Best MSW Programs in Georgia

MSW programs in Georgia are a great way to get exceptional career opportunities. Social workers earn an average salary of $57,640, and experts project job growth of 7% over the next decade. This rewarding field ranks as the 13th most popular program of study nationwide.

The state of Georgia features several outstanding Master’s in Social Work programs with nationally recognized credentials. The 2024 US News & World Report rankings place the University of Georgia at an impressive 20th position nationally. Georgia State University and Clark Atlanta University follow at 51st and 60th positions respectively. Students can choose from 10 CSWE-accredited social work programs across the state. These programs also come with various specializations and learning formats. Online MSW programs in Georgia give working professionals the flexibility they need.

Quality MSW programs in Georgia prepare you academically and set you up for financial success. Master’s degree holders can expect to earn around $66,737, which is by a lot higher than the $45,565 early career salary for bachelor’s graduates. UGA’s unique dual degree options let you combine your MSW with fields like public health, law, or divinity. This opens many more career paths for ambitious professionals.

University of Georgia (UGA)

The University of Georgia (UGA) ranks as a top destination for students who want to pursue advanced social work education in Georgia. Ranked No. 10 among public MSW programs and No. 20 overall by U.S. News and World Report, UGA provides a detailed social work education with multiple paths that fit different student needs.

Program Overview

The UGA School of Social Work shapes future leaders who tackle local, national, and global challenges. This CSWE-accredited program meets Georgia’s educational requirements for social work licensing. Students who graduate are ready for professional success. UGA’s MSW program uses a cohort model. You move through your courses with the same group of peers and build strong professional networks.

Students can pick from several program formats:

• Athens Campus Full-Time: 2-year program with daytime classes
• Athens Campus Advanced Standing: 11-month accelerated option for BSW holders
• Gwinnett Campus Extended-Time: 3 or 4-year program with evening classes
• Online Extended-Time: 3-year program with asynchronous online classes

Field experience is in UGA’s MSW education. Full program students complete 18 credits of practicum education within their 60-credit degree. Advanced standing students finish 12 practicum credits as part of their 40-credit program. These field experiences mix classroom learning with real-life practice to boost your professional growth.

Specializations Offered

Students at UGA’s Athens campus can choose from three distinct specializations:

1. Micro Practice – This track focuses on work with individuals, families, and groups in various settings. It prepares you for roles like school social worker, counselor, substance abuse social worker, child and family social worker, and medical social worker.
2. Macro Practice – Students learn organizational leadership, community organizing, and policy practice.
3. Integrated Practice – This option blends micro and macro practice approaches.

The Gwinnett Extended-Time and Online MSW programs offer the Micro specialization only. These programs suit students interested in clinical social work practice.

Tuition and Costs

UGA ranks among the nation’s best values in higher education. Current tuition rates for the MSW program are:

Online MSW students pay about $38,700 in total tuition based on 2024-25 rates. They also pay a technology fee of $422 per semester.

You can find the full cost breakdown, including living expenses, on the UGA Office of Student Financial Aid website.

Admission Requirements

The MSW program accepts students with a bachelor’s degree in any major from a regionally accredited institution. The program looks at your overall application strength rather than specific undergraduate majors.

Your application must include:

• Online application through the UGA Graduate School
• Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended
• Detailed personal narrative statement
• Resumé highlighting human service experience
• Three letters of recommendation (at least one academic reference preferred)
• Application fee: $75 for first application, $25 for each additional application

GRE scores are optional. Submit them only if they strengthen your application.

The application deadline for 2025-2026 runs until May 31, 2025. Applications received by January 10, 2025, get priority review. International students must apply by the priority deadline.

Advanced Standing applicants need:

• BSW from a CSWE-accredited program
• Degree earned within five years of starting the MSW program
• Minimum 3.2 GPA in undergraduate social work classes

Unique Features

UGA’s program includes several special features that boost your learning:

Dual Degree Options: You can earn two master’s degrees in public health (MSW/MPH) or law (MSW/JD). These combinations help you specialize in high-demand fields.

Certificate Programs: Add certificates in substance use counseling, nonprofit management and leadership, gerontology, and other areas. These give you an edge in specific practice areas.

Exceptional Field Education: UGA’s practicum placements provide hands-on experience. Generalist students complete 312 clock hours across two semesters. Specialization students finish 600 clock hours. These carefully picked placements connect your classroom learning to professional work.

Funding Opportunities: Students can access various financial support options:

• Graduate assistantships
• Behavioral Health Internship Program
• Cancelable loan programs
• School of Social Work scholarships
• Title IV-E Welfare Education Program
• Veteran’s benefits

Focus on Social Justice: The program teaches evidence-based practice and advocacy to address power and oppression in society. This PrOSEAD philosophy recognizes how power and resources have been distributed historically and today.

