If you are driven to help others and looking to become a professional social worker, Boise State University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) Online can equip you with the tools you need to reach your goals.
The Master of Social Work Online program has two pathways — the Standard MSW and the Advanced Standing MSW.
The former is for you if you have a bachelor’s degree in a different discipline and are looking to transition into social work, while the latter is for you if you graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited undergraduate social work program or have a BSW and relevant real-world social work experience within the last decade.
The MSW degree utilizes the National Association of Social Work (NASW) code of ethics, focusing on the values and principles guiding professional conduct, including service, social and economic justice, dignity, the importance of human relationships, integrity and competence. The program prepares you to advocate for underrepresented, oppressed and vulnerable populations across a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances.
You will learn to help clients build the tools they need to improve their quality of life and empower them to meet their own needs with the program’s curriculum.
Turning experience into impact
Several online Master of Social Work students enter the program while coming from helping roles, including case management, education, healthcare and military service.
By applying your experience to the Advanced Standing MSW pathway, you will build on that foundation, not start over.
If you qualify for the Advanced Standing MSW option, you will skip foundational coursework and complete your degree quicker than the standard option — in as few as three semesters as a full-time student or less than two years as a part-time student.
Advanced Standing MSW admissions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. You must show relevant social work experience on your resume.
How the Advanced Standing MSW builds on what you already know
In addition to earning credit for your BSW degree and previous learning in the social work field, you will enhance what you already know with real-world application through local field placements.
You’ll complete your field placement in your local area, with guidance and support from Boise State’s dedicated field placement team.
Boise State also provides mentorship from faculty who understand the needs of nontraditional students.
The journey from service to social work
The advanced standing online MSW degree program helped veteran Richard Renz find a new mission after 20 years of military service — helping others through social work.
“I woke up one day and said, ‘This is not for me,’” Renz said. “Some friends and counselors said I should really look into social work. I met some people in the industry, and the more I talked to them, I was like, ‘All right, let’s try this out.’”
Since graduating from the online Master of Social Work program, Renz became the Idaho director for Visions Counseling and Education and the founder of Safe Haven LLC.
“You can still be a professional and work in the community, help with advocacy, help people out and still continue your education with a great level of support,” he said. “I wanted to get my master’s and still maintain a professional relationship in my community.”
Renz knows he made the right decision to enroll at Boise State and follow his new career direction.
“This isn’t a profession,” he said. “You’re not going to become a social worker to get rich,” he said. “It’s a calling. Once you get that calling and you feel it, you’re never going to do anything else.”
Why purpose-driven professionals choose Boise State
Social work professionals are drawn to Boise State’s MSW Online for several reasons, including the 100% online asynchronous format for coursework, and local field placement that does not require any campus visits and no extra fee for out-of-state tuition.
The program is also CSWE-accredited, which affirms that it meets or exceeds professional and academic standards required for high-quality social work education.
Accreditation applies to all delivery methods, including online, and ensures the program prepares you with the knowledge and skills necessary for responsible, ethical social work practice.
The curriculum, focused on justice and ethics that align with social work values, is another strong selling point.
Take the next step toward meaningful work
Build on your BSW or professional experience with Boise State’s Online Master of Social Work
Learn more about the social work program
Earning a Master of Social Work Online from Boise State University can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring if an online degree is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step.
Ready to learn more? Attend one of our online information sessions or contact a student success coach today.