Best MSW Programs in Arizona

Social workers in Arizona can expect competitive salaries, with average annual earnings of $64,360. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% growth in social work employment through 2033, making this the perfect time to earn your Master of Social Work degree.

The state has three main institutions that offer MSW degrees. Arizona State University (ASU) and Northern Arizona University (NAU), both state-funded public universities, run CSWE-accredited programs. Grand Canyon University (GCU) in Phoenix serves as a private education alternative. ASU’s program stands out with its fully online Digital Immersion MSW program and Advanced Generalist concentration, which prepares future leaders in a variety of social work settings.

These programs are a great way to get practical experience, especially when you have emerging social needs to address. To cite an instance, the U.S. population’s demographics will shift substantially by 2032, with adults 65 and older making up over 25% of the total population. This change will create more opportunities for social workers who specialize in geriatric care. The public universities’ advanced standing tracks give eligible students the chance to complete their education faster and more affordably.

Arizona State University MSW (Campus-Based)

Arizona State University runs one of the best campus-based MSW programs in the United States. U.S. News & World Report ranks it #20 among graduate social work programs for 2024. The program spans multiple Arizona campuses and gives students a complete social work education that focuses on practical experience and specialized training.

Program overview

ASU’s campus-based MSW program prepares social workers to tackle complex social challenges through practice, policy change, and community work. Students pick from several program formats based on their education background and schedule. The Standard MSW program takes two to three years depending on your pace. Students with a BSW degree can choose the Advanced Standing option – a fast-tracked one-year format that starts each May.

ASU’s program stands out with its well-rounded approach to social work education. Students start with core social work principles and practices in the first half of the Standard program. The second half lets them build expertise in their chosen field. Students gain hands-on skills through fieldwork, classroom learning, and interaction with ASU’s award-winning faculty.

Specializations offered

Students can shape their MSW education by choosing one of three paths:

1. Advanced Direct Practice (ADP): This path readies you for clinical work with individuals, families, and small groups. You can focus on four specific areas:
   • Children, youth, and families
   • Health
   • Behavioral health
   • Public child welfare
2. Policy, Administration and Community Practice (PAC): This track gives you skills in organizational leadership, policy development, and community strategies. You’ll learn ways to change social systems and make an impact in organizations of all sizes.
3. Advanced Generalist (AG): Some campuses offer this path that blends theory with practical skills across multiple areas.

Each path follows a learning plan matched to specific goals and objectives. This ensures students develop the right skills for their career choice.

Accreditation and format

The School of Social Work has kept its Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation since 1965. This ensures your degree meets national social work education standards. Both in-person and online BSW and MSW programs have this accreditation, letting you choose your learning style.

You can attend classes at:

• Downtown Phoenix campus
• West campus
• Tucson location
• Yuma location

Program options include:

• Standard MSW: 60 credit hours if you don’t have a BSW. Most finish in two years (full-time) or three years (part-time)
• Advanced Standing MSW: 39 credit hours for students with a CSWE-accredited BSW earned within six years and a minimum 3.2 GPA. Takes one year

Both paths include core courses, specialization classes, and hands-on fieldwork. Standard MSW starts in fall, while Advanced Standing begins in May.

Fieldwork requirements

In ASU’s MSW program, students put theory into practice in ground settings. Professional social workers hired by partner agencies guide students through structured internships that match their academic progress.

Standard MSW fieldwork requirements:

• Two 480-hour practicum placements (960 total hours)
• First placement teaches general practice
• Second placement matches your chosen focus

Advanced Standing MSW fieldwork requirements:

• One 480-hour practicum placement
• Placement matches your specialty track

General practicum focuses on ecological systems theory, biopsychosocial-spiritual assessments, community needs, resource navigation, and civic engagement. Specialty practicums give advanced training in your chosen field. Students work in hospitals, community agencies, schools, nonprofits, and government organizations.

