Rhode Island · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Rhode Island
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Rhode Island, and How Do You Get Licensed?
1 school in Rhode Island offers 1 MSW program we verified, including Rhode Island College. 1 offer advanced standing. After the MSW, Rhode Island'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 examFor the LCSW
- Log supervised clinical hoursUsually about two years of post-MSW practice
- Earn the clinical license (LCSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Rhode Island
- 1
- schools
- 1
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 1
- offer advanced standing
- 1
- online programs
- 0
The Rhode Island Social Work License Path
Rhode Island Social Work Licenses
Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Social Work ExaminersLicensed Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work
- Exam
- none
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- 3,000 hours of post-master's clinical social work practice during a 24- to 72-month period immediately preceding application, including 1,500 hours of direct client services; supervision by an LICSW of at least 2 hours every 2 weeks and at least 1 hour per 20 hours of direct client contact, at least 75% individual
- Independent practice
- Yes
- Social Work Licensure Compact
- Listed by the Compact Commission among jurisdictions that have passed the compact language; the Commission's May 2026 FAQ says multistate licenses are not yet issued, with no definite date but likely within 9-12 months
From Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Social Work Examiners, 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.
Rhode Island Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island CollegeProvidence · Public | 1 | Campus, Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $33,852 |
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 Rhode Island
1 programs in Rhode Island
- FormatOn campus, Hybrid1,080 field hoursCredits62Est. tuition$33,852$546/credit · resident 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 Rhode Island
One Rhode Island program publishes enough to estimate tuition: Rhode Island College, $33,852 before fees. The Rhode Island median is $33,852, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island College: Master of Social WorkMaster of Social Work | 62 | $33,852 | $18,018 |
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 Rhode Island
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Rhode Island College has Rhode Island's largest program. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | MSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island College | 105 |
Online MSW Options for Rhode Island Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Rhode Island: 261 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Rhode Island residents online and arrange your field placement in Rhode Island.
| 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 Rhode Island
| Occupation | Rhode Island median | U.S. median | Jobs in Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $69,870 | $59,550 | 2,450 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $75,390 | $67,880 | 630 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $60,990 | $60,280 | 800 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $111,590 | $71,900 | 90 |
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 Rhode Island Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Rhode Island?
We verified 1 MSW program at 1 school in Rhode Island; 1 of those schools is listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Rhode Island Issue?
Rhode Island's board (Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Social Work Examiners) issues LCSW and LICSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Can Rhode Island Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Rhode Island's own programs, 261 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Rhode Island residents and place you in a field practicum in Rhode Island. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Rhode Island?
Estimated tuition for Rhode Island programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $33,852 to $33,852 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 1 Rhode Island schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Social Work Examiners
- 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