Master in Social Work in USA is a full-time course lasting for one to three years is focused on teaching students how to provide optimum care to their future clients. The primary aim of social workers is to provide comfort and support so that people can fight against mental turmoil. For applying to MSW (masters in social work) in US Universities, you will be required to have a four-year bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and work experience.
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Pursuing masters in social work in USA from top universities can range from 16,000 USD to 59,000 USD. The Indian currency approximates to 11 lakhs to 43 lakhs. To cover such a high amount can be difficult for a student on a budget. In such cases, you can always apply and avail of scholarships available for masters in USA. These will help you cover some of your tuition and/or award you with a specific amount to sustain your higher education in USA.
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On completion of MSW from USA, a student receives the certificate from the Council of Social Work Education that enables you to work with the public and private sector within the US. The average salaries as reported by BLS (2020) are 50,470 USD/year. This means you can earn around 37 LPA INR with masters in social work degree in the USA.
Top Universities for Master in Social Work in USA
According to the report of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), 500 bachelors and more than 200 master programs in social work are recognized by the accrediting agencies of the USA. Similarly, the employers of this country also look for students who passed out from CSWE accredited MSW programs. Some of the CSWE and Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredited top-ranking universities for Masters in Social Work in the USA are:
| US News Rank (2020) | University | Course Duration | Total Course Fees (in USD) |
| 1 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 2 years | 44,448 |
| 2 | Washington University | 2 years | 82,740 |
| 3 | Columbia University | 1.3 years | 76,393 |
| 3 | University of California | 2 years | 40,436 |
| 3 | University of North Carolina | 3 years | 49,950 |
| 3 | University of Washington | 3 years | 103,122 |
| 8 | University of Texas | 2 years | 53,072 |
| 9 | Case Western Reserve University | 1 year | 46,524 |
| 10 | Boston College | 2 years | 59,272 |
| 10 | University of Pennsylvania | 2 years | 113,572 |
| 13 | New York University | 2 years | 75,134 |
| 13 | Ohio State University | 2 years | 36,096 |
Aspirants for the MSW program from USA must note that BLS divides social workers into four broad categories- Child, family & school; mental health & substance abuse; healthcare; and all. The names are suggestive of the type of sector you work in. To pursue a career in USA with an MSW degree you must focus on getting the license/certificate as to work in all these categories you will be mostly asked for your certification.
Why Study Masters in Social work in USA
Social working in the US leads to a reduction in the juvenile arrest rate by 68% between 1996 to 2015. Therefore, the demand for social workers in this country has been rising with the passage of time. In addition, the masters passed out students can be recruited either by the hospitals, or nursing homes, or by rehabilitation centers in the USA.
- As per the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, the demand for social workers in the US will be increased by 11% by the year 2028.
- The demand for mental health social workers and healthcare social workers will be increased by 18% and 17% by the year 2028 respectively.
- The aging population of the USA will be increased by 79 million people by the year 2060. Consequently, the demand for social workers will increase more in the future.
- Approximately 707,400 employees are engaged in social work in the USA in the year 2018.
Master in Social Work in USA: Admissions
International applicants who wish to study in USA are well aware of the fact that in most cases, you are required to have a four-year bachelor’s degree. This is because for entry to a master’s program in the US 16 years of education is required. Social work degrees are slightly different here. Though a four-year bachelor is a requirement, applicants with a 3-year degree and relevant work experience are considered for admissions to the program. Other supporting documents and relative requirements are mentioned below:
- Statement of purpose for USA
- Work experience (Not mandatory).
- Letter of references (LORs)
- Certificates of extracurricular activities.
- Two passport size photos
- Photocopy of your international passport.
Eligibility for Master in Social Work in USA
International students are required to submit IELTS or TOEFL test scores to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. The minimum score requirement along with the minimum percentage requirement for some of the popular universities of USA is tabulated below:
| Name of the University | Minimum IELTS Score | Min. TOEFL Score | Min. Percentage in Bachelors |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 7.0 | PBT: 600, CBT: 250, iBT: 100 |
75% |
| Washington University | 7.5 | iBT: 90, PBT: 577, CBT: 233 |
70% |
| Columbia University | 7.0 | iBT: 100 | 85% |
| UC Berkeley | 6.5 | iBT: 90 | 64% |
| University of North Carolina | 6.0 | iBT: 71 | 75% |
| University of Washington | 6.0 | iBT: 76 | 70% |
| University of Texas | 6.5 | iBT: 79, CBT: 213, PBT: 550 |
70% |
| Case Western Reserve University | 7.0 | iBT: 90, PBT: 577 |
85% |
| Boston College | 7.5 | iBT: 100 | 70% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 7.5 | PBT: 600, iBT: 100 |
70% |
| New York University | 7.0 | PBT: 580, CBT: 237, iBT: 92 |
70% |
| Ohio State University | 7.0 | iBT: 79 PBT: 550 |
70% |
US Visa Process for International Students
In order to apply for a student visa in USA, the international students proceed with the following steps:
- Submit the acceptance letter for reserving a seat in the university.
