Top MSW Programs in Missouri

A career-defining choice awaits you with Missouri’s top-quality MSW programs. The state shines as a leader in social work education. Washington University’s George Warren Brown School of Social Work has consistently maintained high national rankings with U.S. News.

Students can choose from 10 MSW programs throughout the state. Seven traditional campus-based programs and seven online MSW programs in Missouri serve different needs. These online master’s programs give working professionals and those with family commitments the flexibility they need. The state ranks second nationwide in healthcare social worker concentrations, which makes it a perfect place to build your social work career.

Your career prospects look bright here. Missouri had 5,220 healthcare social workers in 2023, and job growth projections show a 16% increase. The state’s current social worker count stands at 16,900, with professionals earning an average of $52,728. Your MSW degree from Missouri could open doors to stable and fulfilling career opportunities.

This piece walks you through Missouri’s best MSW programs. From the nationally recognized Washington University to excellent institutions like Saint Louis University and University of Missouri-Kansas City, you’ll find programs with diverse specializations, formats, and admission requirements that align with your career goals.

Washington University in St. Louis MSW Program

The Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis ranks as Missouri’s leading destination for MSW education. This top-ranked program blends academic rigor with hands-on experience to prepare graduates who can solve complex social challenges in a variety of settings.

Program Overview

The Brown School’s MSW program at Washington University offers a 60-credit curriculum that prepares students for influential careers in social work. Students complete 21 credits of foundation courses, 4 credits of foundation practicum, 15 credits of concentration courses, 5 credits of concentration practicum, 6 credits of evaluation and leadership courses, and 9 credits of electives. This balanced structure will give students both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Students can shape their education through concentrations, specializations, and dual degree options. The curriculum uses an evidence-based approach to problem-solving. Statistics and analysis are essential competencies for student success.

Students with a Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program might qualify for advanced standing credit, which speeds up program completion. The program also offers course formats and scheduling options that match different student priorities.

MSW Specializations

The Brown School offers seven concentrations:

• American Indian and Alaska Native
• Children, Youth and Families
• Health
• Mental Health
• Social & Economic Development — Domestic
• Social & Economic Development — International
• Social Impact Leadership

Students can add specialized skills through these focused specializations:

• Management
• Older Adults and Aging Societies
• Policy
• Research
• Sexual Health and Education
• Social Entrepreneurship
• System Dynamics
• Violence & Injury Prevention

Each specialization needs specific coursework (usually 9 credits). Students must complete at least one of their five concentration practicum credits (120 hours) on specialization-related tasks. This setup creates individual-specific educational paths that match career goals.

Delivery Format

The Brown School’s MSW program comes in full-time and part-time options. Students can finish the full-time program in two years, while the part-time option takes three years with summer semesters.

Working professionals often choose the part-time MSW program because it fits better with work and other commitments. These students complete the same 60 credit hours as full-time students – 25 credits of foundation-level courses and practicum, plus 26 credits of concentration courses and practicum.

The part-time program uses a hybrid model that combines several learning methods:

• In-person classes on the St. Louis campus
• Remote learning through Zoom or Canvas
• Live interactive sessions
• Independent work components
• Weekly course schedules
• Weekend options (Friday-Sunday)

Remote learning enhances the part-time program, but students still attend some classes in St. Louis. This hybrid approach combines flexibility with valuable face-to-face learning.

Tuition & Costs

MSW tuition at Washington University costs $24,605 per semester for 2025-2026. Full-time academic year tuition totals $49,210. Students pay $812 in mandatory fees and roughly $27,900 in living expenses. The total estimated cost reaches $77,922.

Washington University requires all students to have health insurance. Full-time graduate students on the Danforth Campus get automatic enrollment in the basic student health insurance plan unless they show proof of similar coverage.

Brown School students can fund their education through:

• Brown School scholarships (awarded at admission)
• External scholarships
• Brown School fellowships
• Yellow Ribbon Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits
• Federal work-study
• Federal student loans
• Part-time employment
• Out-of-pocket payments

Doctoral students receive financial packages with tuition coverage and five years of stipend support. Base stipends for 2025-26 will reach $37,853 yearly, plus $1,000 annually for professional development.

Admission Requirements

The Brown School welcomes students from all academic backgrounds with an all-encompassing evaluation approach. MSW program applicants need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university.

Applications work on a modified rolling basis with two deadlines:

• Early Review Deadline: December 1
• Priority Review Deadline: March 1

A complete application needs:

1. Official transcripts
2. Personal statement (two pages, single-spaced)
3. Resume or CV
4. Video interview
5. Letters of recommendation
6. $50 application fee
7. Scholarship form (for financial assistance seekers)

The Brown School skips standardized tests like the GRE for MSW admission. International students must submit official English language proficiency test scores.

