Last updated: February 25, 2026

Best MSW Programs in New Hampshire (2026)

CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work programs in New Hampshire for 2026, with tuition, licensure requirements, salary data by specialty, and field placement details.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

B.A. in Psychology, University of Washington — Seattle

Key Takeaways

  • New Hampshire has 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program — the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in Durham, which offers on-campus, fully online, and hybrid delivery formats.
  • UNH's MSW requires 62 credit hours including 1,240 hours of supervised field placement. In-state graduate tuition is approximately $800/credit (~$49,600 total), with an online option at roughly $750/credit for all students.
  • New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages, so social workers keep more of every dollar earned. A healthcare social worker earning $75,730 in New Hampshire takes home significantly more than someone earning the same in nearby Massachusetts or Vermont.
  • The LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) requires 3,000 hours of post-MSW supervised clinical experience over a minimum of 2 years, with at least 100 hours of direct supervision, plus passing the ASWB Clinical exam.
  • New Hampshire's rural northern counties are designated mental health shortage areas. The state's State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) provides up to $50,000 for clinicians who serve in these underserved communities.
Accredited Programs
1
Ranked in this guide
New Hampshire Median
$58,570
vs national $58,570 (0.0%)
Independent License
LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Supervised Hours
3,000
over 2 years minimum min.
No state income tax. Take-home pay runs meaningfully higher than equivalent gross wages in California, New York, or Illinois.

New Hampshire has a single CSWE-accredited MSW program, but it is a strong one. The University of New Hampshire's Department of Social Work has been continuously accredited by CSWE since 1973 and offers three distinct delivery formats — on-campus in Durham, fully online, and a hybrid option through UNH Manchester — giving students meaningful flexibility without leaving the state. With an advanced generalist curriculum and elective concentrations in health and mental health, addictions, children and families, and disabilities, UNH prepares graduates for the full range of social work practice settings.

New Hampshire's status as a no-income-tax state is a significant financial advantage for social workers. While salaries here are competitive with or above national medians, the lack of state income tax on wages means your effective take-home pay is substantially higher than in neighboring states like Massachusetts (5% tax) or Vermont (up to 8.75%). This advantage compounds over an entire career and is worth factoring into any cost-of-living comparison.

After graduation, New Hampshire's licensing system offers two MSW-level credentials through the Board of Mental Health Practice: the LMSW for generalist practice and the LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) for independent clinical practice and private practice. The state's growing behavioral health needs — particularly in the northern and rural counties — mean MSW graduates are in strong demand, and multiple loan repayment incentives help offset education costs for those willing to serve in underserved areas.

CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in New Hampshire

All 1 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.

# School In-State Tuition Format
1 University of New Hampshire (UNH) $800/credit (~$49,600 total for 62 credits) On-campus
1

University of New Hampshire (UNH)

Durham, NH On-campus CSWE-accredited

In-State

$800/credit (~$49,600 total for 62 credits)

Out-of-State

$1,400/credit (~$86,800 total for 62 credits)

Length

2 years (62 credits)

Field Hours

1,240 (two internships across 4 semesters)

Concentrations

Health and Mental HealthAddictions and Substance AbuseChildren, Youth, and FamiliesDisabilitiesSelf-Designed Field of Practice
  • Continuously CSWE-accredited since 1973 — over 50 years of social work education in New Hampshire
  • Three delivery formats: on-campus in Durham, fully online (asynchronous), and hybrid through UNH Manchester
  • Advanced generalist curriculum with five elective concentration areas, including a self-designed option
  • 1,240 hours of supervised field placement across two internships — among the highest in the region
  • Advanced standing track for BSW graduates completable in 1 year (37 credits)
  • Part-time options available across all formats (3–4 years to complete)
  • Dual degree option: MSW/MS in Recreation Management and Policy
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.2 (3.2 for advanced standing with BSW)
Visit Program

Social Work Licensure Requirements in New Hampshire

The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.

Licensing Board

New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice (BMHP)

603-271-2702

Board Website Verify a License

New Hampshire licenses social workers through the Board of Mental Health Practice (BMHP), housed within the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC). The state offers two MSW-level license types: the LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) for generalist practice under supervision, and the LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) for independent clinical practice, psychotherapy, and private practice.