High Licensing Exam Pass Rates: UGA graduates score high on national licensing exams. This shows how the program prepares competent practitioners.

UGA’s MSW program combines academic excellence with practical experience and flexible options. Students can choose full-time study or balance their education with work. The program helps you reach your social work career goals through various pathways.

Georgia State University (GSU)

Georgia State University (GSU) runs one of the best MSW programs in Georgia from its downtown Atlanta campus. The program shapes social work leaders who can tackle complex community challenges. Students get both academic excellence and hands-on community experience to become well-rounded professionals.

Program Overview

The Master of Social Work program at Georgia State builds strong community partnerships through a generalist practice model. Students learn through three core areas: Liberal Arts, Social Work Generalist Practice, and Social Work Specialization. This complete approach helps graduates solve both current and future challenges in communities within the US and worldwide.

Students can finish the program in different ways:

• Full-time students take two calendar years
• Part-time students take three calendar years
• BSW graduates who qualify can take the advanced standing option

Standard program students need 60 semester hours while advanced standing students complete 39 semester hours. Advanced standing starts each summer (June) with 9 semester hours in summer session. Students finish this track in one year.

GSU gives students more options with hybrid first-year courses that mix online and classroom learning. All MSW classes take place at GSU’s downtown campus during weekdays, Monday through Friday.

Specializations Offered

GSU’s MSW program has a clear focus. It offers one specialization in Community Partnerships that helps graduates meet community needs and push for social and economic justice.

Students learn both clinical and macro practice social work through advanced generalist practice. This helps them work on issues like poverty, violence, discrimination, and unfair treatment that often hit vulnerable groups hardest.

The Community Partnerships track teaches students about urban social issues through social and economic justice. GSU graduates now lead in many areas:

• Healthcare
• Public child welfare services
• Nonprofit management
• Many other fields

Tuition and Costs

GSU makes sure students get great value while keeping graduate education affordable. Here are the 2024-25 tuition rates:

Online students taking 6 or more credits pay an extra $660 per semester for online learning. Other fees might include:

• $50 to apply for graduation
• $20 to replace a diploma
• $35 for returned checks
• $50 for late registration
• $37.50 for manual registration

The total cost includes housing, food, books, materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, and loan fees. Master’s graduates earn about $10,000 more each year than those with bachelor’s degrees, making this a smart investment.

Admission Requirements

GSU sets high standards to help students succeed. You need:

• An undergraduate degree with either:
  • 0 GPA in all undergraduate courses, or
  • 25 GPA in your last 60 semester hours
• For advanced standing:
  • 25 overall GPA
  • BSW from a CSWE-accredited program
  • Degree earned in the past five years
• Required prerequisites:
  • An introductory statistics course with “C” or better
  • Liberal Arts background required by the Council of Social Work Education

You must submit three reference forms. At least one should come from a professor, and others from work or volunteer supervisors. References from friends, family, or peers won’t work.

The school reviews transfer credits case by case. Transfer credits must be from CSWE-accredited MSW programs with “B” grades or higher. You’ll hear back about admission 4-6 weeks after the deadline.

Unique Features

GSU’s MSW program stands out in several ways:

Field Education Excellence: Students work with field supervisors and faculty liaisons in a partnership between schools and practice sites. Standard program students complete 900 hours of field work, while advanced standing students do 500 hours.

Community-Centered Mission: Students learn critical thinking and communication skills for community work. They also develop leadership skills to build stronger communities.

Online Program Options: The online MSW matches the campus program’s curriculum. Online students pay the same rate no matter where they live.

Financial Support Options: Students can get help through:

• Graduate assistantships
• Fellowships
• Scholarships from the Scholarship Resource Center
• Veterans educational benefits

Urban Learning Environment: The downtown Atlanta location lets students work with diverse urban communities and tackle real-life social issues.

CSWE Accreditation: The Council on Social Work Education fully accredits the program, so graduates meet all professional license requirements.

GSU’s MSW program ranks high among master’s in social work choices. Students love its community focus, flexible formats, and dedication to social and economic justice. The program creates leaders who make real change in urban communities and social services.

Clark Atlanta University (CAU)

Clark Atlanta University’s (CAU) historic Whitney M. Young Jr., School of Social Work stands out with its distinctive MSW education. The program equips future social workers with a clinical practice degree built on social justice foundations and an Afrocentric viewpoint. CAU’s status as a private, historically Black research university creates an exceptional learning environment among MSW programs in Georgia.

Program Overview

The Whitney M. Young Jr., School of Social Work at CAU shapes clinical social work practitioners who can work effectively in various roles. The program aims to develop leaders who champion social justice, serve diverse populations, tackle common disparity issues, and show competence in their practice.

