North Carolina Universities that offer MSW Programs

Are you an aspiring social worker who’s looking to jump start your career in the state of North Carolina? If so, good news: the state is full of excellent opportunities that can help you make your career dreams a reality.

Featured Programs:

Factors to Consider While Choosing Your MSW Program

Different individuals will require very different things from their MSW program, meaning only you can determine which one is most suited to your goals. Below are a few of the most important factors to consider when picking the schools you’d like to apply to.

Cost

Perhaps needless to say, the cost of tuition and additional expenses is one of the most important concerns any future graduate student must think about. As you will see in the list below, tuition can vary greatly between North Carolina-based schools. If you are a North Carolina resident, you will be able to take advantage of the resident rates at many institutions, which should put the cost of graduate school closer within reach.

In North Carolina, you should be able to find MSW programs that are convenient to where you already live, saving you the significant expense of relocating.

Many schools also offer scholarships, grants, and work-study programs to help students cover their school expenses. There are also some independent scholarships students can apply for to pay for their education at any institution. If you are interested in attending a graduate program but aren’t sure how you can pay for it, it’s highly recommended to look into these options. For a list of available scholarships in the state, take a look at our guide here.

Classroom Format

In recent years, graduate students of all types have benefitted from the newfound convenience of distance learning (online) options. A once controversial idea that has become the norm in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, online education options can be a tremendous boon for students who need to balance their time in graduate school with maintaining employment or other existing responsibilities. It can also make it possible for students who live in remote areas or towns without MSW programs to study without needing to relocate their lives. Indeed, for many who have dreamed of going to grad school, the online option is what has finally made these goals possible.

That said, if you have the option of attending an on-campus program, there are still advantages to in-person learning that are worth taking into account. Those who hope for direct mentorship or regular networking opportunities may find these easier to find within an on-campus program, which will more easily facilitate conversations with peers and give you greater access to your professors and advisors. Some also find it easier to focus and meet deadlines when their classes are held in person, though this is subjective and can vary from one student to the next.

Increasingly, MSW programs are also beginning to offer hybrid learning models, which include some in-person classes and some remote classes. These can offer the best of both worlds to students who are able to meet the demands of an in-person schedule while reducing commuting obligations.

Full-Time vs. Part-Time

Students who plan on working while they are studying for their MSW often choose to complete their programs on a part-time schedule. When completed on a full-time schedule, MSW programs take two years to complete. On a part-time schedule, they typically take three. The reduced classroom time and slowed-down schedule allows busy students to juggle their academic tasks with outside responsibilities. In many cases, this option is the only thing that makes it possible to pursue a graduate degree.

When choosing between a full-time vs. part-time academic schedule, think carefully about both your short-term and long-term goals. It’s crucial to opt for a schedule that will actually be manageable for you amid your other day-to-day obligations. That said, it’s also important to consider where you’d like to be in the next few years – after all, a part time program will take longer to complete, so it’s crucial that you be sure you can maintain your sense of motivation over that time.

Focus Areas

All accredited MSW programs will provide you with the foundational education and degree level you need to start a career in any subfield of social work. However, some programs have their own areas of specialization that can develop particular areas of expertise for social workers who are especially focused on one area of social work practice. These can include topics like health care social work, macro level social work, school social work, and more.

When schools are known for having an emphasis on particular focus areas, it often means they are connected to a particularly rich network of organizations where students can complete their field work hours. These internships can provide invaluable on-the-ground experience to help students gain professional skills before they have even graduated. Because of this, it’s worth looking into the focus areas of specialty at your chosen schools and considering which social work specialty you’d like to pursue across your career.

A Note on Choosing Your MSW Program

As you will see, there are many opportunities to get an MSW in North Carolina. You may even feel overwhelmed by the number of offerings in the state. When narrowing down your academic options, one rule is paramount over all others: choose an accredited program. This should not be optional, as you will only be eligible for North Carolina social work licensure if you have attended an accredited school.

Throughout the United States, accreditation is overseen by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), meaning it is their certification you should look for when creating your list of schools. The social work board in N.C. determining licensure is the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board (NCSWCLB). When in doubt, run a search for these names on the websites of any degree program that interests you to be sure that your school is properly accredited.

North Carolina MSW Programs

Take a look at the list of North Carolina-based MSW programs below. Be sure to visit the websites of any school you’re interested in for more complete information.

Appalachian State University

Location: Boone
Website

Per-year tuition (in-state): $8,081
Online option: Yes

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Specializations:

GRE required: Yes (exam waiver possibility)

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian State University offers an excellent MSW program in a beautiful and remote location. (If you don’t live near Boone, don’t worry – App State’s educational offerings are also available online.) This prestigious university has been ranked by US News and World Report in the Top 3 Regional Universities (South) in the country. There are also compelling and less-than-typical field work opportunities for AppState students: after all, it’s important to remember that social services are not only needed in major cities, but also in smaller towns and more rural areas, and here you will see that up close. If you wish to pursue a social work career while locating your life in beautiful surroundings, this could be an excellent choice for you.