Most MSW graduates begin by earning the LMSW, which requires passing the ASWB Masters exam but no post-degree supervised experience. The LICSW requires 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over a minimum of 2 years, plus passing the ASWB Clinical exam. New Hampshire also licenses Clinical Social Work Associates — MSW graduates who are accumulating supervised hours toward the LICSW.

LMSW

Licensed Master Social Worker

Supervised social work practice, case management, community practice, non-clinical settings

Hours

N/A

Duration

Associate

Exam: ASWB Masters

LICSW

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

Independent clinical practice, psychotherapy, diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders, private practice

Hours

3,000

Duration

2 years minimum

Exam: ASWB Clinical

Reciprocity & out-of-state licensing

New Hampshire does not have automatic reciprocity with other states, but the Board of Mental Health Practice will evaluate applications from out-of-state licensees on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must demonstrate that their education, supervised experience, and examination history meet requirements substantially similar to New Hampshire's. You must hold an equivalent license in good standing, submit official transcripts, and provide documentation of supervised hours and ASWB exam scores. New Hampshire is not currently a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact, so there is no expedited pathway for compact-state licensees at this time.

Social Worker Salary in New Hampshire

BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.

New Hampshire social workers earn salaries that are competitive with or above national medians, and the state's lack of income tax on wages makes the real take-home pay significantly higher than the numbers alone suggest. A healthcare social worker earning $75,730 in New Hampshire keeps every dollar from state taxation, while the same worker in neighboring Massachusetts would lose 5% to state income tax. All salary data below is from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

$58,570 0.0%
State
U.S.

National median: $58,570

Top metro: $60,440 (Manchester-Nashua)

Healthcare Social Workers

$75,730 +11.2%
State
U.S.

National median: $68,090

Top metro: $78,100 (Manchester-Nashua)

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

$63,810 +6.2%
State
U.S.

National median: $60,060

Top metro: $65,500 (Manchester-Nashua)

New Hampshire Social Work Job Market and Workforce

Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.

New Hampshire's social work job market is shaped by the state's small population (approximately 1.4 million), its mix of urban southern communities and vast rural northern regions, and an ongoing behavioral health workforce shortage. The state employs roughly 3,800 social workers across all specialties (BLS May 2024), including approximately 1,900 child, family, and school social workers, 1,050 healthcare social workers, and 850 mental health and substance abuse social workers.

The HRSA designation data shows that multiple northern and rural New Hampshire counties — including Coos, Grafton, Carroll, and Sullivan — qualify as Mental Health Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). The opioid and substance use crisis has hit New Hampshire particularly hard, driving sustained demand for social workers with addictions and behavioral health expertise.

Major employers of social workers in the state include the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (the state's only academic medical center), Catholic Medical Center, Elliot Health System, New Hampshire Hospital (the state psychiatric hospital), community mental health centers such as Riverbend Community Mental Health and The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester, and VA facilities in Manchester. Southern New Hampshire's proximity to Boston also creates cross-border employment opportunities for licensed social workers.

Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs

New Hampshire State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) — Up to $50,000 in loan repayment for behavioral health providers (including LICSWs) who commit to 2 years of full-time service at an approved NHSC site in a designated Health Professional Shortage Area. Recipients may apply for additional service extensions.

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment — Up to $55,000 for licensed clinical social workers serving full-time at approved sites in mental health HPSAs for 2 years, with options to extend for additional awards.

NHSC SUD Workforce Loan Repayment Program — Specifically targets substance use disorder treatment providers. Given New Hampshire's ongoing opioid crisis, this program is particularly relevant for MSW graduates specializing in addictions.

Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — Social workers at NH DHHS, community mental health centers, Dartmouth-Hitchcock, VA facilities, and other qualifying nonprofit or government employers are eligible for federal PSLF after 120 qualifying payments (10 years).

How to Choose an MSW Program in New Hampshire

Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.

With only one CSWE-accredited MSW program in the state, choosing a program in New Hampshire is less about comparing schools and more about selecting the right format, pace, and concentration within UNH's offerings. UNH provides meaningful flexibility across three delivery formats and multiple timelines, so the decision hinges on your personal circumstances and career goals.

If you want a traditional campus experience: UNH's on-campus MSW in Durham offers the full university experience with face-to-face classes, direct access to faculty, and a strong cohort model. Durham is a small college town in the Seacoast region, about an hour from Boston.

If you need fully online flexibility: UNH's online MSW is asynchronous and can be completed from anywhere. The online format charges approximately $750/credit regardless of residency, making it potentially more affordable than the on-campus option for out-of-state students.