Admission requirements

ASU’s campus-based MSW program has specific entry requirements:

For the Standard MSW program:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Minimum 3.0 GPA in last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work (lower GPAs get full review)
• 240 hours of volunteer or paid social service work in the past five years
• Three recommendation letters from academic and professional sources
• Personal statement about your background, goals, and social work values
• Professional resume showing relevant experience

For the Advanced Standing MSW program:

• BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned within six years
• Minimum 3.2 GPA in last two years of BSW work
• Same additional requirements as Standard program

Key dates for campus-based programs:

• Fall Standard MSW: June 1st (application), June 15th (supplemental materials)
• Advanced Standing MSW: Starts in May yearly

Tuition and financial aid

Graduate student costs vary based on residency. Here are the 2024-2025 academic year estimates:

Additional costs include:

• Books and course materials: about $1,908 yearly
• Housing and meals: about $20,460 yearly
• Transportation: about $3,564 yearly
• Personal expenses: about $4,653 yearly

Students can get federal financial aid through FAFSA. ASU also provides scholarships and graduate assistantships. The Student Budget Review form helps if you have extra costs like medical expenses, childcare, or course fees.

ASU helps meet about 60% of student financial aid needs, making this top-ranked program available to more students.

Arizona State University MSW Online (Digital Immersion)

ASU’s online Master of Social Work program gives working professionals the flexibility they need with a detailed digital education experience. The MSW Digital Immersion option lets you earn your degree while you keep your career and personal commitments through an innovative virtual learning environment.

Online program overview

The ASU online MSW program gives you skills to support individuals, families, and communities through compassionate care. You’ll develop competencies to promote equity, advance social justice, and create practical solutions for complex social challenges.

Your first year builds foundational knowledge in social work. Key study areas include:

• Behavioral and mental health
• Human behavior
• Cultural humility
• Research methods
• Social work ethics
• Assessment techniques
• Applied practice with various populations throughout life

The second year focuses on advanced generalist coursework that combines micro skills for direct practice with mezzo and macro skills in policy, administration, and community organization. After graduation, you’ll be ready to:

1. Deliver culturally-adapted, knowledge-informed ethical interventions to individuals, families, and groups
2. Create social change through organization, administration, policy development, and community practice
3. Unite communities and stakeholders around shared values and causes

Specializations offered

The Digital Immersion MSW focuses exclusively on the Advanced Generalist concentration, unlike the campus-based program that offers multiple specialization tracks. This detailed approach includes:

• Direct practice techniques for clinical settings
• Policy development methodologies
• Community organization strategies

The Advanced Generalist curriculum prepares you for leadership roles in various social work settings, which makes it valuable if you want versatility in your career options. You’ll learn to use sophisticated assessment tools and evidence-based interventions while developing macro-level skills for system-wide change.

Accreditation and format

The ASU online MSW program has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), matching the campus-based program’s accreditation since 1965. Your online degree meets the same rigorous national standards as traditional in-person programs.

The Digital Immersion program offers two distinct online classroom formats:

Asynchronous (ASU Online): This format lets you:

• Take courses based on your schedule
• Access course materials, lectures, and learning activities throughout each week
• Connect with faculty and classmates at different times
• Complete most classes in 7.5-week sessions
• Earn your MSW in two or three years based on your preferred pace

Synchronous (ASU Sync): This alternative format requires you to:

• Attend live online classes at set days and times each week
• Participate with professors and classmates in real-time
• Complete the program in about two years (part-time options available)

Most students in the 60-credit hour Advanced Generalist track choose the asynchronous digital immersion option. Program completion times vary based on your chosen pace.

Northern Arizona University MSW Program

Northern Arizona University offers a Master of Social Work program that focuses on serving rural and Indigenous populations of the Southwest. The program helps you work with diverse individuals and communities. You’ll get skills to become a change agent who makes positive differences.

Program overview

NAU’s MSW program uses a strengths-based framework to prepare professionals who support marginalized communities. Your coursework will cover social policy, clinical practice, research, cultural competence, social justice, and administration. Students learn culturally competent approaches that help clients achieve their goals.

This degree combines your desire to help others with practical experience to create lasting change. Graduates gain advanced knowledge of current social work theory and learn to work with diverse populations who need professional support. Your expertise will help aging populations, children, veterans, domestic violence survivors, mental health clients, homeless individuals, and struggling families.

The MSW degree serves as the terminal degree for professional social work practice and licensure. It opens doors to many career paths.

Specializations offered

NAU’s MSW program features a Healthcare Emphasis that prepares you for:

• Culturally responsive healthcare practice within interdisciplinary teams
• Leadership in health and wellness administration
• Program development and evaluation skills
• Understanding how health disparities and healthcare policies affect client well-being

The program also includes MSW Behavioral Science Cognates to customize your education. This innovative approach lets you pick two 3-credit hour graduate courses from other disciplines. You can create a focused area of interest that fits with the core MSW curriculum.

