MSW Programs in Missouri Online

2026 Best Missouri MSW Programs Online
List of Missouri Online MSW Programs
2026 Affordable Online Missouri MSW Program Options
List of Missouri Advanced Standing Online MSW Programs
2026 Affordable Online Missouri Advanced Standing MSW Programs

MastersinSocialWorkonline.org Staff | Updated: Sep 9, 2025

Missouri’s central location and diverse economic landscape have generated a well-established network of CSWE-accredited online Master of Social Work programs that reflect the Show-Me State’s blend of urban sophistication and rural practicality. From the metropolitan corridors of St. Louis and Kansas City to the Ozark Mountains and Missouri River valley communities, online MSW programs have expanded throughout the state to serve students in regions where traditional campus access might be limited by distance or competing work obligations. These programs feature curriculum emphases that mirror Missouri’s distinctive characteristics, including agricultural community mental health, river town economic development, manufacturing workforce support services, medical social work in rural settings, and bi-state metropolitan practice—specializations that prepare graduates to navigate Missouri’s unique position as a crossroads state where Midwestern values intersect with Southern traditions and urban innovation meets small-town community bonds.

Missouri’s online MSW educational approach emphasizes practical problem-solving and community engagement, reflecting the state’s “Show-Me” mentality that values demonstrated results over theoretical concepts. Programs are carefully designed to fulfill Missouri’s LCSW licensure pathway while building competencies in rural service delivery, inter-professional collaboration, and resource coordination that are crucial for practice in a state where social workers often serve multiple roles within their communities. Missouri MSW graduates benefit from diverse career opportunities within the state’s major healthcare systems, Fortune 500 companies, agricultural cooperatives, state government agencies, and community-based organizations, with growing demand for professionals skilled in areas such as opioid addiction treatment, elder care services, school-based mental health, and economic development social work that address Missouri’s demographic shifts and the ongoing transformation of both its rural and urban communities in response to changing economic and social conditions.

2026 Best Missouri MSW Programs Online

Masters in Social Work Online presents the most comprehensive guide to top Missouri MSW programs available through distance learning. Our expert team carefully evaluates online social work degree offerings that provide flexible virtual education for aspiring social workers across the state. These remote programs empower students to advance their careers without disrupting current work or family commitments, making advanced social work education more accessible than ever. Missouri's online MSW programs offer rigorous curricula that prepare professionals to address complex social challenges while maintaining the highest academic standards. Graduates can expect to develop critical skills in clinical practice, community intervention, and social justice advocacy through innovative digital learning platforms. View our comprehensive ranking methodology.

Missouri Baptist University

Saint Louis, MO - Private 4-year - mobap.edu

Master's - Master of Social Work

Online Learning - Visit Website

Missouri Baptist University's online Master of Social Work (MSW) program offers a robust, faith-integrated educational experience for aspiring social work professionals. Fully accredited by CSWE, the program uniquely blends academic rigor with a Christian worldview, preparing students for advanced clinical practice. Featuring flexible online delivery, students can complete the comprehensive 60-credit curriculum in 24-36 months, with an accelerated one-year advanced standing option available. The program emphasizes ethical leadership and social justice, positioning graduates for meaningful professional impact. With competitive tuition at $668 per credit hour and accessible faculty, students are well-equipped to pursue LCSW licensure and advance their social work careers.

CSWE-Accredited MSW Program
Fully Online Delivery
60 Total Credit Hours
Cost Per Credit: $668
24-36 Month Completion
Advanced Standing Option
Christian Worldview Integrated
Next Start: August 25, 2025
Prepares for LCSW Licensure

Master's - Master of Social Work—Advanced Standing

Online Learning - Visit Website

Missouri Baptist University's online Advanced Standing MSW program provides a streamlined pathway for BSW graduates to accelerate their social work education. Designed for working professionals, this accelerated track allows qualified candidates with a recent BSW to complete their master's degree in just one year. The 30-credit online program maintains CSWE accreditation and integrates a Christian service perspective, emphasizing ethical leadership and social justice principles. Ideal for BSW holders within the past seven years, the program offers flexible coursework, competitive pricing at $668 per credit hour, and comprehensive preparation for advanced social work practice and potential licensure.

30 total credit hours
Online advanced standing MSW
Fully online program
$668 per credit hour
Complete in one year
CSWE accredited program
Next start date: June 30, 2025
BSW within past 7 years required

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Missouri Western State University

Saint Joseph, MO - Public 4-Year - missouriwestern.edu

Master's - Master of Social Work

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Missouri Western State University's online Master of Social Work program offers a transformative educational experience centered on trauma-informed practice. With both advanced standing and traditional tracks available, students benefit from a flexible hybrid model combining weekly in-person classes and online components. The CSWE candidate program emphasizes competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion, preparing graduates to tackle complex societal challenges. Applicants must maintain a 2.75 GPA, submit a personal statement, provide two professional references, and undergo a criminal background check. The curriculum focuses on generalist social work practice and addresses Grand Challenges, making it ideal for aspiring social work professionals committed to meaningful social change.

