MSW Programs in Washington Online
Washington State’s progressive social policies and commitment to innovation have cultivated a dynamic environment for online Master of Social Work education, with several prestigious institutions offering CSWE-accredited programs that reflect the Pacific Northwest’s forward-thinking approach to social justice and community empowerment. These online MSW programs are uniquely positioned to address Washington’s complex social fabric, incorporating specialized tracks in areas such as addiction and recovery services, indigenous populations and tribal social work, environmental justice, and immigrant and refugee services, which are all critical areas of practice in a state known for its cultural diversity and environmental consciousness. The curriculum often emphasizes systems thinking, cultural humility, and advocacy skills that prepare graduates to work effectively across Washington’s varied communities, from tech-driven urban centers to rural agricultural regions and sovereign tribal nations.
Washington’s online MSW programs prepare students for state licensure as Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW) and Licensed Advanced Social Workers (LASW), while providing extensive field placement networks that span the state’s robust nonprofit sector, innovative healthcare systems, and cutting-edge behavioral health programs. The state’s leadership in areas such as criminal justice reform, substance abuse treatment, homelessness services, and mental health parity creates exceptional career opportunities for MSW graduates who are prepared to engage in policy practice and direct service delivery. With Washington’s strong economy, progressive policy environment, and ongoing investment in social services infrastructure, graduates find themselves entering a professional landscape that values evidence-based practice, collaborative care models, and community-driven solutions to complex social challenges.
2026 Best Washington MSW Programs Online
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA - Private 4-year - plu.edu
Master's - Master of Social Work
Concentration: Healthcare and Behavioral Health - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Pacific Lutheran University's online Master of Social Work in Healthcare and Behavioral Health is a hybrid program with a low-residency model, offering 14-month Advanced Standing and 24-month Regular Standing tracks. It requires no entrance exam and includes 900 practicum hours, focusing on anti-racist practices, social justice, and clinical skills to prepare graduates for licensure in diverse healthcare settings. CSWE accreditation is pending.
- Two program entry pathways
- Low-residency hybrid model
- 900 hours practicum work
- Healthcare/behavioral health focus
- Anti-racist practice emphasis
- Small cohort model (10-18 students)
- Licensure preparation tracks
- Global health perspective option
- Evening/online course options
- CSWE accreditation pending
Master's - Master of Social Work
Concentration: Anti-Racist Practices - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Pacific Lutheran University's online Master of Social Work with a concentration in Anti-Racist Practices is a hybrid program that does not require an entrance exam. It offers flexible 14-month Advanced Standing and 24-month Regular Standing tracks, featuring 900 practicum hours and a curriculum emphasizing healthcare, behavioral health, and social justice. CSWE accreditation is pending, and it supports working professionals with evening and online options.
- Two MSW program pathways
- Hybrid/low-residency model
- Healthcare and behavioral focus
- 900 hours practicum required
- CSWE accreditation pending
- Anti-racist practice emphasis
- Small cohort learning
- Global health perspective
- Licensure preparation included
- Late afternoon/evening classes
Master's - Master of Social Work
Concentration: Global Focus on Health and Behavioral Health - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Pacific Lutheran University's online Master of Social Work with a Global Focus on Health and Behavioral Health is a hybrid program that does not require an entrance exam. It provides 14-month Advanced Standing and 24-month Regular Standing tracks, including 900 practicum hours and a focus on anti-racist practices, diversity, and equity. CSWE accreditation is pending, preparing graduates for licensure in global healthcare contexts.
- Advanced & Regular Standing pathways
- Hybrid/low-residency learning model
- Healthcare and behavioral focus
- 900 hours practicum required
- CSWE accreditation pending
- Small cohort sizes (10-18 students)
- Global health perspective included
- Licensure preparation track
- Late afternoon/evening classes
- Online and in-person options
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA - Public 4-Year - ewu.edu
Master's - Master of Social Work (MSW)
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Eastern Washington University's online Master of Social Work (MSW) program is a 90-credit, CSWE-accredited hybrid offering with full-time and part-time options. It emphasizes advanced practice skills, social justice, and evidence-based interventions, requiring no entrance exam. The program includes extensive practicum experiences in diverse settings, preparing graduates for various professional environments with a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement.
- 90-credit comprehensive MSW program
- CSWE accredited curriculum
- Full-time and part-time options
- Hybrid and in-person delivery
- Practicum in diverse settings
- Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement
- Generalist and specialized tracks
Master's - Master of Social Work (MSW)
Concentration: Child Welfare - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Eastern Washington University's online MSW program with a concentration in Child Welfare is a 90-credit, CSWE-accredited hybrid program available full-time or part-time. It focuses on developing skills for child welfare practice, social justice, and evidence-based interventions, with no entrance exam required. The program includes practicum experiences and is designed for working professionals, with a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement.
