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MSW programs in North Carolina

Written by MSW Online Contributors – Last updated: February 2, 2023

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about how to become a licensed social worker in North Carolina. The guide emphasizes master in social work (MSW) programs because this degree is required to become a clinical social worker and are very popular.

CONTENTS OF THIS GUIDE

  • Social work in North Carolina
  • MSW programs
  • How to become a social worker
  • License requirements
  • Social worker salary
  • Job outlook
  • School Listings
  • Expert advice

Social work in North Carolina

North Carolina is already the ninth most populous state in the country and is currently undergoing a population boom. This is mostly because of migrants coming from other states or other countries rather than native growth – in fact, North Carolina has one of the highest percentages of kids who live with immigrant parents.

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Featured Online MSW Programs

School NameProgram More Info
Winthrop UniversityCSWE Accredited—No BSW Required website
George Mason UniversityOnline MSW Programs—CSWE Accredited website
Baylor UniversityBaylor's Online MSW—Now Accepting Applications website
University of KentuckyCSWE Accredited Online MSW Program website
University of Southern California (USC)Accredited Online MSW Program from USC website

This necessarily means that there’s a huge need for new and dedicated social workers. Populations from different cultural backgrounds interact with each other frequently within this state, requiring social worker assistance. Furthermore, substance abuse is a big problem in the state for both common drugs, like tobacco and alcohol, and more serious substances, like black tar heroin.

Ultimately, the rapid change in the state’s demographics is also changing the needs of present social services. Rather than needing a huge boost to healthcare social workers, as is common in other states, North Carolina primarily needs family-and school-focused social workers to handle demographic integration issues and to help immigrants as they acclimate to their new environment.

MSW programs in North Carolina

North Carolina offers plenty of MSW and other social worker programs, both through in-state colleges and through online programs that students from across the country can enjoy. However, if you want to become an LCSW, you’ll want to prioritize programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

This organization ensures that MSW and other social work programs use up-to-date terminology and educate students with the best modern social work practices. CSWE-accredited MSW programs will include:

  • Modern coursework going over social work principles and practices. Classes may include topics like social work research practices, ethics, psychology, sociology, conflict resolution and more
  • Specialized classes that can tailor you to become one of the four major types of social workers (described below)
  • Clinical practice experiences. All LCSW licenses require a certain number of clinical practice hours or in-person clinical experience. These hours are completed either at a clinic associated with the university in question or may be completed at a clinic near your home location (if you take an online program) 
  • Opportunities for electives for further study and a well-rounded education

Many of the universities in North Carolina offer excellent CSWE-accredited MSW programs. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is close to Raleigh, the state capital. It’s one of the best social work programs in the country (ranked No. 5 by U.S. News and World Report as of 2016). It’s particularly suitable for future leaders in the social work sphere, and the school also offers dual degree programs. An advanced standing option is available if you already have some social work credits under your belt.

Appalachian State University also offers excellent BSW and MSW degree options. Their MSW program focuses on clinical practice and social service administration. Many graduates are closer to being qualified for clinical social work licensure since the program includes a high number of hours.

Online MSW programs in North Carolina

Aside from in-person programs, students may also prefer to take online social work programs. Online MSW programs differ mainly from their in-person counterparts because students must still complete the required number of clinical practice hours for licensure. But they can do this at appropriate clinics near their homes.

UNC at Chapel Hill and East Carolina University both offer MSW programs that can be completed remotely, or at least with a great deal of flexibility. They offer their online program in a part-time format: perfect for busy professionals or those with hectic home lives.

How to become a social worker in North Carolina

While most other states only offer two pathways to social work certification, North Carolina offers four. Each type of certification will qualify you for different social worker jobs.

Certified Social Worker (CSW)

A certified social worker is the first type and only requires a bachelor’s degree in social work. Most BSW job roles usually operate under the supervision of an LCSW.

  • Apply to the NCSW Board after completing a BSW. This also requires an application fee of $115
  • Complete the exam request form and pay a $40 fee
  • Take the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Bachelor’s exam, which includes 170 multiple-choice questions for hours. An exam fee of $230 is required as well.
  • If you pass, you receive certification

Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW)

A certified master social worker is one step above the previous type. It requires an MSW or a higher college degree in the same field, though it does not require work experience. This is a good certificate to get if you plan to become an LCSW but are still working on your clinical hours.

  • Submit a CMSW application to the board with a $115 fee
  • Complete the exam request form and pay the $40 fee
  • Take the ASWB Master’s exam, which is 170 multiple-choice questions and costs $230
  • Receive your certificate if you pass the exam

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

This is the goal for most aspiring social workers. It allows you to practice social work independently and begin your own practice or otherwise prescribe actionable advice and medication to patients.

  • Complete a certain amount of supervised clinical social work experience (more on that below). You also need an MSW. Apply for licensure to the Board and pay the $115 fee. You’ll get a provisional LCSWA (Associate) license in time
  • Obtain the rest of the required experience for LCSW licensure
  • Take the ASWB Clinical Exam, which is comprised of 170 questions and which costs $260 plus a $40 fee for the exam request form
  • Submit your LCSW application
  • Receive LCSW licensure if you pass the exams

Certified Social Worker Manager (CSWM)

This last type of social worker requires any type of social work degree and it’s intended for individuals who want to administrate at a social work practice rather than directly deal with patients.

