Best MSW Programs in Georgia (2026)
Every CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work program in Georgia for 2026, with tuition, LMSW/LCSW licensure requirements, salary data, and field placement details.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia has 7 CSWE-accredited MSW programs across the state, including 5 public universities and 2 private institutions, with in-state tuition as low as $196/credit at Savannah State University.
- The LCSW requires 3,000 supervised clinical hours (minimum 3 years) after your MSW, plus the ASWB Clinical exam. The LMSW requires only the MSW degree and the ASWB Masters exam — no post-degree experience.
- Georgia social workers earn below the national median across most specialties, but the state's low cost of living offsets much of the gap. Healthcare social workers in the Atlanta metro earn a mean of $59,110+.
- Georgia has 114 of 159 counties (72%) designated as mental health HPSAs, creating strong demand for licensed social workers in rural and underserved communities.
- The Georgia Behavioral Health Provider Loan Repayment Program offers up to $80,000 for LCSWs who commit to 4 years in a shortage area, and the BHP Service Cancelable Loan provides up to $20,000/year for MSW students.
Georgia offers 7 CSWE-accredited MSW programs spanning the state from Atlanta to Valdosta, with public university tuition starting at just $196/credit for in-state residents. Whether you want a traditional on-campus experience in downtown Atlanta, a fully online program from Albany State University or the University of Georgia, or a hybrid evening format in south Georgia, there is an option that fits your schedule and budget.
After graduation, Georgia offers two social work license levels: the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The LMSW is available immediately upon passing the ASWB Masters exam — no post-degree supervised experience required. The LCSW requires 3,000 hours of supervised clinical practice over a minimum of 3 years, plus the ASWB Clinical exam. Both licenses are issued by the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists.
Georgia's social work job market is driven by acute shortage: 72% of the state's 159 counties are designated mental health HPSAs. Major employers include the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS), the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) with its five state hospitals, Grady Health System, Emory Healthcare, WellStar Health System, and Piedmont Healthcare. The state also funds two significant financial incentives — a loan repayment program offering up to $80,000 and a service-cancelable loan of up to $20,000 per year for MSW students.
CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in Georgia
All 7 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Georgia | $645/credit (online); ~$380/credit (on-campus) | On-campus | |
| 2 | Georgia State University | $408/credit (on-campus); $450/credit (online) | On-campus | |
| 3 | Kennesaw State University | $303/credit | Hybrid | |
| 4 | Clark Atlanta University | $1,068/credit (private, flat rate) | On-campus or online | |
| 5 | Savannah State University | $196/credit | On-campus | |
| 6 | Albany State University | $197/credit | Fully online | |
| 7 | Valdosta State University | $260/credit | On-campus |
University of Georgia
In-State
$645/credit (online); ~$380/credit (on-campus)
Out-of-State
$645/credit (online, flat rate); ~$1,050/credit (on-campus)
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
912 (312 generalist + 600 specialization)
Concentrations
- Ranked among the top public MSW programs in the Southeast
- Fully online MSW charges a flat $645/credit regardless of residency
- Three specializations including an integrated micro/macro track
- Available on the Athens campus, online, and at UGA Gwinnett
- MSW/MPH and MSW/JD dual degree options available
Georgia State University
In-State
$408/credit (on-campus); $450/credit (online)
Out-of-State
$1,098/credit (on-campus); $450/credit (online)
Length
2 years (50 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- Located in downtown Atlanta with access to major urban agencies and hospitals
- Only MSW program in the U.S. with a Community Partnerships specialization
- New Mental Health and Wellness specialization prepares graduates for LCSW
- Part of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
- Advanced standing track completable in 3 semesters
Kennesaw State University
In-State
$303/credit
Out-of-State
$1,066/credit
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
1,000 (2 days/week generalist + 3 days/week clinical)
Concentrations
- Highest LMSW and LCSW exam pass rates in Georgia (2022)
- Clinical practice concentration with electives in crisis intervention and child/adolescent practice
- Charged for only 12 credit hours per semester despite 15-credit-hour courseload
- Field placements across the Greater Atlanta metropolitan area
- Hybrid format with both on-campus and online components
Clark Atlanta University
In-State
$1,068/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$1,068/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
900 (400 foundation + 500 concentration)
Concentrations
- HBCU with the historic Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work
- Named for civil rights leader and National Urban League president Whitney M. Young Jr.