- 90-credit MSW program
- Full and part-time options
- CSWE accredited program
- Multiple campus locations
- Practicum field experience
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
- Advanced Standing available
- Diverse practice concentration
- 16-20 hours weekly practicum
- Scholarship opportunities available
Master's - Master of Social Work (MSW)
Concentration: Mental Health - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Eastern Washington University's online MSW program with a Mental Health concentration is a 90-credit, CSWE-accredited hybrid offering in full-time or part-time formats. It prepares students for clinical roles with a focus on mental health, social justice, and ethical practice, requiring no entrance exam. The program includes practicum experiences and has a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement.
- 90-credit comprehensive MSW degree
- Full-time and part-time formats
- Multiple campus locations
- CSWE accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement
- Practicum field experience
- Specialized practice concentrations
- Advanced generalist curriculum
- Social justice focused training
- Three program options available
List of Washington Online MSW Programs
Cheney, WA
Eastern Washington University
- Master's - Master of Social Work (MSW)
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 90-credit comprehensive MSW program
- CSWE accredited curriculum
- Full-time and part-time options
- Hybrid and in-person delivery
- Practicum in diverse settings
- Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement
- Generalist and specialized tracks
- Master's - Master of Social Work (MSW)
Concentration: Child Welfare - Online & Campus Based - Website
- 90-credit MSW program
- Full and part-time options
- CSWE accredited program
- Multiple campus locations
- Practicum field experience
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
- Advanced Standing available
- Diverse practice concentration
- Master's - Master of Social Work (MSW)
Concentration: Mental Health - Online & Campus Based - Website
- 90-credit comprehensive MSW degree
- Full-time and part-time formats
- Multiple campus locations
- CSWE accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement
- Practicum field experience
- Specialized practice concentrations
- Advanced generalist curriculum
Tacoma, WA
Pacific Lutheran University
- Master's - Master of Social Work
Concentration: Anti-Racist Practices - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Two MSW program pathways
- Hybrid/low-residency model
- Healthcare and behavioral focus
- 900 hours practicum required
- CSWE accreditation pending
- Anti-racist practice emphasis
- Small cohort learning
- Global health perspective
- Master's - Master of Social Work
Concentration: Global Focus on Health and Behavioral Health - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Advanced & Regular Standing pathways
- Hybrid/low-residency learning model
- Healthcare and behavioral focus
- 900 hours practicum required
- CSWE accreditation pending
- Small cohort sizes (10-18 students)
- Global health perspective included
- Licensure preparation track
- Master's - Master of Social Work
Concentration: Healthcare and Behavioral Health - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Two program entry pathways
- Low-residency hybrid model
- 900 hours practicum work
- Healthcare/behavioral health focus
- Anti-racist practice emphasis
- Small cohort model (10-18 students)
- Licensure preparation tracks
- Global health perspective option
2026 Affordable Online Washington MSW Program Options
| Eastern Washington University |
|
|
| Pacific Lutheran University |
|
|
List of Washington Advanced Standing Online MSW Programs
Online Advanced Standing MSW programs in Washington State provide an expedited degree pathway for BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited institutions, enabling them to complete their master’s education through a fast-track academic structure. These programs emphasize Pacific Northwest community practice, homelessness intervention, and technology sector social services to address the distinctive needs of Washington’s tech industry communities, rural logging towns, coastal fishing villages, and the diverse urban populations spanning from Seattle’s metropolitan area to the agricultural regions of Eastern Washington.
College Place, WA
Walla Walla University
- Master's - Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Concentration: Advanced Clinical - Online Learning - Website
- Advanced Clinical concentration
- Accredited by CSWE
- One-day-a-week classes
- Flexible for working students
- No entrance exam
- Advanced Standing option
- Regular Standing option
- Financial aid available
Tacoma, WA
Pacific Lutheran University
- Master's - Master of Social Work
Concentration: healthcare and behavioral health - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid program format.
- Healthcare and behavioral health focus.
- CSWE accreditation for licensure.
- 14-month Advanced Standing option.
- 24-month Regular Standing path.
- Over 900 practicum hours.
- Anti-racist and DEI emphasis.
- Evening and online classes.
Toppenish, WA
Heritage University
- Master's - Master of Social Work
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid program format.
- Two-year completion time.
- Advanced standing option.
- Focus on anti-racism.
- Diversity and inclusion emphasis.
- Culturally responsive practice.
- Serves rural communities.
- School social worker certification.
2026 Affordable Online Washington Advanced Standing MSW Programs
| Walla Walla University |
|
|
| Heritage University |
|
|
| Pacific Lutheran University |
|
|