Master of Social Work Online
Boise State’s Master of Social Work (MSW) Online is designed to prepare students for advanced social work practice with individuals and families. Students learn clinical, organizational and policy skills necessary for promoting social justice and equality and enhancing the quality of life for all people. With no out-of-state tuition and 100% online coursework, our program provides you the flexibility to get your master’s degree.
Want to learn more about the Master of Social Work Online? Contact a student success coach.
Next Application Deadline: August 15
The application deadline for the Fall 2025 semester has passed. Apply now to start classes in Spring 2026.
Admission to Boise State’s Master of Social Work Online is offered every spring, summer and fall semester. All application materials must be received by the deadline to be considered for the program. You must apply separately for admission to Boise State University.
Program Details
Use the program detail cards to learn more about the Master of Social Work Online. Still have questions? Register for a free MSW information session.
Master of Social Work Online: Regular Program and Advanced Standing
Boise State Online offers both a Regular Program MSW and an Advanced Standing MSW. The Regular Program MSW is for students with a bachelor’s degree in disciplines other than social work. The Advanced Standing MSW is designed for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an undergraduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Advanced Standing MSW students are not required to complete foundational coursework and can complete their MSW in an accelerated time frame: three semesters if attending full-time or less than two years if attending part-time. The advanced standing program covers only advanced-level work, making it a more efficient choice for students who have recently graduated with a bachelor’s in social work. Admission to the advanced standing program is evaluated on a case-by-case basis; all applicants must demonstrate significant social work practical experience on their resume.
You can apply for the Advanced Standing program if you meet one of the following requirements:
1) You graduated with a bachelor’s in social work from a CSWE-accredited school within the last five years.
OR
2) You graduated with a bachelor’s in social work from a CSWE-accredited school within the last 10 years and have significant post-bachelor’s degree social work practice experience. Applicants who do not meet these criteria are encouraged to apply to the Regular Program Master of Social Work Online.
Master of Social Work On-Campus Program
Master of Social Work graduate programs are offered on the Boise State campus. Our on-campus Master of Social Work was established in 1991 and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
More Information About the Master of Social Work On-Campus Program
Unique Advantages of an Online MSW
Community Driven
Teaching social workers in their communities is a strategic approach that helps graduates connect closely with local needs. This encourages a responsive and community-based approach to social work, enabling professionals to navigate and address unique community needs with greater insight and cultural awareness.
High Quality
Nationally recognized for its affordability and excellence, the MSW Online consistently prepares graduates to uphold ethical standards in the realm of professional social work. This commitment ensures a high-quality learning experience, positioning graduates for success in their ethical practice and contributions to the social work profession.
Real-World Impact
Moving past theory, the MSW Online empowers graduates to actively challenge inequalities, positively impact individuals’ lives and create meaningful changes in communities and society. This hands-on approach equips them to be catalysts for positive transformations, making a lasting and tangible difference in the world around them.
Recognized for Quality Education and Affordability
Each year, Boise State’s Master of Social Work Online program is recognized for value. With no out-of-state tuition, 100% online coursework and licensing pass rates that exceed the national average by 10%, our program can help you reach your goals without leaving your community.
Boise State was listed as one of the Best Master’s in Social Work Online Programs in 2024 by the website, OnlineMastersDegrees.org (OMD). OMD, a national ranking body that uses the U.S. Department of Education data, analyzed more than 7,700 schools to create an algorithm to rank 70 unique master’s degree subjects. Only six percent of postsecondary institutions earned a ranking position, according to OMD.
Boise State’s Master of Social Work Online program was ranked No. 10 in the nation for best affordable MSW Online programs by Best Value Schools.
CSWE Accreditation
Boise State’s Master of Social Work Online is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation.
Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Board of Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
Boise State’s MSW program has been continually accredited by CSWE since 1992.
If you are considering an academic program that leads to a professional license or certification in your state, we highly recommend seeking guidance from the appropriate licensing agency in your home state before beginning the academic program located outside your state or upon changing states. Some online programs may not be available in some states or may not be designed to prepare a student for professional licensure.
Hear From MSW Graduates
Get to know our graduates and discover how their unique journeys have been shaped by the Master of Social Work Online’s commitment to providing a practical and transformative education.
Kim Mizia
“I had the support of faculty in finding and securing field placement. That is one of the things I looked at when I was researching different universities — some places don’t help with that.”
Magdalena Butler
“Trust in the program. Trust in the professors they hire. They want to see the next generation of social workers make that impact on the world.”
Lisa Hayden-Gray
“I can apply every class that I take to the things I want to do. It’s a broad education that I find specifics in. I am grateful for that.”
Student Support
From application to graduation, students are supported throughout their journey at Boise State.
Master of Social Work Online Student Success Stories and News
We Bring The Blue To You
Students in Boise State’s Master of Social Work Online can be found across the nation.
Didn’t find what you were looking for?
Contact our enrollment and student success team for support by emailing us at MSWOnline@boisestate.edu or calling (208) 426-5921.