Best MSW Programs in Massachusetts (2026)
Every CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work program in Massachusetts for 2026, with tuition costs, LICSW licensure requirements, salary data, and field placement details.
Key Takeaways
- Massachusetts has 10 CSWE-accredited MSW programs, including nationally ranked schools like Boston College, Boston University, and Smith College.
- Tuition ranges from $482/credit at Westfield State (most affordable) to $2,030/credit at Smith College. Public university options at Bridgewater State, Salem State, and Westfield State offer the best value for Massachusetts residents.
- Massachusetts social workers earn 6-16% above national medians depending on specialty, with healthcare social workers in the Boston metro area earning a median above $80,000.
- The LICSW requires 3,500 supervised clinical hours and 100 face-to-face supervision hours after your MSW, plus the ASWB Clinical exam.
- The MA Repay program has invested over $245 million in loan repayment for behavioral health and primary care professionals, with individual awards up to $300,000 for qualifying service commitments.
Massachusetts is one of the strongest states in the country for social work education. With 10 CSWE-accredited MSW programs, you have options ranging from elite private universities to affordable public schools, with formats spanning full-time on-campus, evening/weekend hybrid, and fully online. The concentration of top-ranked programs in the Boston metro area is unmatched — Boston College, Boston University, Simmons University, and Salem State are all within commuting distance of each other.
Every MSW program in Massachusetts prepares you for licensure as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), the highest social work credential in the state. The LICSW lets you diagnose and treat mental health conditions independently, open a private practice, and bill insurance directly. The path after graduation: pass the ASWB Clinical exam, complete 3,500 supervised clinical hours with 100 hours of individual face-to-face supervision, and apply through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers.
Massachusetts has also made a massive investment in its behavioral health workforce through the MA Repay program, which has distributed more than $245 million in loan repayment awards to date. That's one of the largest state-funded workforce incentive programs in the country, and social workers are among the primary beneficiaries.
CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in Massachusetts
All 10 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston College | $1,436/credit (private, flat rate) | On-campus | |
| 2 | Boston University | $1,302/credit (private, flat rate) | On-campus or fully online | |
| 3 | Smith College School for Social Work | $2,030/credit (private, flat rate) | Intensive summer residency + academic-year field placement | |
| 4 | Simmons University | $1,415/credit (private, flat rate) | On-campus or fully online | |
| 5 | Bridgewater State University | $495/credit (estimated) | On-campus | |
| 6 | Salem State University | $530/credit | On-campus | |
| 7 | Springfield College | $818/credit (private, flat rate) | On-campus | |
| 8 | Westfield State University | $482/credit | Evening | |
| 9 | Merrimack College | $1,140/credit (private, flat rate) | On-campus | |
| 10 | Anna Maria College | $810/credit (private, flat rate) | On-campus or fully online |
Boston College
In-State
$1,436/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$1,436/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2 years (65 credits)
Field Hours
960 (240 foundation + 720 advanced)
Concentrations
- Consistently ranked among the top 10 MSW programs nationally
- Six fields of practice: children and families, health, mental health, aging, immigrants and refugees, and social innovation
- Jesuit mission with strong emphasis on social justice
- Advanced standing option for BSW holders completes in 1 year
- Generous financial aid with need-based grants available
Boston University
In-State
$1,302/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$1,302/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2 years on-campus (64 credits) / 3 years online (65 credits)
Field Hours
1,200 (traditional) / 1,000 (advanced standing)
Concentrations
- Top-ranked MSW program with both on-campus and fully online options
- Online program features weekly live classroom sessions (Sunday or Monday evenings)
- Four specialization areas within clinical and macro tracks
- 1,200 total field hours — among the highest in Massachusetts
- MSW/MPH and MSW/MDiv dual degree options available
Smith College School for Social Work
In-State
$2,030/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$2,030/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
27 months (June start)
Field Hours
1,020 (traditional) / 960 (advanced standing)
Concentrations
- One of the oldest clinical social work programs in the country (founded 1918)
- Unique summer-residency model: intensive on-campus coursework June-August, field placement during the academic year
- Exclusively clinical focus — designed for students pursuing LICSW and private practice
- Students complete fieldwork anywhere in the U.S., not just Massachusetts
- Living stipend of up to $2,600/year for students qualifying for need-based aid
Simmons University
In-State
$1,415/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$1,415/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
23 months (65 credits)
Field Hours
1,000 (traditional) / 600 (advanced standing)
Concentrations
- Flexible format: full-time, part-time, accelerated, and online tracks
- Online specializations in mental health practice, trauma practice, and clinical practice with veterans
- Accelerated 3+1 BSW/MSW pathway for Simmons undergrads
- Strong clinical training with one of the oldest social work programs in the U.S.
