Online Master of Social Work (MSW) – Advanced Standing – Advanced Generalist
This program will prepare you to enhance the well-being of vulnerable populations at all stages of life and promote a socially just society. You’ll also develop advanced cultural awareness and ethical intervention strategies at every level of social work practice, including:
- Advanced case management and counseling with individuals (micro), families and groups/communities (mezzo).
- Empowering social change in administration, policy development, legislative action and community practice (macro).
Additionally, you’ll gain the skills needed to become a well-rounded advanced generalist who can serve in multiple roles. You’ll develop knowledge about assessment and abilities in diagnosis and treatment, as well as learn how to lead the design, implementation and evaluation of programs.
Who’s a good candidate for this program?
This advanced standing, advanced generalist specialization is designed for those who’ve earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program in the last six years. In this year-long program, you’ll build on the generalist foundation gained in your BSW program and graduate prepared to implement interventions that reflect advanced social work practice.
Additionally, this program is an ideal fit if you want to work in a growing field that interacts with people in a helping capacity. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for social workers is expected to increase by 7% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than average for all occupations.
How is an advanced standing MSW different from a traditional MSW?
The advanced standing, advanced generalist MSW and the traditional MSW programs online differ in the length of time and practicum education requirements. Because BSW-holding candidates have direct education in social work, they can complete the advanced standing MSW in a one-year, intensive program with one practicum experience. For those who have a bachelor’s degree in other areas, our MSW online offers a two- or three-year program with two internships.
No matter which of the two MSW programs you complete, you’ll earn a graduate degree that is accredited by the Council on Social Work (CSWE). You may also be eligible for state licensure through the Association of Social Work Board (ASWB). Both programs are also a step toward achieving clinical licensure if you plan to pursue that career path.
Do you want to support people of all ages and backgrounds through difficult situations? Expand upon your undergraduate education by earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) with a specialization in advanced standing advanced generalist studies online in one year. As a graduate, you can pursue social work roles in individual, group, community and government settings.
You’ll take courses in sequential order over three semesters to broaden your knowledge and then implement what you learn in a practical setting. Topics you may explore include mental health, behavioral health services, policy development and analysis, legal issues in social work and more.
In addition to coursework, you’ll complete a 480-hour practicum or internship at the same agency over two consecutive semesters in your geographic region. This hands-on experience is designed to develop your professional identity, enhance your social work skills and increase your professionalism in the field.
The impressive faculty in the School of Social Work inspires the next generation of social workers through real-world solutions to issues in areas such as child welfare, family violence, health and mental health disparities, human trafficking and water scarcity. Our faculty are among the most prolific social work researchers in the country and many of the texts used in social work programs across the country were written by faculty who teach in the school’s online social work programs. Our faculty includes:
- 7 Fellows of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.
- 11 Fellows of the Society for Social Work and Research.
- 5 Fulbright Scholars.
The School of Social Work is a part of the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions — a comprehensive public service college dedicated to addressing social problems through teaching, research and service. Our programs, which range from public policy and social work to criminal justice and emergency management, are designed to prepare graduates to make a difference in their communities.
in social work research, according to the National Science Foundation, 2023.
best online bachelor’s programs, according to U.S. News & World Report, 2025.
in the U.S. for innovation for 11 consecutive years, ahead of Stanford and MIT.
public university in the U.S. chosen by international students, according to the Institute of International Education, 2022.
for best graduate social work program, U.S. News & World Report, 2026.
Applicants to the Master of Social Work program must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.20 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of their BSW program. Alternatively, applicants must have a minimum of a 3.20 cumulative GPA in an applicable master's program.
All applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application and application fee.
- Official transcripts.
- Program-specific admission essay.
- Up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume.
- Three letters of recommendation, including academic and professional references.
For your applied practicum education experience, you can expect your internship to take approximately 16 hours per week in both semesters for a total of 480 hours throughout the program. The inability to pass a background check or fingerprint clearance can limit the opportunities available and impair your ability to secure the required internships for this program.
The admission committee will use your statement of education and career goals to evaluate your knowledge of your career choice, your understanding of and commitment to the mission of the ASU School of Social Work and your passion for the social work profession. Your statement will also be used to assess your written communication abilities.
Your statement should be four to six pages double-spaced using a 12-point font and one-inch margins. When formulating your essay, please use the prompts listed below as paragraph headings. For the admission committee to appropriately review your statement, you must address all five guideline statements, including:
1. Your experience, background and relationships that influenced your selection of social work as your professional career, such as family, education, employment, diversity experience, volunteer involvement and personal characteristics. Additionally, please include challenges or barriers you’ve faced in your pursuit of higher education, what motivated you to persist and how you overcame them.
2. Your understanding of the responsibilities of the social work profession and specifically the role and responsibilities that you wish to be able to assume as a professional social worker. Additionally, please address how you’ve incorporated social work values in your human service experiences and interactions with others.
3. Your reasons for selecting the ASU School of Social Work program and your thoughts on how the mission statement addresses your short- and long-term career goals.
4. Your understanding of social justice as it relates to social work and how you’ll address the inadequacies of our social systems to combat racism. The ASU School of Social Work is committed to social justice, including the dignity and worth of all individuals. Social workers must maintain a commitment to equity by fighting to eradicate racism and all forms of injustice.
5. Your plan for managing the rigorous demands of graduate education with your required 480-hour professional practicum (one practicum experience over two semesters, 16 hours per week), employment and personal obligations.
You can also download the template for your statement of education and career goals for more information about the format.
An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.
ASU offers programs that lead to professional licensure with the State of Arizona and may allow graduates to be eligible for licensure in other states. Please check our professional licensure page for Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions to determine if this program meets the requirements in your state. Please email the admissions team at [email protected] for more information.
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”
