Boise State’s Advanced Standing Master of Social Work (MSW) Online offers incredible flexibility — and a set of unique challenges. Learning to balance the demands of coursework, field placement hours, work hours and personal responsibilities isn’t just essential for success in the program — it also mirrors the real-world challenges social workers face every day.
Whether you’re just beginning your program or are deep into your field placement, finding balance is key to thriving on your journey toward becoming a licensed social worker. Here’s a closer look at the advanced standing program to help you get a better idea of how to maximize your schedule for success, as well as advice from recent graduates.
Flexible online MSW options for working professionals
Online learning at Boise State is designed to help you prepare for social work and earn your degree within a timeframe and pace that fits your needs. The flexible Advanced Standing MSW Online offers options for full- and part-time schedules, with an estimated completion time of 12 months for full-time students and under two years for part-time students. Coursework is also primarily asynchronous, meaning that most course materials can be accessed at any time, while field work needs to be completed in-person within your community.
“I love how the program gives you options like advanced standing, allows you to be full-time or part-time and how affordable it is. The staff, professors and faculty in general are supportive and make the whole process easy. I believe that they want to see you succeed and will give you whatever you need to get there,” MSW Online graduate Yessica De La Torre said.
What field work looks like in Boise State’s online MSW program
A significant advantage of the online MSW program is that it employs a team of licensed master’s-prepared social workers who serve as field coordinators, helping students secure their local field placement. This means you don’t have to relocate or find an agency on your own.
The field work time commitment for advanced standing students is 600 credit hours — 300 credit hours per semester over two consecutive semesters— which breaks down to roughly 22 hours per week or three shifts.
Student support and mentorship in the online MSW
Once you have worked with your field coordinator to secure your field placement, you’ll continue to receive full support and mentorship from your agency field instructor, faculty field liaison and student success advisor. You’ll also have the ability to network and connect with your peers and build meaningful relationships within your community.
Advice from online MSW graduates on finding balance
Many social work hopefuls have decided to go back to school and pursue their MSW. Here’s some advice from former students on how to find balance when learning, working and managing everyday responsibilities.
1. Plan ahead
An excellent piece of advice from 2024 MSW Online graduate Ashlie Thacker is to keep track of your deadlines and incorporate time for coursework into your schedule.
“Having the ability to know when assignments were due and to do classwork wherever I happened to be helped me succeed in obtaining my degree,” Thacker said.
2. Don’t be afraid to communicate with faculty and staff
If you’re struggling to find balance, remember that the MSW Online team is there to assist you and can help you with solutions.
“I was fairly open with a lot of my professors regarding anything I had going on. I knew that door was open. They made it very clear in the beginning of courses they’d be available, which I took to heart,” MSW Online graduate Magdalena Butler said.
Don’t forget: The online MSW program wants its students to succeed.
3. Stay openminded
Social work is a broad field with numerous opportunities to find the place that speaks to you, which can feel overwhelming. Give yourself permission — and time — to slow down and really think about where you see yourself being the most fulfilled or having the most impact. Also, take advantage of the knowledge of your professors, advisors and field liaisons; they can help you make the most of your time in the program so you can focus better.
“There is so much that this program does to challenge you in a healthy, positive way in growth, to open your mind to opportunities, to populations, to fields you never thought you’d want to be in. Then, you love it,” MSW Online graduate Sebastian Calderon said.
Ready to take the leap?
Start your journey with Boise State’s Online MSW Program
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.