- Two distinct clinical concentrations in children/families and health/mental health
- Part of the Atlanta University Center, the largest consortium of HBCUs in the nation
- Advanced standing requires only 33 credits with a 3.2 GPA from a CSWE-accredited BSW
Savannah State University
In-State
$196/credit
Out-of-State
$726/credit
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
900 (21 credit hours of practicum)
Concentrations
- Most affordable MSW program in Georgia at $196/credit for in-state students
- HBCU offering two distinct specializations: clinical practice and social administration
- Located in historic Savannah with field placements across coastal Georgia
- Day-only field placements structured around traditional agency schedules
- Small cohort sizes allowing close faculty mentorship
Albany State University
In-State
$197/credit
Out-of-State
$799/credit
Length
2 years (64 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- Fully online CSWE-accredited MSW at one of the lowest tuition rates in the state
- HBCU specializing in clinical social work with children and families across the lifespan
- Focuses on child welfare, foster care, adoption, and mental health services
- Located in southwest Georgia, serving one of the state's most underserved regions
- Field placements can be arranged near the student's home community
Valdosta State University
In-State
$260/credit
Out-of-State
$961/credit
Length
2 years
Field Hours
900 (17 credit hours of practicum)
Concentrations
- Three flexible MSW formats: full-time campus, part-time campus, and hybrid online
- Evening classes on all campus-based formats for working professionals
- Most affordable advanced standing MSW option in Georgia
- Hybrid cohort format blends online coursework with monthly campus intensives
- Serves south Georgia, one of the state's most acute mental health shortage regions
Social Work Licensure Requirements in Georgia
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists
478-207-2440
Georgia issues two levels of social work licensure through the Georgia Secretary of State's Office. The LMSW is the entry-level master's license, and the LCSW is the advanced clinical license required for independent practice, private practice, and diagnosing mental health conditions.
A key advantage of Georgia's LMSW is that it requires no post-degree supervised experience. You can apply immediately after completing your MSW from a CSWE-accredited program and passing the ASWB Masters exam. Georgia allows recent MSW graduates to practice for up to one year under supervision while preparing for the licensing exam. Both licenses require renewal every two years with 35 hours of continuing education, including 5 hours in ethics.
Licensed Master Social Worker
Generalist social work practice, case management, community organizing, policy analysis, supervised clinical work
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: ASWB Masters
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Independent clinical practice, psychotherapy, diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, private practice, insurance billing
Hours
3,000
Duration
3 years
Exam: ASWB Clinical
Georgia does not offer reciprocity or endorsement-based licensure for out-of-state social workers. All applicants must apply as if for initial licensure and meet Georgia's education, examination, and experience requirements. However, if you have already passed the appropriate ASWB exam and your supervised hours meet Georgia's standards, you will not need to re-take the exam or accumulate new hours. You must submit verification of your out-of-state license, two professional references, and a background check through the Georgia Secretary of State.
Social Worker Salary in Georgia
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Georgia social workers generally earn below the national median, but the state's significantly lower cost of living — particularly outside the Atlanta metro — offsets much of the gap. A social worker earning $52,000 in rural Georgia often has comparable purchasing power to someone earning $65,000+ in a high-cost state. Within the Atlanta metro area, salaries are notably higher and approach or exceed national averages. All salary data below is from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
National median: $58,570
Top metro: $60,460 (Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell)
Healthcare Social Workers
National median: $68,090
Top metro: $59,110 (Athens-Clarke County)
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
National median: $60,060
Top metro: $59,630 (Augusta-Richmond County)
Georgia Social Work Job Market and Workforce
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Georgia has 114 of its 159 counties (72%) designated as mental health Health Professional Shortage Areas, and only about 41% of adults with mental illness in the state receive treatment. The shortage is most severe in rural south and southwest Georgia, where some counties have virtually no mental health providers. The state population of over 10.6 million is growing rapidly, further straining an already thin behavioral health workforce.
