Create Meaningful Change as a Specialized Social Worker

Online with Practicum Experiences

2 to 3 Years

39 to 60 Credit Hours

$699 per Credit

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Two Online Paths to an Empowering Social Work Career

Apply By: 07/15/26
Start Class: 08/24/26

Advance as a specialized social worker with Winthrop University’s online M.S.W. program. Through courses rooted in empowerment practice, you’ll learn to promote well-being while affirming client strengths, valuing human diversity and promoting social justice. We offer two tracks:

Traditional program: Students without a social work background can earn an M.S.W. in three years
Advanced Standing program: Students with a CSWE-accredited bachelor’s in social work can graduate in two years*

Each track includes online courses and practicum experiences that position you for careers in specialized social work.

Program Details

Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Grounded in the NASW Code of Ethics
Receive support for finding your practicum placement
7-week courses
Part-time schedule

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More Information About This Program

Click on each tab below to learn additional details regarding the program requirements and features.

Curriculum

Elevate Your Impact Through an Empowerment-Focused Curriculum

Traditional Program 60 Credit Hours

Advanced Standing 39 Credit Hours

Winthrop designed the M.S.W. curriculum to position you for success as a specialized social worker. The coursework centers on empowerment practice, helping you understand the influences of personal, structural and societal systems of power. Through this approach, you’ll learn to focus on client strengths and perform culturally relevant assessments, interventions and evaluations.

You’ll receive dedicated faculty assistance throughout the online M.S.W. program, including support for securing your practicum placement. While students in the Traditional program complete Generalist and Specialized practicum experiences, Advanced Standing students only complete the Specialized placement.

Explore the Hallmarks of Winthrop’s M.S.W. Curriculum

Advance in a Rigorous, CSWE-Accredited Program

The online M.S.W. has been nationally recognized for its quality instruction, career advising, student diversity and networking opportunities.

Engage in Hands-On Practicum Experiences

Grow as a specialized practitioner by demonstrating the nine CSWE course competencies in supervised, real-world settings.

Attain Licensure at the Master’s Level

Winthrop’s M.S.W. graduates have regularly exceeded the national average for licensure pass rates.**

Curriculum Details

Admissions Requirements

Learn How to Begin the Online M.S.W. Program

Application Deadline 07/15/26

Start Date 08/24/26

Winthrop offers a supportive admissions process to students seeking online M.S.W. programs in South Carolina and other locations. There are no GRE/GMAT requirements, and our enrollment specialists are here to support you every step of the way. Request information to learn more.

Online Application Form	Apply Now
Application Fee	One-time fee of $50, paid online
Degree and Minimum GPA	Traditional program: Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA preferred on your last 60 credit hours or an overall GPA of 2.8 Advanced Standing: Bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA overall required
Transcripts	Official transcript(s) from all institutions attended, even if the classes were transferred or if the applicant withdrew from the school
Transfer Credits	Up to nine transfer credits
Additional Requirements	Three professional recommendations: Personal/character references from family members, friends and clergy are not appropriate. If you graduated within the last five years, one reference should be an academic reference. You may also use an employer or someone who has supervised your volunteer work. You will be asked to provide the names and e-mail addresses of three individuals who can complete a recommendation form on your behalf. Current, professional resume that demonstrates paid and volunteer experience in the helping profession. Professional narrative statement (3-5 pages) addressing the following: Your reasons for pursuing the M.S.W. degree and your commitment to the profession Your career goals upon completing the degree How a specialization in empowerment practice will help you reach your professional goals Prior to beginning your statement, please read the NASW Code of Ethics and our statement on Empowerment Practice; this statement must be developed solely by the applicant with no outside assistance and reflect sound, professional judgement

Note: Applicants who do not meet a stated admission requirement for Winthrop University’s online M.S.W. program are highly encouraged to complete an addendum to their professional narrative statement to address the requirement they do not meet, why and steps they plan to take to be a successful graduate student if admitted.

International Students

International students must have a course-by-course evaluation of their international coursework conducted by an independent evaluation service and have the official report sent directly to us. Accepted services include World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions. Students must also demonstrate English language proficiency with one of the following:

A TOEFL score of at least 550 on the paper-based test or at least 79 on the internet-based test
An IELTS score of at least 6.0
Successful completion of level 112 of the Intensive English for Academic Purposes Program from an English Language School (ELS) center

For a full list of international admission requirements, visit the Admissions page.

Discover a Simple, Supportive Admissions Process

Winthrop understands that every student has unique needs and goals. So, we designed our Admissions Hub to provide guidance on forging your own path to an online program. Whether you want to transfer credits, have military experience or live abroad, you’ll find resources that help you take the next step. If you’d like to talk with an enrollment specialist, request information or call 833-257-1704.

Admissions

Tuition & Aid

Earning Your M.S.W. Is an Investment in Your Future

Calculate your cost for attending Winthrop University Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.