Special admission tracks include:

• Advanced Standing Status: Students with a BSW from CSWE-accredited programs earned within six years can get up to 19 credit hours
• 3-2 MSW Program: Washington University juniors can earn both degrees in five years
• Transfer Students: Credit transfers accepted from other graduate schools
• Dual Degree Options: Students combine MSW with public health, business, education, law, architecture, or urban design degrees

Part-time program applicants should plan to attend classes in person, either weekly in evenings or during weekends.

The Brown School at Washington University leads Missouri’s MSW programs through academic excellence, flexible options, and an all-encompassing approach to social work education. Students graduate ready for successful careers in social work through rigorous courses, field experiences, and specialization opportunities.

Saint Louis University MSW Program

Saint Louis University ranks among the top 13% of all social work schools nationally according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 rankings. The School of Social Work offers one of the best programs in Missouri. Students get both academic excellence and hands-on experience to tackle modern social challenges.

Program Overview

The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program at Saint Louis University focuses on professional practice that enables vulnerable populations through social justice. The program has kept its accreditation since 1933 [link_2]. The American Association of Schools of Social Work first accredited it, followed by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1952. The latest reaffirmation came in 2018.

Students need 48 credit hours of classroom and practicum courses to complete their MSW at Saint Louis University. The foundation courses teach simple social work theory and methods. These help students work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students then pick specialized concentration courses in their area of interest.

SLU’s program stands out because of its cross-disciplinary approach. Students can take electives in criminal justice and applied behavior analysis along with social work. This mix gives graduates a unique view and knowledge base that traditional programs don’t offer.

The courses push students to think deeply about complex issues that affect health in different communities. Special classes on ethics and social justice help create future leaders who can handle tough challenges.

MSW Specializations

Students can choose from three concentrations:

1. Clinical Concentration – Students learn to assess, intervene, and evaluate individuals, families, and groups. The focus stays on evidence-based interventions. Students follow a strengths-based, culturally competent, holistic bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach.
2. Community and Organization Concentration – This path prepares students to work on social problems at community, organizational, and societal levels. The School’s social justice values shape this concentration. Graduates often work in community action agencies that create systemic change.
3. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Concentration – This unique path needs 53 credits instead of 48 because it offers dual credentials. Students learn to work with people who have disabilities in various settings.

Students can also pick three elective courses to shape their education further.

Delivery Format

SLU knows graduate students need flexibility. The MSW program runs both fully online and on campus. Students pick what works best for them.

Course formats fit different schedules:

• Traditional 15-week format with two-hour-and-45-minute classes in fall and spring
• Accelerated 10-week format with three-hour-and-45-minute classes in summer

Students with a bachelor’s in social work from a CSWE-accredited program can take the Advanced Standing track. They might skip up to 18 credit hours if they got B’s or better in similar undergraduate courses.

The accelerated BSW to MSW program lets students earn both degrees in five years. Top BSW students can take up to 12 graduate credits in their senior year that count for both degrees.

Tuition & Costs

The program costs stay the same throughout enrollment:

These amounts cover tuition and university fees. For 2025-26, expect these costs:

• Full-time tuition per semester: $8,400 (6+ credit hours)
• University fee: $435 full-time, $250 part-time
• Student Government Activity Fee: $30 for graduate students
• Books, transportation, and housing costs vary

Every new student in 2024 got some scholarship help from alumni and benefactors. The School offers several funding options:

• Full Graduate Assistantships: Work 20 hours weekly, get tuition covered for one year, monthly pay, and possible health insurance
• Partial Graduate Internships: Work 8 or 16 hours weekly for $5,000 or $10,000 in tuition help

These roles help with research, teaching, and community work. Apply by March 1. Assistantships last one year, while internships might extend to two years.

Admission Requirements

The program looks at each candidate’s full profile. Applications stay open until August 1 for fall and December 1 for spring.

You need:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• 00 minimum GPA (might accept lower with conditions)
• Completed application form
• Official transcripts
• Professional statement
• Resume

International students must prove English skills with a TOEFL score of 92 or higher.

A Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program might qualify you for Advanced Standing. This could save up to 15 credits toward your MSW.

The school checks everyone for merit scholarships automatically. Graduate assistantship applications need separate forms by March 1.

Saint Louis University’s MSW program gives great value in Missouri. Top faculty, flexible classes, and strong financial support make it stand out. The focus on social justice and mix of theory with practice helps graduates succeed in healthcare, schools, criminal justice, and community organizations.

University of Missouri-Kansas City MSW Program

UMKC’s MSW program boasts a strong foundation that prepares skilled social work practitioners for metropolitan areas. This 24-year old program emerged through teamwork between the University of Missouri System and social service agencies. The program earned its initial accreditation in 2003 and received reaffirmation in 2015.