Students can choose from three program tracks:

• Two-Year Plan of Study (59 semester credit hours)
• Three-Year Part-Time Plan of Study (59 semester credit hours)
• Advanced Standing Plan of Study (38 semester credit hours)

Standard two-year and three-year programs split the curriculum between professional generalist coursework and clinical concentration. Students must complete 900 hours of site-based field education. Advanced standing students need 450 hours of field education.

Three key themes shape the MSW program’s foundation:

1. Autonomous Social Work Practice – Students learn to reflect and assess their own practice
2. Humanistic Values – Students embrace human dignity and worth
3. Afrocentric Perspective – A practice model that celebrates shared cultural experiences among people of African descent

Students at CAU must complete at least 50% of their degree credits through in-person classes, as required by accreditation standards.

Specializations Offered

The program focuses on clinical practice with two specialization paths:

1. Child and Family – Students learn to support children and families in different settings while understanding family systems’ challenges and strengths.
2. Health/Mental Health – Students prepare to work in healthcare and mental health services.

Both paths build on ecological and systems theories and use developmental and life-stage theories to create complete practice frameworks. Students become ready to practice ethically with clients of all backgrounds.

Tuition and Costs

The school keeps its graduate program rates competitive for both online and on-campus students.

Advanced standing students (38 credits) pay about $38,304 in tuition for 2024-25, plus $2,660 in course fees. Standard program students (59 credits) pay about $59,472 in tuition plus $4,130 in course fees.

Students should plan for books, housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses. All the same, MSW graduates earn more by a lot compared to those with bachelor’s degrees.

Admission Requirements

The program looks for candidates ready for graduate social work education through a complete review process. Requirements change slightly based on the program track:

All applicants (Two-Year, Three-Year, and Advanced Standing) need:

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college
• Liberal arts background with 21 semester credit hours in social/behavioral sciences and humanities
• Three semester credit hours in biological science/general biology
• Three semester credit hours in mathematics (100 level or above)
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 for standard programs
• Three signed letters of recommendation on letterhead with contact information
• Personal statement (3-5 pages, double-spaced, 12pt font)
• Non-refundable application fee of $40

Advanced Standing applicants also need:

• BSW from a CSWE-accredited social work program
• Minimum 3.2 GPA in undergraduate social work classes

The personal statement should show your social work journey and readiness for graduate studies. This helps the committee see your writing skills, self-awareness, and dedication to social work.

Unique Features

The program stands out from other master’s in social work programs through several key aspects:

Clinical Practice Focus – The program dedicates itself to advanced clinical social work practice, unlike programs offering both clinical and macro tracks. This lets students learn clinical methods deeply.

Afrocentric Perspective – This core theme brings together shared cultural experiences and values of people with African descent. This shapes how students learn throughout the program.

Historical Legacy – The school continues its rich tradition of social work education focused on social justice and helping marginalized communities.

Advanced Standing Options – BSW graduates can finish their degree in one year through the advanced standing program, starting with a summer bridge program.

Research Emphasis – Students work on a thesis or conceptual paper, learning evidence-based practice.

Study Abroad Opportunities – Students who complete one academic year successfully can join CAU’s Study Abroad Program, taking approved substitute courses.

Clinical Practice with Diverse Populations – Students learn to handle complex social issues, especially those affecting African Americans and other marginalized groups.

Clark Atlanta University’s program suits students who want clinical practice skills with strong social justice and cultural awareness foundations. The Whitney M. Young Jr., School of Social Work creates leaders who can tackle today’s social challenges using an approach that values different viewpoints.

Kennesaw State University (KSU)

Kennesaw State University runs one of the best clinical-focused MSW programs you’ll find in Georgia. The program boasts the highest licensure exam pass rates in the state, which makes it a top choice among MSW programs in Georgia. Students benefit from CSWE accreditation and a cutting-edge curriculum that prepares them to help people through proven methods.

Program Overview

The Master of Social Work program at Kennesaw State helps students become skilled at improving lives. Students learn to help individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The program teaches evidence-based approaches to provide compassionate, ethical care through psychotherapy, family counseling, and case management.

KSU offers two distinct program tracks:

• Traditional MSW Program: A 60-credit hour program completed over four academic semesters (two years), with 48 hours in the classroom and 12 hours in supervised field practicum
• Advanced Standing Program: A 36-credit hour accelerated option to students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned within the last six years

The program’s CSWE accreditation lets graduates take the Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) exam and pursue further clinical supervision for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credentials.

Specializations Offered

Clinical social work practice sits at the heart of KSU’s MSW program. The university offers specialized options that help students reach their career goals:

The MSW/MBA Dual Degree shapes future leaders who balance people and planet with profit. This groundbreaking program, the first of its kind in Georgia, opens doors to careers in Corporate Social Responsibility, Employee Assistance Programs, and managed care organizations.

