MSW Programs in Nebraska

Thinking about MSW programs in Nebraska? The state currently has 7 Master’s degrees in Social Work, but only 2 MSW programs that will prepare you to work as a social worker.

Students can choose from various learning formats that match their lifestyle – full-time, part-time, online, or on-campus. Your MSW degree will open doors to multiple career paths with solid earning potential. Healthcare Social Workers earn a median salary of $49,830 yearly, while specialized social workers in Omaha can make up to $71,340 annually. On top of that, economic shifts have pushed many professionals to pursue advanced degrees like MSW at the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Nebraska Wesleyan University stands out with its trauma-conscious approach and hybrid learning options. Students learning LMSW programs will be ready for licensure through quality education pathways. These programs blend clinical training with policy practice and community advocacy. Extensive practicum hours ensure graduates can handle modern social work challenges effectively.

Nebraska Wesleyan University MSW Program

Nebraska Wesleyan University’s distinctive MSW program trains social work professionals using a trauma-conscious approach. This 2-year-old program has quickly become a valuable choice for aspiring social workers in Nebraska.

Key features

NWU’s Master of Social Work program stands out with its trauma-conscious focus. Students learn advanced social work practices to help individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. This specialized approach helps graduates support clients who need to deal with past or ongoing trauma. The program also prepares them to get clinical licensure or practitioner certification.

Students learn to think critically about systemic oppression, promote social justice, apply ethical standards, and build strengths and resiliency among diverse populations. The program has four main goals:

1. Help students become skilled trauma-conscious advanced level practitioners
2. Build critical thinking and ethical practice skills
3. Make students self-aware and self-regulated when working with diverse populations
4. Train students to spot social injustices and oppression at all practice levels

The program has earned full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education‘s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation. This peer-reviewed accreditation shows the program meets high-quality standards. Students can trust the program’s quality regardless of location or delivery method.

Working professionals will find this program particularly convenient. Students can take classes in a hybrid format that combines online coursework with in-person sessions in Lincoln on Tuesday or Thursday evenings. Eight-week course sessions let students manage their education alongside work commitments.

Admission requirements

Three MSW faculty members review each application using a standardized rubric. Students can choose between two entry paths:

Generalist MSW Program (66 credit hours) needs:

• A bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited college/university
• Statistics coursework
• At least 9 credit hours in social sciences (sociology, psychology, political science, etc.)
• A resume showing volunteer, internship, and/or work experience
• Two references (one academic reference preferred)
• An APA format writing sample that shows graduate-level writing skills

Advanced Standing MSW Program (34 credit hours) needs:

• A CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work (minimum 3.0 GPA)
• BSW degree earned in the last 5 years (older degrees reviewed case-by-case)
• Statistics and social sciences coursework
• A resume with relevant experience
• Two references
• An APA format writing sample
• Undergraduate program practicum evaluation

Students can apply at different times. Early decision deadline is November 15 with decisions by December 1. Priority applications are due February 15 with decisions by March 1. After that, applications are accepted until cohorts fill up.

Tuition and fees

The 2024-2025 program costs $540 per credit hour. Here’s what a typical student taking 6 credit hours per semester (12 annually) might spend:

Direct Expenses:

• Tuition: $6,480 annually
• Matriculation fee: $160 (new students only)
• Student fee: $240 ($20 per credit hour)
• Total direct expenses: $6,880 (new students) or $6,720 (returning students)

Indirect Expenses:

• Housing/Food: $13,000 ($6,500 per semester)
• Books: $600 (about $50 per credit hour)
• Personal expenses: $1,500
• Transportation: $1,000
• Total indirect expenses: $16,100

New students can expect to pay $22,980 while returning students pay $22,820. Financial aid can help reduce these costs. Graduate students received around $7,400 in aid on average last year.

Practicum structure

Hands-on experience plays a vital role in NWU’s MSW program. Each track has specific field placement requirements:

• Generalist curriculum students need 400 hours of generalist-level practicum
• All students must complete 500 hours of specialized-level practicum

Students must complete these steps before starting field placements:

1. Practicum Orientation
2. Field application
3. Asynchronous Canvas modules
4. Required background checks
5. Consultation interview with the Field Director

The program carefully monitors practicum experiences and only works with approved field agencies. This helps students gain valuable real-life experience while putting their knowledge into practice.

Students learn skills for various career paths, including clinical social work for those seeking licensure. The program goes beyond clinical settings. Graduates can work with different groups dealing with trauma at individual, family, group, community, and organizational levels. They can also supervise in places where secondary and vicarious trauma commonly occur.

NWU tracks student progress through capstone assignments and field practicum evaluations. This data helps improve the program and curriculum continuously.

NWU’s MSW program gives students a solid education that combines academic excellence with practical experience. Graduates leave well-prepared to tackle modern social work challenges.