  • Gain the required experience – 3,000 hours of post-degree paid employment in administrative social work positions. This must be completed in no fewer than two years. You must also be supervised by a social work administrator for at least 100 of those hours 
  • Submit your application for CSWM certification to the board. There’s a $115 application fee
  • Complete the exam request form and pay the $40 fee
  • Take the ASWB Advanced Generalist exam, which is 170 questions and which costs $260
  • Receive certification if you pass the exam

Social work license requirements in North Carolina

The North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board handle licensure requirements and actually giving out licenses to individuals who qualify. An LCSW in North Carolina needs:

  • An MSW, Doctor of PhD in social work from a CSWE-accredited school
  • Completion of the ASWB clinical level exam
  • A minimum of 3,000 hours of post-MSW paid clinical employment, with at least 100 of those hours supervised by an LCSW
  • A $115 application fee

Furthermore, LCSWs must renew their license every two years by paying $150 and taking 40 credit hours of social work education. 4 of those hours must be in ethics.

Social worker salary North Carolina

The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides valuable data regarding the expected salaries for different types of social workers, separated into four major types:

  • Child, family, and school social workers are the most numerous in this state, totaling 11,300. These social workers can expect annual salaries of $51,060 and hourly wages of $24.55.
  • Healthcare social workers make up 3,050 of all the social workers in the state. They earn an average salary of $62,540 and hourly wages of $30.07.
  • Mental health and substance abuse social workers number 1,650 and earn an annual salary of $54,860 and an hourly wage of $26.38.
  • All other social workers are the rarest of all types at 1,120 total. They are an annual salary of $62,450 and an hourly wage of $30.02.

Job outlook for social workers in North Carolina

While the job outlook for social workers around the country is quite positive, it’s also excellent for North Carolina specifically. North Carolina is currently undergoing a population boom, meaning there are plenty of new people coming into the state.

To benefit from this, North Carolina is currently opening up more social work programs. Social work clinics and administrative centers are also seeking new social workers to fill job positions to handle substance abuse and healthcare concerns throughout the state.

Social Work Programs in North Carolina

In this Section:
BSW programs
Online BSW programs
MSW programs
Online MSW programs
Ph.D programs

Career Advice

Find the latest social work career advice from people working directly in the field in North Carolina. Learn more about all the different pathways and opportunities available in social work today.

  1. What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in North Carolina?
  2. What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in North Carolina?
  3. What does the future of social work look like in North Carolina?
  4. What types of jobs are MSW graduates finding in North Carolina?
  5. Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in North Carolina?


SOCIAL WORK Bachelor’s PROGRAMS IN North Carolina

School City Program Website
Appalachian State University Boone Bachelor of Social Work
Barton College Wilson Bachelor of Social Work
Bennett College Greensboro Baccalaureate Social Work
Campbell University Buies Creek Social Work Major
East Carolina University Greenville Bachelor of Social Work
Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City Bachelor of Social Work
Fayetteville State University Fayetteville Social Work (Minor)
Johnson C. Smith University Charlotte Social Work Major
Livingstone College Salisbury Bachelor of Social Work
Mars Hill University Mars Hill Bachelor of Social Work
Meredith College Raleigh Bachelor of Social Work
Methodist University Fayetteville Bachelor of Social Work
North Carolina A&T State University Greensboro Bachelor of Social Work
North Carolina Central University Durham Social Work, BSW
North Carolina State University Raleigh Bachelor of Social Work
Shaw University Raleigh Major in Social Work
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte Bachelor of Social Work
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro Bachelor’s in Social Work
University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke Social Work, B.S.W.
University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington Bachelor’s of Social Work
Warren Wilson College Asheville Social Work Major
Western Carolina University Cullowhee Bachelor of Social Work
Winston Salem State University Winston-Salem Bachelor of Social Work

SOCIAL WORK Master’s PROGRAMS IN North Carolina

School City Program Website
Appalachian State University Boone Master of Social Work
East Carolina University Greenville Master of Social Work
Fayetteville State University Fayetteville Master of Social Work
Johnson C Smith University Charlotte Master of Social Work
North Carolina A&T State University Greensboro Joint MSW Social Work
North Carolina Central University Durham Master of Social Work
North Carolina State University Raleigh Master of Social Work
North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh MSW Program
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill Master of Social Work
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte Master of Social Work
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro Social Work, M.S.W.
University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke Master of Social Work
University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington Master of Social Work
Western Carolina University Cullowhee Master of Social Work

SOCIAL WORK Online Master’s PROGRAMS IN North Carolina

School City Program Website
Appalachian State University Boone Master of Social Work
UNC Charlotte Charlotte Master of Social Work (MSW)
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte Master of Social Work
University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke Master of Social Work
Western Carolina University Cullowhee Master of Social Work
Winthorp University Rock Hill Online Masters in Social Work

SOCIAL WORK Ph.D PROGRAMS IN North Carolina

School City Program Website
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Ph.D. Program in Social Work
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro Joint Doctoral Degree in Social Work (JPhD)

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    • Dual-Degree Programs
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    • Gun Violence Prevention
    • MSW Admission Requirements
    • Bilingual Social Work
    • Levels of Licensing
    • Mental Health and Homelessness
    • LGBTQIAP Support
    • Food Insecurity Issues
    • Social Work and Healthcare Costs
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