The Graduate Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship equips students with tools to tackle complex societal, health, and environmental challenges through entrepreneurial approaches.

Tuition and Costs

KSU’s tuition rates vary based on where you live and how you take classes. Here were the rates for 2024-2025:

Students in the 60-credit traditional MSW program save money when taking 15 credits per semester. KSU charges for only 12 credits. Remember to budget for books, housing, transportation, and personal expenses.

Admission Requirements

The MSW program at KSU has specific requirements:

Traditional MSW Program students need a bachelor’s degree with broad liberal arts background in social, behavioral, psychological sciences, human biology, humanities, or statistics.

Advanced Standing Program candidates should have a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned within six years, plus a 3.0 GPA in their last 60 undergraduate hours.

Every applicant must provide:

• Official transcripts showing a 3.0 GPA in their last 60 undergraduate hours
• Two recommendation letters (one from a faculty member)
• A writing sample (6 pages max, double-spaced) covering five specific areas

Unique Features

KSU’s MSW program stands out among other masters in social work programs. This is a big deal as it means that in 2022, KSU MSW graduates topped Georgia’s pass rates for both LMSW and LCSW exams, beating national averages.

Students get real-life experience through clinical field practicum at approved agencies across Atlanta. Full-time students spend two days at field sites during both years.

Students interested in school social work can get scholarship funding through a Department of Education 5-year grant. This helps those planning to work with school-aged children’s behavioral health in rural and underserved Georgia counties.

The program works well for busy professionals. Classes fit various schedules while maintaining high academic standards. Many students balance their studies with work during nights, weekends, and holidays.

Valdosta State University (VSU)

Valdosta State University’s MSW program in Georgia features an innovative hybrid format that combines weekend intensives with online coursework. This setup gives busy professionals a chance to earn advanced social work credentials.

Program Overview

The Department of Human Services runs a hybrid, competency-based program fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Students need to attend five weekend intensives each semester (Fridays 5:00 pm and Saturdays), while they can finish the remaining coursework online. This setup works great for students who have full-time jobs or live away from campus. The program comes with these options:

• 2-year full-time plan
• 3-year part-time plan
• Advanced Standing (1-year) for qualified BSW graduates

Specializations Offered

VSU emphasizes Advanced Generalist Practice to prepare graduates for work with individuals, families, organizations, and communities. This integrated approach gives you the skills needed in social work settings of all types, from clinical practices to community organizations.

Tuition and Costs

The program maintains competitive rates among masters in social work programs:

These rates include books ($600) and basic housing costs.

Admission Requirements

You’ll need:

• Bachelor’s degree with liberal arts foundation
• Minimum 3.0 GPA in last two years of study
• Three recommendations (one from faculty)
• Personal statement
• Completed MSW Supplemental Application

Advanced Standing candidates must have a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned in the last five years.

Unique Features

The program’s flexibility sets it apart. Working professionals love the hybrid format, which shows in its high enrollment numbers. Students can complete their field education within VSU’s 41-county service region. The program ensures all graduates meet social work licensing educational requirements, showing its steadfast dedication to professional standards. Many students choose this program because they can advance their education while keeping their jobs.

Choosing Your Path in Social Work Education

Georgia’s CSWE-accredited MSW programs offer excellent paths to advance your social work career with strong financial rewards. MSW graduates earn $66,737 on average – a big jump from the BSW holder’s $45,565. The job market looks promising with a 7% growth expected in the next decade.

Each program brings something special to the table. UGA ranks in the nation’s top 20 and lets you choose from many specializations. GSU shines with its community partnerships and urban setting. CAU offers a clinical practice degree with an Afrocentric point of view. KSU leads Georgia with the best licensure exam pass rates. VSU’s innovative hybrid format gives students the most flexibility.

Your career goals should drive your program choice. KSU or CAU might work best if you want to practice clinically. GSU could be your pick if community development is your passion. UGA’s wide range of specializations works well if you’re still learning about different social work paths.

The way you learn best matters a lot in picking a program. These schools all set high academic standards but teach differently. VSU needs you on campus just five weekends each semester. GSU runs some first-year courses in a hybrid way. UGA lets you choose between traditional campus classes and fully online learning.

Money plays a vital role in your decision. Tuition costs change based on where you live and how you study. Most schools help with scholarships, assistantships, and special funding programs. BSW graduates can save time and money through advanced standing options.

Field education shapes your professional growth. Programs differ in where they place you, how many hours you need, and how they supervise. UGA uses a cohort model that helps build strong professional networks.

Any Georgia MSW program you pick will prepare you to help individuals, families, and communities while giving you solid career options. Your advanced degree will give you specialized knowledge that’s valuable in healthcare, education, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.