Program Overview

The Master of Social Work program at UMKC takes an advanced generalist approach. Students learn to tackle complex challenges in human service organizations of all sizes. The program aims to create “competent, advanced generalist social work practitioners to meet the needs of multicultural diverse populations in a dynamic mid-western metropolitan context”.

Graduates become culturally proficient, ethical leaders who use knowledge-driven, interprofessional practice to champion social and economic justice. The curriculum builds on these core professional competencies:

• Practice theory and intervention
• Diversity and human rights
• Organizations and leadership
• Community-building and social action
• Research and evaluation
• Professional development

Traditional full-time students complete a detailed 60-credit curriculum that blends classroom learning with hands-on experience over two years. BSW degree holders can opt for the accelerated Advanced Standing program. This 36-credit program starts with a spring or summer semester and continues with a full year of coursework plus field practicum.

MSW Specializations

UMKC adopts an advanced generalist model instead of narrow specializations. This approach equips students to work in multiple settings. The curriculum splits into two main phases:

The foundation/generalist year covers:

• Generalist social work practice theory and skills
• Social policy (including social and economic justice)
• Human behavior in the social environment
• Social work research and program evaluation
• Generalist field practicum (approximately 16 hours weekly)

The concentration/specialization year builds advanced generalist methods with an urban focus. Students complete:

• Advanced practice methods courses
• A capstone project
• Four elective courses with academic advisor guidance
• Second field practicum (approximately 16 hours weekly)

This structure helps graduates develop skills to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Delivery Format

UMKC caters to working professionals with classes scheduled during late afternoons, evenings, and weekends. The program offers several formats:

• Traditional MSW: A 60-credit-hour curriculum combining classroom and field practicum
• Advanced Standing MSW: A 36-credit-hour curriculum for students with an accredited BSW
• Part-time Options: Both tracks work with part-time schedules, with a four-year completion limit

Students can also choose an “Open Enrollment” option that lets them start out-of-cycle and finish electives early in their program.

Field practicums play a vital role in learning. Students spend about two days weekly in the field under an MSW practitioner’s guidance. Social service professionals might complete one year of field placements at their current workplace.

Tuition & Costs

UMKC’s 2025-2026 academic year tuition rates vary by residency:

*Select Kansas counties’ legal residents qualify for the Graduate Metro Rate.

Full-time graduate students taking six credit hours per semester face different annual costs based on living arrangements:

• Living off-campus: $28,422 (Missouri/Kansas rate), $31,602 (Heartland rate), or $38,172 (nonresident)
• Living on-campus: $28,460 (Missouri/Kansas rate), $31,640 (Heartland rate), or $38,210 (nonresident)
• Living with parents: $20,076 (Missouri/Kansas rate), $23,256 (Heartland rate), or $29,826 (nonresident)

Financial support remains strong – 80% of first-year master’s students receive financial aid.

Admission Requirements

The program welcomes students from various academic backgrounds. A social work undergraduate degree isn’t mandatory for traditional MSW, but BSW holders exclusively qualify for advanced standing.

Simple eligibility requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (preferably with broad liberal arts foundation in social, behavioral, or psychological sciences)
• 0 minimum cumulative GPA preferred (experience or circumstances might allow lower GPAs for provisional admission)
• No GRE needed

Application needs:

• Online application and $45 fee for domestic students ($75 for international students)
• Resume
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts
• Statement of values and ethics (2-5 pages)
• Essay on preparation for professional training (2-5 pages)
• Additional essay for Advanced Standing applicants only

Key deadlines:

• Advanced Standing program: February 1
• Traditional MSW program: March 1
• Open enrollment: April 1 (Summer), June 1 (Fall), November 1 (Spring)

UMKC’s MSW program shines among Missouri’s MSW programs. Its flexible schedules, urban-focused curriculum, and emphasis on practical field experience create graduates who excel in tackling social challenges in Kansas City’s metropolitan area and beyond.

Missouri Baptist University Online MSW Program

Missouri Baptist University’s Master of Social Work program stands out among the online MSW programs in Missouri. The program blends Christian principles with professional social work education. The program has received full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Program Overview

Missouri Baptist University’s MSW program earned its full CSWE accreditation retroactive to its 2020 launch. This validation extends through February 2031. The program shows a strong dedication to meeting educational standards while keeping its Christian worldview approach.

The program wants to create “ethical, competent and effective advanced social work practitioners who integrate the knowledge, values and skills of social work to advance social and economic justice”. Students learn to excel in healthcare, mental health services, child and family welfare, community organizations, and policy development roles.

The job market looks promising for graduates. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% growth in social work positions from 2023 to 2033. This growth rate exceeds the average for all occupations and should create about 67,300 openings each year.

