MSW Programs in Nevada

Nevada is home to three MSW programs. Of the available options, two of them are traditional, campus-based programs, while one of them offer online MSW programs (either online only or hybrid options).

If you are looking for an MSW program in Nevada, 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
• Expert advice

Online MSW programs in Nevada

1. University of Nevada, Reno

   Reno, NV

   
   Credits: 60
   Cost per credit: $700 in-state | $1,400
   Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year
   Area of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
   Program Highlights:
   

   • Relies on scientifically supported research and knowledge to prepare students for work across multiple disciplines
   • Includes a field placement component as well, offering students the opportunity to put their course lessons to work in a real-world setting
   • No GRE required and designed to prepare students for licensure

   Learn More: Program Details

MSW programs in Nevada

1. University of Nevada, Las Vegas

   Las Vegas, NV

   
   Credits: 63
   Cost per credit: $225 in-state | $763 out-of-state
   Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
   Area of specialized practice: Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems, Management or Administration
   Dual Degree Options: Law
   Certification: School Social Work
   Program Highlights:
   

   • Educates students to work with populations in urban settings, utilizing generalist, problem-solving, empowerment, and social justice approaches.
   • Offers an elective such as Direct Practice or Management and Community Practice as an area of concentration for students
   • Consistent with the accreditation standards of the field's national professional accrediting body, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

   Learn More: Program Details

2. University of Nevada, Reno

   Reno, NV

   
   Credits: 60
   Cost per credit: $322 in-state | $565 out-of-state
   Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year
   Area of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
   Program Highlights:
   

   • Advanced Generalist Practice (AGP) specialization prepares graduates to address questions, issues and problems across methods, systems, and fields of practice
   • Opens opportunities to work in additional settings and positions, including the Veterans Administration (VA), some child welfare positions, behavioral health, hospice, and community mental health
   • Accredited at the baccalaureate and master’s levels by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

   Learn More: Program Details

MSW programs overview

It’s recommended that students who are considering a master’s degree in social work only study at a CSWE accredited university. A CSWE accreditation ensures that the social work program is teaching the latest and best practices in social work. Furthermore, only students who have graduated from a CSWE certified university can apply for the highest levels of social work licensure in Nevada. 

The University of Nevada, Reno, offers a popular MSW program that is designed to; “prepare ethical, competent advanced generalist social work leaders who are able to practice reflectively and autonomously in complex environments across system levels with diverse client groups.”

Social workers who graduate from the program will have a solid grounding in innovative leadership principles, complex problem solving skills and all of the other necessary skills to help their clients succeed. 

Students who already have an undergraduate’s degree in social work can apply for the advanced standing program. This program requires just one year to complete with a total of 32 credit hours. Students who don’t already have an undergraduate degree in social work can apply for the regular standing program, which takes two years and 62 credit hours. 

Online MSW program overview

In addition to their campus-based program, the University of Nevada, Reno, also offers an online MSW program. One of the major selling points of the program is that tuition is lower than the average for other online MSW programs. 

The online MSW program is fully CSWE-accredited and just like the campus-based program it’s available in two formats. The regular standing program requires 62 credit hours of study and two years to complete. Students in the advanced standing program can finish their degree after just one year.  

More information about the University of Nevada MSW program, as well as other MSW programs in the United States, is available on our online MSW degree page. 

How to become a social worker in Nevada

Aspiring social workers can follow these steps to begin a rewarding career in social work in Nevada. 

1. Take a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited university.
2. Apply for a LSW license from the Nevada Board of Examiners. There is a $140 fee to apply for the license.
3. Pass a background check.
4. Take and pass the ASWB master’s level exam. The exam consists of 170 questions and there is a $230 fee to take the exam.
5. Once all of the correct documents have been submitted the examiners board will issue the social worker their LSW license.
6. After the social worker has two to three years of experience they may apply for the LISW license, which will permit them to practice independent, non-clinical social work in Nevada. 

For most social workers a master’s degree is the best choice. With an advanced standing program a master’s can be obtained in just five years and it will allow a social worker to obtain the highest level of social work licensure in Nevada. 

However, there are a few things that master’s degree holders may be limited from doing, including crafting public policy and managing large community centers. If that type of work is appealing a social worker may want to consider pursuing a PhD. More information is available on our doctorate degree page as well as a list of PhD social work programs available in the United States. 

Social work license requirements in Nevada

The Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers is the best place to find the most up to date information about social work licensure in Nevada. Getting information directly from the state website is recommended since licensing requirements can change at any time. 

Listed below are the three main license types available to social workers in Nevada. 

Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

The LSW is the first license that social workers will apply for after graduation. It is available to both bachelor’s and master’s degree holders. With a LSW license the social worker is permitted to practice non-clinical social work at an agency or organization. 

Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)

A LISW license is only available to master’s degree graduates who’ve taken their degree from a CSWE accredited university. The social worker must have 3,000 hours of supervised experience before they can apply for this license. With a LISW license a social worker can perform more advanced work than is permitted with a LSW license. 

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

The LCSW is the most advanced license that a social worker can attain in Nevada. A LCSW license allows the social worker to practice unsupervised, clinical social work. To qualify for the license a social worker must first accrue at least 2,000 hours of face-to-face clinical social work experience. The applicant will also need to pass the ASWB clinical level exam. 

License renewal 

Social workers in Nevada must renew their license every year by the end of the month that their birthday is in. Before a license can be renewed the social worker must complete a certain number of hours of continuing education. For LSW license holders the requirement is 30 hours and for LISW and LCSW license holders the requirement is 36 hours of continuing education. 

Social worker jobs and social worker salary in Nevada

BLS employment surveys have shown that there are currently 4,940 social workers employed in Nevada. Nevada social workers fill many different roles, as will be shown by the employment figures below. 

The average salary for a social worker in Nevada is $59,000 per year. Healthcare social workers are the highest earners, with an average annual salary of $65,530. Child, Family, and School Social Workers earn the least, with an average annual salary of $57,670. Below is a summary of all social work employment and salary data from the BLS. 

Child, family, and school social workers: There are currently 3,480 child, family, and school social workers in Nevada and they earn an average salary of $57,670 per year. 

Mental health and substance abuse social workers: There are currently 700 mental health and substance abuse social workers in Nevada and they earn an average salary of $59,990 per year. 

Healthcare social workers: There are currently 1,390 healthcare social workers in Nevada and they earn an average salary of $65,530 per year. 

All other social workers: There are currently 340 social workers employed in various other fields, including in private practices. These social workers earn an average salary of $78,120 per year. 

Social work outlook in Nevada

The BLS recently released their latest set of predictions for job growth in the field of social work. According to their findings, “Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will vary by specialization.”

Whether it’s Nevada, California or Maine, there is a growing demand for social workers across the United States. Even social workers who are just now beginning their education should expect to find plenty of positions open to them upon graduation. 

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