Online Master of Social Work
Earn an Accredited, Practical and Field-Ready MSW Degree
100% Online Coursework
As Few As 18 Months
60 Credit Hours
$455 per Credit
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Prepare for Social Work Licensing Exams With a Flexible Online Program
- Apply By: 08/14/2026
- Start Class: 08/25/2026
Earn a Master of Social Work online through DSU’s nationally ranked program1 and advance your social work career. As Delaware’s only MSW that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), this one-of-a-kind program will prepare you for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) licensure options. You will graduate ready for advanced social work practice in a broad range of industries, helping individuals, families and communities achieve their highest potential.
Program Details
- Only CSWE-accredited MSW program in Delaware
- Gain the tools to become an LCSW or LMSW
- No entrance exams required
- Delaware’s #1 supplier of social workers of color2
More Information About This Program
Click on each tab below to learn additional details regarding the program requirements and features.
Curriculum
Our Curriculum Emphasizes Experiential Learning
As Few As 18 Months
60 Total Credits
In this CSWE-accredited program, you will apply your elevated social work skill set in real-world settings, demonstrating your understanding of the industry’s leading best practices. Delaware State faculty — all of whom are highly supportive and welcome collaborative projects — will develop your knowledge of advanced social work practice.
You will deepen your understanding of social, economic, political and interpersonal problems from a global perspective. Then, you’ll go a step further to identify and analyze the nuanced impacts of those problems, such as poverty, health disparities, racism and oppression.
View the Advantages of the DSU Online Master of Social Work
Put Theory To Practice During Your Field Experiences
Use your new knowledge and skills during four field practicum courses, where supervising instructors will support you through hands-on internships.
Get Ready for Multiple Licensure Pathways With Career-Aligned Curriculum
Prepare to sit for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) licensure exams upon graduation.
Benefit From a Long-Standing HBCU That Offers Culturally Grounded Curriculum
Experience education that centers the Black perspective and lifts up diverse voices at DSU Online, a proud HBCU with a legacy of more than 135 years.
Admission Requirements
Guide for the Online Social Work Degree Admission Process
Application Deadline 08/14/26
Start Date 08/25/26
Review the table below for detailed admission requirements for the DSU Online MSW. If you have previously earned a Bachelor of Social Work in a CSWE-accredited program, you may qualify for Delaware State’s Advanced Standing program, where students take 11 courses totaling 33 credit hours to earn their MSW, rather than 20 courses totaling 60 credit hours.
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
|---|---|
| Degree and Minimum GPA | A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale For the Advanced Standing program qualifications: A Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program with a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale |
| Transcripts | Send official transcripts from each college or university attended |
| Transfer Credits | You may apply up to nine applicable credits to your graduate degree program |
| Official Test Scores | No GMAT, GRE or other test scores required |
International Students
DSU offers an empowering community to students from around the world. In addition to the basic admission requirements, you’ll submit the following items with your application. Be sure to apply at least 90 days before classes start so that you have ample time to fulfill these requirements.
| Visa | Only F-1 visas are accepted for international admission to degree programs. If you’re an F-1 transfer student, we require a copy of your I-20 form upon admission |
|---|---|
| Financial Documentation | International applicants must submit proof of funds to cover at least their first year of study. If living with a friend or relative in the U.S., students must submit additional documentation such as an affidavit of free room and board with supporting documents. For financial documentation, international students must forward the required financial evidence to the Office of International Affairs |
| Transcript Evaluation | Transcripts must be evaluated by a recognized credential evaluation agency (such as WES or ECE) and sent to DSU |
| Standardized Test Scores | Acceptable tests include TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT or ELI |
Begin Your Journey to Delaware State University
Each student follows a unique path to DSU, and we’re here to make your journey a success. Visit our Admissions Hub to explore the steps you’ll complete when applying for an online program. You can also learn about transferring credits, using military benefits and taking the next step as an international student.
AdmissionsTuition & Aid
DSU Online Tuition is Affordable and Budget-Friendly
Calculate your cost for attending Delaware State University Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.
When you earn your Master of Social Work online, you’ll open the door to new career opportunities — and potentially higher earnings. Use the table below to learn how Delaware State’s online MSW makes financial sense for your career advancement.
| Cost per Credit Hour | $455 |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 60 |
| Total Estimated Tuition | $27,300 |
| Additional Fees |
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| Other Costs to Budget For | The estimated tuition does not include expenses incurred during the online program |
Supporting the Ambitions of Military Students
DSU is proud to support the educational goals of active-duty and veteran service members. Here, you’ll receive guidance for your mission to continue your education, and you can make the most of the benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Plus, learn how you can receive credit for the knowledge and skills gained through your military service.
Tuition & Financial Aid
When you succeed professionally, your entire community rises with you. Knowing that education plays a central role in that success, DSU offers cost-effective tuition so that financial barriers don’t stand between you and your goals. Visit our Tuition and Aid page to learn how to make online education fit your budget.
Tuition Details
Increase Your Career Mobility With an Online MSW Program
Equipped with this career-aligned Master of Social Work, you will be eligible to sit for industry-leading social work licensing exams offered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Social work is a fast-growing field,3 and this master’s degree ensures you’ll be prepared for a broad range of career paths within public agencies, nonprofit organizations, healthcare, community development, policy work and more.
Find the Right Social Work Profession for You
Social and Community Service Manager $78,240 per year4
Social Worker $61,330 per year3
What You’ll Learn
Become a purposeful leader in social work with a master’s from a top-ranked HBCU program. With curriculum that emphasizes social justice, equity and culturally grounded practice, you will study high-level social work theory and practice applying advanced social work skills, including:
- Engagement, empathy, non-judgment and building trust
- Assessing, gathering and summarizing information
- Intervention and treatment planning
- Evaluation, evidence-based practice implementation
- Interpreting and applying research
- Professionalism and communication
- Legal and ethical risk management
Program Outcomes
- Engage, assess, intervene and evaluate individuals, families, treatment groups, organizations and communities
- Evaluate the efficacy of interventions and programs, integrate theories of personality and adult psychopathology, address health and mental health disparities from a public health perspective, and understand and assimilate theories and practice principles that guide human service administration
- Practice social work with systems of all sizes in a wide array of settings, from traditional public social welfare and governmental agencies to small and medium size nonprofit organizations to private and for-profit entities
- Address social issues at the micro, mezzo and macro levels of practice
- Able to practice social work in rural, suburban and metropolitan areas alike
Learn From Faculty Who Believe in Your Potential
Our faculty will welcome you like family and provide personalized mentorship to bring your goals to life. They understand your perspective and experiences — after all, many of our instructors walked similar paths before becoming leaders in their fields. Rely on their professional expertise as you prepare to advance in the career that interests you.
Dr. Tana Connell, Associate Professor of Social Work
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Tana Connell
Dr. Connell is a DSU associate professor of social work who is passionate about teaching the next generation of social work students, supervisors and leaders about social work’s most effective best practices. For more than 15 years, Dr. Connell has been a social work practitioner and researcher, having extensive experience in the fields of child welfare and substance abuse prevention.
Sources
- U.S. News & World Report. “Delaware State University’s Graduate School Rankings.” Retrieved February 19, 2026, from https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/delaware-state-university-130934/overall-rankings.
- State of Delaware. Office of Management and Budget, Budget Development and Planning. “FY27 Governor’s Recommended Operating Budget – Higher Education.” Retrieved February 19, 2026, from https://budget.delaware.gov/budget/fy2026/documents/narratives/dsu.pdf.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Social Workers.” Retrieved February 19, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Social and Community Service Managers.” Retrieved February 19, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm.