North Carolina Social Work Masters (MSW) Programs

Our discussion will focus on the best MSW programs in North Carolina.

The topics to be trashed are the MSW study fields in North Carolina, the study structure, the candidate’s entry requisites, and more.

After reviewing this article, you should have a complete image of the MSW studies in North Carolina.

MSW Programs in NC Online & On-Campus

North Carolina is another great province. You can get MSW certification. Their universities provide quality studies for MSW scholars.

You can work in a complex environment if you pass through one of their academic institutions. In addition, your certificate will qualify you for an excellent job and a state permit.

Sounds good. So keep scrolling through this page.

MSW Study Format

Most, if not all, North Carolina universities offer MSW fellows with two academic degrees.

This refers to regular and advanced standing studies. You can sign up for one of these two study routes, either part-time or full-time.

The regular standing study is a pathway for researchers who lack training or social work background.

For this, its syllabus features introductory courses as well as specialized courses. It’s expected that every scholar offers these basic classes as soon as they begin their studies.

Advanced continuing studies are appropriate for researchers with a social work background or experience. The syllabus doesn’t consist of introductory courses.

Only specialized courses are available for researchers throughout their academic period.

Online MSW Programs in NC

It is not necessary to travel to North Carolina to obtain an MSW. No matter where you are, you can grow your education with their online MSW.

These studies are fully certified by the CSWE, among other accrediting agencies. Continue reading. You will learn more about web-based MSW studies in North Carolina.

Mode of Entry

There are two ways to obtain an MSW in North Carolina online.

They are regular and advanced continuing studies. Traditional standing studies will suit those with no background in the field.

But applicants with a BSW should choose advanced continuing studies.

Programs of Interest

To earn an MSW degree in North Carolina online, you will need a focus on a field of interest.

There’re several of them. Clinical social work, gerontology, forensics, school, policy practice, healthcare social work, and more.

Online MSW Classes in North Carolina

As you continue your MSW via the Internet, many classes await you.

Depending on the area you specialize in, you’re likely to offer classes such as social justice, child welfare, interpersonal violence, and behavioral health.

Other classes include older adult services, administration and community service, violence and injury prevention, social research and statistical principles, foundations of social work practice, and so on.

Synchronous and Asynchronous Options

These online learning options allow scholars to select an appropriate learning sequence and the number of courses delivered per semester.

Program Time

Getting an MSW online in North Carolina doesn’t take that long. In two years, you can finish your studies full-time. At the same time, it can bring about four years to graduate part-time.

The online MSW studies in North Carolina suit researchers outside the state or with other commitments. You can see that they can access flexible learning opportunities to accommodate their busy schedules.

Top NC Colleges for MSW

Do you want to be prepared for advanced social work practice in macro settings? Then consider earning your social work masters in North Carolina.

The state is home to many top-ranking institutions in the country and worldwide. All you need to do now is stay on this page until the end. This article will list schools where you can earn such certified credentials.

Below are several institutions that offer the best social work masters. In addition to that, their programs are fully accredited by CSWE, among others.

You can pick any of them depending on your career needs and where you live within the state. Let’s look at them individually.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

You’ll appreciate earning your social work masters at this University. They provide MSW students on a tight budget with excellent returns on their tuition investment.

In addition to that, the University offers many different educational options. You can opt for a 62-credit regular track. Such programs can be finished full-time in two years and part-time in three years.

For those with a BSW, there’re advanced standing studies you can enroll in. They are fast-tracking programs with 39 credits to be finished within 12 months of full-time study.

However, it will take 20 months for part-time students to complete.

Meanwhile, some focus areas you consider include direct practice, community management, policy practice, etc. In addition to schoolwork, scholars in the regular track will be needed to finish fieldwork of at least 1,100 hours.

North Carolina State University-Raleigh

Same here; you’ll probably pay less for your social work master’s education.

That’s because this school is a public university. Now, NC State University has a foundational track for MSW scholars with no background in social work.

