
Social Work, M.S.W.
Part of the
Social Work Department
Part of the
Social Work Department
Interested in Pursuing a Career in Social Work?
Westfield State University's Masters of Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) with a single concentration in clinical practice.
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*)
The clinical M.S.W. program at Westfield State University begins with a general overview that evolves into an advance 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 onground 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)
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, 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.
Students attend classes on Zoom on Monday and Thursday evenings, along with asynchronous coursework (Hybrid model). Some courses are fully asynchronous, 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. All 2024-2025 academic year internships can be completed in Massachusetts and within a 50-mile radius from Massachusetts in the following states, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, all internships can be completed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York.
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).
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.
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 completion of a summer Bridge course.
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.
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 with up to date costs.
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).