MSW Programs in Mississippi | Master of Social Work in MS
Mississippi has four CSWE-accredited MSW programs: Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, the University of Mississippi, and the University of Southern Mississippi. All four offer traditional and advanced standing tracks. Earning your MSW prepares you for LMSW and LCSW licensure in Mississippi and opens careers in clinical practice, child welfare, and community services.
Mississippi has high poverty rates, and the demand for qualified social workers is associated with these conditions. The Mississippi Department of Human Services, community mental health centers, and child welfare agencies across the state require professionals trained at the master’s level. An MSW provides advanced training for those roles.
The degree also matters for licensure. In Mississippi, advanced social work practice requires either the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) credential. These credentials require a master’s degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
The 4 CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in Mississippi
Mississippi has four public universities with CSWE-accredited MSW programs. Each accepts traditional applicants with any bachelor’s degree and offers an advanced standing track for students who already hold a BSW from a CSWE-accredited institution.
Jackson State University (JSU) in Jackson offers an MSW with a Children, Youth, and Families specialization, with approximately 60 credit hours and required field education. JSU is currently the only Mississippi school offering a fully online MSW option.
Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) in Itta Bena centers its MSW on rural social work, with a concentration in Child and Family Welfare. The focus reflects the university’s location in the Mississippi Delta, a region with significant economic challenges.
The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in Oxford offers a clinical concentration built around psychotherapy, trauma and crisis intervention, and substance abuse treatment. The program runs two years full-time and includes approximately 60 credit hours with required field education.
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) in Hattiesburg is one of the oldest MSW programs in the state. USM offers the degree at its main Hattiesburg campus and its Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, making it accessible to students along the Gulf Coast.
Online and Advanced Standing Options
If your schedule requires flexibility, Jackson State is currently the only Mississippi institution offering a fully online MSW. Mississippi residents also enroll in CSWE-accredited online programs from universities in other states. Our guide to the best online MSW programs covers top-rated options that generally meet Mississippi’s licensing requirements.
Advanced Standing Programs
If you already hold a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program, every Mississippi MSW program offers an advanced standing track. Qualifying students typically complete the degree faster than the standard two-year track, subject to program-specific GPA and eligibility requirements. Check directly with each school for current admission criteria.
Choosing the Right Concentration
An important factor in choosing a program is whether its curriculum matches your intended career path. Clinical tracks are built for people who want to provide therapy or mental health services. Generalist and macro tracks prepare students for community organizing, program management, and policy work.
Field placement logistics matter too. All four programs require substantial supervised field education hours. Ask each school where they typically place students, whether out-of-state placements are an option, and how much input you’ll have in selecting your site. The hands-on experience you gain there often shapes where you land your first position.
Tuition varies across programs. Tuition is charged per credit hour at in-state and out-of-state rates that differ by school (verify current rates directly with each institution). Compare total program costs, not just per-credit rates. Our guide to affordable CSWE-accredited MSW programs can help narrow your options.
From MSW to Licensure in Mississippi
The Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists administers three levels of licensure for MSW graduates. The Licensed Social Worker (LSW) is the entry-level credential. The Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) requires passing the ASWB master’s exam after completing their degree. The Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) is the clinical credential: it requires supervised clinical experience as defined by the state board before you’re eligible for the LCSW exam.
The LCSW is required for independent clinical practice, including diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. If that’s your goal, build the post-degree supervised hours into your career timeline from the start. For a detailed breakdown of each tier’s requirements, see our Mississippi social work licensure guide or visit the Mississippi Board’s official website.
Career Options with an MSW in Mississippi
An MSW qualifies you for the broadest range of social work roles available in the state. High poverty rates, limited healthcare access, and substantial child welfare caseloads contribute to ongoing demand for master’s-level professionals. Common positions include:
- Child welfare case manager
- School social worker
- Healthcare social worker
- Mental health clinician (with LCSW)
- Social and community service manager
- Eligibility worker at the Department of Human Services
- Aging and disability services case manager
- Marriage and family therapist
According to BLS employment projections, Mississippi is expected to see about 8% job growth for child, family, and school social workers between 2022 and 2032, adding approximately 300 positions, with about 300 or more job openings per year in this category.
MSW Salaries in Mississippi
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a mean annual salary of approximately $45,000 for child, family, and school social workers in Mississippi as of May 2024. Salaries vary by experience, specialization, and employer. For a national comparison, see our MSW salary guide. Here’s how earnings break down by percentile:
| Earnings Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | approximately $29,000 |
| 25th percentile | approximately $37,000 |
| Median (50th percentile) | approximately $45,000 |
| 75th percentile | approximately $51,000 |
| 90th percentile | approximately $61,000 |
NASW reports that MSW holders are substantially more likely to earn above $40,000 annually than those with only a bachelor’s in social work. Clinical licensure and specialization are the primary drivers of higher earnings in Mississippi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the CSWE-accredited MSW programs in Mississippi?
