Online Master of Social Work
- Duration 22 Months
- Cost per Credit $537
- Credit Hours 62
Program Benefits
- Online and asynchronous coursework
- Gain the values and skills required for social work in rural areas
- Transfer up to 31 credits
Prepare for Impactful, Trauma-Informed Practice
Designed for adult learners, the online Master of Social Work degree from Eastern Oregon University delivers an advanced-generalist curriculum that prepares you for compassionate, trauma-informed practice.
EOU’s MSW program is 100% accessible through a flexible online format, allowing you to complete assignments at the time and location of your choice. Balance your education with your full-time personal schedule and gain expertise for social work in rural areas with courses in social justice and change, inclusion and human rights.
Grounded in the mission, ethics, and values of the social work profession, the mission of Eastern Oregon University’s MSW program is to offer accessible, high-quality education that prepares students to effectively serve others through professional social work practice.
Accreditation
While this program is designed for you to meet the educational and experience requirements for the first level of MSW licensure in Oregon and most states, EOU’s MSW program is not currently accredited by CSWE’s Board of Accreditation (BOA).
The program aims to submit its Candidacy Eligibility Application and Benchmark I documents for CSWE staff approval by March of 2025. Once approved by CSWE staff, the program will be granted pre-candidacy status. Pre-candidacy for a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the CSWE BOA indicates that it submitted an application to be reviewed for candidacy and received approval of its Benchmark 1 from CSWE accreditation staff to move forward for a candidacy review within 1-year. A program that has attained pre-candidacy status has not yet been reviewed by the BOA nor verified to be compliant with the EPAS.
Students that are admitted to pre-candidate programs in the fall (or later) of the academic year in which the program is granted candidacy status will be retroactively recognized as graduates from a CSWE-BOA accredited program as long as the program attains initial accreditation. EOU’s MSW program should receive Candidacy status in June of 2025, however it is not guaranteed. Candidacy is typically a 3-year process and attaining pre-candidacy does not guarantee that a program will eventually attain candidacy and initial accreditation.
EOU’s Master of Social Work degree does not meet the educational requirements for licensure in Florida, New Hampshire, and New York.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, EOU’s MSW program will not be admitting students from the following states that require full accreditation to be able to take the first level licensure exam: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The program will update the states from which we will accept student admissions as the program progresses through accreditation.
Our MSW program does not accept international students at this time.
For more information, please contact our admissions team or visit our page here.
“Social work education is accessible to you, and it will prepare you to become a professional social worker who can really make an impact. I want students to know that they are welcome, belong and have a community here.”
– Christine M. Saladino, Ph.D., LMSW (she/her/hers)
MSW Program Director
College of Education
Our MSW Curriculum
62 Quarter Credits
Field Placement & Practicum Opportunities
The online MSW program requires the completion of 62 quarter credit hours, including core social work courses, a selection of diverse electives and hands-on learning through practicum and field placement opportunities. As Oregon’s Rural University, EOU’s MSW program thoughtfully integrates rural social work content throughout the curriculum to address the needs of underserved communities. Further, the curriculum ensures you graduate ready to support diverse individuals and apply anti-oppressive and anti-racism efforts in your work.
Field placements can be paid and, in some cases, completed at your current place of employment. Elective options include courses on addictions, human trafficking, rural social work, interpersonal violence, healthcare and more.
Course Highlights:
- Ethics, Human Rights and Social Justice
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Trauma-Informed Practice
Admission Requirements
No GRE or GMAT Score Required
Full- and Part-Time Options Available
Online Application Form | Online Application |
Degree and minimum GPA |
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Official GMAT/GRE Score | No GRE required |
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Tuition Details
$537 per Credit
Transfer Up to 31 Credits
We feature affordable tuition, especially when compared to similar universities. The total cost of your program (assuming no transfer credits) is $33,294. The cost per credit hour for EOU online graduate courses is $537.
