North Carolina Universities that offer MSW Programs

Are you an aspiring social worker who’s looking to jump start your career in the state of North Carolina? If so, good news: the state is full of excellent opportunities that can help you make your career dreams a reality.

North Carolina is home to a number of top-notch Master of Social Work programs that can usher motivated students into the career path they’re looking for.

This means that those who already live in North Carolina won’t have to move in order to find the programs they’re looking for.

This guide provides a comprehensive list of MSW programs in North Carolina, consolidated into a single page. It includes important information such as per-year tuition, how classes are offered (online, in-person, or hybrid), and areas of specialization within each program. These are crucially important for any prospective MSW student to know at the outset of the application process.

Factors to Consider While Choosing Your MSW Program

Different individuals will require very different things from their MSW program, meaning only you can determine which one is most suited to your goals. Below are a few of the most important factors to consider when picking the schools you’d like to apply to.

Cost

Perhaps needless to say, the cost of tuition and additional expenses is one of the most important concerns any future graduate student must think about. As you will see in the list below, tuition can vary greatly between North Carolina-based schools. If you are a North Carolina resident, you will be able to take advantage of the resident rates at many institutions, which should put the cost of graduate school closer within reach.

In North Carolina, you should be able to find MSW programs that are convenient to where you already live, saving you the significant expense of relocating.

Many schools also offer scholarships, grants, and work-study programs to help students cover their school expenses. There are also some independent scholarships students can apply for to pay for their education at any institution. If you are interested in attending a graduate program but aren’t sure how you can pay for it, it’s highly recommended to look into these options. For a list of available scholarships in the state, take a look at our guide here.  

Classroom Format

In recent years, graduate students of all types have benefitted from the newfound convenience of distance learning (online) options. A once controversial idea that has become the norm in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, online education options can be a tremendous boon for students who need to balance their time in graduate school with maintaining employment or other existing responsibilities. It can also make it possible for students who live in remote areas or towns without MSW programs to study without needing to relocate their lives. Indeed, for many who have dreamed of going to grad school, the online option is what has finally made these goals possible.

That said, if you have the option of attending an on-campus program, there are still advantages to in-person learning that are worth taking into account. Those who hope for direct mentorship or regular networking opportunities may find these easier to find within an on-campus program, which will more easily facilitate conversations with peers and give you greater access to your professors and advisors. Some also find it easier to focus and meet deadlines when their classes are held in person, though this is subjective and can vary from one student to the next.

Increasingly, MSW programs are also beginning to offer hybrid learning models, which include some in-person classes and some remote classes. These can offer the best of both worlds to students who are able to meet the demands of an in-person schedule while reducing commuting obligations.