Regis College Online Master of Social Work (MSW) Program

The School of Health Sciences at Regis College offers an online Master of Social Work (MSW) with a specialization in clinical social work practice. There are two tracks depending on prior education: Traditional or Advanced Standing. The MSW program prepares students for work with individuals, families, and groups, creating change within communities. Social workers seek social justice and policy reform and provide support to social agencies, elementary, middle, and high schools, and local governments. Indeed social workers influence the greater good of societies from the individual to the community as a whole.

The specialized focus in clinical social work practice prepares graduates with strong clinical skills who then feel confident in working with clients in direct practice settings. The theories and skills learned prepare social workers to help their clients improve their lives and recover from social and emotional problems that may plague them as individuals and in family dynamics. Clinical social work practice also focuses on preventive measures and working with youth and groups. Graduates may go on to social work positions in schools, hospitals, mental health centers, child welfare organizations, and youth and family services.

The MSW Traditional track courses are delivered online and include two field placements of a total of 1,080 hours to meet program and licensing requirements. The Advanced Standing track includes one clinical placement for a total of 600 clinical hours. Graduates of either track may sit for the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) exam in their state. The Traditional track consists of 60 credits over 20 courses and can be completed in as little as 32 months. The Advanced Standing track requires the completion of 30 credits and can be completed in as little as 16 months. Applicants to the Advanced Standing track must have earned a bachelor of social work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program. Students may begin the MSW in the Fall, Spring, or Summer.

Regis College delivers most courses asynchronously, primarily through the Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS). Here students watch lectures, complete assignments, take assessments, and participate in discussion boards online. There are four field seminar courses that include six synchronous (live) sessions each. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the live sessions. Most courses are eight weeks long, while some are 16 weeks such as the field education seminar courses. Students can access grades, syllabi, class schedules, financial aid, and other information through RegisAccess. Online MSW students also have access to the SmartThinking 24-hour online tutoring service and 24/7 technical support. It is typical to spend at least 12 hours per week per course.

Generalist foundation courses for the online MSW Traditional track include Social Work Community Practice: Leading for Change; Human Behavior and Social Environment I-II; Social Welfare Policy; Research I: Ways of Knowing; Field Education Internship and Seminar I-II; Diversity and Cross-Cultural Issues; Ethics; Social Work Practice with Individuals; and Social Work Practice with Families and Groups. Students also complete a 500-hour field placement as well as a 600-hour field placement.

Once completed, Traditional track students move into the specialized clinical courses which are also the 30-credit curricula for the Advanced Standing track. These courses include Advanced Clinical Practice with Individuals; Research II: Evaluation of Clinical Social Work Practice; Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis; Field Education Internship and Seminar III-IV; Advanced Clinical Practice with Groups; Clinical Practice: Policies and Administration; Advanced Clinical Practice with Families; and two electives such as Trauma in Children and Adolescents or Trauma in Adults.

Regis College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation (CSWE).