Wisconsin – Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Explore and compare a list of accredited schools to enroll in your next program.
In Wisconsin, online social work degrees are widely available. As such, prospective students must carefully compare programs to find the option that best matches their long-term academic and career goals.
This page highlights Wisconsin’s accredited online master’s programs in social work. It also explains what to expect from online learning and explores the career outlook for Wisconsin social workers. Use it to identify a professional path to follow and connect with learning opportunities that can help you get there.
Popular Online Social Work Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Online Master’s in Social Work (MSW) Programs in Wisconsin
- Concordia University Wisconsin
- Areas of Practice: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Options: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
- Herzing University
- Areas of Practice: Mental Health; Medical Social Work; Children, Families, and Aging Services
- Enrollment Options: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
- Mount Mary Universityt
- Areas of Practice: Clinical Social Work, Child and Family Social Work
- Certificates Options: Forensic Social Work
- Enrollment Options: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- Enrollment Options: Part-Time, Advanced Standing
- University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
- Areas of Practice: Advanced Generalist
- Certificates Options: Gerontology, School Social Work, and Substance Use Counseling
- Enrollment Options: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Accreditation for Online Social Work Programs in Wisconsin
As in many other states, social workers in Wisconsin must be licensed. Program accreditation has a major impact on your license eligibility. To become licensed in Wisconsin with a bachelor’s or master’s degree, your program must either be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or in the CSWE’s pre-accreditation process.
CSWE-accredited programs meet rigorous standards emphasizing competencies that support effective and culturally responsive professional practices. To ensure your seamless transition to the social work profession, choose a CSWE-accredited online social work degree in Wisconsin.
Benefits of Studying Social Work Online in Wisconsin
Online learning offers multiple benefits to social work students. Key examples include:
- Expanded Program Access. Multiple Wisconsin schools host CSWE-accredited social work programs, but online learning also allows you to access learning opportunities outside your geographic area. This may benefit you if you have highly specific learning goals best met by an out-of-state school.
- Cost Savings. Online students save on relocation, commuting, and parking costs. Some colleges also offer tuition breaks to learners in fully online programs, which may help you graduate with less debt.
- Scheduling Flexibility. When you study online, you generally have much more control over your learning schedule. This can help you balance your schooling with outside commitments, such as work or family.
Schools offer various online learning formats and course delivery models, which you should also consider at the program selection stage.
Course Formats in Online Social Work Degrees
The various online program formats and course delivery models schools use each carry their own unique advantages and limitations. Major examples include:
- 100% Online: Fully online programs allow you to complete your academic coursework without any campus visits. They offer excellent flexibility and convenience, but fewer networking opportunities with peers and instructors.
- Hybrid: Also known as blended programs, hybrid social work degrees combine classroom-based and online coursework. These programs balance online learning with the traditional college experience, but require a physical presence in the vicinity of the campus.
- Asynchronous: Asynchronous course delivery models use pre-recorded lectures that let you engage with classes on your own schedule. They optimize flexibility, but lack the real-time interactivity of a physical classroom. Instead, students typically engage in discussions through message boards or online forums.
- Synchronous: Synchronous online courses meet at set times, just like face-to-face classes. They offer less flexibility than asynchronous courses, but facilitate live interactions with peers and instructors. You can ask questions and engage in discussions, just like you would in a traditional classroom.
Wisconsin social work programs — including those with 100% online coursework profiles — commonly include fieldwork components like practicums and internships. You must complete these requirements in person, even if your program is otherwise delivered online.
Wisconsin Social Worker Career and Salary Information
Wisconsin online social work degrees can lead to numerous career paths, which the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups into the four main categories featured in the table below. On the whole, the BLS expects average to above-average job growth rates from 2022-32 across all four social work specializations the agency tracks.
In general, social worker salaries in Wisconsin roughly align with national averages. Wisconsin also has a below-average cost of living, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. Your money goes further in areas where the cost of living is low.
Inform your research by learning more about social work career paths and reviewing Wisconsin’s social work licensing requirements.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Projected Job Growth (2022-32) |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $57,380 | +4.9% |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $62,860 | +3.7% |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $54,630 | +6.2% |
| Social Workers, All Other | $60,050 | +9.8% |
