Individuals residing in Pennsylvania who wish to earn their MSW online have several options to consider as they explore Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited online MSW programs. Currently, there are three Pennsylvania-based universities and several out-of-state universities with online MSW programs that accept students from Pennsylvania. At this time, Widener University in Chester, PA, Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, and Edinboro University in Edinboro, PA are the only schools that both have campuses in Pennsylvania and offer a fully online MSW program.

Widener University’s online MSW program offers a clinical social work curriculum with a specialization in trauma. This program explores the role that trauma plays in different mental, emotional, physical, and social challenges that individuals face across the lifespan. At present, Widener University only offers a traditional standing MSW option, which takes about three years of part-time study to complete. Students complete two field practicums during the program, totaling 1200 hours of field education at an approved local agency. This program is fully online in that it does not require students to attend any on-campus intensives.

Edinboro University offers an entirely online MSW program with traditional and advanced standing options. Edinboro’s traditional standing online MSW track consists of 60 course credits that students typically complete over the course of two years of full-time study. The advanced standing program requires the completion of 39 course credits over the course of one year (students must have certain pre-requisite classes completed prior to starting the advanced standing track). Traditional standing students must complete 900 hours of field education over four semesters, while advanced standing students complete 500 hours of field education over two semesters. Aside from traveling to their field agency to complete their internships, students of Edinboro University’s program do not need to travel to campus for any on-campus intensives.

Please note: All online MSW programs require students to complete field education at a local health services agency.

The Temple University social work program offers students a variety of concentration choices, including clinical and macro concentrations, as well as specializations in health/mental health and child & family. The program is offered for traditional standing students on a part-time basis, taking about three to four years to complete the required 60 credits. The field practicum requirements for this program total 1050 hours. (Note: OnlineMSWPrograms.com classifies any program that requires two or fewer visits to campus annually as an online program.)

In addition to Widener University and Edinboro University, there are dozens of online MSW programs offered by out-of-state universities that accept students from Pennsylvania. Many of these universities offer 100% online MSW programs that do not require any campus visits, while some others programs do require students to attend a limited number of on-campus intensives. For students who would like the opportunity to meet course faculty and interact with their fellow students in person while still completing their coursework online, online MSW programs that require campus visits may be a good option. (Note: OnlineMSWPrograms.com classifies any program that requires two or fewer visits to campus annually as an online program.)

Tuition for online MSW programs varies greatly by university, so students should check with the admissions offices of the programs that interest them for the most up-to-date rates. Some online MSW programs charge the same tuition rate for in-state and out-of-state students, which is something to consider while researching programs. Finally, some universities charge the same tuition rate for their on-campus and online programs, while others charge a different rate for on-campus versus online students.

All online MSW programs require field education at a local health services agency. Programs that are 100% online do not require students to visit the campus during the program.

The Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors issues two types of social work license: Clinical Social Worker (CSW) and Social Worker (SW). Below are some common steps to become a social worker in Pennsylvania, which you should confirm with Pennsylvania’s board of social workers.

For more detailed information on becoming a social worker in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors. You can also refer to our guides on general requirements for becoming a social worker and becoming an LCSW.

Last updated: September 2020