MSW Programs in Mississippi

Mississippi is home to six MSW programs. Of the available options, five of them are traditional, campus-based programs, while one of them is an online MSW program.

If you are looking for an MSW program in Mississippi, check out the full school listings below, which provide the latest program highlights, tuition information, and other relevant details designed to help you compare and contrast degree options.

In this guide

• Online MSW listings
• MSW programs listings
• MSW overview
• Online MSW overview
• How to become a social worker
• License requirements
• Social work salaries
• Career outlook

Online MSW program listings

1. Jackson State University

   Jackson, MS

   
   Credits: 30-57
   Cost per credit: $474 in state | $1,474 out-of-state
   Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
   Area of specialized practice: Children, Youth, and Families
   Certification: Gerontology
   Program Highlights:
   

   • Demonstrate serious concern for economic, political, and social justice through practice, continuing education, and research
   • Learn the knowledge, skills, values, and ethics of the profession of social work in a supportive academic environment

   Learn More: Program Details

MSW programs in Mississippi

1. Jackson State University

   Jackson, MS

   
   Credits: 57
   Cost per credit: $474 in state | $1,474 out-of-state
   Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
   Area of specialized practice: Children, Youth, and Families
   Certification: Gerontology
   Program Highlights:
   

   • Learn the knowledge, skills, values, and ethics of the profession of social work in a supportive academic environment.
   • Complete this degree as early as three semesters

   Learn More: Program Details

2. Mississippi Valley State University

   Itta Bena, MS

   
   Credits: 30-60
   Cost per credit: $866
   Plan of Study: Full-Time
   Area of specialized practice: Children, Youth, and Families
   Program Highlights:
   

   • Educate you for social work positions for advanced levels of practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
   • Provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills for working with diverse populations, including oppressed, minority, and rural populations.

   Learn More: Program Details

3. University of Mississippi

   University, MS

   
   Credits: 60
   Cost per credit: $514 in state | $1,490 out-of-state
   Plan of Study: Full-Time
   Area of specialized practice: Clinical or Direct Practice
   Program Highlights:
   

   • Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
   • Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
   • Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice

   Learn More: Program Details

4. University of Southern Mississippi

   Hattiesburg & Long Beach, MS

   
   Credits: 34-60
   Cost per credit: $321 in state | $387 out-of-state
   Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Weekends/Evening
   Area of specialized practice: Other
   Certification: Addictions, Gerontology, Other
   Program Highlights:
   

   • Relational, Engaging Learning Environment
   • Professional Licensure Disclosure

   Learn More: Program Details

MSW programs overview

Before applying to a MSW program a student should ensure that the university is CSWE-accredited. A CSWE certification guarantees that a master’s program is teaching the latest methodologies in the field of social work. In Mississippi only students who have graduated from a CSWE accredited university may apply for an advanced social work license. 

The University of Mississippi offers one of the most popular, CSWE accredited MSW programs in Mississippi. According to their website the program’s mission is to, “prepare competent and ethical clinical social workers, for scientific inquiry, who are leaders committed to diversity, social and economic justice, and the enrichment of the quality of life, with systems of all sizes, at every level of society.”

Students who already have a bachelor’s degree in social work may apply for the advanced standing program. This program requires just 36 credit hours of study and can be completed in one year. Students who have an undergraduate degree in another field can apply for the regular standing program which takes two years to complete. A full curriculum for the MSW program is available on the University of Mississippi’s website. 

Another option for students looking to complete their MSW is the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). The USM program places a special focus on field work as it includes 900 hours of hands on experience. Social workers will graduate from the program with a good idea of what will be expected from them when they start their career. The advanced standing program requires 34 credit hours of study while the regular standing program requires 60 hours of study. 

Financial aid is available to students who qualify and each year USM awards 13 social work scholarships to deserving students. Students may also apply for a graduate assistantship which includes a stipend in return for 20 hours of work per week. 

