Best Social Work colleges in the U.S. 2023

The University of Chicago’s Crown Family School's Master of Arts in Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration prepares students interested in becoming social workers, policy developers, and leaders in the community. This program includes courses that teach students how to assess the range of stressors that contribute to economic and social hardship. Classes are available both in-person and remotely, though some courses may include in-person instruction and practicum during their junior or senior year to further their professional experience before graduation.

For students interested in pursuing a Master of Social Work in North Carolina, UNC-Chapel Hill offers a competitive track with ample professional observation opportunities on-campus and in the Raleigh-Durham metro area. Students in the program are advised to apply to internships during their degree program and during summer breaks to gain hands-on experience that will be invaluable when they apply for professional roles post-graduation. Graduates of UNC’s social work program have excellent track records of success.

The University of California Berkeley offers a graduate-level social work program, ideal for students interested in working with clients in clinical and human services roles. It is common for students in the program to take classes in psychology and specialize in a particular age group or demographic to work with. UC Berkeley offers a two-year path with opportunities to apply to internships at schools in the Bay Area to gain real-world experience.

The Master of Social Work program at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor provides a foundation for graduate students that want to become involved in helping children and adults in a clinical social work setting. Students interested in exploring this degree learn how legislation, government programs, and local organizations shape the global social and economic landscape. It is common for students in the program to complete an on or off-campus internship locally, which helps many develop professional relationships and references for when they graduate.

The University of Washington has a Master of Social Work program that was developed to prepare students for roles in the Seattle community immediately upon completion. This is a two-year master’s program that gives students a range of local internship opportunities at hospitals like Harborview Medical Center or the Seattle Department of Social and Health Services downtown. The program offers many seminars and clinical observations for their students to receive additional guidance before entering the workforce.

The Master of Social Work program at Indiana University - Bloomington was created to prepare graduates to enter into the field as a social worker, community service manager, or case management aid. In the classroom, students have opportunities to pursue specific clinical settings if they prefer to work at a hospital, with the elderly, or at a grade school level. Many students pursue off-campus internships in the Indianapolis metro.

FIU’s Master of Social Work program prepares students interested in pursuing a career in social work helping people of all ages in a clinical or medical setting. Applicants should note that professional internship experiences are critical to this major and that students typically enter the workforce immediately after graduation. Learners can expect to find job opportunities in Miami at local centers like the Dade County Human Services Department, or one of the many private practices that serve clients in the metro area.

Syracuse University offers a master’s degree program in social work for students in upstate New York with an interest in helping children and young adults experiencing health-related, economic, and social hardship. Courses in the program’s curriculum include public policy, institutional research, and ethics. Graduates of the program can take advantage of Syracuse’s extensive alumni network to assist in post-graduation job placement, especially for local positions in New York.

For New York City residents with aspirations of pursuing a degree in social work, New York University, or NYU, offers a two-year program designed to prepare students for jobs working directly with people of all ages that are suffering from economic, medical, or psychological distress. Students can anticipate taking classes in psychology and communication while pursuing in-person internships at organizations in New York City to gain experience working in a clinical setting with practicing professionals.