MSW Programs in Virginia Online
Virginia’s rich educational heritage and strategic location in the Mid-Atlantic region have positioned the Commonwealth as a significant hub for online Master of Social Work education, with multiple universities offering comprehensive CSWE-accredited programs that serve students across the state’s diverse geographic regions. From the bustling Northern Virginia suburbs near Washington, D.C., to the rural Appalachian communities in the southwest, Virginia’s online MSW programs are designed to address the complex social service needs of both urban and rural populations. These programs typically emphasize policy practice, military and veteran services, healthcare social work, and child welfare—reflecting Virginia’s unique position as home to numerous federal agencies, military installations, and healthcare systems that require specialized social work expertise.
Virginia’s online MSW programs prepare graduates to meet the state’s licensure requirements for Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) and other professional credentials, while providing field education opportunities that span the Commonwealth’s varied service sectors. The state’s proximity to the nation’s capital creates distinctive career pathways in federal social services, policy development, and advocacy work, complementing traditional clinical and community practice opportunities. Virginia’s growing population, expanding healthcare infrastructure, and significant military presence generate strong demand for MSW-trained professionals who can navigate complex systems and serve diverse populations, from military families transitioning to civilian life to immigrant communities in urban centers and underserved rural populations throughout the state’s mountain and coastal regions.
2026 Best Virginia MSW Programs Online
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA - Public 4-Year - nsu.edu
Master's - Master of Social Work
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Norfolk State University's online Master of Social Work program offers a hybrid format with in-person and online options, requiring no entrance exam. This two-year, 60-credit hour CSWE-accredited program includes advanced standing for BSW holders and specialized training in areas like child welfare, mental health, and healthcare. Students gain hands-on experience through over 100 field education agencies, preparing them for diverse social work roles with a focus on advocacy and social justice.
- 2-year program, 60 credit hours
- In-person and online formats
- Over 100 field education agencies
- Advanced standing for BSW holders
- CSWE accredited program
- Specialized training areas
- Extended 3-year program option
Master's - Master of Social Work
Concentration: Clinical (Mental Health) - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Norfolk State University's online Master of Social Work program with a concentration in Clinical (Mental Health) is delivered in a hybrid format and does not require an entrance exam. This CSWE-accredited, 60-credit hour program spans two years, offering advanced standing options and specialized training in trauma-informed clinical practice. Students engage in field practicums at over 100 agencies, developing skills for mental health roles with an emphasis on social justice and professional advocacy.
- 2-year full-time program
- 60 total credit hours
- In-person and online formats
- Advanced standing available
- CSWE accredited program
- Over 100 field practicum agencies
- Specialized training options
- Concentrations in child welfare
- Expert faculty mentorship
Master's - Master of Social Work
Concentration: School Social Work - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Norfolk State University's online Master of Social Work program with a concentration in School Social Work features a hybrid format and no entrance exam requirement. This two-year, 60-credit hour CSWE-accredited program provides advanced standing options and specialized training for school settings, including child welfare and mental health. Through field education at more than 100 agencies, students build practical skills in policy analysis and community intervention to support educational environments.
- 2-year program, 60 credit hours
- In-person and online formats
- Advanced standing available
- 100+ field education agencies
- CSWE accredited program
- Specialized training options
- Concentrate in various practice areas
- Experienced, expert faculty
Mary Baldwin University
Staunton, VA - Private 4-year - marybaldwin.edu
Master's - Master of Social Work (MSW)
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Mary Baldwin University's Master of Social Work (MSW) program is an online hybrid offering, combining flexibility with in-person elements. As an inaugural program set to launch in Fall 2025, it focuses on preparing students for CSWE-accredited social work practice without requiring an entrance exam. The curriculum emphasizes leadership, community engagement, and professional development, supported by expert faculty. Located in Staunton, Virginia, near the Blue Ridge mountains, it fosters an inclusive environment and aims for graduates to achieve social work licensure, making it ideal for those seeking a transformative education in diverse social service settings.
- Inaugural MSW Program
- Seeking Program Director
- CSWE Accreditation Focus
- Leadership Driven Curriculum
- Doctoral Degree Preferred
- Minimum 5 Years Experience
- Social Work Licensure
- Staunton, Virginia Location
- Inclusive Academic Environment
- Fall 2025 Program Launch
List of Virginia Online MSW Programs
Norfolk, VA
Norfolk State University
- Master's - Master of Social Work
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 2-year program, 60 credit hours
- In-person and online formats
- Over 100 field education agencies
- Advanced standing for BSW holders
- CSWE accredited program
- Specialized training areas
- Extended 3-year program option
- Master's - Master of Social Work
Concentration: Clinical (Mental Health) - Online & Campus Based - Website
- 2-year full-time program
- 60 total credit hours
- In-person and online formats
- Advanced standing available
- CSWE accredited program
- Over 100 field practicum agencies
- Specialized training options
- Concentrations in child welfare
- Master's - Master of Social Work
Concentration: School Social Work - Online & Campus Based - Website
- 2-year program, 60 credit hours
- In-person and online formats
- Advanced standing available
- 100+ field education agencies
- CSWE accredited program
- Specialized training options
- Concentrate in various practice areas
- Experienced, expert faculty
Staunton, VA
Mary Baldwin University
- Master's - Master of Social Work (MSW)
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Inaugural MSW Program
- Seeking Program Director
- CSWE Accreditation Focus
- Leadership Driven Curriculum
- Doctoral Degree Preferred
- Minimum 5 Years Experience
- Social Work Licensure
- Staunton, Virginia Location
2026 Affordable Online Virginia MSW Program Options
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List of Virginia Advanced Standing Online MSW Programs
Virginia’s Advanced Standing MSW programs offer a streamlined educational experience for students holding a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program, allowing them to earn their master’s degree through an accelerated curriculum. These programs emphasize military and veteran services, policy advocacy, and historical preservation community work to serve Virginia’s diverse populations across the Northern Virginia metropolitan corridor, rural Appalachian regions, and the historic Tidewater area with its unique blend of urban centers and coastal communities.
Fairfax, VA
George Mason University
- Master's - Online Master of Social Work
Online Learning - Website
- 100% Online.
- 60 total credits.
- $795 per credit hour.
- CSWE accredited.
- Two specializations available.
- Flexible online format.
- Advanced Standing option.
- Practicum Education Program.
Petersburg, VA
Virginia State University
- Master's - Master of Social Work
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Hybrid program format
- Focus on trauma-informed care
- 45-60 credit hours required
- Advanced standing option available
- Pre-candidacy for CSWE accreditation
- Curriculum includes social justice
- Diversity and ethical practice emphasized
- Prepares for advanced social work practice
2026 Affordable Online Virginia Advanced Standing MSW Programs
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