North Carolina · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in North Carolina
Where Can You Earn an MSW in North Carolina, and How Do You Get Licensed?
14 schools in North Carolina offer 18 MSW programs we verified, including Appalachian State University, East Carolina University and Fayetteville State University. 6 can be taken online and 18 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $11,359 to $51,026 before fees. After the MSW, North Carolina's clinical license is the Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB exam (Masters (or ACSW examination))For the CMSW
- Log supervised clinical hoursUsually about two years of post-MSW practice
- Earn the clinical license (LCSWA)Independent clinical practice
- programs in North Carolina
- 18
- schools
- 14
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 13
- offer advanced standing
- 18
- online programs
- 6
The North Carolina Social Work License Path
North Carolina Social Work Licenses
North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure BoardCertified Social Worker
- Degree
- BSW from a CSWE-accredited undergraduate school
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Certified Master Social Worker
- Degree
- MSW, DSW or PhD in social work from a CSWE-accredited school
- Exam
- ASWB Masters (or ACSW examination)
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate
- Degree
- MSW, DSW or PhD in social work from a CSWE-accredited school
- Exam
- none
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Certified Social Work Manager
- Degree
- BSW, MSW, DSW or PhD in social work from a CSWE-accredited school
- Exam
- ASWB Advanced Generalist
- Supervised experience
- 3,000 hours of post-degree paid employment accumulated in no less than two and no more than six years, with a minimum of 100 hours of supervision by a board-certified Social Work Administrator with at least five years of administration experience (up to 50 hours may be group supervision)
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- MSW, DSW or PhD in social work from a CSWE-accredited school
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- Minimum of 3,000 hours of post-MSW paid, appropriately supervised clinical employment accumulated in no less than two and no more than six years, with a minimum of 100 hours of supervision (at least one hour per 30 hours of clinical practice; up to 25 hours may be group supervision)
- 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 North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board, 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.
North Carolina Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachian State UniversityBoone · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $11,359 |
| East Carolina UniversityGreenville · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $16,624 |
| UNC Chapel HillChapel Hill · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $51,026 |
| University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $20,473 |
| Fayetteville State UniversityFayetteville · Public | 1 | Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | |
| Johnson C Smith UniversityCharlotte · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| North Carolina A & T State UniversityGreensboro · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| North Carolina Central UniversityDurham · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| University of North Carolina at PembrokePembroke · Public | 1 | Online, Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | |
| University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington · Public | 1 | Campus, Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $19,530 |
| Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| Wingate UniversityWingate · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | Candidacy | Yes | $33,120 |
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 North Carolina
18 programs in North Carolina
Master of Social Work (Boone Campus: Regular and Advanced Standing, Full or Part Time) at Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University · BooneFormatOn campusCredits–Est. tuition$2,763per termAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online) at Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University · BooneFormatOnlineCredits33Est. tuition$11,359$344/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work, Full-Time on Campus (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing) at East Carolina University
East Carolina University · GreenvilleFormatOn campus1,032 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$2,494per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work, Part-Time Online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing) at East Carolina University
East Carolina University · GreenvilleFormatOnline1,032 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$16,624$277/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Full-Time, Weekend Part-Time and Advanced Standing) at Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University · FayettevilleFormatHybridCredits–Est. tuition$1,844per termAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Traditional Two-Year and Advanced Standing) at Johnson C Smith University
Johnson C Smith University · CharlotteFormatOn campus400 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$11,075per termAccreditationCSWEJoint Master of Social Work (NC A&T and UNC Greensboro): Two-Year and Advanced Standing Options at North Carolina a &Amp; T State University
North Carolina A & T State University · GreensboroFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$2,768per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWESocial Work, M.S.W. (Traditional Two-Year and Advanced Standing) at North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University · DurhamFormatOn campusCredits–Est. tuition$271per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$585per credit · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (Chapel Hill Campus: Full-Time, Part-Time Extended and Advanced Standing) at UNC Chapel Hill
UNC Chapel Hill · Chapel HillFormatOn campus1,100 field hoursCredits62Est. tuition$51,026$823/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEOnline MSW Program (Including Online Advanced Standing) at UNC Chapel Hill
UNC Chapel Hill · Chapel HillFormatOnline760 field hoursCredits62Est. tuition$51,026$823/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Campus: 2-Year and 1-Year Advanced Standing) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Charlotte · CharlotteFormatOn campus464 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$296per credit · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work Online (2-Year, 3-Year, 1-Year and 2-Year Advanced Standing) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Charlotte · CharlotteFormatOnline464 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$20,473$341/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEJoint Master of Social Work (NC A&T and UNC Greensboro): Two-Year and Advanced Standing Options at University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of North Carolina at Greensboro · GreensboroFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$2,768per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Traditional and Advanced Standing; Hybrid or Fully Online) at University of North Carolina at Pembroke
University of North Carolina at Pembroke · PembrokeFormatOnline, HybridCredits–Est. tuition$2,140per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Full-Time, Extended Three-Year and Advanced Standing) at University of North Carolina Wilmington
University of North Carolina Wilmington · WilmingtonFormatOn campus, Hybrid900 field hoursCredits61Est. tuition$19,530$320/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Standard and Advanced Standing; Cullowhee and Asheville Biltmore Park) at Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University · CullowheeFormatOn campus900 field hoursCredits62Est. tuition$6,668per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Online; Traditional and Advanced Standing) at Wingate University
Wingate University · WingateFormatOnlineCredits48Est. tuition$33,120$690/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 North Carolina
7 North Carolina programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $11,359 at Appalachian State University to $51,026 at UNC Chapel Hill. The North Carolina median is $20,473, against $40,180 nationally.
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 North Carolina
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), UNC Chapel Hill has North Carolina's largest program, followed by University of North Carolina at Charlotte and North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online MSW Options for North Carolina Residents
You aren't limited to schools in North Carolina: 255 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll North Carolina residents online and arrange your field placement in North Carolina.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| University of Alaska Anchorage: Master of Social Work (distance-delivered)Master of Social Work (distance-delivered) · Alaska | $17,019 |
| Northeastern State University: Master of Social Work (in-person and online options)Master of Social Work (in-person and online options) · Oklahoma | $19,865 |
Compare every option on the online MSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Social Worker Pay in North Carolina
| Occupation | North Carolina median | U.S. median | Jobs in North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,610 | $59,550 | 13,010 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $63,280 | $67,880 | 5,120 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $58,210 | $60,280 | 3,690 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $63,490 | $71,900 | 1,670 |
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 North Carolina Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in North Carolina?
We verified 18 MSW programs at 14 schools in North Carolina; 13 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does North Carolina Issue?
North Carolina's board (North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board) issues CSW, CMSW, LCSWA, CSWM and LCSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA).
Can North Carolina Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond North Carolina's own programs, 255 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll North Carolina residents and place you in a field practicum in North Carolina. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in North Carolina?
Estimated tuition for North Carolina programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $11,359 to $51,026 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 14 North Carolina schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
- 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