The syllabus is designed for 60 credits to be finished in two years on a full-time basis.

In addition to that, they have advanced standing programs for applicants with BSW. Such studies only have 39 credits and must be finished within 12 months of full-time study.

The courses include human behavior and the social environment, social justice, advanced practice with individuals, etc. Besides coursework, you must finish 1,344 hours of fieldwork to graduate.

Appalachian State University-Boone

You can get affordable education at this outstanding University.

Their MSW program’s tuition is among the lowest in North Carolina. These studies are designed to expose social workers to the cultural nuances of the Appalachian region.

Furthermore, MSW programs at this institution consist of 60 credits. The curriculum has regular courses to enlighten students with no social work backgrounds.

You can complete such programs in two years of full-time and four years of part-time studies.

However, there’re fast-track studies for learners with social work backgrounds. Such studies consist of only 33 credits to be finished within 12 months of full-time study.

Moreover, scholars on the regular track must spend at least 960 hours of fieldwork. Then those in advanced standing classes must complete 480 hours of field education.

Fayetteville State University

Do you want MSW programs focusing on black families, neighborhoods, and communities?

Then consider going to Fayetteville State University. Their Master of Social Work programs are affordable compared to other private schools.

You can enroll for your MSW program either full-time or part-time. The school offers both foundational and advanced standing tracks.

The foundational path has around 61 credits to be finished within two years. Then the expedited course comprises 35 credits to be completed within 12 months.

Before concluding your studies, you’ll be required to finish some hours of fieldwork. Those in regular track have around 900 hours, then 500 hours for those in fast-track programs.

Johnson C. Smith University 

If you want to work with underserved communities, get your MSW from this school.

Their programs focused on preparing students to address the need for mental health services and social justice. You can get a space in this institution regardless of your religious background.

Johnson C. Smith University offers two MSW tracks. They’re advanced standing and regular education tracks. The accelerated route is designed for students with a BSW.

As such, the syllabus carries only 39 credits to be finished within 12 months.

But those without social work backgrounds will find the regular track appropriate. It contains about 60 credits to be completed within two years of full-time studies.

Coursework includes advanced practice with individuals and families, organizations and communities, etc.

In addition to coursework, you’ll be required to finish certain hours of field education. Depending on your entry track and specialization, the hours range from 500 to 900.

Within these periods, you’ll gain hands-on experience in your field of study.

North Carolina Central University -Durham

You’ll not regret earning your Master of Social Work at this University.

Their MSW programs focus on preparing culturally competent practitioners. That way, they can intervene and work within systems that affect marginalized individuals.

Students without social work backgrounds can enroll for the regular MSW track. Such programs comprise 58 credits to be finished within two years of full-time study.

But those with BSW can go for advanced standing studies. Such studies only have 35 credits to be completed within a year. However, finishing part-time studies may take a year or two.

The syllabus typically includes the foundations of social welfare and social work. Others are the foundation of data analysis, social work practice with individuals and families, etc.

In addition to coursework, students will be required to finish certain hours of field education.

East Carolina University

You can count on East Carolina University for outstanding MSW studies. All their social work master’s programs meet the requirements for professional licensure nationwide.

This entails that you can work anywhere within the US and around the globe. Let’s quickly take a look at their program details.

MSW studies at this University are categorized into two classes.

They have the foundational track, which is made up of 60 credits. You can finish such programs within two years of full-time and three years of part-time studies.

The second class is accelerated studies, specially designed for students with BSW. The study curriculum comprises only 42 credits to be completed in 12 months.

In addition to coursework, you must meet some hours of field education to graduate.

There’re more institutions in North Carolina where you can earn your social work master’s degree.

Western Carolina University-Charlotte, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Wilmington, Greensboro, Charlotte, and more are among them.

The ones listed above are among the top schools in the state. You can choose either of them that meets your needs.

