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Your Mission, Your Schedule, Your Master of Social Work
The CSWE-Accredited Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) at Merrimack College.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Social Work License
Access a program brochure, connect with enrollment and get a head start on your application.
Earn your M.S.W. Advance your career.
Access a program brochure, connect with enrollment and get a head start on your application.
Discover the Merrimack M.S.W. Difference
100% Online* or Hybrid Coursework
Choose the format that fits your life, with fully online coursework or evening classes at our North Andover campus.
CSWE-Accredited Excellence
Join a premier program that meets the highest national standards for professional social work education, national exam preparation and licensure.
Scholarships and Fellowships Available
Access significant scholarships or apply for a unique fellowship that covers 100% of your tuition for the first 36 credits.
Comprehensive Clinical & Advanced Generalist Training
Our advanced generalist model ensures you are expertly trained to work with individuals, families and entire communities.
*Merrimack’s M.S.W. program is accredited by CSWE. The online option is pending approval for program delivery substantive change.
Why Merrimack’s M.S.W.?
Merrimack’s Master of Social Work is designed for those dedicated to promoting social justice and driving meaningful change for individuals, families and communities.
As an advanced generalist program, the M.S.W. breaks down the barriers between clinical and community work, giving you the tools to advocate for individuals while driving systemic change.
- Balance your life and your degree with online or evening courses.
- Complete your 60-credit degree in as few as two years.
- Accumulate 900+ hours of real-world experience.
- Accelerate your degree with advanced standing for B.S.W. holders (38 credits).
Your Path to Licensure
Upon graduation, you’ll be ready to apply for your state board licensure and sit for the ASWB national exam. Our coursework ensures you have the knowledge to pass and start practicing immediately.
Customize Your Expertise
Tailor your degree through electives and diverse field placements. You select the electives that match your passion:
- School Social Work
- Substance Use Disorders
- Criminology & Criminal Justice
- Spirituality & Social Work
- Community Engagement (Macro)
Featured Track:
School Social Work Endorsement
Use your electives plus two additional 2-credit courses to earn your Massachusetts DESE endorsement. This allows you to work as a school adjustment counselor while maintaining the flexibility for private or group practice.
900+ Hours of Real-World Experience
Gain immersive field experience over two academic years. We partner with diverse settings, and you even have the option to propose your current workplace as a field site.
Field placement settings include:
- Hospitals, hospices and community health clinics
- Juvenile courts, correctional facilities or police department social work
- Substance use recovery centers and outpatient mental health clinics
- Community organizing and program management
What Our Students Say
Council on Social Work Education Accreditation
Merrimack College is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation (BOA).
Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the BOA indicates that it meets or exceeds standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals, and the BOA has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS).
Accreditation applies to all program options, which include locations and delivery methods. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
Review our program’s accredited status in CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs. For more information about social work accreditation, contact CSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation.
Summary of the Program’s Assessment Plan
As part of the ongoing accreditation process, the Council on Social Work Education requires all programs to report the assessment results of a series of competencies. Click here to view our latest assessment summary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tuition is $750 per credit hour (plus applicable fees). To help make your education affordable, we offer generous scholarships and financial aid. Additionally, our M.S.W. fellowship offers a unique way to fund your degree — covering 100 percent of tuition for the first 36 credits in exchange for a 25-hour-per-week unpaid field placement.
We prioritize flexibility for working professionals. While field hours (over 900 total) must be completed during the agency’s operating hours, we offer a worksite placement option. If you currently work at a qualified human services organization (such as a community health center or state agency like DCR), you can propose using your workplace as your field site to satisfy your requirements while maintaining your employment.
No. Our program is designed for both career-advancers and career-changers. While students with a B.S.W. from a CSWE-accredited institution may qualify for our advanced standing (fast track), we welcome applicants from all undergraduate backgrounds. No prior social work experience or specific major is required to begin your journey toward licensure.
No. 8
Most Innovative Schools
Merrimack College was named No. 8 in Most Innovative Schools, Regional Universities North, by U.S. News & World Report (2026).
No. 38
Regional Universities North
Merrimack College was named No. 38 in Best Regional Universities North by U.S. News & World Report (2026).
NECHE-Accredited
Merrimack College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Master of Social Work Key Dates
M.S.W. Full Time
M.S.W. Part Time
M.S.W. Advanced Standing
Take the Next Step — We’re Here To Help
At Merrimack, we are ready to meet you where you are and get you where you want to go. And, we make the process simple along the way! Please get in touch with our Graduate Admission team if you have any questions regarding scholarships, fellowships, financial aid or the application process.
Get Started Today