Major employers for social workers include the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) and its Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) which operates five state hospitals, Grady Health System (Atlanta's safety-net hospital), Emory Healthcare, WellStar Health System, Piedmont Healthcare, the Atlanta VA Health Care System, and numerous community mental health centers funded by DBHDD across the state. Georgia's expanding Medicaid landscape and behavioral health integration efforts are creating new positions in community health centers and integrated care teams statewide.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Georgia Behavioral Health Provider Loan Repayment Program (GBHPLRP) — Up to $80,000 for LCSWs (or $40,000 for LMSWs without doctoral degrees) who commit to 4 years of full-time practice in a Mental Health HPSA in Georgia. Requires 40 hours/week with 32 hours of direct patient contact.
Behavioral Health Professions Service Cancelable Loan (BHP SCL) — Up to $20,000/year for MSW students enrolled in eligible Georgia programs. The loan is forgiven year-for-year when graduates work full-time in an eligible behavioral health position in Georgia.
National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program — Up to $75,000 in federal loan repayment for LCSWs serving at NHSC-approved sites in Health Professional Shortage Areas for an initial 2-year commitment, with extensions available.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — Social workers at Georgia DHS, DBHDD, VA hospitals, Grady Health System, and nonprofit health systems all qualify for federal PSLF after 10 years of qualifying payments under an income-driven repayment plan.
How to Choose an MSW Program in Georgia
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Georgia's 7 MSW programs span a wide range of formats, price points, and specializations. Most of the decision comes down to where you live, how much you can pay, and whether you need to study online.
If you want the best value as a Georgia resident: Savannah State ($196/credit) and Albany State ($197/credit) are the most affordable MSW programs in the state. Albany State's fully online format adds extra flexibility.
If you want the strongest overall program: The University of Georgia offers three specializations, dual degree options (MSW/MPH, MSW/JD), and a nationally recognized research faculty. The online MSW charges a flat $645/credit regardless of residency.
If you want to study in Atlanta: Georgia State University and Clark Atlanta University are both located in the heart of Atlanta, with access to Grady Health System, Emory, and hundreds of placement sites. GSU's Community Partnerships specialization is unique nationally.
If you need a fully online program: Albany State (fully online, $197/credit in-state), UGA (fully online, $645/credit flat), and Clark Atlanta (online, $1,068/credit) all offer CSWE-accredited online MSW programs.
If you want to work full-time while studying: Valdosta State offers evening-only classes in all campus formats, Kennesaw State uses a hybrid model, and multiple programs offer part-time tracks stretching over 3 years.
If you have a BSW and want to finish fast: All 7 programs offer advanced standing for BSW holders. Clark Atlanta's advanced standing is just 33 credits, and most programs can be completed in 1 year.
If you want to serve underserved communities: Albany State and Savannah State are HBCUs located in underserved regions of Georgia. The BHP SCL loan and GBHPLRP loan repayment programs specifically incentivize work in shortage areas.
Related Pages
Best Online MSW Programs
National ranking of top online MSW programs
Best Online BSW Programs
Undergraduate social work programs
Best Online DSW Programs
Doctoral programs for experienced social workers
Clinical Social Worker Career Guide
What LCSWs actually do day-to-day
Clinical Social Worker Salary
Salary data by state and experience level
MSW Programs by State
Browse MSW programs in all 50 states
Sources
- CSWE Accredited Programs Directory — Georgia
- Georgia Secretary of State — Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Social Workers in Georgia (May 2024)
- ASWB — Licensing Exams
- HRSA — Mental Health HPSA Data
- Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce — Behavioral Health Provider Loan Repayment Program
- Georgia Student Finance Commission — Behavioral Health Professions Service Cancelable Loan