSW licensure, with 50 hours of individual face-to-face supervision per year (100 hours total) under an LICSW.
Can Massachusetts Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Massachusetts's own programs, 253 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Massachusetts residents and place you in a field practicum in Massachusetts. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Massachusetts?
Estimated tuition for Massachusetts programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $34,705 to $78,720 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 13 Massachusetts schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers, Bureau of Health Professions 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