Washington · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Washington
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Washington, and How Do You Get Licensed?
7 schools in Washington offer 9 MSW programs we verified, including Eastern Washington University, Heritage University and Pacific Lutheran University. 3 can be taken online and 8 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $46,541 to $76,875 before fees. After the MSW, Washington's clinical license is the Independent Clinical Social Worker Associate.
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB examFor the Advanced Social Worker Associate
- Log supervised clinical hoursUsually about two years of post-MSW practice
- Earn the clinical licenseIndependent clinical practice
- programs in Washington
- 9
- schools
- 7
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 6
- offer advanced standing
- 8
- online programs
- 3
The Washington Social Work License Path
Washington Social Work Licenses
Washington State Department of Health - Social Worker and Social Worker Associate credentialsAdvanced Social Worker Associate
- Degree
- Master's or doctorate from a CSWE-accredited social work educational program
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Independent Clinical Social Worker Associate
- Degree
- Master's or doctorate from a CSWE-accredited social work educational program
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Advanced Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program, or a social work doctorate from a university accredited by a recognized accrediting organization
- Exam
- ASWB Advanced Generalist
- Supervised experience
- At least 3,000 hours of postgraduate supervised experience, 800 in direct client contact, with 90 hours of supervision by an LICSW or LASW licensed at least two years (40 of the 90 hours may be with an equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner, in one-on-one supervision)
- Independent practice
- Yes
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program, or a social work doctorate from a university accredited by a recognized accrediting organization
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- At least 3,000 hours of postgraduate supervised experience over a minimum two-year period, 1,000 hours in direct client contact supervised by an LICSW, with 100 hours of direct supervision (70 with an LICSW, the rest with an equally qualified licensed practitioner; 60 of the 100 hours one-to-one)
- Independent practice
- Yes
- Social Work Licensure Compact
- Listed by the Compact Commission among jurisdictions that have passed the compact language (enacted March 19, 2024; one of the first seven states); the Commission's May 2026 FAQ says multistate licenses are not yet issued, with no definite date but likely within 9-12 months
From Washington State Department of Health - Social Worker and Social Worker Associate credentials, 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.
Washington Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Washington UniversityCheney · Public | 2 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $46,541 |
| University of WashingtonSeattle · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $76,875 |
| Heritage UniversityToppenish · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| Pacific Lutheran UniversityTacoma · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $54,780 |
| Seattle UniversitySeattle · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $59,400 |
| Walla Walla UniversityCollege Place · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $56,210 |
| University of Washington-Tacoma CampusTacoma · Public | 1 | Campus | Not listed | Yes |
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 Washington
9 programs in Washington
Master of Social Work - Cheney Full-Time Program at Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University · CheneyFormatOn campusCredits90quarter creditsEst. tuition$12,824per year · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work - Spokane and Everett Part-Time Programs at Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University · CheneyFormatOn campusCredits90quarter creditsEst. tuition$46,541$517/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work - Full-Time Two-Year Program and Advanced Standing Program (Seattle Campus) at University of Washington
University of Washington · SeattleFormatOn campusCredits75quarter creditsEst. tuition$8,898per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work - Part-Time Program (Evening or Online Option) at University of Washington
University of Washington · SeattleFormatOn campus, OnlineCredits75quarter creditsEst. tuition$76,875$1,025/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (in Person Mondays at College Place, or Online Evening Classes) at Walla Walla University
Walla Walla University · College PlaceFormatOn campus, OnlineCredits73quarter creditsEst. tuition$56,210$770/creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusCredits75quarter creditsEst. tuition$7,025per term · resident rateAccreditationNot listed
- FormatOn campus1,000 field hoursCredits45Est. tuition$59,400published totalAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$912per credit · general rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus960 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$54,780$913/creditAccreditationCSWE
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 Washington
5 Washington programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $46,541 at Eastern Washington University to $76,875 at University of Washington. The Washington median is $56,210, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Washington University: Master of Social Work - Spokane and Everett Part-Time ProgramsMaster of Social Work - Spokane and Everett Part-Time Programs | 90 | $46,541 | $26,373 |
| Pacific Lutheran University: Master of Social Work (MSW)Master of Social Work (MSW) | 60 | $54,780 | $32,868 |
| Walla Walla University: Master of Social Work (in person Mondays at College Place, or online evening classes)Master of Social Work (in person Mondays at College Place, or online evening classes) | 73 | $56,210 | $34,650 |
| Seattle University: Master of Social Work (MSW)Master of Social Work (MSW) | 45 | $59,400 | |
| University of Washington: Master of Social Work - Part-Time Program (evening or online option)Master of Social Work - Part-Time Program (evening or online option) | 75 | $76,875 |
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 Washington
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Eastern Washington University has Washington's largest program, followed by University of Washington and Walla Walla 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 |
|---|---|
| Eastern Washington University | 100 |
| University of Washington | 94 |
| Walla Walla University | 67 |
| University of Washington-Tacoma Campus | 47 |
| Seattle University | 32 |
Online MSW Options for Washington Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Washington: 258 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Washington residents online and arrange your field placement in Washington.
| 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 Washington
| Occupation | Washington median | U.S. median | Jobs in Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $74,480 | $59,550 | 10,720 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $78,570 | $67,880 | 5,180 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $70,460 | $60,280 | 3,490 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $102,520 | $71,900 | 790 |
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 Washington Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Washington?
We verified 9 MSW programs at 7 schools in Washington; 6 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Washington Issue?
Washington's board (Washington State Department of Health - Social Worker and Social Worker Associate credentials) issues Advanced Social Worker Associate, Independent Clinical Social Worker Associate, LASW and LICSW. Clinical practice requires the Independent Clinical Social Worker Associate.
Can Washington Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Washington's own programs, 258 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Washington residents and place you in a field practicum in Washington. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Washington?
Estimated tuition for Washington programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $46,541 to $76,875 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 7 Washington schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Washington State Department of Health - Social Worker and Social Worker Associate credentials
- 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