MSW Specializations

MBU’s 60-credit hour curriculum follows a well-laid-out approach with these components:

• Generalist Coursework (27 hours): Covers fundamental social work concepts including human behavior, research methods, policy advocacy, and field experience
• Specialized Coursework (24 hours): Focuses on advanced practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations
• Electives (9 hours): Has courses on self-care, faith-based social services, and special topics

The program blends social work theories with Christian values. Students learn to serve communities with both professional expertise and spiritual awareness.

Delivery Format

MBU offers several flexible program options:

1. Full-Time Program: Complete the degree in two years
2. Part-Time Program: Finish in approximately three years
3. Advanced Standing Program: Accelerated option for students with BSW degrees

The program moved to a fully online format in fall 2020. Dr. Nikki Johnson, director and associate professor of social work at MBU, explains: “Most of our students are working professionals juggling various life demands. They need flexibility”.

Students can balance their educational goals with personal and professional commitments while getting high-quality instruction.

Tuition & Costs

MBU’s MSW program costs $697 per credit hour for the 2025-2026 academic year. The 60-credit program has these costs:

The university also offers scholarships to help with educational expenses. Students should know that courses might move faster than typical graduate coursework since they follow specific degree paths and timeframes.

Admission Requirements

MBU makes the admissions process simple for future MSW students. You can complete applications online, and an enrollment counselor will contact you about next steps.

The program looks at both academic background and professional experience when evaluating candidates. Students can choose between full and part-time options at competitive tuition rates.

Students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program can take the Advanced Standing option. This path lets full-time students finish in as little as 12 months.

MBU remains the only evangelical Christian institution offering an MSW degree in the St. Louis area. The program gives students a unique way to blend faith with professional social work practice.

Missouri Western State University MSW Program

Missouri Western State University stands out among MSW programs in Missouri with its trauma-informed approach. The university’s growing program in Saint Joseph awaits CSWE candidacy status and serves professionals who want to make a difference in Northwestern Missouri communities.

Program Overview

Missouri Western’s MSW program goes beyond a typical graduate degree. Students learn through a trauma-informed, applied framework that helps families and communities achieve justice and improved well-being. The program lines up with Social Work’s Grand Challenges and builds on strength-based practice, competence, and client-centered care. The program completed its second year and moves toward full accreditation. Students who graduated in these two years will receive credit for graduating from a fully accredited program once this status comes through.

MSW Specializations

Missouri Western takes a different path from traditional specializations. The program builds expertise in generalist social work practice through its distinctive trauma-informed curriculum. Students learn to tackle health disparities and implement justice-oriented interventions. Their work has created approximately 32,000 hours of service to Northwest Missouri through student practicum requirements.

Delivery Format

Students attend classes once weekly on campus with additional online components they can complete at their own pace. This setup works well for professionals who need flexibility but value face-to-face learning. The program will team up with Voices of Courage in fall 2025 to create a mental health clinic for parents and children. This partnership combines practical education with community service.

Tuition & Costs

Graduate tuition rates for 2025-2026 academic year:

Full-time graduate students should expect total costs of $41,368 for residents or $48,320 for non-residents.

Admission Requirements

Students can choose between two tracks:

• Traditional Track: Students with any bachelor’s degree need biology with lab and statistics courses
• Advanced Standing Track: Available to students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program

Both tracks need:

• Minimum 2.75 GPA (conditional admission possible)
• Statement of purpose
• Professional references (two)
• Criminal background check (Class A or B felony convictions disqualify)

The MSW program accepts applications from early spring semester through late March each year.

Finding Your Perfect MSW Program in Missouri

Missouri is a great state to pursue your social work education and career. This piece shows you five unique MSW programs that each give you different advantages to match your career goals and personal needs.

Washington University lets you customize your prestigious education with many specializations. Saint Louis University blends academic excellence with strong social justice foundations. UMKC gives you flexibility with its urban-focused advanced generalist approach. Missouri Baptist University weaves Christian principles into its fully online program. On top of that, Missouri Western State University puts trauma-informed practice at the center of its hybrid learning environment.

Your choice will come down to a few key things—how much it costs, what you can specialize in, how classes are taught, and where you want to study. Whatever program you pick, the career future looks bright. Healthcare social work jobs are growing by 23% each year, and Missouri’s 16,900 social workers show how stable this field is.

You should plan some virtual or in-person visits to your top program choices. Talking directly with admissions counselors, current students, and faculty members will give you a better picture than any website can. Looking at each program’s field placement options might help you connect with organizations where you’d like to work after graduation.

The best MSW program will line up with what you need now and where you want your career to go. Missouri’s strong reputation for social work education and practice means any accredited program will set you up for success. Picking between these excellent options isn’t easy, but this detailed comparison gives you what you need to make the right choice for your future in social work.