University of Nebraska at Omaha MSW Program

The Grace Abbott School of Social Work at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is one of Nebraska’s oldest MSW programs, with continuous accreditation since 1940. The program aims to educate skilled social workers who help people of all ages, shape systems that affect them, advance knowledge through teaching and research, and work with communities to promote societal wellbeing.

Key features

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) MSW program builds on an advanced generalist curriculum that really prepares you to work across multiple levels. The program balances clinical, community, and policy practice content instead of focusing on just one area. You’ll develop versatile skills you can use in many different settings.

The program lets you choose from three course formats:

• In-person traditional classroom experiences
• Remote synchronous learning
• Fully online asynchronous options

You can arrange your schedule based on your priorities and life circumstances.

UNO’s distinctive dual degree options expand your career opportunities:

• MSW/Master of Public Administration
• MSW/Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice
• MSW/Master of Public Health

These dual degrees need fewer credit hours than separate degrees. You’ll build strong social work foundations while gaining valuable knowledge in related fields. The programs ended up preparing you to lead complex social initiatives through collaboration, policy development, research, and direct practice.

UNO’s MSW degree qualifies you for licensure and independent social work practice across the United States. Your credentials will be recognized wherever you choose to work.

Admission requirements

UNO’s MSW program has two entry points based on your education:

For the MSW Generalist Program (63 credit hours):

• Made for students without a social work undergraduate degree
• Needs a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7 overall

For the MSW Advanced Generalist Program (39 credit hours):

• Only for students with a BSSW from a CSWE-accredited school of social work
• Requires B or better grades in SOWK 8400 and SOWK 8410

Application deadlines vary by semester:

• Fall 2026: Priority deadline February 1; applications accepted through March 1
• Spring 2026: November 1 (limited to students completing a BSSW from a CSWE-accredited program)

Your application must include:

1. Statement of purpose addressing specific items (maximum 5 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font)
2. Professional resume showing educational and occupational experiences
3. Three letters of recommendation from professional and academic sources who know your skills

International students must meet these English language requirements:

• Internet-based TOEFL: 85
• IELTS: 6.5
• PTE: 53
• Duolingo: 110

The program reviews applications carefully, looking at both content and writing skills in your statement of purpose. Human services experience helps your application but isn’t required.

Tuition and fees

UNO’s tuition rates differ by a lot between in-state and out-of-state students. The 2024-25 academic year costs $8,136 for Nebraska residents and $21,718 for non-residents. Graduate rates usually exceed these undergraduate figures.

You should plan for these additional costs:

• Food and housing: about $10,414 per academic year
• Books and supplies: Varies by course
• Transportation and personal expenses: Individual circumstances vary

UNO has a strong support system for students. Fall 2022 saw 67% of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, with average scholarships or grants of $7,262. The university covers about 60% of students’ financial needs through:

• Research assistantships
• Teaching assistantships
• Health care benefits
• Institutionally-sponsored loans
• Scholarships
• Graduate assistantships
• Tuition waivers
• Career or field-related internships
• Federal Work-Study

Students who take federal loans graduate with a median debt of $19,000. Monthly payments run about $201 over 10 years at 5.05% interest. Graduate student loans might differ from these undergraduate figures.

Practicum structure

In UNO’s MSW program, you’ll learn through hands-on experience at community social service agencies under approved practitioners’ supervision. The structure changes based on your program level:

Generalist Field Practicum (for BSSW and foundation-level MSW students):

• Focuses on knowledge and processes essential to all social work interventions
• Shows various models for changing social systems
• Lets you combine research, knowledge, and skills
• Courses include: SOWK 4410, 4420, 8160, and 8170

Advanced Field Practicum (for MSW students with advanced standing):

• Combines direct clinical services with individuals, families, and small groups
• Includes indirect services like supervision, administration, research, advocacy, and community organizing
• Courses include: SOWK 8400, 8410, and 8420

You’ll work with your supervisor to create a learning contract. This contract shapes your field practicum experiences and matches them to your educational and career goals.

UNO carefully selects and approves all practicum agencies. This quality control ensures your practical experience enhances your classroom learning.

The practicum gives you detailed preparation for various career paths, especially clinical social work licensure. When you graduate, you’ll have the skills to work with diverse populations in many settings, from individual clinical work to community organization and policy development.

Online MSW Programs in Nebraska

More professionals now choose to get their advanced degrees online. Nebraska’s online MSW programs give you a great option if you can’t make it to campus classes because of work, family, or where you live.

Flexibility and format

Nebraska’s online MSW programs are much more flexible than traditional campus programs. The University of Nebraska at Omaha stands out with its multiple learning options. You can choose from classroom learning, live online sessions, or self-paced online classes. This mix lets you pick what works best for your schedule.