If you want a hybrid model: The UNH Manchester hybrid option combines online coursework with in-person classes at the Manchester campus, offering a middle ground for students in southern New Hampshire who want some face-to-face interaction without commuting to Durham.

If you have a BSW and want to finish fast: UNH's advanced standing track takes just 1 year and 37 credits for BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs with a 3.2+ GPA. Advanced standing is available in all three delivery formats.

If you want clinical or health-focused training: Select the Health and Mental Health elective concentration, which is particularly strong given UNH's placement network with Dartmouth-Hitchcock and the state's community mental health center system.

If addictions work is your focus: UNH's Addictions and Substance Abuse concentration is especially relevant in New Hampshire, which has been one of the states hardest hit by the opioid crisis and has strong demand for substance use disorder professionals.

Related Pages

Best Online MSW Programs

National ranking of the 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

Compare MSW programs across all 50 states

Frequently Asked Questions

New Hampshire has 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program: the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in Durham. UNH has been continuously CSWE-accredited since 1973 and offers the MSW in three formats: on-campus in Durham, fully online, and hybrid through UNH Manchester. The program requires 62 credits for the traditional track and 37 credits for BSW holders in the advanced standing track.
To become a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in New Hampshire, you need: (1) an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program with clinical coursework, (2) 3,000 hours of post-MSW supervised clinical experience completed over a minimum of 2 years, (3) at least 100 hours of direct supervision by a board-approved LICSW or equivalent supervisor, (4) a passing score on the ASWB Clinical exam, and (5) 40 hours of continuing education every 2 years (including 6 hours in ethics). The Board of Mental Health Practice oversees all licensing.
Yes. The University of New Hampshire offers a fully online CSWE-accredited MSW program that can be completed in 2 years full-time or 3-4 years part-time. The online program is asynchronous (no live class meetings), follows the same advanced generalist curriculum as the on-campus program, and includes the same five elective concentration options. Online students complete 1,240 hours of supervised field placement at approved sites in their home communities. UNH also offers a hybrid format through UNH Manchester that combines online and in-person coursework.
For the on-campus MSW at UNH Durham, in-state tuition is approximately $800 per credit (roughly $49,600 total for 62 credits), while out-of-state tuition is approximately $1,400 per credit (roughly $86,800 total). The online MSW charges approximately $750 per credit for all students regardless of residency. Advanced standing students (37 credits) pay significantly less overall. UNH also offers New England Regional tuition rates for students from other New England states, which are typically 150% of the in-state rate.
New Hampshire social workers earn competitive salaries, and the state's lack of income tax on wages means higher take-home pay than neighboring states. BLS May 2024 data shows: healthcare social workers earn a median of $75,730 (national: $68,090, an 11.2% premium), mental health and substance abuse social workers earn $63,810 (national: $60,060), and child/family/school social workers earn $58,570 (matching the national median). When factoring in the lack of state income tax, effective take-home pay is 5-9% higher than in most neighboring states.
New Hampshire has two MSW-level license types. The LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) is the entry-level master's license earned by passing the ASWB Masters exam immediately after completing your MSW — no post-degree supervised experience is required. The LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) allows independent clinical practice, psychotherapy, diagnosis, and private practice. It requires 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience (with at least 100 hours of direct supervision) over a minimum of 2 years, plus passing the ASWB Clinical exam. Most graduates start with the LMSW while accumulating hours toward the LICSW.
Yes. The New Hampshire State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) provides up to $50,000 for behavioral health providers (including LICSWs) who serve in designated shortage areas for 2 years. The federal NHSC Loan Repayment Program offers up to $55,000 for similar service. The NHSC SUD Workforce program specifically targets substance use disorder providers, which is especially relevant given New Hampshire's opioid crisis. Social workers at DHHS, community mental health centers, VA facilities, and nonprofit employers also qualify for federal PSLF after 10 years of qualifying payments.
No. New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages or salaries. This means social workers in New Hampshire keep 100% of their earnings from state taxation, giving them a significant take-home pay advantage over social workers earning the same salary in neighboring states. For example, a social worker earning $75,000 in Massachusetts would pay approximately $3,750 in state income tax, while the same worker in New Hampshire would pay $0. New Hampshire previously taxed interest and dividend income, but that tax was fully phased out as of January 1, 2025.