About 92 percent of online students benefit from financial aid and scholarships to cover part of these costs. We also accept military benefits and offer scholarships that award over $4 million to students each year.
Additionally, we offer a generous transfer credit policy that allows you to apply previously completed education to your degree at EOU, decreasing the total cost of your program.
Learn MoreLearn More About Your Financial Aid Options
Your education is an investment in your future. We take your commitment seriously and are here to support you in finding ways to pay for your online Master of Social Work degree.
Options to consider are:
- Loans
- Scholarships
- Employer Benefits
Careers with Social Work Degree
The need for social work professionals is growing, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics expecting the field to expand by 7% and create more than 54,000 new jobs through 2033.1 With our online MSW program, you’ll graduate prepared to effectively serve others through ethical and trauma-informed social work practice.
Explore CareersWhat You’ll Learn
Through the online MSW program, you’ll learn to effectively address diverse social issues in rural communities while promoting social justice and equity for individuals, families and groups. You’ll receive one-on-one support from industry-experienced educators as you advance your skills to expand your practice as a solution-driven and compassionate social worker.
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
- Advance human rights and social, racial, economic and environmental justice
- Apply anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in practice
- Become immersed in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
- Engage in policy practice
- Assess diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
- Provide effective intervention services
- Evaluate practice with diverse clients
What It’s Like to Study Online
Earning your degree online from Eastern Oregon University is a great opportunity because there are no on-campus requirements. You will have access to the same professors, content and opportunities as on-campus students while learning online in a creative digital format. Our professors work on campus and are experts trained to deliver innovative, engaging online education.
Explore the Online ExperienceTop Recognition for EOU Online
Earn a quality education online from a highly-respected and awarded institution. Eastern Oregon University’s degree programs have received considerable recognition such as Colleges of Distinction, Value Colleges, College Choice and Military Friendly.
Eastern Oregon University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) Diversity and Inclusion Statement Summary
At Eastern Oregon University’s Master of Social Work program, we are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment that celebrates the richness of human diversity. Our program actively embraces anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices, recognizing that effective social work education must acknowledge and challenge systems of oppression while promoting social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. We welcome and value students, faculty, and community partners of all backgrounds, including diverse ages, cultures, abilities, ethnicities, genders, gender identities, immigration statuses, political ideologies, races, religions, sexual orientations, and tribal sovereign status. Through our curriculum, field experiences, and community partnerships, we prepare social workers who understand the impact of privilege and power, practice cultural humility, and are equipped to advocate for and create positive change in both rural and global communities. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion isn’t just a statement—it’s an active practice that shapes everything we do as we prepare the next generation of social work practitioners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions about this program.
If you’re studying full-time, you can take up to 34 months (11 quarters) to complete the program. If you’re studying part-time, you can complete the program in 22 months (7 quarters). Your eligible transfer credits may vary the time it takes you to graduate.
EOU offers several scholarships to all types of students. Find more details on the MSW tuition page, and get in touch with us for more information.
Work experience is not required for this program.
The online MSW has several transfer credit options depending on your prior education. If from a social work course from a CSWE accredited program, you could transfer up to half of your credits (31) towards this degree. If from a non-social work program but in a social sciences area, you could transfer up to six elective credits.
The online MSW program is designed for you to meet the educational and experience requirements for the first level of MSW licensure in Oregon and most states. Requirements for licensure exams can vary, so please investigate licensure requirements in your state for more details.
EOU’s Master of Social Work degree does not meet the educational requirements for licensure in Florida, New Hampshire, and New York.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, EOU’s MSW Program will not be admitting students from the following states that require full accreditation to be able to take the first level licensure exam: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The program will update the states from which we will accept student admissions as the program progresses through accreditation. You may also find more information about our current state-by-state determinations here.
Due to licensure components, our MSW program does not accept international students at this time.
Source
- Social Workers. Aug. 29, 2024. Retrieved Sept. 3, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm.