Online Advanced Standing Master of Social Work (MSW) Our Master of Social Work degree is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

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100% online,* 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 3 credit hours


If you’ve already earned your Bachelor of Social Work degree, Liberty’s Advanced Standing Master of Social Work (MSW) program offers you the opportunity to continue your education and further your commitment to assisting individuals in need. This program can enable you to support those who are suffering and marginalized while actively combating injustice within your community.

Our online Advanced Standing MSW program is designed to help you further your learning and provide you with advanced social work expertise in an expedited manner. Through this degree, you can be equipped to take social work licensure examinations,** ensuring you obtain the necessary credentials to advance your professional journey.

*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.

**Liberty maintains strict compliance with all licensure requirements for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Not a Virginia resident? We want to help find the best program for you! To view educational requirements and whether a specific program aligns with the licensure requirements for your state, please review our licensure/certification requirements webpage.


What is the difference between the Advanced Standing MSW and the MSW?

When it comes to choosing an MSW, it’s important to note that “Advanced Standing” refers to what your undergraduate education background is, while the MSW is the standard degree.

Our Advanced Standing MSW is designed for students who already hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).** This gives you an opportunity to complete your MSW degree in less time and with fewer requirements. Through Liberty’s Advanced Standing MSW, your specialized training can help accelerate your journey to gaining your social work license and making a difference in others’ lives.

In contrast, the other MSW offered by Liberty gives a very broad, well-rounded background in the topics you need to know about social work. Our traditional MSW program, is the degree you should pursue if you don’t already have a CSWE-accredited BSW or BSSW.***


Liberty’s Advanced Standing MSW online program is specially designed to build upon your prior education and experience. Whether your aim is to work directly in the field or contribute to policy development, our program can help equip you with the necessary tools for success.

Within our MSW courses, our goal is to cultivate a commitment to social, economic, and environmental justice while providing you with the skills to deliver effective clinical interventions. Upon completion of this MSW, you can be prepared to assist diverse populations facing challenges such as disabilities, substance abuse, unemployment, domestic conflicts, or poverty.

Throughout this online Advanced Standing MSW program, you will experience a degree that integrates various facets of social work. You can learn how to advocate for socially just policies in line with biblical truths, developing a well-rounded approach that considers the social, biological, psychological, and spiritual facets of human life. Additionally, you’ll explore topics related to human rights, engaging in discussions on both national and international issues. You can also learn how to critically examine American social policy from the perspective of a Christian worldview.

As you progress, you’ll explore advanced generalist methods for serving individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on research skills, guiding you through processes such as writing literature reviews, proposing research studies, conducting program evaluations, and completing your own research projects.

Furthermore, your studies can extend to creating social work programs grounded in cutting-edge research, ethical principles, and detailed needs assessment. Preparation for advanced social work services in various contexts like military, international, mental health, and nonprofit settings is also an integral part of this broad program. Additionally, you can gain insights into the cultural values of diverse groups and assess how these values impact daily life.

The general cognate offers additional flexibility for you to be able to choose the courses that best suit your personal and professional goals. You will have credit hours to use on courses that can help prepare you for the diverse directions your social work career may take. Join us and become equipped to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.


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What Sets Us Apart?

  • Private Nonprofit University
  • 600+ Online Degrees
  • No Standardized Testing for Admission
  • Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
  • Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

  • Agency director
  • Medical social worker
  • Program director
  • School social worker
  • Social work supervisor

Some roles may require licensure in social work, and each state has specific requirements for licensure. Be sure to research the licensure requirements in your state.


This program provides 2 options: a general cognate and an individual and family clinical cognate. No matter which option you choose, you can receive advanced training in social policy, research, and practice. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge in real-world scenarios. 


Top 1% For Online Programs

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.


State Licensure Requirements

Individual state licensure requirements may vary and are subject to change without notice. View your state’s requirements here: licensure/certification requirements.


Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Graduate Full Time $565/Credit
Graduate Part Time $615/Credit
Military Graduate $275/Credit

Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.



Military

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

  • Active Duty
  • Reserve/National Guard
  • Veterans/Retirees
  • Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
  • Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

  • Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
  • Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)*
  • 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

*Not applicable to certificates.

Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.