One of the Only M.S.W. Programs in the Region
Prepare for initial licensure in social work with our two-year, CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work program.
Earn your M.S.W. Advance your career.
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 Difference
Convenient Study Options
Earn your degree full time or part time, with evening classes available, and tailor your degree with elective options. Choose online or on-campus by course.
Relevant, Meaningful Fieldwork
Prepare to transform lives through evidence-based social work practice. Complete a minimum of 900 hours of hands-on learning with our community partner organizations.
Fellowship and Scholarships Available
Benefit from a graduate fellowship covering 100 percent of tuition for the first year of the program* or scholarships based on academic merit/financial need and for Merrimack alumni.
Mentorship From Experienced Faculty
Build confidence with guidance from Merrimack’s M.S.W. faculty, who bring direct clinical and practical experience to your classes.
*This covers up to 36 credits and includes a nine-month, unpaid placement, requiring a commitment of 25 hours of work per week.
Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Build the knowledge and skills you need to help solve persistent social issues for individuals, families and communities: Earn your M.S.W. degree with Merrimack College. Our advanced generalist, interdisciplinary program includes a minimum 900 hours of direct field experience in a variety of settings, such as schools, mental health care facilities, community agencies and more. You can also choose electives in a specific area of practice, such as criminology, substance use disorders, school social work and more.
Graduates of a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited B.S.W. program may be eligible to enroll with advanced standing.
*Students who apply to the M.S.W. program and are admitted after the deadline will be considered for the three-year track. Students will take required M.S.W. courses in the Fall and Spring semesters of year 1 — up to eight credits per semester — and will work with the director of Field Education throughout the year, planning their field placements/internships in years 2 and 3.
**Advanced standing students can only start in the Summer.
Merrimack is such a great community. Since joining the program, I have had support from every faculty member and classmate. Merrimack provides us with a lot of resources that set us up for success.
Benjamin I. ’25
MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK
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.
Master of Social Work Key Dates
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).
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.
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