Course Details for Social Work Masters Program in NC

Many MSW courses are in the syllabus for M.Sc. researchers in North Carolina. These include introductory courses as well as specialized courses.

These introductory classes are aimed at teaching the rudiments of social work. The specialist courses allow scholars to choose one based on their SW profession.

Just below are a few MSW courses in NC.

  • Clinical social work
  • Forensic social work
  • Disabilities studies
  • Violence and injury prevention
  • Criminal justice
  • Administration and community practice
  • Health and mental health etc.

Demands for MSW Candidates

Before you are admitted to study MSW in North Carolina, there’re specific entry standards that you must fulfill. Those standards are described below.

  • Researchers interested in regular-standing studies must have an undergrad certificate from an approved institution. Such certification doesn’t have to be for social workers.
  • Similarly, academics interested in advanced standing studies must hold a BSW or understand social work. However, your BSW must be obtained from CSWE approved institution and shouldn’t be longer than five years.
  • No matter your study path, researchers should have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • Interested researchers will be requested to provide three letters of reference. You should obtain these letters from your former school or workplace.
  • Scholars should also provide their undergrad transcripts.
  • Some schools may require you to write briefly about your MSW goals and objectives.

To know more about the critical entry elements for MSW researchers, check the official webpage of your desired educational institution in North Carolina.

Enriching Social Work Organizations

Some North Carolina institutions in which MSW grads can get involved and benefit enormously. They enrich researchers with experience through their after-school activities.

Below are a few institutions you can get involved in North Carolina.

  • Epsilon Kappa Chapter of the Phi Alpha Honor Society
  • Baccalaureate student social work institution
  • Association of licensed clinical addiction specialists
  • Men in social work
  • Graduate student social work association, etc.

Values from Masters of Social Work Programs in NC

North Carolina universities have incorporated some baseline values in their MSW studies. The following are a few of these core values.

  • Respect for individual work and humane dignity
  • Freedom of self-determination
  • A positive reflection on the uniqueness of diverse populations
  • availability of human institutions that are compliant with human standards

What about the State Social Work Permit?

To practice SW in North Carolina, you require a work permit. Before acquiring such credentials, social workers must meet certain essentials. The state requires SW to submit either BSW or MSW.

You must obtain both certificates from a CSWE-accredited institution.

In addition, you’ll submit a minimum of 3 professional reference letters. After that, you take the ASWB OR ACSW exam and complete some traineeships.

When you are finished, you will receive your work permit immediately.

Other Professional Permits For MSW Graduates In North Carolina

Besides the one above, there are other professional permits for MSW grads in North Carolina. Among them are CSW, CMSW, CSWM, LCSWA, and LCSW.

Regardless of your permit, you can work as a social worker in the province.

However, you must complete at least 3,000 hours of post-paid clinical work before receiving these credentials.

  • Must I Renew My Licensure?

Yes. All social workers in NC must renew their work permits every two years. You’ll be asked to complete 40 hours of continuous learning to continue your social work permit.

However, the law is slightly different for those whose NC social work license term is less than two years and who are renewing for the first time.

Such social workers will only complete 30 hours of continuing education.

How Much Can I Earn As An MSW Grad In North Carolina?

The amount you will be paid as an MSW grad in this province depends on several factors.

This includes your level of education, workplace, region, and years of experience. Meanwhile, all North Carolina social workers receive, on average, $57,420 annually.

Furthermore, there’re four main types of social work jobs in NC. Each of these jobs has a unique remuneration.

Below are some of these social work jobs and their average annual wages.

  • A healthcare social worker earns around $54,660 a year.
  • Mental health and addiction make approximately $52,600.
  • Children, families, and school social workers earn an average of $48,280.

North Carolina is an excellent place for learning.

Its academic institutions are committed to ensuring the best education for MSW scholars.

As mentioned earlier, enabling them to function correctly in their workplace is a matter of empowering them.

You can join one of their accredited universities and continue your advanced career in social work. But first, do more research on MSW studies at your desired University.