- 65 credits includes 17 credits of practicum coursework
Bridgewater State University
In-State
$495/credit (estimated)
Out-of-State
$495/credit (estimated)
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- Five program format options including a Saturday hybrid program for working professionals
- Free tuition and mandatory fees for families earning $125,000 or less
- Field placements in mental health, child welfare, aging, forensics, and substance use settings
- Located south of Boston, serving southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod communities
- Advanced standing option for BSW holders completes in 1 year
Salem State University
In-State
$530/credit
Out-of-State
$628/credit
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- One of the most affordable MSW programs in the Boston metro area
- Fully online option available alongside on-campus and hybrid formats
- Integrated health and behavioral health concentration aligns with current workforce needs
- Elective specializations in trauma, substance abuse, military families, and immigrant/refugee practice
- Located on the North Shore, 15 miles north of Boston
Springfield College
In-State
$818/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$818/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2 years (63 credits)
Field Hours
1,050
Concentrations
- Multiple format options: daytime, evening hybrid, weekend hybrid, and 100% online
- Satellite weekend campus in Worcester expands geographic access
- Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows program with tuition support for returned volunteers
- 1,050 field hours — above the CSWE minimum
- Advanced generalist concentration with community-based focus in western Massachusetts
Westfield State University
In-State
$482/credit
Out-of-State
$482/credit
Length
2 years (66 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- Most affordable MSW in Massachusetts at $482/credit — same rate for in-state and out-of-state students
- Fully online option with evening classes (5:15-9:00 PM) for working professionals
- Unique Latinx Community Health concentration (coursework in English and Spanish)
- Four concentration options — most choices among Massachusetts public university MSW programs
- Located in western Massachusetts, serving communities often underserved by Boston-area programs
Merrimack College
In-State
$1,140/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$1,140/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2 years (56 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- Newest CSWE-accredited MSW program in Massachusetts (accredited November 2024)
- Evening class schedule designed for working professionals
- 56-credit program — fewer credits (and lower total cost) than most Massachusetts MSW programs
- Presidential Fellowships available covering up to 36 credits ($41,040 in tuition)
- Located in the Merrimack Valley, serving northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire
Anna Maria College
In-State
$810/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$810/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
1,070 (450 foundation + 620 advanced)
Concentrations
- Fully online option launched Fall 2024 with the same curriculum as on-campus
- 1,070 field hours — among the highest in Massachusetts
- Located in central Massachusetts (Paxton), serving Worcester County communities
- Catholic liberal arts tradition with person-in-environment framework
- Advanced standing for BSW holders completes in 3 semesters (summer-fall-spring)
Social Work Licensure Requirements in Massachusetts
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers
617-701-8800
Massachusetts issues four social work license levels under 258 CMR 9.00. The two most relevant for MSW graduates are the LCSW (Licensed Certified Social Worker) and LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker). The LICSW is the gold-standard credential — it lets you diagnose and treat mental health conditions independently, bill insurance, and open a private practice. The LCSW is a mid-level clinical credential for practice under supervision.
Unlike many states, ASWB processes licensing applications on behalf of the Massachusetts Board. That means you apply through ASWB, not directly through the state. Continuing education is required at every level: 10 hours for LSWA, 15 for LSW, 20 for LCSW, and 30 for LICSW — all on a 2-year renewal cycle.
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Independent diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, psychotherapy, private practice, insurance billing
Hours
3,500
Duration
2 years
Exam: ASWB Clinical
Licensed Certified Social Worker
Clinical social work practice under supervision, assessment and treatment planning
Hours
3,500
Duration
2 years
Exam: ASWB Masters or Clinical
Licensed Social Worker
Generalist social work practice, case management, community-based services
Hours
3,500
Duration
Associate
Exam: ASWB Bachelors
Licensed Social Work Associate
Entry-level social work practice under supervision
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: ASWB Associate or Bachelors
Massachusetts does not have formal reciprocity agreements with other states but does evaluate out-of-state applicants on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who hold an active social work license in another state must still meet all Massachusetts education, examination, and supervised experience requirements. The Board may accept supervised hours completed in another state if the supervision meets Massachusetts standards. All out-of-state applicants apply through ASWB with the same documentation requirements as in-state applicants.
