Online Advanced Standing MSW
Elevate Your Social Work Career in 15 Months
YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE
Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.
At a Glance
The online Master of Social Work Advanced Standing program provides a faster path to career advancement for those who already have a bachelor’s degree in social work. If you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program within the last seven years, this program helps you build on your experience and earn your master’s degree in half the time for almost half the cost.
This highly desirable degree prepares you to put your passion for elevating the well-being of individuals and communities into action sooner, making your impact more immediate as you champion social, economic, and environmental justice.
100% Online
Time to Complete:
15+ Months
Credit Hours:
33
Time Commitment:
10 to 20 Hours Weekly
start dates
Summer
cost
The Master of Social Work delivers a strong return on investment, equipping you with advanced knowledge and leadership skills that open doors to higher-paying roles and top-tier positions in the field.
Tuition and fees for the MSW Advanced Standing program are $21,285 ($645 per credit hour). Books and additional materials are not included.
YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE
Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.
About the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work Online
Designed for those who have already earned an undergraduate degree in social work, the online Advanced Standing MSW is a 33-credit-hour program that is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates are prepared to begin the process of application for licensure in all 50 states.
Students engage in a hands-on learning experience where they explore practice, theory, research, and policy through a mix of asynchronous coursework and live online sessions that foster connections with faculty and peers.
Field Education is the cornerstone of the program. MSW Advanced Standing students complete 500 hours of field work as part of a personalized field placement, gaining real-world experience under the guidance of licensed social workers.
The Field Education team coordinates placements across hundreds of partner agencies, aligning opportunities with each student’s goals. Settings include health care, child and family services, corrections, community organizing, public health, disability advocacy, and public policy.
Field placements require daytime availability. Students with full-time jobs should plan for workplace flexibility to fully engage in these essential learning experiences.
What Can I Do with an Advanced Standing Social Work Master’s Degree
Clinical, child and family, and mental health/substance abuse sectors face the greatest need. Earn your online Advanced Standing MSW from the University of Oklahoma and unlock new opportunities for growth across the social work field. Master the advanced skills needed to lead, advocate, and create meaningful, lasting change in your community while preparing for licensure. Accelerate your career in these areas:
- Case Manager
- Psychotherapists
- Child Welfare Specialist
- Military & Family Life Consultant
- Field Representative
- Social Worker
- Family Therapists
- Substance Abuse Counselors
- Triage Specialist
- Policy Analyst
Industry Insights
- Median Pay: $61,330
- Job Outlook: Employment for social workers is expected to grow 7 percent by 2033.
- Job Openings: 63,700 openings for social workers are projected each year, on average, over the next decade.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Program Outcomes: What You’ll Learn
OU’s online Master of Social Work Advanced Standing program meets the rising demand for professionals equipped to create lasting impact in the lives of children, families, adults, and communities. Students will:
- Engage in realistic simulations with trained actors portraying clients, applying theory in a safe, supportive environment
- Review and annotate recorded sessions to deepen understanding
- Schedule and record practice exercises with simulated clients
- Build expertise in research methods, advocacy, and evaluation with individuals and families
- Gain hands-on experience through practicum placements in real-world settings
Course Details
The Advanced Standing MSW program provides a strong foundation in ethical practice, social work policy, and research methods, preparing you to master the theory, practice, and evaluation of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Course Structure
You’ll earn 33 credit hours across 10 courses, typically taking 2 to 3 courses per semester, including one 16-week course and two consecutive 8-week courses. The program allows students to select 9 credit hours of electives from approved lists.
All courses include synchronous live sessions—four for core classes and two for electives—with attendance encouraged but not required. Students can expect to spend 10 to 20 hours per week for two courses.
Introduction to Advanced Integrative Practice
Credit Hours: 3
This seminar course is designed to enhance the preparation of Advanced Standing students for graduate study in social work. This course orients students to graduate level writing and research, the generalist practice model, Social Work in Oklahoma, simulation as a tool for skill development, and an introduction to the Decision Case model. Individualized student professional development is emphasized.