Accreditation and format

NAU’s Social Work Department runs BSW and MSW programs with full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Your degree will meet strict standards recognized throughout the profession. NAU also holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

CSWE accreditation matters because:

• The Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes it as the only accrediting body for social work education in the U.S.
• National Association of Social Workers membership usually needs a CSWE-accredited program
• Most states require a CSWE-accredited degree for licensing

Students can complete the program fully online without GRE scores. The online format gives you flexibility while delivering quality education similar to campus programs. A standard two-year MSW program follows semester-based scheduling with set deadlines.

Fieldwork requirements

Students get valuable ground experience under expert guidance. Program tracks have different requirements:

Two-year MSW program students need:

• 900 total field hours (450 hours yearly)
• Two internships at different sites
• Two days weekly during fall and spring terms
• Monthly two-hour field seminar classes online

Advanced Standing program requires:

• One 450-hour internship
• Two days weekly during spring and summer terms
• Same seminar requirements

Students must complete fieldwork in their local community during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm). Evening and weekend-only placements aren’t available. These placements give you hands-on experience with individuals, groups, and communities while building professional skills.

Admission requirements

Two-year MSW program needs:

• An accredited undergraduate degree
• 0 minimum undergraduate GPA
• Human biology course (3 credits minimum)
• Simple or applied statistics course (3 credits minimum)
• 250 hours of volunteer/paid human service experience
• Professional readiness

Advanced Standing program has stricter requirements:

• CSWE-accredited BSW within 5 years (or 10 years with 5+ years of human services experience)
• 3 minimum undergraduate GPA
• BSW field placement evaluation

Application deadlines:

• December 1 for spring entry
• July 31 for fall entry
• April 1 for Advanced Standing

Students with GPAs below 3.0 might get provisional acceptance if other application materials show potential for graduate success.

Tuition and financial aid

NAU charges the same online program tuition whatever your residency status. Your semester costs depend on your course load since tuition is per credit hour.

Extra costs include:

• $660 MSW program fee each semester

You can pay for your education through:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – needed for any NAU aid
• Scholarships
• Fellowships and awards
• Graduate assistantships
• Veterans educational benefits
• Monthly tuition payment plans

Out-of-state students might qualify for in-state rates through the Western Regional Graduate Program. This option can lower your costs substantially.

NAU’s MSW program gives you an affordable, quality path to advance your social work career with specialized healthcare knowledge and other practice areas.

Grand Canyon University MSW Program

Grand Canyon University’s Master of Social Work program takes a faith-based approach to social work education. This private Christian institution blends spiritual values with professional social work competencies and stands out among Arizona’s MSW programs.

Program overview

The Master of Social Work program at GCU prepares students to become advanced generalist social work practitioners. Students learn to deliver services in a variety of settings to different populations. The curriculum focuses on:

• Evidence-based practice strategies and interventions
• Social justice work with diverse individuals, families, and communities
• Research, analysis, critical thinking, and leadership skill development

The program’s Christian worldview and values make it unique. Students learn to lead with kindness, compassion, and justice while creating meaningful changes in people’s lives. The program aims to create “innovative and responsible leadership in the social work profession by educating students to become agents of social change with the goal of social and economic justice on a local, national and international level”.

Specializations offered

GCU takes a complete advanced generalist approach rather than offering multiple concentration tracks. Students develop versatile skills they can use in many settings with different populations. The program teaches students to meet diverse needs through:

• Service and advocacy
• Empowerment techniques
• Theory analysis
• Program and practice evaluation
• Multidisciplinary collaboration
• Integration of social work values

Students can use this generalist foundation in advocacy groups, clinics, community organizations, correctional facilities, government departments, hospitals, mental health agencies, and many other settings.

Accreditation and format

The Master of Social Work program at GCU holds full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education Commission on Accreditation (CSWE). This recognition shows the program meets quality standards for social work education. CSWE accreditation:

• Confirms program quality
• Validates graduate competence
• Applies to all program sites and delivery methods
• Meets Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards

Your degree will meet industry-recognized professional standards with this accreditation. GCU also managed to keep its Higher Learning Commission accreditation since 1968.

