West Virginia · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in West Virginia
Where Can You Earn an MSW in West Virginia, and How Do You Get Licensed?
3 schools in West Virginia offer 3 MSW programs we verified, including Concord University, Marshall University and West Virginia University. 3 can be taken online and 3 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $34,920 to $44,760 before fees. After the MSW, West Virginia's clinical license is the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (Level D) (LICSW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB exam (Masters)For the LGSW
- Log supervised clinical hoursA minimum of two years of full-time employment and 3,000 hours of prac…
- Earn the clinical license (LICSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in West Virginia
- 3
- schools
- 3
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 3
- offer advanced standing
- 3
- online programs
- 3
The West Virginia Social Work License Path
West Virginia Social Work Licenses
West Virginia Board of Social WorkProvisional License to Practice as a Social Worker
- Degree
- Bachelor's degree in a field related to social work (e.g., psychology, sociology, counseling, criminal justice, and others the board finds eligible), or a non-related degree with current MSW enrollment
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Supervised experience
- Four years of supervised employment with a board-approved employer under a degreed and licensed social worker, meeting the licensing supervisor every three months, while completing four core CSWE-accredited social work classes and sitting for the Bachelor's exam
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Social Worker (Level a)
- Degree
- Bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Graduate Social Worker (Level B)
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Exam
- ASWB Masters
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Certified Social Worker (Level C)
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Exam
- ASWB Advanced Generalist
- Supervised experience
- Two years of post-master's social work practice experience (supervision not required)
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (Level D)
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program, and/or a PhD or DSW in social work from an accredited university
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- A minimum of two years of full-time employment and 3,000 hours of practice in full- or part-time employment, with at least 100 hours of face-to-face supervision; the exam page describes at least two years of post-master's direct clinical practice under a licensed clinical social worker
- Independent practice
- Yes
- Social Work Licensure Compact
- Listed by the Compact Commission among jurisdictions that have passed the compact language (SB 703 enacted June 9, 2026); the Commission's May 2026 FAQ says multistate licenses are not yet issued, with no definite date but likely within 9-12 months
From West Virginia Board of Social Work, 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.
West Virginia Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concord UniversityAthens · Public | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $34,920 |
| Marshall UniversityHuntington · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| West Virginia UniversityMorgantown · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $44,760 |
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 West Virginia
3 programs in West Virginia
- FormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$34,920$582/creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (on Campus and Online) at West Virginia University
West Virginia University · MorgantownFormatOn campus, OnlineCredits60Est. tuition$44,760$746/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus, Online400 field hoursCredits36Est. tuition$4,932per term · 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 West Virginia
2 West Virginia programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $34,920 at Concord University to $44,760 at West Virginia University. The West Virginia median is $34,920, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concord University: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) | 60 | $34,920 | $20,952 |
| West Virginia University: Master of Social Work (on campus and online)Master of Social Work (on campus and online) | 60 | $44,760 | $26,856 |
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 West Virginia
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Concord University has West Virginia's largest program, followed by West Virginia University and Marshall 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 |
|---|---|
| Concord University | 88 |
| West Virginia University | 73 |
| Marshall University | 54 |
Online MSW Options for West Virginia Residents
You aren't limited to schools in West Virginia: 258 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll West Virginia residents online and arrange your field placement in West 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 West Virginia
| Occupation | West Virginia median | U.S. median | Jobs in West Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $52,220 | $59,550 | 2,380 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $60,140 | $67,880 | 1,100 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $50,070 | $60,280 | 420 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $62,590 | $71,900 | 680 |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in West Virginia?
We verified 3 MSW programs at 3 schools in West Virginia; 3 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does West Virginia Issue?
West Virginia's board (West Virginia Board of Social Work) issues Provisional License to Practice as a Social Worker, LSW, LGSW, LCSW and LICSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (Level D) (LICSW), after A minimum of two years of full-time employment and 3,000 hours of practice in full- or part-time employment, with at least 100 hours of face-to-face supervision; the exam page describes at least two years of post-master's direct clinical practice under a licensed clinical social worker.
Can West Virginia Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond West Virginia's own programs, 258 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll West Virginia residents and place you in a field practicum in West Virginia. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in West Virginia?
Estimated tuition for West Virginia programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $34,920 to $44,760 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 West Virginia schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- West Virginia Board of Social Work
- 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