- Attach the complete details of the course subject, length, and the cost structure of your applied course.
- Provide documents like your previous education in the form of academic transcripts.
- Attach the marks of your English proficiency test (such as IELTS or TOEFL).
- Mention the accommodation and travel history to that country before applying for a visa.
- Provide the consent letter from your guardian.
Cost of Study Master in Social Work in USA
It is dependent both on the pre-arrival cost, tuition fees, and cost of living during the period of studying in the USA.
Pre-Departure Expenditure
The pre-arrival expenses of the students consist of fees of the tests required to study in USA such as TOEFL or IELTS, on flight fare, and on the visa fare.
| Types of Expenditure | Fees (in USD) |
| IELTS fee | 215 – 240 |
| TOEFL fee | 180 |
| Transcription Cost of Prior Educational Certificates | 80 |
| One way flight fare | 700 |
| Visa application fee | 1200 |
| SEVIS Fee | 200 |
Tuition Fees of Master in Social Work in USA
Masters in Social Work in USA costs around 16,000 USD to 59,000 USD per annum for an international student. The annual tuition fees for pursuing masters in social work in the USA range from 20,000 USD to 58,000 USD at various top universities. Given below are the fees for Indian students planning to pursue masters in social work in the US:
| University | Course Fees for Indian Students (INR) |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 33 lakhs |
| Washington University | 61 lakhs |
| Columbia University | 56 lakhs |
| University of California | 30 lakhs |
| University of North Carolina | 37 lakhs |
| University of Washington | 76 lakhs |
| University of Texas | 39 lakhs |
| Case Western Reserve University | 34 lakhs |
| Boston College | 44 lakhs |
| University of Pennsylvania | 84 lakhs |
| New York University | 55 lakhs |
| Ohio State University | 26 lakhs |
Cost of Living in the USA
The average cost of transportation and accommodation in the USA is expensive compared to other countries. The annual cost of expenditure of a student in varied between 10,000 to 12,000 USD. An estimate of expenses required while living in the USA are tabulated below.
| Types of Expenditures | Annual Cost (in USD) |
| Hostels or room rent | $5000-$7000 |
| Cost of food | $2500 |
| Public transport | $350-$800 |
| Entertainment cost | $1000-$1200 |
Scholarship for Master in Social Work in USA
In order to bear the huge cost structure of the MSW coursework in the USA, the government and the universities offer some specific scholarship programs for the meritorious fellows.
Some of scholarships for international students in USA are discussed in the following:
| Scholarship | Amount (USD) | Eligibility Criteria |
| ABE Judith Hom University | 1200 | Given by American Board of Examiners |
| American School Health Association (ASHA) Scholarship | 250 | Need to be a current member of ASHA. Applicable for full-time graduate students and should get 3.0 GPA in undergraduate. |
| Arthur W. Pense Scholarship | 1000 (per semester) | Should be nominated by the NYSARC chapter. |
| Bethesda Lutheran Communities Service Scholarship | UP to 10000 | Students should get at least 3.0 GPA and require to submit a recommendation letter. |
| Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship | Up to 4000 | Need to be a NASW member and the students should include personal essays and academic references. |
Scope of Master in Social Work in USA
Students who completed their master in social work in the US, can show their excellence in the fields like counseling, psychology, sociology, and human services. Apart from this, behavioral management aide, eligibility screener, rehabilitation caseworker jobs are also renowned professions for the MSW passed out students.
Some of the highest paying locations in the USA are Plainfield City & Westfield Town, Inner Mission & Castro Puma, Fairfield, New Canaan.
| Job Designation | Average Annual Salary (in USD) |
| Case management | 47,726 |
| Counseling | 46,484 |
| Patient education | 48,769 |
| Group therapy | 45,197 |
| Patient Counseling | 48,673 |
Masters in social work lead to getting higher remuneration compared to the bachelor passed out students. As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the social workers in the USA can experience a 11% growth within the year 2028. The growth rate is much faster than the other occupations in the country. Hence, choosing MSW coursework can inevitably open up the career path for the students.
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Originally posted 2021-11-15 13:01:10.