Students can take the program online with 8-week courses, making it available for working professionals. The degree requires 62 credits for completion.

Fieldwork requirements

Field experience has a significant role in GCU’s MSW program. Students choose two field experience sites to practice their learned skills. Each placement lets students:

• Practice reflectively
• Build professional skills
• Learn through immersion
• Explore thought-provoking questions

Students complete four supervised 16-week practicums. These experiences help connect theoretical knowledge with real-life application. Students receive support from faculty, staff, field instructors, and liaisons throughout their placements.

Admission requirements

GCU’s MSW program requires:

• A bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited school
• Minimum GPA of 3.0

Students with a Bachelor of Social Work degree cannot join the standard MSW program because of curriculum overlap. GCU offers an Advanced Standing MSW option for BSW holders from accredited programs, letting them start with advanced coursework directly.

The Advanced Standing option covers specialized training in social work theory, practice, and ethics while keeping GCU’s Christian worldview integration.

Tuition and financial aid

GCU works to keep education affordable. Campus program tuition rates haven’t changed since 2009, showing the university’s steadfast dedication to affordability. While MSW program rates vary, students can get financial support through:

• Institutional scholarships
• Federal financial aid (FAFSA)
• Payment plans
• Military tuition discounts for online programs

The cost includes direct educational expenses (tuition and fees) and indirect costs like living expenses. Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to keep getting financial aid.

Social workers earned a median annual wage of $61,330 as of May 2024. The field expects 53,800 new jobs between 2022 and 2032. These numbers suggest that getting an MSW at GCU could be a smart career investment.

University of Denver MSW@Denver (Online Option for Arizona Students)

The University of Denver’s fully online MSW program gives Arizona residents a chance to gain new views in social work education from another Southwestern state. MSW@Denver brings social work education right to your screen, breaking down location barriers.

Program overview

MSW@Denver students earn 81 graduate-level credits over 27 months (full-time) or 36 months (part-time), with 900 hours of field internships. You’ll learn social work theory and practice that prepares you to work at micro, mezzo, and macro levels. The program teaches culturally responsive practices you’ll need in today’s diverse communities.

Specializations offered

Students follow the Advanced Social Work Practice concentration while customizing their learning path. You can choose sample tracks in Mental Health and Trauma or Health, Equity and Wellness, or create your own path. The Mental Health and Trauma track builds your skills in full assessment and trauma-informed care. The Health, Equity and Wellness option readies you for integrated healthcare approaches. Each track needs 45 concentration curriculum credits.

Accreditation and format

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits the program, which means your degree meets industry standards. The Higher Learning Commission also accredits the University of Denver.

Fieldwork requirements

Field education combines two internships—a 400-hour foundation placement at 13.5 weekly hours and a 500-hour concentration placement at 16.5 weekly hours. Field placement experts help you find the right sites in your area. Many students use the Place of Employment option to complete internships at their workplace.

Admission requirements

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA (3.0 preferred). The program starts four times a year—January, March, June, and September. Your application should include transcripts, an optional recommendation letter, resume, and a 4-6 page career goals statement.

Tuition and financial aid

Each credit hour costs $1,200 plus a $4 technology fee. The total program runs about $97,524 before financial aid. Students can use federal loans, scholarships, and payment plans to manage costs. Your financial aid journey starts when you file the FAFSA using school code 001371.

Choose an MSW Program in Arizona Today

Your choice of MSW program affects your career path as a social worker in Arizona. In this piece, you’ll find many CSWE-accredited options that match your career goals and personal needs.

ASU ranks #20 nationally and offers various specialization tracks both on-campus and online. NAU excels at training social workers to help rural and Indigenous populations – this is especially valuable if you want to serve these communities. GCU takes a unique approach by blending Christian values with professional social work skills. On top of that, the University of Denver’s online program gives you flexible specialization options whatever your location in Arizona.

These programs put field education first. You’ll get hands-on experience through structured internships. This practical training and complete theoretical coursework prepare you for licensure and professional practice.

The social work field shows strong growth potential. Employment is projected to increase by 7% through 2033, with average salaries at $64,360 per year. These promising numbers make an MSW degree a smart investment in your future.

Your perfect program depends on your preferred specialization, learning style, location, and values. The good news is that an MSW from any of these accredited schools will help you make a real difference in people’s lives across Arizona and beyond.