Nebraska Wesleyan University offers a mix of online and in-person classes that meet once a week on Tuesday or Thursday evenings in Lincoln. Instead of long semesters, classes run in eight-week blocks. This setup lets you focus on fewer subjects at once.

You can choose between full-time and part-time study based on your situation:

• Full-time students at Nebraska Wesleyan take two classes per session and finish in two years (one year with advanced standing)
• Part-time students take one class per session and finish in four years (two years with advanced standing)

This flexible schedule works great if you need to keep your job while getting your degree. Online learning in Nebraska lets you earn money and build your social work skills at the same time.

Accreditation and quality

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the main authority that accredits MSW programs across the country. This stamp of approval matters a lot, especially if you want to become a licensed social worker in Nebraska or anywhere else.

Nebraska Wesleyan University’s MSW Program has earned full CSWE accreditation. This means the program meets high-quality standards through careful review. An accredited program has everything needed to meet its goals and follows all Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

The accreditation looks at several key areas:

1. Teacher qualifications and research
2. Course design and teaching methods
3. How they check and measure results
4. How the program runs
5. Field training components

CSWE accreditation tells you the program is solid and graduates are well-prepared. Your degree will also be recognized by employers and licensing boards nationwide.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s online MSW program also has CSWE accreditation. Their online classes match campus quality but use technology to reach distant students.

Practicum and fieldwork

Field practice is the basis of MSW education in Nebraska, even in online programs. This hands-on training lets you use what you’ve learned in real-life settings.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha places students in community social service agencies with approved supervisors. Your experience depends on your program level:

Generalist field practicum (for foundation-level MSW students):

• Teaches basic social work skills
• Shows different ways to make changes in social systems
• Helps you use research skills
• Includes courses SOWK 8160 and 8170

Advanced field practicum (for students with advanced standing):

• Mixes direct client services with families and groups
• Adds supervision, management, research, and community work
• Uses courses SOWK 8400, 8410, and 8420

Online students follow these steps to get field placements:

1. Complete “Passport to Field Practicum” orientation
2. Join virtual field practicum fairs
3. Meet with assigned advisors

The good news is you can usually do your field work in your local area instead of moving near campus. This lets you learn new skills while keeping your current job and life commitments.

Program affordability

Online MSW programs in Nebraska have different costs. The University of Nebraska at Omaha charges in-state graduate tuition of $6,400-$9,600 per year. Out-of-state students pay $13,500-$20,200.

Nebraska Wesleyan University’s graduate tuition runs $7,600-$11,400 yearly. Their MSW program costs $540 per credit hour, so a typical 6-credit semester costs about $3,240 plus fees.

Program length affects your total cost. Advanced standing programs need fewer credits (39 at UNO and 34 at NWU) than standard programs (63 at UNO and 66 at NWU).

Online students save money in several ways:

• No driving costs
• No moving expenses
• Can keep working while studying
• No campus housing or meal costs

You can get the same financial aid as campus students. At the University of Nebraska at Omaha, 67% of students get need-based aid, and the school covers about 60% of students’ financial needs.

Graduate students can get help through:

• Research and teaching jobs
• Graduate assistant positions
• Tuition waivers
• Federal Work-Study
• School loans and scholarships

Look at both current costs and future benefits. Social workers in Nebraska earn between $50,000 and $70,000 yearly, depending on their specialty and location.

Online MSW programs in Nebraska give you quality education that fits your life. They match traditional programs in rigor but work around your schedule. Take time to check program options, accreditation, field work rules, and costs to find the right fit for your career goals and personal needs.

Advanced Standing MSW Programs in Nebraska

Social workers with undergraduate degrees can take their careers to the next level through MSW programs in Nebraska. These optimized options value your previous education and experience, giving you a quicker path to graduate-level credentials.

Advanced Standing Explained

Advanced standing MSW programs are special educational paths created for students who already have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. Traditional MSW programs usually take two years of full-time study. However, advanced standing programs let you skip ahead to the second year, with a few bridge courses to prepare you for graduate work.

These programs recognize that BSWife graduates already know the basics of social work through their undergraduate studies. BSW programs cover material similar to first-year MSW coursework and require at least 400 field education hours that count toward your MSW degree’s 900-hour requirement. This means qualified students can jump right into advanced studies without repeating what they learned in their BSW program.

Eligibility for advanced standing MSW in Nebraska

Nebraska’s advanced standing MSW programs share basic requirements, but each school has its unique criteria:

Nebraska Wesleyan University wants candidates who:

• Got their Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited school in the last five years
• Managed to keep a minimum 3.0 GPA in their undergraduate program
• Finished previous coursework in statistics and at least nine credit hours in social sciences
• Can provide a practicum evaluation from their undergraduate program

The University of Nebraska at Omaha requires:

• A BSSW degree from a CSWE-accredited school of social work
• Grades of B or better in specific courses

Nebraska Wesleyan University will think over applications from people whose BSW is more than five years old. These candidates might need extra courses to meet generalist requirements. This helps professionals who worked several years before deciding to get their graduate degree.

