Department of Veterans Affairs NC – Accessible Social Work Degree Programs

For those who have just completed their military service, as well as those who are soon to complete it, determining your next career moves can be difficult. For many veterans, it is important to find a career path that is connected to military causes, keeping them tethered to their community and allowing them to draw from their experiences in the armed forces in their work. If you’re a veteran who shares these priorities, becoming a military social worker can be an excellent next chapter for you.

North Carolina-based veterans have many affordable social work degree programs available to them in a variety of delivery formats and schedules, making it an accessible opportunity for nearly anyone.

This can be a personally fulfilling career path that can also promise enduring work opportunities in the long-term, making it a terrific choice for veterans who are stepping into life after serving in the armed forces.

Build the Skills and Knowledge You Need to Launch a Social Work Career

Those who are looking to learn how to become a military social worker are in luck: the steps required to become a social worker for military personnel and veterans are simple and straightforward.

One cannot obtain social work licensure in North Carolina without a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, making this the necessary first step for anyone pursuing a social work career.

The majority of military social work jobs require practitioners to hold MSWs, meaning anyone hoping to lay the foundations of a long-term social work career is urged to get one.

If You Don’t Have a Bachelor’s Degree, a BSW Will Accelerate Your Social Work Career

Though a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is not a requirement at any MSW program, for those who don’t yet hold bachelor’s degrees, BSWs can be an excellent entry-point into the social work field, allowing you to build up your knowledge of the social work discipline and even gain some on-the-ground field experience before you’ve even completed your undergraduate education. They will also qualify you for Advanced Standing MSW programs, which reduce the typical two years of schooling down to a single year (when taken on a full time schedule). If you don’t yet hold a bachelor’s degree but know you wish to become a military social worker, this is the fastest way to do so.

Military Field Internships Can Help Give You the Training You’re Looking For

Though there are not many MSW programs in North Carolina offering concentrations in military social work (with one exception: Fayetteville State University, listed in the guide below), you can still get the training you need for military social work jobs through your field work experiences while in school.

Over the course of your studies, you will get an in-person look at the day-to-day responsibilities that come with civilian social worker jobs in the military, building skills and helping you determine the exact professional path you’ll take upon obtaining your social work license. This will give you an up-close look at advances in social work practice with the military so that you are thoroughly prepared for the role that awaits you.

By the time you graduate your program, you’ll already have an extensive understanding of the life of a social worker for military and veterans organizations, and you’ll be qualified to take on roles supporting other veterans or active duty service members.

The Social Work Profession Has Long Supported Veterans

If you decide to embark on a career supporting veterans and active duty service members, you’ll be contributing to a long history of military social work. Iterations of the Department of Veterans Affairs were founded across the twentieth century in acknowledgment of the variety of needs faced by veterans, from healthcare and disability assistance to psychological and emotional counseling to practical supports like housing, education, and career development.

As a veteran, you may have personally utilized some of the services military-supportive organizations provide. By building a career that will allow you to work in such an organization yourself – such as the Department of Veterans Affairs NC – you’ll be able to contribute further to those institutions, providing your depth of experience to provide compassionate care to your fellow veterans and service members.

Take Advantage of Your Military Benefits to Kickstart Your Career

The programs listed in the index below are among the lowest-cost in the state, but as a veteran or active duty service member, you have the opportunity to further reduce your educational costs through the military benefits available to you.

Your military benefits are designed to support you in all aspects of your life, and you’re highly encouraged to make the most of them when pursuing your education.

There is an extensive range of resources available to you as a veteran or active service member. These include federal benefit programs, such as the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and other educational funding programs, as well as state of NC veterans benefits. These are overseen by the NC Veterans Affairs Department, designed specifically to assist military members and families in the state.

Additionally, many schools participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which is designed to account for costs not covered by other benefit programs. This can be a particularly great choice for those pursuing graduate-level degrees, as some benefit programs are primarily designed for undergraduate schooling.

Index of Social Work Programs (in alphabetical order)

Take a look at the following guide to affordable, military-friendly North Carolina social work programs to find the best fit for you. As you review these options, be sure to pay attention to the specific degrees offered by each school on this list. Some programs only offer bachelor’s degrees, and others only master’s degrees. There are also different concentration pathways available in different master’s programs, so be sure you take a careful look at those as well.

Please note that military bases listed as being in proximity to college campuses are within one hour’s driving distance.

Yellow Ribbon Schools are noted as such in their program listing.

Elizabeth City State University

Location: Elizabeth City
Website

Per-year tuition (in-state): $3,412
Online option: No

Degrees/Formats Offered:

Nearby military bases: U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City

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

North Carolina Central University

Yellow Ribbon School
Location: Durham
Website

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

Degrees/Formats Offered:

MSW Specializations:

Nearby military bases: Army Research Office Durham

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Yellow Ribbon School
Location: Raleigh
Website

Per-year tuition (in-state): $8,895
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

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 North Carolina at Wilmington

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

Can I use NC veterans benefits and federal benefits simultaneously?

In some cases, yes. Your individual benefits will be determined by a range of factors relating to your time in the service and health status. You can get assistance in navigating the benefits available to you from the Department of Veterans Affairs NC.

Do I need an MSW in order to become a military social worker?

Yes. Though there are some entry-level positions available at VA organizations for non-MSWs, you will need a master’s degree in order to hold most military social work roles, from providing one-on-one counseling to working as a case manager for individuals and families in need. For this reason it’s strongly recommended to obtain an MSW at the outset of your social work career.

What is the average military social worker salary in North Carolina?

Though there is no focused report specifically on military social worker pay in North Carolina, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2023 report on “social workers – all other categories” can provide a rough guideline. The BLS reports a mean annual salary of $68,270, breaking down to a mean hourly wage of $32.82. It’s worth noting that with seniority can come enhanced responsibilities and in turn, higher pay.

What social work license do I need to become a military social worker?

There is no specific social work license for military social workers. Rather, your social work license will determine the types of responsibilities you’re able to take within military social work organizations. This means it’s in your best interests to review the different social work license types to determine which career training you’d like to pursue.

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.