Social Worker Salary in Massachusetts
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Massachusetts social workers earn above the national average across all specialties, particularly in the Boston-Cambridge-Nashua metropolitan area. The state's concentration of hospitals, universities, community health centers, and behavioral health organizations creates strong demand and competitive salaries. 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: $65,480 (Boston-Cambridge-Nashua)
Healthcare Social Workers
National median: $68,090
Top metro: $80,240 (Boston-Cambridge-Nashua)
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
National median: $60,060
Top metro: $73,920 (Boston-Cambridge-Nashua)
Massachusetts Social Work Job Market and Workforce
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Massachusetts has significant mental health workforce shortages despite being home to some of the best hospitals and universities in the country. The state has dozens of mental health Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), particularly in western Massachusetts, the Cape and Islands, and low-income urban neighborhoods in Boston, Springfield, and Worcester. Licensed clinical social workers are among the core mental health providers counted in HPSA designations, and demand for LICSWs consistently outpaces supply across the state.
Massachusetts has responded with one of the most aggressive workforce investment programs in the country. The MA Repay program, administered by the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers in partnership with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, has distributed more than $245 million in loan repayment awards to date. The Healey-Driscoll administration awarded an additional $75.8 million in the most recent round, with individual awards ranging from $12,500 to $300,000 depending on the service commitment and discipline.
Major employers include Mass General Brigham (largest health system in New England), Beth Israel Lahey Health, Baystate Health (western MA), UMass Memorial Health (central MA), Cape Cod Healthcare, the Department of Children and Families (DCF), the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the VA Boston Healthcare System, and hundreds of community mental health centers and federally qualified health centers across the state.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
MA Repay Program — Loan repayment awards from $12,500 to $300,000 for behavioral health and primary care professionals who commit to serving 4-5 years at eligible sites. Over $245 million distributed to date.
Massachusetts Loan Repayment Program (MLRP) — Up to $50,000 for health professionals (including LICSWs) serving in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — Social workers at state agencies (DCF, DMH, DTA), VA hospitals, community health centers, and nonprofit health systems all qualify for federal PSLF after 10 years of qualifying payments.
How to Choose an MSW Program in Massachusetts
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Massachusetts has 10 MSW programs, so the decision is more nuanced than in smaller states. The biggest factors are budget, location, format preference, and whether you want a clinical specialization or generalist training.
If you're on a tight budget: Westfield State at $482/credit is the clear value pick in Massachusetts, and the rate is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. Bridgewater State offers free tuition for families earning $125,000 or less. Salem State at $530/credit is the most affordable option in the Boston metro area.
If you want a top-ranked program: Boston College, Boston University, and Smith College are all nationally ranked and carry significant name recognition. Smith's unique summer-residency model lets you complete fieldwork anywhere in the U.S.
If you need a fully online program: Boston University, Simmons University, Salem State, Springfield College, Westfield State, and Anna Maria College all offer fully online MSW options. BU's online program is the most prestigious, while Westfield State is the most affordable.
If you want to work while studying: Bridgewater State's Saturday hybrid program, Merrimack's evening classes, and Westfield State's evening format are designed for working professionals. Salem State also offers hybrid and evening scheduling.
If you have a BSW and want to finish fast: Most Massachusetts programs offer advanced standing tracks that finish in about 1 year. Boston College, Bridgewater State, and Westfield State all have 1-year advanced standing options.
If you want specialized clinical training: Smith College is exclusively clinical. Boston College and Boston University both offer robust clinical concentrations. Simmons has specific tracks in trauma and interpersonal violence.
If you're in western Massachusetts: Springfield College and Westfield State are both in the western part of the state. Springfield also has a satellite weekend campus in Worcester for central Massachusetts students.
Related Pages
Best Online MSW Programs
National ranking of the top online MSW programs
Best Online BSW Programs
If you need a BSW before your MSW
Best Online DSW Programs
Doctoral programs for experienced social workers
Best Dual MSW/JD Programs
Joint social work and law degrees
Clinical Social Worker Career Guide
What LICSWs actually do day-to-day
Clinical Social Worker Salary
Salary data by state, experience, and setting
MSW Programs by State
Browse MSW programs in all 50 states
Sources
- CSWE Accredited Programs Directory — Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers — Licensing
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Social Workers in Massachusetts (May 2024)
- ASWB — Licensing Exams
- HRSA — Mental Health HPSA Data
- MA Repay — Loan Repayment for Health Professionals
- Massachusetts Loan Repayment Program (MLRP) for Health Professionals