Rhode Island MSW: Accredited Schools & Requirements
Looking to get your Master of Social Work in Rhode Island? Rhode Island College (RIC) is the state’s only school with an MSW degree program. This state school in Providence has two paths to choose from: a traditional program and an advanced standing track that give students a detailed social work education.
RIC’s traditional MSW program takes two years of full-time study. Students who have a BSW degree can finish in half the time through the advanced standing track. The program has extensive field training, and traditional students must complete 1,080 hours through four practicums. This is a big deal as it means that students get more hands-on experience than the 900 hours CSWE requires for accreditation. Students pay between $31,620 and $61,566 for the 62-credit program, based on their residency status.
This piece will walk you through both program tracks at Rhode Island College. You’ll learn about online options, accreditation requirements, and key details you should know before applying to an MSW program in Rhode Island.
Traditional MSW Programs at Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College’s traditional MSW program offers a detailed social work education pathway. Students need to complete 62 credit hours that combine classroom learning with field experience.
Program Duration: 2 Years Full-Time or 3–4 Years Part-Time
RIC’s flexible scheduling works around your needs. You can finish the program in two years by taking field instruction and at least three courses each semester on the full-time track. The part-time option takes three to four years. Students take a minimum of two courses during each academic year. Part-time students get up to six years to complete their degree requirements while balancing their professional commitments.
Field Education: 1,080 Hours Across Four Practicums
Field education is a big part of RIC’s MSW curriculum and gives you supervised direct service experience. The traditional program needs you to complete four separate practicum experiences that add up to 1,080 hours. Here’s what they look like:
- SWRK 500: Foundation-year placement (240 hours)
- SWRK 501: Foundation-year placement (240 hours)
- SWRK 600: Advanced-year placement (300 hours)
- SWRK 601: Advanced-year placement (300 hours)
Foundation-year placements require 16 weekly hours under supervision from an MSW who has two years of post-master’s experience. Advanced year students work 20 hours weekly. This is a big deal as it means that the fieldwork goes beyond CSWE’s minimum requirement of 900 hours.
Specializations: Clinical Practice vs Macro Practice
After finishing your foundation coursework, you’ll choose between two concentration areas. The clinical concentration gets you ready to work directly with individuals and families throughout their lives. You’ll take specialized courses in clinical practice (SWRK 602 and SWRK 603) and a required assessment and differential diagnosis course (SW 636).
The macro concentration, on the other hand, focuses on policy practice and organizational leadership. This track requires macro practice courses like “Leadership & Change” (SW 628) and “Managing People and Programs” (SW 629). Your second-year field placement must happen alongside these specialized courses.
Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree and Human Biology Prerequisite
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale to join RIC’s MSW program. The program requires at least 15 credit hours in social sciences (psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science).
RIC uniquely requires coursework in human anatomy, biology, or physiology. Don’t worry if you haven’t taken this prerequisite – you can complete it at RIC after getting admitted. Your application should show qualities needed for social work practice and your dedication to the profession through volunteer work or relevant experience.
Advanced Standing MSW Track at RIC
Rhode Island College helps BSW graduates get their MSW degree faster through its Advanced Standing track. Students who already have a Bachelor of Social Work can complete their master’s in about half the time of regular programs. The program builds on their previous social work education.
Eligibility: CSWE-Accredited BSW within Last 5 Years
RIC’s advanced standing option works best for recent BSW graduates. The program favors students who earned their BSW from a CSWE-accredited program within the last five years. Students with older BSW degrees can apply but face additional review. Most successful applicants have at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, though many have 3.5 or higher. Students must complete an online summer prep course before starting their classes.
Program Length: 1 Year Full-Time or 2 Years Part-Time
Students finish their degree much faster in the advanced standing track. Full-time students graduate in one year, while part-time students take two years. The program needs only 33 credit hours, unlike the traditional MSW’s 62 credits. BSW graduates skip the first year’s basic coursework and jump right into advanced studies.
Fieldwork Requirement: 600 Hours
The program requires 600 hours of field education, which is less than the traditional program’s 1,080 hours. Students complete two practicum experiences:
- SWRK 600: Field Education and Seminar III (300 hours)
- SWRK 601: Field Education and Seminar IV (300 hours)
Students need at least 8 daytime hours free each week for these placements. Field instructors who supervise students must have MSW degrees and two years of post-master’s experience.
Specialization Options: Clinical or Macro Practice
Students pick between two concentration tracks:
Clinical Practice Track teaches direct client services through courses like Clinical Social Work Practice I & II, Differential Diagnosis, and Clinical Evaluation.
Macro Practice Track develops organizational leadership skills with courses in Leadership & Change, Managing People & Programs, and Political Economy.
RIC stands as the only school in Rhode Island with an advanced standing MSW option. This makes it the top choice for BSW graduates who want to get licensed faster in the state.
