Missouri – Featured Online Programs in Social Work

Missouri social work programs are located in urban, suburban, and rural areas across the state. Because you must have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) to be licensed and practice as a social worker in Missouri, it is important to consider all the options available for your social work education. This page summarizes many of the traditional on-campus programs available. There are currently no full-time online social work degree programs available in Missouri, although the University of Missouri does offer a part-time MSW degree online.

Quick Facts

  • 20 schools offering social work programs in Missouri are in our database (see below)
  • Of the social work schools in Missouri, none offer associate’s degrees or certificates, 18 offer bachelor’s degrees, and 7 offer a master’s or advanced degree1
  • 1 school ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges
  • 6 schools ranked in US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
  • 1 school ranked in Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs4
  • Across 18 schools, 23 bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs in Missouri are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)5

Featured Online Programs in Social Work

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Top-Ranked Schools with Social Work Programs in Missouri

Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges

  • University of Missouri (#74 in-state, #69 out-of-state)

*Institution-wide ranking.

US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs

  • Washington University in St. Louis (#2)
  • St. Louis University (#54 tie)
  • University of Missouri (#59 tie)
  • University of Missouri-St. Louis (#72 tie)
  • University of Missouri-Kansas City (#128 tie)
  • Missouri State University (#201 tie)

Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs

  • University of Missouri

Schools with Social Work Programs Accredited by the CSWE

  • Avila University
  • Evangel University
  • Fontbonne University
  • Lincoln University
  • Lindenwood University
  • Missouri Southern State University
  • Missouri State University
  • Missouri Western State University
  • Park University
  • Saint Louis University
  • Southeast Missouri State University
  • Southwest Baptist University
  • University of Central Missouri
  • University of Missouri
  • University of Missouri-Kansas City
  • University of Missouri-St. Louis
  • Washington University in St. Louis
  • William Woods University

Schools in Missouri with Social Work Degree Programs

BSW and Other Undergraduate Programs

Missouri State University

Located in the southwestern city of Springfield, the School of Social Work at Missouri State University offers CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW degrees. The BSW program prepares students for generalist practice, including case management, advocacy, and policy analysis. The degree takes a minimum of four years to complete full-time; students must pass both the general education requirements and the required courses in the social work curriculum. The program is competitive; students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.50 to remain in the program and at least a “C” grade in all required social work courses. In the final semester of the program, students complete a field education placement in a social service organization. Placements are available in urban organizations in Springfield, rural areas across the state, or faith-based organizations in the region.

Saint Louis University

Ranked #96 among national universities by US News and World Report in 2016, St. Louis University is a private, Jesuit institution with CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) and MSW degrees, as well as a PhD in social work program. The BSSW program in SLU’s School of Social Work focuses on the importance of social justice and community development and the growing importance of global health issues. In addition to required social work courses in social welfare, policy, and research, students must also fulfill the university’s liberal arts core curriculum, including courses in philosophy, math, and social science. The university offers many international undergraduate learning opportunities via academic courses at a satellite campus in Madrid, Spain as well as service-learning opportunities in Ghana, Mexico, and India. The university additionally offers an accelerated joint BSSW/MSW program that allows high-performing students to complete both degrees in five years of full-time study.

MSW and Other Graduate Programs

Washington University in St. Louis

The social work graduate school at Washington University in St. Louis has been ranked #1 among social work graduate schools in the US by US News & World Report. The Brown School of Social Work offers an array of options that help students customize the graduate education experience to meet their future social work career goals. All MSW students must choose a concentration from American Indian and Alaska Native; Children, Youth and Families; Health; Mental Health; Older Adults and Aging; Social and Economic Development; Violence and Injury Prevention; or an Individualized curriculum. Furthermore, students can complete specializations, dual degrees, and certificate programs in specific practice areas. The program takes two years to complete full-time, although high-achieving undergraduate students may apply for the school’s 3-2 MSW Program to complete both the BSW and MSW degrees in five years. Field education is a key part of the MSW experience, helping students develop foundational social work skills and specific skills in the chosen area of concentration.

University of Missouri

In 2016 US News & World Report ranked the University of Missouri #47 among public national universities in the US. The university’s School of Social Work, located in Columbia, offers CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW degrees and a PhD in social work. The MSW program has two specializations to choose from in either Clinical Practice or Policy, Planning, and Administration. To be eligible for the program, candidates must have an undergraduate degree with significant liberal arts content, a GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 hours of coursework, and at least a C- grade in a statistics course. Students can complete the MSW degree either on campus through full-time study or through either in-person or online part-time study. The online program is only open to Missouri residents or residents in neighboring states. The university also offers a dual MSW/Master of Public Health degree and graduate certificates in gerontology and military social work.

