The West Virginia University School of Social Work prepares graduate students in
Advanced Integrated Practice with an emphasis on vulnerable
and underserved populations in small towns and rural areas.
Our program ranked #83 by US News & World Report
in their 2024 rankings of graduate schools of social work.
CSWE Accredited Since 1942
Both the BSW and the MSW programs are nationally accredited by the Council for Social
Work Education (CSWE).
Dedicated Advising
Students receive dedicated advising and mentorship to support them in their academic and
field experiences.
Digital Literacy Focus
We prepare our students for 21st century social work by integrating digital literacy
into both on-campus and online formats.
The graduate program educates students in advanced integrated social work
practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, and social administration.
The focus of this education is to produce competent and effective practitioners
committed to enhancing social well-being and quality of life with particular emphasis
on vulnerable and oppressed populations in small towns and rural areas characteristic
of the Appalachian region.
Prepares students to integrate
micro (individual-level)
,
mezzo (group-level)
, and
macro (community- and society-level)
practice skills across service sectors
Focuses on working with interdisciplinary teams to effectively address social
and human problems across a wide range of practice areas, with a particular
emphasis on effective models of rural service delivery
Attending a CSWE-accredited social work program provides assurance that the program
is committed to quality and educating students on social work competencies
necessary to enter practice.
Social Work Licensure
Graduates of the WVU MSW program are eligible to pursue social work licensure at
their degree level. States can have varying requirements for social work licensure,
particularly at the clinical license level. It is recommended that students consult
their state licensing board for more information. For detailed information about
state-specific licensing, please see the
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensing and regulation website.
36 credit program for
students
with a Bachelor of Social Work
Domestic applicants who have received a BSW from a Council
on Social Work Education-accredited program within the
last eight years.
International applicants who have received a BSW from a Council
on Social Work Education-accredited program or covered under a memorandum
of understanding with international social work accreditors within the last
eight years may apply for advanced-standing.
Full-time or part-time options
Part-time option for Online Students
Regular Standing
60 credit program for
students
without a Bachelor of Social Work
Domestic applicants who have completed any Bachelor's degree
from a regionally accredited university in a discipline other than Social Work.
International applicants who have completed any Bachelor's
degree from an accredited institution. You are considered an international
applicant if you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
Full-time or part-time options
Part-time option for Online Students
Choose Your Timeline
With full-time, part-time, on-campus and fully online options —
you will be able to tailor your social work education to your timeline
and needs.
On-Campus
Time to Complete
Start and End Date
Advanced Standing, Full Time
12 months
Summer 2025 - Spring 2026
Advanced Standing, Part Time
2 years
Fall 2025 - Summer 2027
Regular Standing, Full Time
2 years
Fall 2025 - Spring 2027
Regular Standing, Part Time
2 years
Fall 2025 - Summer 2028
Online
Time to Complete
Start and End Date
Advanced Standing, Part Time
2 Years
Fall 2025 - Spring 2027
Regular Standing, Part Time
3 years
Fall 2025 - Summer 2028
Since moving out of the state, I have found that my education gained
at WVU and in the MSW program has surpassed expectations in the professional
world, even when compared to much larger universities. This boost has
made me a proud WVU alum and a better social worker.
Kayala Smith
2023 MSW Graduate hired as a Psychotherapist
Program Delivery Types
On Campus MSW
Offered on a full time or part time basis
Courses are offered once per week
(3 hrs in fall/spring; 4 hrs in summer)
9-12 credits (3-4 classes/week) per semester for full time
6 credits (2 classes/week) for part time
Late afternoon and evening sections
Semesters with field internships require additional hours
For more information, contact MSW Admissions & Recruitment at
socialwork@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-3280.
Applications for the Online Advanced Standing MSW program (Fall 2025 start) are
open through June 16, 2025. All other program applications are now closed.
This program educates graduate students in advanced integrated social work practice
with individuals, families, groups, communities, and social administration. The
focus of this education is to produce competent and effective practitioners committed
to enhancing social well-being and quality of life with particular emphasis on
vulnerable and oppressed populations in small towns and rural areas characteristic
of the Appalachian region.
All students will specialize in
Advanced Integrated Practice. The curriculum prepares students to integrate
micro, mezzo, and macro practice skills across service sectors and within interdisciplinary
teams to effectively address social and human problems across a wide range of practice
areas, with a particular emphasis on effective models of rural service delivery.
Both the BSW and the MSW programs are nationally accredited by the Council for
Social Work Education (CSWE).
The MSW Program offers social work education for the 21st century, incorporating
digital literacy in both the on campus and online programs.
The WVU MSW is ranked #83 by
US News & World Report in their 2024 rankings of graduate schools
of social work.
Social Work Licensure
Graduates of the WVU MSW program are eligible to pursue social work licensure at
their degree level. States can have varying requirements for social work licensure,
particularly at the clinical license level. It is recommended that students consult
their state licensing board for more information. For detailed information
about state-specific licensing, please see the
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensing and regulation website.
Domestic applicants: Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or
university
International applicants: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. You
are considered an international applicant if you are not a citizen or permanent
resident of the United States.
(*note: international applicants living outside of the United States are
not eligible to apply to the online MSW program.)
Domestic applicants who have received a BSW from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited
program within the last
eight years may apply for advanced standing.
International applicants who have received a BSW from a Council on Social Work
Education-accredited program, recognized through its International Social Work
Degree Recognition and Evaluation Services, or covered under a memorandum of
understanding with international social work accreditors within the last eight
years may apply for advanced-standing.
(*note: international applicants living outside the United States are not
eligible to apply to the online MSW program)
*Note: Current WVU BSW students are eligible for an abbreviated application
process. Please contact
socialwork@mail.wvu.edu for more information
November 1 is the early decision deadline. Applications submitted
by November 1 will receive an early decision notification and accepted applicants
are eligible for graduate assistantships and scholarships provided through
the School of Social Work.
January 15 is the deadline for summer admission*. Students applying
by this deadline are eligible for School of Social Work graduate
assistantships and scholarships. *Submission of an Advanced Standing (full
time) application between January 15 and March 1 will be considered after
March 1.
March 1 is the final deadline. All applications must be submitted
by March 1 for consideration.
Regular Standing (Full and Part Time) and Advanced Standing (Part Time)
November 1 is the early decision deadline. Applications submitted
by November 1 will receive an early decision notification and accepted applicants
are eligible for graduate assistantships and scholarships provided through
the School of Social Work.
January 15 is the priority deadline. Applications submitted by January
15 are eligible for School of Social Work graduate assistantships and scholarships.
March 1 is the final deadline. All applications must be submitted
by March 1 for consideration.
November 1 is the early decision deadline. Applications submitted
by November 1 will receive an early decision notification and accepted applicants
are eligible for scholarships provided through the School of Social
Work.
February 1 is the priority deadline. Applications submitted by February
1 will be eligible for scholarships through the School of Social Work.
April 15 is the final deadline. Applications submitted between
February 2 and April 15 will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Extended Deadline for Advanced Standing Online Only:June 16, 2025
Please remember that all required materials must be received and processed by
the deadline dates listed above. Keep in mind transcripts, references, and
test scores often take longer than anticipated to arrive.