Online degree programs for military spouses

Anyone who is married to an active duty military member knows how difficult it can be to balance your personal needs with the demands of a military career. However, it’s very important to find room in your life to pursue your own goals, and fortunately, thanks to the arrival of online degree programs, it’s easier than ever to do so.

Military spouses make many compromises to support their partners in the military, but your career doesn’t have to be one of them.

There are numerous online degree programs for military spouses offering social work degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s level, allowing you to pursue your education no matter what your other circumstances are.

The Little-known Issue of Unemployment Among Military Spouses

Though it is not widely reported, military spouses have long been facing a crisis of unemployment, with a 2024 report by the Department of Labor finding a 21% unemployment rate among military spouses. This is a disheartening number, though the rise of remote opportunities may pose some exciting solutions for military spouses who have struggled to lock down long term professional opportunities.

Why are military spouses faced with this issue? There are a variety of factors at play. Most notably, relocation has proven to be a critical issue. The same DoL report states that 81% of military families face at least one Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move, forcing them to upend their lives to be in proximity to, or even on, a military base. This can make it difficult to keep professional and educational commitments, leading to a ripple effect: after several years of sporadic work experience, many feel that their patchy CVs leave them underqualified for future work positions.

Many who serve in the military are very young, and in most cases their spouses are too, with important years of career development ahead of them. This is a critical time to invest in the next steps in your professional life, and until recently, many military spouses haven’t had ample opportunities to do so.

Remote Education Opportunities Can Put Your Career Back Into Your Own Hands

Because of the reasons listed above, many military spouses have not had the opportunity to develop stable careers. This means that online degree programs for military spouses have been absolutely game changing, offering an opportunity to pursue uninterrupted career advancement regardless of changes in your day-to-day circumstances. These programs can be offered on both full-time and part-time schedules, making them even more convenient for military spouses balancing their studies with outside responsibilities.

Making Use of Federal and State Benefits as a Military Spouse

Another excellent reason to pursue higher education as a military spouse is because you likely have the opportunity to take advantage of benefits for military families. This can require a decent amount of research and planning, but the opportunities are out there, and you are urged to make the most of them.

To help military spouses maximize their federal and state benefits, the Department of Defense offers the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program. This can be immensely helpful in tracking down military spouse masters degree scholarships, state benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs NC, and other forms of assistance designed to promote educational and career growth.

It’s no secret that there are many hurdles military spouses must face in order to further their careers. Benefits for military spouses are intended to help accommodate that disadvantage, making it as easy and affordable as possible to pursue the next steps in your career.

Social Work Careers Can Be the Perfect Career Pathway for Military Spouses

There are several reasons why social work MSWs are among the best degrees for military spouses. One of them is the wealth of opportunities available to social workers all over the country: social workers are employed in a huge variety of organizations, serving an equally huge range of populations. This means that those who are concerned about fitting their career trajectory into their obligations as a military spouse are still likely to find work opportunities wherever they go.

Beyond the convenience of pursuing an online social work degree, careers in social work can be a fantastic choice for military spouses, offering engaging and meaningful day-to-day responsibilities that allow you to support those in need.

There are a variety of jobs for military spouses with social work degrees; especially appealing can be civilian social worker jobs in the military. These roles can involve providing counseling and emotional support to military members, veterans, and their families; becoming case managers helping individuals and families access resources; and more.

Military spouses can provide unique understanding to other military spouses and families, offering compassion drawn out of their own experiences.

While you may not have yourself sought the support of a social worker, most military spouses can understand why the empathetic ear of a social worker can be a source of comfort and strength during times of difficulty. This can make this work particularly fulfilling for military spouses.

Our Index of Top Military-Friendly Social Work Programs, Listed Alphabetically

You have seen above why many consider an MSW to be the best degree for a military spouse. Take a look at our guide to the best social work online degree programs for military spouses in North Carolina. Each of the schools on this list has been deemed “military-friendly” for at least one of the following reasons:

Look carefully at these listings, as they include both bachelor’s degrees for military spouses and master’s degrees. Not every school offers both, so be sure to do careful research to find the program that’s right for you.

Belmont Abbey College

Yellow Ribbon School
Location: Belmont
Website

Per-year tuition (in-state): $19,500
Online option: Yes

Degrees/Formats Offered:

Nearby military bases: 145th Airlift Wing Charlotte

Fayetteville State University

Location: Fayetteville
Website

Per-year tuition (in-state): $3,438
Online option: Yes

Degrees/Formats Offered:

MSW Specializations:

Nearby military bases: Fort Liberty Army Base, Pope Army Airfield

Methodist University

Yellow Ribbon School
Location: Fayetteville
Website

Per-year tuition (in-state): $39,664
Online option: Yes

Degrees/Formats Offered:

Nearby military bases: Fort Liberty Army Base, Pope Army Airfield

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Yellow Ribbon School
Location: Chapel Hill
Website

Per-year tuition (in-state): $10,552
Online option: Yes

Degrees/Formats Offered:

MSW Specializations:

Nearby military bases: North Carolina National Guard Wake County

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Yellow Ribbon School
Location: Charlotte
Website

Per-year tuition (in-state): $4,337
Online option: Yes

Degrees/Formats Offered:

MSW Specializations:

Nearby military bases: 145th Airlift Wing Charlotte

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Yellow Ribbon School
Location: Pembroke
Website

Per-year tuition (in-state): $4,280
Online option: Yes

Degrees/Formats Offered:

MSW Specializations:

Nearby military bases: Fort Liberty Army Base, Pope Army Airfield

University of Mount Olive

Yellow Ribbon School
Location: Mount Olive
Website

Per-year tuition (in-state): $25,950
Online option: Yes

Degrees/Formats Offered:

Nearby military bases:

North Carolina National Guard Wake County, Fort Liberty Army Base, Pope Army Airfield

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Yellow Ribbon School
Location: Wilmington
Website

Per-year tuition (in-state): $4,719
Online option: Yes

Degrees/Formats Offered:

MSW Specializations:

Nearby military bases: Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point

FAQs

Do I need a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW)?

No. You can apply for an MSW program with a bachelor’s degree in any subject. However, for those who don’t yet hold bachelor’s degrees, a BSW can be a fantastic choice, as it will qualify you for Advanced Standing MSW programs, which take half the time to complete that a traditional MSW program does (reducing the program duration from two years to one).

Do online social work degree programs involve field work?

Yes, and you will still be required to complete this work in person. However, you will have the option to select an internship opportunity in a location that is convenient to you, meaning those who live far from their school’s campuses will be able to make arrangements that suit their scheduling and logistical needs.

What license level do I need to provide therapy to veterans and military members?

To provide counseling or therapy as a social worker, one must be a Licensed Clinical Social Work. This requires students to complete a significant amount of additional field hours after obtaining their MSW degree.

Does the Yellow Ribbon Program benefit military spouses?

Oftentimes, yes! The Yellow Ribbon program is offered by specific schools and is designed to help cover costs not accounted for by federal and state benefits. It is available as a transferred benefit for spouses of active duty military members who have served for 36 months or longer. 2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures reflect state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed February 2025.