Accreditation Information for Missouri Social Work Schools

SchoolGraduation Rate1Transfer-Out Rate1Associate’s SW ProgramBachelor’s SW ProgramGraduate SW ProgramCSWE Accred.5US News Best Social Work Grad Schools Ranking3Net Price*1
Avila University49%39%NoYesNoYesNot Ranked$19,781
College of the Ozarks63%19%NoYesNoNoNot Ranked$14,152
Evangel University48%N/ANoYesNoYesNot Ranked$20,480
Fontbonne University48%N/ANoYesNoYesNot Ranked$18,964
Lincoln University25%N/ANoYesNoYesNot Ranked$9,528
Lindenwood University50%27%NoYesNoYesNot Ranked$21,440
Missouri State University-Springfield55%N/ANoYesYesYes#201 tie$14,192
Missouri Western State University36%27%NoYesNoYesNot Ranked$10,021
Park University42%N/ANoYesYesYesNot Ranked$9,326
Saint Louis University72%N/ANoYesYesYes#54 tie$33,812
Southeast Missouri State University51%N/ANoYesNoYesNot Ranked$11,398
Southwest Baptist University49%36%NoYesNoYesNot Ranked$16,892
University of Central Missouri53%25%NoYesNoYesNot Ranked$13,606
University of Missouri-Columbia69%N/ANoYesYesYesNot Ranked$16,872
University of Missouri-Kansas City52%N/ANoNoYesYes#128 tie$18,904
University of Missouri-St. Louis42%N/ANoYesYesYes#72 tie$9,969
Washington University in St. Louis95%N/ANoNoYesYes#2$33,374
William Woods University53%14%NoYesNoYesNot Ranked$21,386

*The net price is calculated by the National Center for Education Statistics by subtracting the average amount of aid (including grants and scholarships) from the total published cost of attendance for in-state/in-district students, which includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses. To gain a better understanding of how to interpret the statistics discussed in this table, see our list of important definitions.

Featured Online Programs in Social Work

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Directory of Missouri Social Work School Programs

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Avila University*
11901 Wornall Rd
Kansas City, MO 64145-1698
(816) 942-8400
http://www.avila.edu

College of the Ozarks
100 Opportunity Ave
Point Lookout, MO 65726-0017
(417) 334-6411
http://www.cofo.edu

Evangel University*
1111 N Glenstone
Springfield, MO 65802-2125
(417) 865-2815
http://www.evangel.edu

Fontbonne University*
6800 Wydown Blvd
Saint Louis, MO 63105-3098
(314) 862-3456
http://www.fontbonne.edu

Lincoln University*
820 Chestnut St
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 681-5000
http://www.lincolnu.edu

Lindenwood University*
209 S Kingshighway St
Saint Charles, MO 63301-1695
(636) 949-2000
http://www.lindenwood.edu

Missouri State University-Springfield*
901 S National
Springfield, MO 65897
(417) 836-5000
https://www.missouristate.edu

Student Review: “I attended Missouri State University’s Social Work graduate program after I attended MSU’s undergraduate Nursing program. One of the major perks of this program, for me, was that is offered most of the courses for the program in the evening. As a mother and someone that works full time, evening classes are really important to me. I was at the MSU Springfield campus and I really felt my professors cared about me and my ability to succeed after I finished the program. I would recommend this program for people similar to myself – those that are looking to get a quality graduate education while maintaining responsibilities like work and family.” – Student at Missouri State University
stars-5

Missouri Western State University*
4525 Downs Dr
Saint Joseph, MO 64507
(816) 271-4200
https://www.missouriwestern.edu

Park University*
8700 NW River Park Dr
Parkville, MO 64152-3795
(816) 741-2000
http://www.park.edu

Saint Louis University*
One North Grand Blvd
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2097
(314) 977-2222
http://www.slu.edu

Southeast Missouri State University*
One University Plz, MS 4675
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
(573) 651-2000
http://www.semo.edu

Southwest Baptist University*
1600 University Ave
Bolivar, MO 65613-2596
(800) 526-5859
http://www.sbuniv.edu

University of Central Missouri*
202 Administration Building
Warrensburg, MO 64093
(660) 543-4111
http://www.ucmo.edu

Student Review: “I really enjoyed my time in the social work program. My professors were supportive and awesome. I learned so much more than I ever thought I could. I knew everyone else who was in my program and made two very close friends. I also met my wife there. The campus was small and beautiful. The program was affordable although I was paying out of state tuition. All of my classes were in the same building. My program set up an awesome internship for me and they were very supportive when I decided to pursue graduate school. They even asked me to come back and speak to the next class about graduate school.” – Student at University of Central Missouri
stars-5

University of Missouri-Columbia*
105 Jesse Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 882-2121
http://www.missouri.edu

University of Missouri-Kansas City*
5100 Rockhill Rd
Kansas City, MO 64110
(816) 235-1000
http://www.umkc.edu

University of Missouri-St. Louis*
One University Blvd
Saint Louis, MO 63121-4400
(314) 516-5000
http://www.umsl.edu

Washington University in St. Louis*
One Brookings Dr
Saint Louis, MO 63130-4899
(314) 935-5000
http://www.wustl.edu

William Woods University*
One University Ave
Fulton, MO 65251-1098
(573) 642-2251
http://www.williamwoods.edu

Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=all
3. US News & World Report Social Work Best Grad Schools Rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings
4. Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs: /degrees/masters/online/
5. Council on Social Work Education: https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Directory-of-Accredited-Programs.aspx