Master of Social Work (MSW)

Prepare for a career helping individuals, families, and communities overcome real-world challenges by earning your Master of Social Work (MSW) at Sacred Heart University.

Learn more about tuition rates and payment options for the MSW program.

Why Choose SHU for Your MSW?

Sacred Heart’s MSW program is guided by ethical principles of service, respect for human dignity, social and economic justice, and the needs of vulnerable populations.

Social work is more than a career; it is a commitment to improving lives. From mental health support to community advocacy, social workers play a critical role in addressing some of society’s most complex challenges. At Sacred Heart, you will learn to:

• Support individuals and families through crisis and change
• Advocate for vulnerable and diverse populations
• Address systemic issues and social inequalities
• Lead programs that improve community outcomes

An MSW Program Built for Flexibility & Balance

Choose a format that fits your schedule:

• Traditional on campus—As a full-time student, you will attend classes on campus and can complete your MSW (60 credits) in two years. Courses meet one full weekday.
• Online with low residency—Students have the option to earn their MSW online with low residency, which is suited to students balancing graduate school with other commitments.
• Advanced standing on campus—Students who hold a BSW from a CSWE-accredited institution (30 credits) can complete an advanced standing plan of study in one year on campus. Courses are offered all day on Thursday.
• Online advanced standing—Students who hold a BSW from a CSWE-accredited institution (30 credits) can complete an advanced standing online.
• Online accelerated—Students looking to complete the full 60-credit program in as short a time as possible should consider this option. Students take three courses simultaneously in eight-week modules and can complete the program in 16 months.

Depending on your modality and concentration interests, you can find start term options and concentrations that fit your schedule.

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Fieldwork Designed to Support Experiential Professional Growth

Sacred Heart University's MSW program is committed to advancing your learning through field education that bridges theory with real-world experience. With the assistance of School of Social Work faculty members and a dedicated field liaison, students have support in selecting and coordinating placements that match their interests.

Students participate in four semesters of field education for 16-24 hours a week. This schedule offers balance with coursework. Students on the 60-credit program track have a requirement of 1,000 hours in field education, while students on the 30-credit program track (advanced standing) must complete 500 hours.

SHU offers social work field placements in various settings and organizations. Placements include opportunities to work with:

Accredited and Career Ready

Sacred Heart’s MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national standard required for licensure and professional practice.

MSW Career Paths

Sacred Heart’s MSW program prepares you for social work careers across meaningful industries, including:

The careers and professions available to graduates with an MSW degree are extensive and include direct/clinical, direct/community, administrative, or policy work. Occupational opportunities for health care social workers, including those in geriatric, hospice, and palliative care, are on the rise.

Demand for social workers is expected to rise steadily thought 2034, with projected job growth of 6% — faster than most other occupations.

Graduates of the MSW program have worked at organizations including:

Advance your Career at SHU

Certificate of Advanced Study in Play Therapy (CAS)

Earn a CAS in play therapy from New England’s first credentialed play therapy education center, the Sacred Heart Institute for Play Therapy and Expressive Arts Education and Research.

Degree Options for Incoming Students & Current SHU Undergraduates

Incoming Students: Bachelor’s-Master of Social Work (MSW) Dual Degree Program

Incoming first-year students can apply directly to both the undergraduate and the graduate programs for a streamlined experience leading to a master's degree in social work.

Dual degree program options include:

• Accelerated 3+2 Bachelor’s-Master
  Complete four years of undergraduate coursework in social work and one year of graduate coursework through an “advanced standing” plan of study, earning a bachelor’s degree in health science and the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree within five years.
• Accelerated 4+1 Bachelor’s-Master
  Complete four years of undergraduate coursework and one year of graduate coursework through an “advanced standing” plan of study, earning a bachelor’s degree (BSW) and the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree within five years.
• 4+2 Bachelor’s-Master
  Complete the bachelor’s degree in the traditional four-year time frame and complete two years of graduate study in the MSW program, earning the bachelor’s degree and the MSW degree in six years.

Current SHU Undergraduates: Combined Degree Program

Sacred Heart undergraduates can fast-track their future by earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just five years. Work with your adviser to develop your 4+1 or 4+2 plan.

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