MSW Programs in West Virginia Online

West Virginia’s mountainous terrain and tight-knit rural communities have shaped a focused but meaningful landscape for Master of Social Work (MSW) education, with two universities currently offering online MSW programs that serve the state’s unique geographic and social challenges. West Virginia University provides a fully online asynchronous MSW program designed for students who cannot attend on-campus classes, while also offering in-state tuition rates regardless of residency, and Concord University offers a CSWE-accredited MSW program with an advanced generalist, rural focus that prepares students to work in diverse communities. For residents seeking additional options, numerous nationally accredited online programs welcome West Virginia students and provide the flexibility needed to serve communities across the state’s challenging terrain while maintaining current employment in often resource-limited settings.

West Virginia’s social work education landscape directly addresses the Mountain State’s most pressing needs, including substance abuse treatment, rural healthcare access, economic revitalization, and support for aging populations in isolated communities. These programs emphasize Advanced Integrated Practice curriculum that includes both clinical training and macro-level community work, incorporating digital literacy to prepare graduates for 21st-century practice, particularly relevant given West Virginia’s geographic barriers to service delivery. MSW graduates in West Virginia prepare for state licensure as Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) and other credentials while entering a practice environment that demands creativity, resourcefulness, and deep community engagement. The state’s ongoing efforts to address opioid addiction, rural healthcare shortages, and economic transition create essential career opportunities for MSW-trained professionals committed to serving West Virginia’s resilient communities and tackling the complex social issues that accompany geographic isolation and economic challenges.

2026 Best West Virginia MSW Programs Online

Welcome to mastersinsocialworkonline.org's guide to the best West Virginia MSW programs online. We've ranked these programs to help you find a quality education that fits your life, especially if you need the flexibility of distance learning. Online programs make it easier to balance studies with work or family, opening doors to a social work career from anywhere. Our rankings are based on thorough research and clear criteria. https://mastersinsocialworkonline.org/rankings-methodology/

#1

Concord University

Athens, WV - Public 4-Year - concord.edu

Master's - Master of Social Work

Concentration: rural practice - Online Learning - Visit Website

Concord University's online Master of Social Work (MSW) program specializes in rural practice, equipping students with advanced generalist skills for diverse community settings. The curriculum focuses on social justice and comprehensive interventions across individual, family, group, and community levels. With flexible full-time or part-time tracks, it offers two entry paths for students with or without prior social work backgrounds, requiring 60 credits for the generalist track and 36 for the advanced track. No entrance exam is required for admission. The program is fully online, with start dates in Fall and Spring, and application deadlines on April 15 and November 15, respectively.

• Fully online MSW program
• Rural practice specialization
• Two program entry paths
• Fall and Spring start dates
• Full-time and part-time options
• Advanced generalist curriculum
• Application deadline: Fall - April 15
• Application deadline: Spring - November 15
• 60 credits for generalist track
• 36 credits for advanced track

*Citation: National Center for Education Statistics. (2023). IPEDS Data Center. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

List of West Virginia Online MSW Programs

List of West Virginia Advanced Standing Online MSW Programs

Online Advanced Standing MSW programs in West Virginia offer an expedited educational track for BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited institutions, enabling them to earn their master’s degree through a condensed academic program. These programs prepare students to handle things such as coal mining community transition, substance abuse recovery services, and Appalachian cultural competency to serve West Virginia’s mountainous regions, former industrial towns, and the unique challenges facing rural populations throughout the Mountain State’s evolving economic and social landscape.