Online MSW programs overview

There are not currently any online MSW programs available in the state of Mississippi. However, there are multiple online MSW programs available in the states bordering Mississippi. For example, the University of North Alabama offers an online MSW which can be completed in one year for advanced standing students. 

Most importantly, the program doesn’t necessarily have to cost more than an in-state program. According to the University of North Alabama’s financial aid page, “Departmental grants are offered to cover the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition.”

To learn more about North Alabama’s MSW program, as well as other MSW programs throughout the United States, please consult our online MSW degree page. 

How to become a social worker in Mississippi

The following steps assume that the candidate has a master’s or Ph.D. in social work. While bachelor’s degree holders can become social workers in Mississippi, the salary and number of employment opportunities is lower. 

1. Complete a MSW program at a CSWE accredited university
   
2. Fill out this form and then submit it to the Examiners Board in order to apply for the LMSW social work license
   
3. Take and pass the ASWB master’s level exam. There is a $230 fee to take the exam. While there are 170 questions on the ASWB, only 150 are graded
   
4. Pass a background check
   
5. Once the Board has received the background check, proof of a passing ASWB grade as well as a transcript of the applicant’s degree, the board will issue a LMSW license
   
6. Should a social worker wish to engage in unsupervised, clinical social work they can accrue 1,000 hours of experience and then apply for a LCSW license 

Most social workers decide that a master’s degree is all they need to start a good career. Master’s degree holders are eligible for an advanced social work license and can perform a majority of the tasks associated with social work.

For those who would like to learn about the advantages of a PhD there is more information available on our doctorate degree page. Also included is a list of PhD social work programs currently being offered in the United States. 

Social work license requirements in Mississippi

Provided below is an overview of the three different social work license types available in Mississippi. For additional information about social work licensing in Mississippi, please check the Mississippi State Board of Examiners’ website. 

Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

Graduates of a bachelor’s degree program in social work can apply for the LSW license. With the LSW a social worker is permitted to practice general social work, so long as they are supervised by a social worker with a LMSW or LCSW license. 

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

The LMSW license is only available to master’s and Ph.D. degree holders who have graduated from a CSWE accredited university. With a LMSW a social worker can practice unsupervised, general social work such as program development and case management. While LMSW license holders can engage in clinical social work, it’s only possible to do so under supervision. 

Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)

The LCSW is the most advanced license that Mississippi social workers can attain. With the LCSW a social worker may practice unsupervised, clinical social work either at an agency or in a private practice. Before applying for a LCSW license a social worker must already have a LMSW license as well as 1,000 hours of direct client contact. 

License renewal 

Social workers can renew their license via the Board’s website. Licenses must be renewed once every two years and the license renewal comes with the following requirements. 

• LSW – $70 renewal fee and 40 hours of continuing education 
• LMSW & LCSW – $100 renewal fee and 40 hours of continuing education 

Social worker jobs and social worker salary in Mississippi

Employment data compiled by the BLS shows that 5,280 social workers are currently employed in Mississippi. The average wage for a social worker in Mississippi is $41,755 per year. 

All other types of social workers receive the highest average salary at $54,810 per year. Child, family and school social workers receive the lowest average salary at $36,900 per year. Below is a full summary of social worker salaries and employment figures for Mississippi. 

Child, family, and school social workers: There are currently 3,110 child, family, and school social workers in Mississippi and they earn an average salary of $36,900 per year. 

Mental health and substance abuse social workers: There are currently 1,170 mental health and substance abuse social workers in Mississippi and they earn an average salary of $44,060 per year. 

Healthcare social workers: There are currently 1,250 healthcare social workers in Mississippi and they earn an average salary of $54,810 per year. 

All other social workers: There are currently 390 social workers employed in various other fields, including in private practices. These social workers earn an average salary of $57,610 per year. 

Social work outlook in Mississippi

The field of social work is full of opportunities for people who want to start a career. The BLS predicts a 13 percent social work job growth rate from 2019 to 2029. This would indicate that even social workers who are just now beginning their education should have no trouble finding a job when they graduate. 

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