Nebraska · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Nebraska
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Nebraska, and How Do You Get Licensed?
3 schools in Nebraska offer 3 MSW programs we verified, including Bellevue University, Nebraska Wesleyan University and University of Nebraska at Omaha. 2 can be taken online and 3 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $21,483 to $43,520 before fees. After the MSW, Nebraska's clinical license is the Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB examFor the PCMSW
- Log supervised clinical hours3,000 hours of post-degree supervised experience in mental health prac…
- Earn the clinical license (LMHP)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Nebraska
- 3
- schools
- 3
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 2
- offer advanced standing
- 3
- online programs
- 2
The Nebraska Social Work License Path
Nebraska Social Work Licenses
Nebraska Board of Mental Health Practice, Department of Health and Human Services Licensure Unit (Office of Behavioral Health Licensing)Certified Social Worker
- Degree
- Baccalaureate or master's degree in social work from a CSWE-approved program
- Exam
- none
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Provisional Certification as a Master Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-approved program
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Certified Master Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-approved program
- Exam
- ASWB Advanced Generalist, Masters or Clinical (Clinical required if also applying for a mental health practice license)
- Supervised experience
- At least 3,000 hours of post-degree social work experience under the supervision of a certified master social worker; 172 NAC 94-009.05 requires evaluative face-to-face supervision at least 1 hour per week
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Mental Health Practitioner
- Degree
- Master's or doctoral degree, primarily therapeutic mental health in content, with a practicum including at least 300 clock hours of direct client contact (an MSW qualifies)
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised experience in mental health practice, 1,500 in direct client contact, with evaluative face-to-face supervision at least one hour per week
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner
- Degree
- Master's or doctoral degree from a CSWE-, CACREP- or COAMFTE-accredited program (or board-deemed equivalent)
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- 3,000 hours of experience supervised by a licensed physician, licensed psychologist or LIMHP, half of it with clients diagnosed with a major mental illness or disorder (7,000 hours over not less than ten years for graduates of non-accredited programs)
- 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. DHHS notes LB 932, signed 4.15.2024, enacted the compact.
- State exam
- Nebraska Social Work Jurisprudence Exam (listed with the reciprocity applications)
From Nebraska Board of Mental Health Practice, Department of Health and Human Services Licensure Unit (Office of Behavioral Health Licensing), 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.
Nebraska Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Wesleyan UniversityLincoln · Private nonprofit | 1 | Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $36,300 |
| University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $21,483 |
| Bellevue UniversityBellevue · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | Pre-candidacy | Yes | $43,520 |
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 Nebraska
3 programs in Nebraska
Master of Social Work (MSW) at University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha · OmahaFormatOn campus, OnlineCredits63Est. tuition$21,483$341/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Evening Hybrid, Lincoln) at Nebraska Wesleyan University
Nebraska Wesleyan University · LincolnFormatHybrid900 field hoursCredits66Est. tuition$36,300$550/creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineCredits64Est. tuition$43,520$680/creditAccreditationPre-candidacy
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 Nebraska
3 Nebraska programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $21,483 at University of Nebraska at Omaha to $43,520 at Bellevue University. The Nebraska median is $36,300, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska at Omaha: Master of Social Work (MSW)Master of Social Work (MSW) | 63 | $21,483 | $13,299 |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University: Master of Social Work (evening hybrid, Lincoln)Master of Social Work (evening hybrid, Lincoln) | 66 | $36,300 | $18,700 |
| Bellevue University: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) | 64 | $43,520 | $25,840 |
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 Nebraska
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of Nebraska at Omaha has Nebraska's largest program, followed by Nebraska Wesleyan 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 Nebraska at Omaha | 104 |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University | 7 |
Online MSW Options for Nebraska Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Nebraska: 259 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Nebraska residents online and arrange your field placement in Nebraska.
| 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 Nebraska
| Occupation | Nebraska median | U.S. median | Jobs in Nebraska |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $47,770 | $59,550 | 4,830 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $62,420 | $67,880 | 980 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $43,240 | $60,280 | 900 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $76,520 | $71,900 | 220 |
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 Nebraska Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Nebraska?
We verified 3 MSW programs at 3 schools in Nebraska; 2 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Nebraska Issue?
Nebraska's board (Nebraska Board of Mental Health Practice, Department of Health and Human Services Licensure Unit (Office of Behavioral Health Licensing)) issues CSW, PCMSW, CMSW, LMHP and LIMHP. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP), after 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised experience in mental health practice, 1,500 in direct client contact, with evaluative face-to-face supervision at least one hour per week.
Can Nebraska Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Nebraska's own programs, 259 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Nebraska residents and place you in a field practicum in Nebraska. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Nebraska?
Estimated tuition for Nebraska programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $21,483 to $43,520 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 Nebraska schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Nebraska Board of Mental Health Practice, Department of Health and Human Services Licensure Unit (Office of Behavioral Health Licensing)
- 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