Tuition Calculator

Winthrop strives to provide a cost-effective experience for each student, which is reflected in our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report.¹ Review the following tuition details for the online M.S.W. program, including specifics for the Traditional and Advanced Standing programs.

Cost per Credit Hour	$699
Total Number of Credit Hours	Traditional program: 60 Advanced Standing: 39
Total Estimated Tuition	Traditional program: $41,940 Advanced Standing: $27,261
Additional Fees	Library fee: $75 per semester Health and counseling fee: $180 per semester (this fee will be assessed to graduate students enrolled in nine or more credit hours per semester)
Other Costs to Budget For	Costs for books and supplies are not charged directly to the student’s account. Actual student expenses will vary depending on the student’s class schedule.

The schedule of fees is subject to change, and additional fees may apply.

Our Mission: To Empower the Success of Military Students

Winthrop University is proud to support the aspirations of active-duty service members and veterans. Here, you can make the most of your VA educational benefits and take advantage of our participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program. We’re committed to providing a welcoming and supportive learning environment for military students, which is reflected in our ranking among the Best Colleges for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report.

Explore the Tuition and Financial Aid Details

Winthrop University strives to deliver a solid return on your educational investment, and it shows. Ranked among the Best Value Schools for 2025 by U.S. News & World Report, we design online programs to provide impactful, cost-effective experiences. Visit our Tuition and Aid page to explore financial aid options, scholarships and other ways to make it more affordable to acquire a bachelor’s or master’s degree with the power to transform your career.

Tuition Details

Apply Your Passion for Helping Others in a Growing Career Field

Social workers affirm the strengths of people, communities and organizations to help identify and resolve challenges. Professionals seeking an M.S.W. in South Carolina can continue their education with Winthrop to make a meaningful difference in mental health, policy planning, child welfare, international social work and numerous other practice areas. Employment growth is rising in this field, with 74,000 openings projected each year through 2034.¹

Explore Careers

Career Outlook for Social Workers

Median Annual Salary $61,330 in 2024¹

Projected Employment Growth 6% from 2024 to 2034¹

“I loved that Winthrop’s M.S.W. program focused on empowerment practice across a variety of levels instead of making me choose micro vs macro at the start of my program like other schools did.”
–Tara H., Winthrop M.S.W. alum

What You’ll Learn

Earn your M.S.W. online with Winthrop to prepare for promising opportunities across the social work field. This program provides a foundation for obtaining social work licensure in South Carolina,** further broadening your employment potential.

Program Outcomes

Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
Engage diversity and difference in practice
Advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice
Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
Engage in policy practice
Engage, assess, intervene and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
Use empowerment practice principles, including affirming strengths and capacities and thinking critically about multiple influences of power
Provide leadership in influencing societal systems of power to become more responsive and culturally relevant toward helping people and groups improve their current situations and quality of life

Expert Faculty Members. Exceptional Online Instruction.

Study online with Winthrop to learn from many of the same accomplished, experienced faculty members who teach on campus, which leads to a consistent, academically rigorous experience. Our educators receive training on virtual instructional technologies, enabling them to deliver high-quality and engaging coursework throughout your online program.

Anthony J. Hill, Ph.D., Department Chair and Professor of Social Work, Online M.S.W. Program

Faculty Spotlight: Anthony J. Hill, Ph.D.

Dr. Anthony J. Hill is the Chair of the Department of Social Work, Graduate Program Director and Associate Professor. A member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW), Dr. Hill is also a Certified Financial Worker and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. He is an active member and leader of several professional associations, including the National Association of Social Workers, and his research interests include financial social work and adolescent risk and resilience.

Education

Ph.D. in Social Work — Howard University
Master of Social Work — Howard University
Graduate Certificate in College and University Faculty Preparation — Howard University
B.A. in Speech Communications — George Washington University

Winthrop Online Is Where Quality Meets Convenience

Flexible learning experiences and high-quality curricula are hallmarks of Winthrop’s online programs. You can access the coursework from any internet-enabled device using the Blackboard learning management system while studying at your preferred pace. There are no requirements to visit campus, providing flexibility for balancing your classes, career and life.

Benefit from meaningful interactions with your faculty and other students
Engage in hands-on learning through interactive assignments, internships, practicum experiences and beyond
Access a wealth of student services that empower you to thrive in class

Discover Winthrop Online

Sources and Disclaimers

U.S. News & World Report. “Winthrop University Rankings.” Retrieved October 28, 2025, from https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/winthrop-university-3456/overall-rankings.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Social Workers.” Retrieved October 28, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm.

*An undergraduate degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program makes you eligible to apply for the Advanced Standing program option but does not guarantee acceptance.

**Winthrop University has determined that the M.S.W. program curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in South Carolina. State licensure requirements, including specific coursework and supervision expectations, vary from state to state. Please verify the licensure requirements in your state before you apply.