Missouri · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Missouri
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Missouri, and How Do You Get Licensed?
8 schools in Missouri offer 9 MSW programs we verified, including Columbia College, Missouri Baptist University and Missouri State University-Springfield. 4 can be taken online and 8 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $22,852 to $50,000 before fees. After the MSW, Missouri'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 hoursMinimum 3,000 hours of supervised experience obtained in no less than …
- Earn the clinical license (LCSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Missouri
- 9
- schools
- 8
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 7
- offer advanced standing
- 8
- online programs
- 4
The Missouri Social Work License Path
Missouri Social Work Licenses
Missouri State Committee for Social Workers, Division of Professional RegistrationLicensed Baccalaureate Social Worker
- Degree
- Bachelor's degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Master Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program, or a doctorate in social work
- Exam
- ASWB Masters
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Advanced Macro Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program, or a doctorate in social work
- Exam
- ASWB Advanced Generalist
- Supervised experience
- Minimum 3,000 hours of supervised experience obtained in no less than 24 and no more than 48 consecutive calendar months under a committee-registered supervisor, with a minimum of two hours of individual face-to-face supervision every two weeks (four hours per four-week period)
- Independent practice
- Yes
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program, or a doctorate in social work
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- Minimum 3,000 hours of supervised experience obtained in no less than 24 and no more than 48 consecutive calendar months under a committee-registered supervisor, with a minimum of two hours of individual face-to-face supervision every two weeks (four hours per four-week period)
- Independent practice
- Yes
- Social Work Licensure Compact
- Listed by the Social Work Licensure Compact as a jurisdiction that has passed the compact language; the Compact states multistate licenses are not yet being issued
From Missouri State Committee for Social Workers, Division of Professional Registration, 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.
Missouri Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WashU (Washington University in St. Louis)Saint Louis · Private nonprofit | 2 | Campus, Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | |
| Missouri Baptist UniversitySaint Louis · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $43,380 |
| Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield · Public | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $22,852 |
| Missouri Western State UniversitySaint Joseph · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $50,000 |
| University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $33,240 |
| University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $41,820 |
| Columbia CollegeColumbia · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | Candidacy | Yes | $39,600 |
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 Missouri
9 programs in Missouri
Master of Social Work (Full Time, in Person) at WashU (Washington University in St. Louis)
WashU (Washington University in St. Louis) · Saint LouisFormatOn campus360 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$50,440per yearAccreditationCSWEPart-Time Master of Social Work (Hybrid: Online, Evening and Weekends) at WashU (Washington University in St. Louis)
WashU (Washington University in St. Louis) · Saint LouisFormatHybrid360 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$33,626per yearAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Online) at Missouri State University-Springfield
Missouri State University-Springfield · SpringfieldFormatOnlineCredits62Est. tuition$22,852published total · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus, OnlineCredits48Est. tuition$50,000published totalAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (MSW) at University of Missouri-St Louis
University of Missouri-St Louis · Saint LouisFormatOn campus300 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$41,820$697/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (M.S.W.) at University of Missouri-Kansas City
University of Missouri-Kansas City · Kansas CityFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$33,240$554/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (MSW) Online at Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University · Saint LouisFormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$43,380$723/creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineCredits66Est. tuition$39,600$600/creditAccreditationCandidacy
Master of Social Work (Traditional and Advanced Standing Plans of Study) at Missouri Western State University
Missouri Western State University · Saint JosephFormatOn campusCredits62Est. tuition$570per credit · general 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 Missouri
6 Missouri programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $22,852 at Missouri State University-Springfield to $50,000 at Saint Louis University. The Missouri median is $39,600, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri State University-Springfield: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) | 62 | $22,852 | |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City: Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) | 60 | $33,240 | $19,944 |
| Columbia College: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) | 66 | $39,600 | |
| University of Missouri-St Louis: Master of Social Work (MSW)Master of Social Work (MSW) | 60 | $41,820 | $16,728 |
| Missouri Baptist University: Master of Social Work (MSW) onlineMaster of Social Work (MSW) online | 60 | $43,380 | |
| Saint Louis University: Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) | 48 | $50,000 |
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 Missouri
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), WashU (Washington University in St. Louis) has Missouri's largest program, followed by Missouri State University-Springfield and Saint Louis University. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online MSW Options for Missouri Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Missouri: 257 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Missouri residents online and arrange your field placement in Missouri.
| 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 Missouri
| Occupation | Missouri median | U.S. median | Jobs in Missouri |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $48,520 | $59,550 | 9,620 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $59,870 | $67,880 | 4,430 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $49,560 | $60,280 | 1,640 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $98,740 | $71,900 | 590 |
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 Missouri Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Missouri?
We verified 9 MSW programs at 8 schools in Missouri; 7 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Missouri Issue?
Missouri's board (Missouri State Committee for Social Workers, Division of Professional Registration) issues LBSW, LMSW, LAMSW and LCSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), after Minimum 3,000 hours of supervised experience obtained in no less than 24 and no more than 48 consecutive calendar months under a committee-registered supervisor, with a minimum of two hours of individual face-to-face supervision every two weeks (four hours per four-week period).
Can Missouri Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Missouri's own programs, 257 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Missouri residents and place you in a field practicum in Missouri. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Missouri?
Estimated tuition for Missouri programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $22,852 to $50,000 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 8 Missouri schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Missouri State Committee for Social Workers, Division of Professional Registration
- 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