Social Work, M.S.W.
Interested in Pursuing a Career in Social Work?
Westfield State University's Department of Social Work offers an accredited Master of Social Work Program with a single concentration in clinical practice, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE
Students have the option to complete their MSW Program on-ground at our Westfield, MA campus or completely online, both options are delivered through a hybrid format.
Within the clinical MSW Program, students can choose to focus 6 credits of electives and their advanced social policy course in one of the following four specialties (pending University approval*):
- Child, Youth, and Family
- Health Social Work
- Latinx Community Health (the required specialty courses are in English and Spanish or Spanish)*
- Substance Use and Addictions*
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Complete your studies either on-campus or fully online
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Our MSW program prepares you for social work licensure
Take the Next Step:
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Discover details on admissions, prerequisites, and application deadlines to pursue your passion in clinical practice.
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Discover the mission, goals, competencies, curriculum, and course descriptions for the MSW program.
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Field education is a critical partnership between the Social Work Program, Field Education Program, faculty and staff, community partners, field instructors, and students. It plays a vital role in preparing competent professional social workers for their careers.
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All Council on Social Work Education programs measure and report student learning outcomes. Students are assessed on their mastery of the competencies that comprise the accreditation standards of the Council on Social Work Education.
Why Westfield State?
The clinical M.S.W. program at Westfield State University begins with a general overview that evolves into an advanced curriculum including clinical knowledge, values, and skills. The MSW program can be completed in two years full-time or three to four years part-time on ground or fully online. If you have an interest in exploring the MSW completion program options feel free to review the MSW Completion Plans PDF (downloadable)
On grounds In Person Program at Westfield Campus
- Students attend classes in person on the Westfield Campus on Monday and Thursday evenings, along with coursework online (Hybrid model).
- Some courses are fully asynchronous, and online. Approximately 20% of the program curriculum is completely asynchronous online.
- The required field internships are completed in person within a 60-mile radius of Westfield.
Online Program
- Students attend classes on Zoom on Monday and Thursday evenings, along with asynchronous coursework (Hybrid model).
- Some courses are fully asynchronous, and online.
- Approximately 20% of the program curriculum is completely asynchronous online.
- For the 2023-2024 academic year, Advanced full-time and full-time traditional programs of study internships are to be completed in Massachusetts.
- For the 2024–2025 academic year, students in the Online Program should expect to complete their practicum internships in Massachusetts. Consideration can be made without guarantee to completing an internship within a 50-mile radius of Massachusetts in the following states: Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York, with the understanding that the student works collaboratively with the practicum department to secure the internship placement and the recruitment of the site happens in a timely fashion (February – May).
- For both program options classes are held between 5:15 and 9:00 pm or are online (but please note that daytime availability may be needed to complete Field Placements).
How Does Westfield State’s MSW Program Prepare Clinical Social Workers?
The Masters in Social Work (MSW) degree offered at Westfield State University prepares graduates to be eligible, upon graduation, to sit for the state social work licensure exam to become a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW).
The MSW Program curriculum is divided into two parts, a generalist practice foundation curriculum that is common to all graduate social work programs and an advanced curriculum in clinical practice that is designed to give students advanced clinical knowledge, values, and skills.
The foundation curriculum includes classroom work and a 400-hour, hands-on generalist field practicum. The advanced curriculum includes classroom work and a 500-hour, hands-on clinical field practicum.
Advanced Standing
Since applicants with a BSW from an accredited social work program have already completed the requirements for the foundation curriculum, these applicants may be admitted to the Advanced Standing program. Students admitted to the Program with Advanced Standing may enter the program at the advanced level following the completion of a summer Bridge course.
Integrated Behavioral Health Collaborative
The Integrative Behavioral Health Collaborative (IBHC) began in 2017 through a $1.3 million grant from the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) to increase capacity among social workers by offering advanced-year students a $10,000 training stipend to provide integrated behavioral health (IBH) across the medically underserved areas in Western and Central MA. Over the next four years, 81 MSW students were trained within community partner sites to provide IBH services, and 32 IBH training modules were produced with free continuing education units.
In 2021, the IBHC expanded with a $1.5 million HRSA grant to begin the Integrated Behavioral Health Equity Project. Over the next four years, 92 MSW students will receive a $10,000 training stipend to work with our community partner sites addressing social determinants of health. Students complete health equity projects designed to systemically dismantle the structures that perpetuate racial and health inequities.
How much will it cost?
We offer affordable programs. Our social work program was rated the most affordable MSW program in the Northeast in 2016 by the Social Work Degree Guide. Please visit our Tuition and Fees Page for up-to-date costs.
Coursework
The MSW program can be completed in two full-time or three to four years part-time. The MSW program has five programs of study. MSW Completion Plans PDF (downloadable).
Requirements
Student Resources
Westfield State University's Master's Social Work, M.S.W. academic program 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.

For Questions on the Application Process