Advanced standing MSW program duration and structure

Nebraska’s advanced standing programs offer flexible timelines and specialized formats:

The University of Nebraska Omaha’s advanced generalist MSW program needs 39 credit hours instead of 63 credits required for traditional students. Students can finish their MSW coursework and field education in one year of full-time study, or take two or more years part-time.

Nebraska Wesleyan University’s 34-credit-hour advanced standing program includes 500 practicum hours. You’ll find:

• Hybrid classes in eight-week sessions
• Online work plus in-person classes in Lincoln on Tuesday or Thursday evenings
• A one-year full-time option with two classes per session
• A two-year part-time option with one class per session

Both programs have full Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation, which guarantees your degree’s quality and recognition.

Advanced standing MSW program benefits

Advanced standing MSW programs give BSW graduates several key advantages:

Time efficiency: You can finish in half the time – usually one year instead of two for full-time students. This means you’ll start your professional career sooner with advanced credentials.

Cost savings: Less credits mean lower tuition costs. Students typically need 30-40 credits instead of 60, which could save thousands in education expenses.

Career advancement: Getting your degree faster lets you take licensure exams sooner and access better-paying jobs. This speeds up your professional growth and earning potential.

Professional continuity: BSW graduates working in social services can upgrade their education without major career disruptions.

Specialized knowledge: Students learn advanced practice skills right away, including mental health therapy, disorder diagnosis, community practice, policy development, research, program evaluation, and leadership.

Advanced standing MSW programs in Nebraska offer a quick path to higher credentials. They value your previous learning while preparing you to lead in a variety of social work settings.

Licensure and Career Opportunities for MSW Graduates

Your MSW degree and proper license will open doors to many professional opportunities throughout Nebraska. The state gives social work professionals several ways to move ahead in their careers.

Nebraska LMSW and CMSW licensure requirements

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services oversees social work practice through multiple credential levels. MSW graduates just need to complete 3,000 supervised hours and pass the ASWB Advanced Generalist or Clinical examination to earn their Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW) credential. Many MSW graduates choose to get dual credentials by becoming both a CMSW and a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP). This combination works like Nebraska’s version of the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) found in other states. The Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) credential lets you practice independently after 3,000 supervised hours, with 1,500 hours spent working with major mental illness clients.

Popular MSW career paths in Nebraska

MSW graduates can find work in a variety of sectors. About half of social workers focus on child, family, or school social work. Other growing areas include:

• Healthcare and hospital services
• Mental health and substance abuse treatment
• Aging services and hospice care
• Public health and community advocacy
• Criminal justice and legal services

MSW salary expectations in Nebraska

Social workers in Nebraska earn an average salary of $61,210 annually. Entry-level positions start at $37,890 while experienced professionals can make up to $85,220. Your location substantially affects earnings. Social workers in Columbus average $85,823, while those in Fremont make about $43,988. Omaha’s social workers typically earn $67,403, which is higher than Lincoln’s average of $55,967. Senior social worker roles often come with annual pay around $78,315.

Job outlook for MSW graduates in Nebraska

Social workers have a strong job outlook ahead. Healthcare social work positions should grow by 34%, and child/family/school social work will expand by 20%. MSW graduates can expect steady demand, especially when working in healthcare settings, rural counties, and specialized mental health services.

Start your Nebraska MSW Today

MSW programs in Nebraska give social work professionals excellent opportunities to advance their careers. The University of Nebraska at Omaha and Nebraska Wesleyan University both offer CSWE-accredited programs with unique strengths. UNO’s advanced generalist approach combines clinical, community, and policy content. NWU stands out with its specialized trauma-conscious curriculum.

Students can choose from online, hybrid, and on-campus options that fit their schedule. The programs let you work while studying through part-time and full-time options. BSW graduates can take advantage of advanced standing pathways that reduce completion time and costs by a lot.

Both programs emphasize field practicum experiences. Students gain practical skills through supervised placements. This hands-on training helps meet licensure requirements and builds professional expertise in practice settings of all types.

Nebraska’s MSW graduates have bright career prospects. Healthcare social work positions are projected to grow 34%. Salaries range from $37,890 to $85,220 per year based on location, specialization, and experience. The CMSW credential, often combined with LMHP licensure, creates advanced practice opportunities throughout the state.

Nebraska’s MSW programs give you versatile skills that work at every practice level – from clinical services to community advocacy and policy development. This detailed preparation helps you tackle complex social challenges while boosting your professional status and earning potential.