Macro Systems in Practice
Credit Hours: 3
This course utilizes an advanced generalist perspective focused on advancing the knowledge, values, skills, and techniques appropriate to engagement, assessment, and intervention with organizations and communities.
Social Work Practicum III
Credit Hours: 6
This course offers an educationally focused and professionally supervised practicum placement in a social service agency and requires a minimum of 550 clock hours at an assigned practicum site.
Client-Centered Direct Practice
Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses clinical practice across the lifespan with application to individuals, families, and groups. Evidenced informed practice provides a framework within which empirically supported treatment modalities are explored as they relate to the intersecting domains of trauma, substance abuse, and mental health.
Advanced Integrative Seminar
Credit Hours: 3
This is an advanced integrative seminar for concentration year students taken in the final semester. The course builds on foundation and concentration course work throughout the MSW curriculum using critical thinking that incorporates micro and macro systems case analysis and decision-making.
Social Work Practicum IV
Credit Hours: 6
This course offers an educationally focused & professionally supervised practicum placement in a social service agency and requires a minimum of 550 clock hours at an assigned practicum site.
Why Choose OU Online for a Master of Social Work
OU Online delivers high-quality, affordable undergraduate and graduate programs in a flexible online format—backed by the reputation of a top-tier public institution. Gain the knowledge and skills to thrive in the evolving field of social work.
Faculty Expertise
The MSW Advanced Standing program is powered by world-class University of Oklahoma faculty and seasoned professors of practice who bring real-world expertise into the classroom. By connecting industry leaders with academic excellence, the program delivers an advanced curriculum that prepares students for long-term career success.
Robust Student Support
OU Online offers robust student support services, including academic support, online tutoring, mental health counseling, and an online career development center. The program accommodates the needs of working professionals, allowing you to expand your skills while maintaining full-time employment.
Global Alumni Network
With more than 250,000 alumni across the world, becoming a Sooner means you’ll have access to a strong network of social work professionals to accelerate your career. As a Sooner, you’ll be part of a powerful network of leaders working in organizations across the world, helping you expand your career in social work.
Flexible Format
The MSW Advanced Standing program is offered in a fully online, flexible format designed for working professionals around the world. Earn your degree in as little as 15 months, all while balancing full-time work and personal commitments. Study from anywhere and build specialized expertise in social work.
Tailored Experience
You’ll move through the program as part of a small, focused cohort of professionals who share your passion for social work. Engage in meaningful online discussions with faculty and peers while building a strong network and developing the skills to thrive in the field.
The OU Online program became a lifeline during the most difficult chapter of my life. After twenty years of marriage, I suddenly found myself navigating the world as a widow and single mother. When I enrolled in the program, I was grieving, uncertain, and searching for meaning. But through every assignment, discussion, and lesson, I began to reconnect with the woman I had set aside for so many years. The curriculum challenged me, inspired me, and slowly helped me rebuild my confidence. I didn’t just gain knowledge — I gained clarity, purpose, and a renewed sense of self. OU Online didn’t just help me grow academically; it helped me find my voice, my strength, and my place in the world again.
Kasey Cox
Master of Social Work
Cost & Financial Aid
Earning your Master of Social Work is a powerful investment in your future—and OU Online is committed to making that investment accessible and transparent.
Tuition and fees for the online MSW Advanced Standing program are $21,285 ($645 per credit hour). Books and additional materials are not included.
Financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance may be available to help reduce costs. Our dedicated financial services team will support you at every step of the funding process, so you can stay focused on your educational and career goals.
For questions about financial aid, contact the Online Aid office at onlineaid@ou.edu or 405-325-2929.
A nonrefundable deposit of $350 is required upon admission to secure your place in the program. This deposit guarantees your spot in your first semester of courses and will be applied toward your first semester’s tuition.
*Please be aware that tuition and fees may change, as determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
Transfer Credit
You can transfer up to 12 credit hours of graduate-level coursework per Graduate College policy, with the department’s approval. Transfer of core coursework must be from another CSWE-accredited MSW program, and courses must match learning objectives 1:1 to be accepted.
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YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE
Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.
