Virginia · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Virginia
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Virginia, and How Do You Get Licensed?
8 schools in Virginia offer 11 MSW programs we verified, including George Mason University, Liberty University and Mary Baldwin University. 7 can be taken online and 9 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $25,742 to $47,700 before fees. After the MSW, Virginia'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 hoursAt least 3,000 hours of board-registered, supervised post-master's cli…
- Earn the clinical license (LCSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Virginia
- 11
- schools
- 8
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 7
- offer advanced standing
- 9
- online programs
- 7
The Virginia Social Work License Path
Virginia Social Work Licenses
Virginia Board of Social Work (Department of Health Professions)Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker
- Degree
- Baccalaureate degree in social work (see 18VAC140-20 education requirements)
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Master Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work (MSW)
- Exam
- ASWB Masters
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Graduate social work degree with a clinical practicum as specified in 18VAC140-20-49
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- At least 3,000 hours of board-registered, supervised post-master's clinical social work experience, acquired in no less than two nor more than four consecutive years, including at least 1,380 hours of face-to-face client contact and at least 100 hours of face-to-face supervision (1 to 4 hours per 40 hours of work; no more than 50 hours in group supervision)
- Independent practice
- Yes
- Social Work Licensure Compact
- Listed by the Compact Commission among jurisdictions that have passed the compact language (one of the first seven states, April 2024); the Commission's May 2026 FAQ says multistate licenses are not yet issued, with no definite date but likely within 9-12 months
From Virginia Board of Social Work (Department of Health Professions), 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.
Virginia Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Mason UniversityFairfax · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $47,700 |
| Liberty UniversityLynchburg · Private nonprofit | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $34,800 |
| VCURichmond · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $38,040 |
| Norfolk State UniversityNorfolk · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| Radford UniversityRadford · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $25,742 |
| Virginia State UniversityPetersburg · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| Virginia Union UniversityRichmond · Private nonprofit | 1 | CSWE | Yes | ||
| Mary Baldwin UniversityStaunton · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | Pre-candidacy |
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 Virginia
11 programs in Virginia
- FormatOn campus900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$7,330per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$38,040$634/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (on Campus, Fairfax) at George Mason University
George Mason University · FairfaxFormatOn campus1,050 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$667per credit · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$47,700$795/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus, OnlineCredits61Est. tuition$25,742$422/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus, OnlineCredits60Est. tuition$14,270per year · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$575per credit · general rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline1,000 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$34,800$580/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineCredits–Est. tuition–AccreditationPre-candidacy
- FormatOn campus, OnlineCredits60Est. tuition$9,371per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- Format–Credits49Est. tuition$792per 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 Virginia
4 Virginia programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $25,742 at Radford University to $47,700 at George Mason University. The Virginia median is $34,800, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radford University: Master of Social WorkMaster of Social Work | 61 | $25,742 | $16,880 |
| Liberty University: Online Master of Social Work (MSW)Online Master of Social Work (MSW) | 60 | $34,800 | |
| VCU: Master of Social Work (online option)Master of Social Work (online option) | 60 | $38,040 | $26,628 |
| George Mason University: Social Work (MSW) onlineSocial Work (MSW) online | 60 | $47,700 | $26,235 |
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 Virginia
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), VCU has Virginia's largest program, followed by George Mason University and Radford 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 |
|---|---|
| VCU | 331 |
| George Mason University | 127 |
| Radford University | 32 |
| Norfolk State University | 26 |
| Liberty University | 15 |
Online MSW Options for Virginia Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Virginia: 254 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Virginia residents online and arrange your field placement in Virginia.
| 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 Virginia
| Occupation | Virginia median | U.S. median | Jobs in Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $61,330 | $59,550 | 9,410 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $66,550 | $67,880 | 3,070 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $64,240 | $60,280 | 3,670 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $92,930 | $71,900 | 860 |
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 Virginia Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Virginia?
We verified 11 MSW programs at 8 schools in Virginia; 7 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Virginia Issue?
Virginia's board (Virginia Board of Social Work (Department of Health Professions)) issues LBSW, LMSW and LCSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), after At least 3,000 hours of board-registered, supervised post-master's clinical social work experience, acquired in no less than two nor more than four consecutive years, including at least 1,380 hours of face-to-face client contact and at least 100 hours of face-to-face supervision (1 to 4 hours per 40 hours of work; no more than 50 hours in group supervision).
Can Virginia Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Virginia's own programs, 254 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Virginia residents and place you in a field practicum in Virginia. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Virginia?
Estimated tuition for Virginia programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $25,742 to $47,700 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 Virginia schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Virginia Board of Social Work (Department of Health Professions)
- 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