Online and Out-of-State MSW Options for Rhode Island Residents
Rhode Island students looking to earn their MSW degree face limited options with just one physical program in the state. The good news is they have many choices beyond state lines.
Online MSW Programs Accepting Rhode Island Applicants
No Rhode Island-based institutions offer fully online MSW programs right now. However, many out-of-state universities welcome Rhode Island residents to their virtual classrooms. Students typically visit campus twice or less each year and can complete their field work at local social service agencies.
Boston University’s part-time online MSW program stands out as a popular choice. The program needs 65 credit hours and students usually finish it in three years. Regis College brings another great option with its 100% online MSW focused on Clinical Social Work Practice. Their traditional 60-credit path takes 32 months and requires 1080 hours of field education.
Simmons University’s program specializes in Advanced Practice in Clinical Social Work. Full-time students can complete this 65-credit online program in just 16 months.
Hybrid Programs with Limited Campus Visits
Students who want some face-to-face interaction will find hybrid programs a perfect fit. Westfield State University runs a hybrid model where students join Zoom classes Monday and Thursday evenings. About 20% of the coursework happens online at your own pace. Starting 2025-2026, students can do all internships in Rhode Island.
The University of St. Joseph and Salve Regina University work together too. Their partnership lets 10 Salve Regina students join the hybrid online MSW program yearly.
Nearby Accredited Programs in Massachusetts and Connecticut
Rhode Island residents might want to think over commuting to nearby states. Massachusetts has eleven CSWE-accredited MSW programs at schools like Boston College, Simmons University, and Westfield State. Connecticut offers several accredited programs too. Sacred Heart University stands out as Connecticut’s only school with a fully online MSW. They focus on Direct Clinical Practice and Direct Community Practice specializations.
Sacred Heart’s advanced standing option needs applicants to have a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program within the last six years. Students must keep a minimum 3.0 GPA and finish 550 field education hours over 20 months.
Accreditation and CSWE Standards for MSW Programs
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) sets the standards that guide MSW programs nationwide, including those in Rhode Island. Students who want to join these programs should know about these accreditation requirements to review program quality.
CSWE Accreditation Requirements: 900+ Field Hours
MSW programs must provide a minimum of 900 supervised field education hours to get CSWE accreditation. These field experiences are the life-blood of social work education that connect classroom theory to ground practice. Students participate with clients and communities while experienced, often licensed, social workers supervise their work.
Programs need a competency-based educational framework to guide students through field practica. They also go through regular assessments to comply with Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). These standards help review curriculum design, program resources, and student learning outcomes.
How to Verify Accreditation Status
CSWE accredits about 334 MSW programs in the United States. You can check a program’s accreditation status on the CSWE website’s directory of accredited programs. This database lists all baccalaureate and master’s level social work programs that have full accreditation or candidacy status.
Programs fall under different classifications:
- Accredited Fully: Meeting all standards
- Accredited (Conditional): Addressing documented noncompliance within one year
- Candidacy: Completed at least one year of the accreditation process
Programs must renew their accreditation every eight years to maintain quality standards.
Why Accreditation Matters for Licensure
CSWE accreditation forms the foundations for professional licensure in any discipline across states and U.S. territories. Most state licensing boards want candidates to have degrees from CSWE-accredited programs before they can take licensing examinations. This requirement exists because:
- Accreditation confirms program quality and educational consistency
- Graduates get foundational knowledge that covers essential areas of social work
- Programs show they prepare students for safe, competent, and ethical practice
Rhode Island MSW students benefit from CSWE accreditation because it ensures their education meets national standards. This preparation helps them with licensure examination and professional practice after graduation.
Earn Your MSW In Rhode Island
Rhode Island offers several ways to get your MSW degree, even with limited in-state options. In this piece, we looked at Rhode Island College, the state’s only MSW program provider. The college is 50 years old and gives you traditional and advanced standing tracks. Their field education requirements are a big deal as it means that they go beyond national standards.
You can customize your education based on your career goals by choosing between clinical practice and macro practice specializations. These paths lead to either direct client services or organizational leadership roles. BSW graduates can take advantage of the advanced standing track to get their master’s degree in half the time.
Rhode Island residents have many more options through online and out-of-state programs. These range from fully online learning to hybrid programs that need just a few campus visits. Schools in Massachusetts and Connecticut are also practical choices if you don’t mind the commute.
CSWE accreditation is the life-blood of quality social work education. This credential will give a solid foundation that meets national standards and prepares you for state licensure after graduation.
Each path has its own benefits depending on your situation. Your choice – whether it’s Rhode Island College’s program or options beyond state lines – is a chance to advance your social work career. The field education, specialized courses, and professional connections you build will without doubt shape your future practice and how you help the communities you serve.