In-person classes with online component
Advanced standing or traditional tracks
2.75 GPA requirement
CSWE candidacy status
Trauma-informed curriculum
Grand Challenges focus
Criminal background check required
Personal statement needed
Two professional references
Generalist social work practice

*Dataset citation: NCES. (2023). IPEDS Data Center. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

List of Missouri Online MSW Programs

Jump to City:

Saint Joseph, MO

Missouri Western State University

Master's - Master of Social Work
Online & Campus Based - Website
- In-person classes with online component
- Advanced standing or traditional tracks
- 2.75 GPA requirement
- CSWE candidacy status
- Trauma-informed curriculum
- Grand Challenges focus
- Criminal background check required
- Personal statement needed

Saint Louis, MO

Missouri Baptist University

Master's - Master of Social Work
Online Learning - Website
- CSWE-Accredited MSW Program
- Fully Online Delivery
- 60 Total Credit Hours
- Cost Per Credit: $668
- 24-36 Month Completion
- Advanced Standing Option
- Christian Worldview Integrated
- Next Start: August 25, 2025
Master's - Master of Social Work—Advanced Standing
Online Learning - Website
- 30 total credit hours
- Online advanced standing MSW
- Fully online program
- $668 per credit hour
- Complete in one year
- CSWE accredited program
- Next start date: June 30, 2025
- BSW within past 7 years required

*Source: NCES, IPEDS 2023. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

2026 Affordable Online Missouri MSW Program Options

Missouri offers a diverse range of affordable online social work programs that help students across the state pursue advanced education without traditional campus constraints. From Kansas City to St. Louis, students can access distance learning opportunities that accommodate work and personal commitments. These virtual programs provide flexible pathways for those seeking bachelor's, master's, graduate certificates, and doctoral degrees in social work. Online education has become increasingly important, allowing professionals to advance their careers while managing multiple responsibilities. These remote learning options make advanced social work education more accessible, particularly for students in rural areas or those with limited transportation resources. The growing availability of online programs reflects the evolving landscape of higher education in Missouri.

Missouri Baptist University Master of Social Work Master of Social Work—Advanced Standing	30 total credit hours Online advanced standing MSW Fully online program $668 per credit hour Complete in one year CSWE accredited program Next start date: June 30, 2025 BSW within past 7 years required	$9,200 - $13,800 (Graduate)
Missouri Western State University Master of Social Work	In-person classes with online component Advanced standing or traditional tracks 2.75 GPA requirement CSWE candidacy status Trauma-informed curriculum Grand Challenges focus Criminal background check required Personal statement needed	$6,700 - $10,100 (Graduate In-State) $10,800 - $16,200 (Graduate Non-Resident)

*Source: IPEDS 2023, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

List of Missouri Advanced Standing Online MSW Programs

Advanced standing MSW programs in Missouri offer an expedited educational pathway for BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs, enabling them to earn their master’s degree through a condensed academic schedule. These programs focus on advanced practice methods, behavioral health interventions, and community development strategies to serve Missouri’s diverse populations across major metropolitan areas, rural farming communities, and the unique cultural landscapes of the Ozarks region.

Jump to City:

Saint Louis, MO

Missouri Baptist University

Master's - Master of Social Work—Advanced Standing
Online Learning - Website
- Accelerated online program
- 30 credit hours
- $697 per credit hour
- CSWE-accredited
- Flexible for professionals
- Christian faith integration
- Social justice focus
- Advanced professional practice

Saint Louis University

Master's - Social Work, M.S.W.
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid program format
- CSWE-accredited
- Three concentrations available
- Full-time and part-time options
- 48-53 credit hours
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
- Bachelor's degree prerequisite
- Focus on social justice

University of Missouri-St Louis

Master's - MSW
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid program format.
- Up to 24 credit hours waived.
- BSW from CSWE-accredited program required.
- B or better in undergrad courses.
- Unconditional admission needed.

Springfield, MO

Missouri State University

Master's - Master of Social Work
Online Learning - Website
- Online program format.
- 34 credit hours required.
- Advanced Standing option.
- Full-time completion in one year.
- Includes field practicum.
- Accredited BSW required for admission.
- Flexible for working professionals.
- Prepares for diverse social work roles.

*Original data from: National Center for Education Statistics' IPEDS program (2023).

2026 Affordable Online Missouri Advanced Standing MSW Programs

Missouri offers multiple affordable online advanced standing programs for social work students seeking higher education. With distance learning options expanding, students across the state—including those in Kansas City, St. Louis, and rural areas—can now access graduate-level education more conveniently. Online programs provide flexibility for working professionals and students with family commitments, allowing them to pursue advanced degrees without relocating or disrupting their current lifestyle. These virtual learning platforms enable students to gain essential skills and credentials while maintaining their current employment and personal responsibilities. By choosing advanced standing programs, learners can potentially reduce their overall time and financial investment in completing their social work education. The following table highlights various Missouri institutions offering accessible online advanced standing options for aspiring social work professionals.

Missouri Baptist University Master of Social Work—Advanced Standing	Accelerated online program 30 credit hours $697 per credit hour CSWE-accredited Flexible for professionals Christian faith integration Social justice focus Advanced professional practice	$9,200 - $13,800 (Graduate)
Saint Louis University Social Work, M.S.W.	Hybrid program format CSWE-accredited Three concentrations available Full-time and part-time options 48-53 credit hours Minimum 3.0 GPA required Bachelor's degree prerequisite Focus on social justice	$19,600 - $29,400 (Graduate)
Missouri State University Master of Social Work	Online program format. 34 credit hours required. Advanced Standing option. Full-time completion in one year. Includes field practicum. Accredited BSW required for admission. Flexible for working professionals. Prepares for diverse social work roles.	$6,000 - $9,000 (Graduate In-State) $11,000 - $16,400 (Graduate Non-Resident)
University of Missouri-St Louis MSW	Hybrid program format. Up to 24 credit hours waived. BSW from CSWE-accredited program required. B or better in undergrad courses. Unconditional admission needed.	$11,800 - $17,700 (Graduate In-State) $28,000 - $42,000 (Graduate Non-Resident)

*Source: U.S. DOE, IPEDS 2023 collection, National Center for Education Statistics.