Connecticut MSW Degree Programs

Last updated March 2, 2023
By Online MSW Degrees staff

10 different universities provide accredited undergraduate and graduate education in social work throughout Connecticut. State licensure is not required for general social work with a Bachelor's degree, but a graduate program is required for clinical practice.

School Program Admissions
Adelphi University Online Master of Social Work
Online flexibility and a personalized approach. Placements near you. No GRE.
Adelphi University CSWE Accredited MSW Program
Virginia Commonwealth University Online Master's in Social Work
Part-time and full-time online options, with three intakes throughout the year, let you learn from anywhere in the country.
Part-time and full-time options
University of Kentucky Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited, 100% online. Regular and Advanced Standing MSW tracks.
University of Kentucky CSWE Accredited MSW Program
University of West Florida Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited, 100% online. Traditional and Advanced Standing MSW tracks.
University of West Florida CSWE Accredited MSW Program
Our Lady of the Lake University Online Master of Social Work
No GRE Required, CSWE Accredited, 12 month program for BSW holders.
Our Lady of the Lake University CSWE Accredited MSW Program
University of Denver Online Master of Social Work
GRE scores are not required to apply.
Simmons University Online Master of Social Work
Accredited by the CSWE. Online Master of Social Work program can be completed in as few as 9 months and GRE scores are not required.
CSWE Accredited
i sponsored

Click to view all online MSW programs that are currently accepting applications.

Connecticut CSWE Accredited MSW Programs

There are six different institutions that offer a Master's degree in social work that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This includes the largest college in terms of enrollment in the state, the University of Connecticut. Other top universities include Quinnipiac University and Southern Connecticut State University.

Finding a Campus Based Connecticut MSW Program

Graduate programs can be found on campuses in the cities of Hartford, New Haven, and Fairfield. Both Sacred Heart University and Fairfield University are located in Fairfield, with the former being the exclusive institution to offer an online Master's degree in social work. Specializations at the University of Connecticut include working with community organizations, groups and families, or policy practice.

University of Connecticut's Master of Social Work

The Master of Social Work is one of many programs available at the School of Social Work at the University of Connecticut. While there are no opportunities to take the MSW online, there are some variations of the program available to consider. Students can choose to enroll on a part-time or full-time basis, and there is an advanced standing option that eliminates foundational coursework.

Concentrations that are available to pursue include Community Organizing; Individuals, Groups, and Families; and Policy Practice. Within the Policy Practice specialization, students will be able to analyze policies that are already in existence through data and community interviews. This specialization will be prepared to influence new legislature and how to implement these new policies in organizations.

Field Placement

Between 15 to 20 hours are needed per week to fulfill time requirements, and this is divided up into a few days per week with at least eight hours needed each day. Both internships will begin in the fall and expand throughout the academic year. Opportunities are scattered throughout the state of Connecticut and are generally located between 20 to 45 minutes of the students' home residence.

Each field placement will require 560 hours. Students with 15-hour workweeks will complete their requirements in a span of 37 weeks while 20-hour weeks will generally be finished within 28 weeks.
Those in advanced standing will only need to complete one internship throughout their studies.

Sacred Heart University's Online MSW

The exclusive CSWE-accredited and online Master of Social Work in the state of Connecticut is at Sacred Heart University. Students can pursue the degree with a specialization in Direct Community Practice or Direct Clinical Practice. This program is similarly available at the Fairfield campus for part-time or full-time enrollment.

Program Structure

Students eligible for advanced standing can complete the program in as little as 20 months. The traditional format will typically take three to four years based on how the student is enrolled. Examples of courses that may be taken include Social Welfare Policy and Services, Huma Behavior and the Social Environment, and Research Methods for Social Work.

At least 1,100 hours of field work is required for the traditional program and internships are spread evenly between the two academic years. Those with academic standing will only need to pursue one internship. Graduates have gone on to become program administrators, trauma counselors, and health care social workers.

Online Format

Courses are offered in an asynchronous format, meaning that students can access lectures and other materials at any time of the day. Technical requirements include using word processing software and having access to high-speed internet. Students are administered into the program in the fall, spring, and summer semesters, and each course typically lasts 14 weeks.

List of the Campus and Online Connecticut MSW Programs

School Program Admissions
Adelphi University Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited
Website
Virginia Commonwealth University Online Master's in Social Work
Accredited
Website
University of Kentucky Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited
Website
University of West Florida Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited
Website
Our Lady of the Lake University Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited
Website
University of Denver Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited
Website
Simmons University Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited
Website
Case Western Reserve University Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited
Website
Syracuse University Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited
Website
i sponsored

Quinnipiac University - Master of Social Work (MSW) - Hamden

Program offered in two, three, or four-year pathways for the traditional format. Available at the Hamden campus and there are no online pathways for this program. Must complete 1,000 hours in field experience with generalist and specialized work. Advanced studies explore behavioral health and evaluation research. Two of four elective courses must be clinical in nature. 99 percent of graduates in 2019 class found employment within six months.

Southern Connecticut State University - MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK (MSW) - New Haven

60 total credit hours in traditional program or 39 credit hours in advanced standing. Five courses across each semester in traditional two-year format. Also offers part-time study with field experience across the final two years. 1,100 field practicum hours needed across two internship options. Students have ability to connect with over 200 organizations to complete field experience. Option to dual degree with women's studies and gender studies.

University of Connecticut - MSW in Social Work - Storrs

Students can specialize in direct practice with various groups or policy within community. These are macro and micro-level focuses within social work and fit different perspectives. Special track available that focuses on health care through urban service. 15 to 20 hours dedicated each week to internships relating with social work. Field education requires completion of a background check. Also offers continuing education credit for professionals that need to renew state licensure.

University of Saint Joseph - Master of Social Work (MSW) - West Hartford

1,080 total field hours needed across two internship experiences. Advanced study reserves 600 hours with more hours required each week. Both traditional and advanced standing options offer full and part-time enrollment. Course availability in the evening and weekend for required and elective topics. Admission requires three recommendation letters and personal statement with career goals and accomplishments. Certification available in specializing for Latino communities.

Careers, Licensures, and Salaries in Connecticut

Thousands of social workers are employed in the state of Connecticut, with the largest specialization in child and school services. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 5,000 workers are represented in this category. The majority of these positions can be found in the Hartford metropolitan area.

In terms of salaries, Connecticut is the third-highest state for paying social workers that specialize with children and family members with an annual mean wage of $68,360. This amount is only lower than the District of Columbia and New Jersey. Workers in this specialization work with families to determine potential child neglect or what may be holding them back from learning.

Connecticut Social Work Licensure Requirements

There is no need to gain state licensure for graduates that have a Bachelor’s degree in social work. However, those holding higher education or looking for clinical work will need to apply for the Licensed Master Social worker and/or Licensed Clinical Social Worker certifications.

In addition to getting at least a Master’s degrees, applicants must gain 3,000 clock hours of supervised post-graduate experience. They must also pass the clinical exam through the Association of Social Work Boards.

Endorsement and Renewal Requirements

The state of Connecticut will endorse licenses distributed in other states, but the practitioner must be in good standing. If 3,000 post-graduate clinical hours have not been met, three years of independent work experience can be substituted. 15 credit hours of continuing education is needed for annual renewal of the license, and two hours must be dedicated to mental health toward veterans.