East Carolina University

Location: Greenville
Website

Per-year tuition (in-state, on-campus): $7,658
Per-year tuition (in-state, online only): $5,213
Online option: Yes

Formats:

Specializations:

GRE Required: No

The MSW program at East Carolina University is part of the school’s College of Health and Human Performance. It offers an advanced generalist education with specialization options after a foundational year of coursework. Designed to accommodate students who need to continue working while in school, the program offers multiple part-time online courses to allow students more flexibility as they pursue their social work degrees.

Fayetteville State University

Location: Fayetteville
Website

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

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Specializations:

GRE required: No

Fayetteville State University, a historically Black college that is part of the University of North Carolina, is the second oldest university in the state. Social work students at FSU have numerous format options to pick from so that they can devise an educational path that fits into the rest of their lives. Many students in this program choose to focus on veterans’ issues and have numerous opportunities to get their first work experience in the field thanks to the school’s proximity to Fort Bragg. Those who are interested in working for Veterans Affairs organizations in the future can gain a significant leg up by pursuing their MSW in this program. The school does not require GREs to apply.

North Carolina Central University

Location: Durham
Website

One-year tuition (in-state): $4,740
Online option: No

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Specializations:

GRE required: No

The MSW program at North Carolina Central University is designed to provide an advanced generalist education with an emphasis on cultural competence to help students become skilled social work professionals and leaders in their field. Their curriculum will introduce social work students to the many areas of specialty that are out there in the field so that they can gain intensive expertise and considerable field work experience to hit the ground running in their social work careers.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Location: Raleigh
Website

Per-year tuition (in-state): $12,041
Online option: No

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Specializations:

GRE Requirement: Optional

Raleigh residents who wish to pursue careers in social work can do so at NCSU’s Raleigh branch, which offers full-time MSW programs for those who hold BSWs and those who don’t. Their advanced generalist curriculum allows students to gravitate toward any area of specialization, which can help inform field work opportunities. Raleigh is an excellent city to plant roots as a social worker, as its growing size and diverse demographics provide an on-the-ground case study for those who wish to understand how urban growth impacts social issues.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Location: Chapel Hill
Website

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

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The School of Social Work (SSW) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is considered to be one of the top ten in the nation. This means that students can expect to receive a standout education here, with a degree that’s likely to catch the attention of prospective employers in the future. Because the school – which is more than 100 years old – is so deeply integrated into the city of Chapel Hill, there are numerous opportunities for students to make professional connections and gain invaluable field experience before they even graduate. Indeed, the university’s commitment to community engagement is evident through various partnerships and outreach programs, offering students valuable opportunities to apply their learning in real-world settings.

Johnson C. Smith University

Location: Charlotte
Website

Per-year tuition: $18,308
Online option: No

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The MSW program at UNC-Charlotte is ranked among the top 20 percent in the country, having grown tremendously since its founding in the 1970s. Its comprehensive programs equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for addressing the diverse needs of individuals and communities in Charlotte and elsewhere. The school is also known for its emphasis on social work in developing urban areas, using the city of Charlotte as a foundational case study for students to learn from.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Location: Charlotte
Website

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

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Specializations:

GRE Requirement: No

University of North Carolina at Greensboro / North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (Joint MSW Program)

Location: Greensboro
Website

Per-year tuition (in-state): $5,219
Online option: Yes

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Specializations:

UNC Greensboro and North Carolina A&T State University offer a unique, jointly hosted cross-campus program for Greensboro-based social work students. The first year of school emphasizes an Advanced Generalist education, providing a comprehensive overview of the social work field. The next year offers a specialization curriculum, allowing students to choose a focus area and begin pursuing advanced clinical courses so that they can hold high-ranking social work roles in their specialty of choice. Thanks to the joint nature of the program, students have a particularly large number of course offerings and field work opportunities.

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Location: Pembroke
Website

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

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Specializations:

GRE Required: Optional with GPA over 2.75

Though not technically in Fayetteville proper, UNC-Pembroke is a short distance away from the city, allowing Fayetteville-based students the opportunity to take courses without relocating to do so. This program is specifically designed for students who are balancing outside responsibilities, offering all courses in a hybrid format with the option of taking classes fully online if need be. If you live in the region and need a maximum of flexibility, this is an excellent choice of school to pursue your MSW.

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Location: Wilmington
Website

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

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Specializations:

GRE required: Optional with GPA over 3.25

If you are committed to either becoming a clinical social worker, performing specialized counseling and therapeutic services, or a macro social worker, engaging with public causes on the policy and advocacy level, UNC-Wilmington is an excellent choice for you. These unique programs allow students to zero in on the causes they would most like to contribute to as social workers and develop their insight and expertise early. This is especially noteworthy for those interested in the “Macro” track, as few schools offer this specialization so directly.

Western Carolina University

Locations: Asheville and Cullowhee
Website

Per-year tuition (in-state): $11,536
Online option: Yes

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Specializations:

Western Carolina University’s MSW program is designed to prepare students for the full responsibilities of a social worker. Located in both Asheville and Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is part of the University of North Carolina system, meaning students can expect to receive a top-tier education that will leave them eligible for competitive social work jobs. The school offers several specialized certificate programs for students who concentrate within the master’s program, including Addiction Studies, the Child Welfare Education Collaborative (CWEC), the Culturally-Based Native Health certificate program, and an Integrated Care focus area, and a School Social Work certificate. These can feed into fieldwork experiences that will set you up for the exact career you want.