Mississippi has four CSWE-accredited MSW programs: Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, the University of Mississippi, and the University of Southern Mississippi. All four accept students with any bachelor’s degree on a traditional track and offer advanced standing tracks for students who hold a CSWE-accredited BSW.
How long does it take to earn an MSW in Mississippi?
A traditional MSW takes two years full-time. Advanced standing tracks, available to BSW holders, can be completed faster depending on the school and are subject to program-specific eligibility requirements. Part-time options are available at all four Mississippi programs and extend the timeline accordingly.
What’s the difference between the LMSW and LCSW in Mississippi?
The LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) is earned by passing the ASWB master’s exam after completing your MSW. The LCSW (Licensed Certified Social Worker) is the clinical credential and requires supervised clinical experience as defined by the state board after earning your LMSW. The LCSW is required for independent clinical practice, including diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.
Can I earn an MSW online while living in Mississippi?
Yes. Jackson State University offers the only fully online MSW from a Mississippi institution. Mississippi residents also enroll in CSWE-accredited online programs from universities in other states. As long as the program holds CSWE accreditation, it generally meets the requirements for Mississippi social work licensure.
How much do social workers with an MSW earn in Mississippi?
The BLS reports a median annual salary of approximately $45,000 for child, family, and school social workers in Mississippi as of May 2024. The top 25% earn approximately $51,000 or more annually, and the top 10% earn approximately $61,000 or more. Clinical licensure and specialization are the main drivers of higher salaries in the state.
MSW Programs in Mississippi Schools
| School | School | School |
|---|---|---|
| Alcorn State University 1000 ASU Dr Ste 359 Alcorn State, MS 39096-7500 (601) 877-6100 www.alcorn.edu | Blue Mountain College 201 W Main St Blue Mountain, MS 38610-9509 (662) 685-4771 www.bmc.edu | Coahoma Community College 3240 Friars Point Rd Clarksdale, MS 38614 (662) 627-2571 www.coahomacc.edu/ |
| Copiah-Lincoln Community College 1001 Co-Lin Lane Wesson, MS 39191 (601) 643-8306 www.colin.edu | Delta State University Hwy 8 West Cleveland, MS 38733 (662) 846-3000 www.deltastate.edu | East Mississippi Community College 1512 Kemper Street Scooba, MS 39358-0158 (662) 476-5000 |
| Hinds Community College 501 East Main Street Raymond, MS 39154 (601) 857-5261 | Itawamba Community College 602 W Hill St Fulton, MS 38843-1099 (601) 862-8000 www.iccms.edu | Jackson State University 1440 J R Lynch St Jackson, MS 39217 (601) 979-2121 www.jsums.edu |
| Mississippi College 200 South Capitol Street Clinton, MS 39058 (601) 925-3000 www.mc.edu | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College 51 Main Street Perkinston, MS 39573 (601) 928-5211 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS 39762 (662) 325-2323 www.admissions.msstate.edu/ |
| Mississippi University for Women 1100 College Street Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 329-4750 | Mississippi Valley State University 14000 Highway 82 West Itta Bena, MS 38941-1400 (662) 254-9041 | Northeast Mississippi Community College Cunningham Blvd Booneville, MS 38829 (662) 728-7751 |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College 4975 Hwy 51 N Senatobia, MS 38668-1714 (662) 562-3200 www.northwestms.edu | Rust College 150 Rust Ave Holly Springs, MS 38635 (601) 252-8000 www.rustcollege.edu | University of Mississippi Main Campus Oxford Mississippi University, MS 38677-1848 (662) 915-7211 www.olemiss.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi 118 College Drive # 0001 Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001 (601) 266-1000 www.usm.edu | William Carey University 498 Tuscan Ave Hattiesburg, MS 39401-5499 (601) 318-5051 www.wmcarey.edu |
Key Takeaways
- Four CSWE-accredited programs. Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State, Ole Miss, and USM all offer accredited MSW degrees with traditional and advanced standing tracks.
- Online options exist but are limited. Jackson State is currently the only Mississippi institution with a fully online MSW. CSWE-accredited out-of-state online programs generally meet Mississippi licensing requirements.
- The LCSW requires post-degree supervised experience. After earning your LMSW, you need to complete supervised clinical experience as defined by the state board before qualifying for the LCSW exam.
- Demand is increasing. Mississippi projects about 8% job growth for social workers through 2032, with approximately 300 or more annual openings in the child, family, and school social work category.
- Median salary is approximately $45,000. Top earners in the field make approximately $61,000 or more, with clinical licensure and specialization as the primary salary drivers.
Ready to compare your options? Browse accredited MSW programs across the country or look up Mississippi’s licensing requirements to plan your path forward.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Social Workers, Social and Human Services Assistants, Social and Community Service Managers, and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2026.
