MSW Programs in Delaware
Delaware has one CSWE-accredited MSW program in state: Delaware State University, which offers traditional and advanced standing tracks in both hybrid and fully online formats. Delaware residents can also access dozens of nationally accredited online MSW programs. Whichever path you choose, CSWE accreditation is required to sit for Delaware’s social work licensing exams.
Delaware is one of the smallest states in the country, but its demand for trained social workers is real. Child welfare caseloads, aging populations, and growing mental health needs all require professionals with advanced degrees and the skills to work across complex systems. If you’re considering a Master of Social Work (MSW) in Delaware, here’s what you need to know before you choose a program.
MSW Programs in Delaware: Your Options
Delaware State University (DSU) in Dover is currently the only institution in Delaware with full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). That accreditation matters because it’s required to sit for the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensing exam in Delaware and most other states. If becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is your goal, your MSW program needs CSWE accreditation.
DSU’s program focuses on advanced generalist practice, preparing graduates to work across all levels of practice, including direct practice with individuals and families, group and organizational work, and community and policy-level intervention. The curriculum covers human behavior and the social environment, social policy, research methods, and supervised field education. Field placements are arranged at approved sites throughout Delaware, including hospitals, schools, mental health centers, and government agencies.
Delaware residents also have access to nationally accredited online MSW programs offered by universities across the country. Many of these programs offer clinical, healthcare, or school social work specializations that DSU’s generalist program doesn’t. If your career points toward a specific specialty, it’s worth exploring national online options in addition to DSU.
Traditional vs. Advanced Standing Track
DSU offers two entry tracks, and which one applies to you depends on your undergraduate background.
The traditional track is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in any field. It’s a 60-credit program that begins with a foundation year covering core social work knowledge and skills, followed by an advanced year focused on specialized practice. Full-time students typically complete it in two years. Part-time students can take three to four years, which works well for those managing work or family responsibilities alongside school.
The advanced standing track is available to graduates of CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs. Because BSW graduates have already completed foundational coursework and approximately 400 hours of supervised field education, they can skip the foundation year entirely and move directly into advanced study. Full-time advanced-standing students at DSU can complete the degree in approximately 1 year.
Both tracks require around 900 hours of supervised field placement. Traditional students complete a foundation practicum followed by the advanced practicum. Advanced standing students complete only the advanced practicum.
Online and Hybrid Delivery
DSU offers the MSW in two delivery formats: a hybrid format that blends campus-based classes with online instruction, and a fully online format that requires no campus attendance. Both are available to traditional and advanced standing students. Field placements are arranged locally regardless of format, so you’ll complete your practicum hours at sites in Delaware near where you live.
The online option opens the program to working professionals, parents, and students outside the Dover area who can’t easily commute to campus. If you’re balancing a full-time job with graduate school, DSU’s online track or a national online MSW program may be more realistic than a campus-based schedule.
Career Paths and Salary in Delaware
An MSW opens a wide range of career paths in Delaware. Graduates work as school social workers across Delaware’s public school systems, as child welfare case managers with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, as mental health clinicians in outpatient and inpatient settings, and as healthcare social workers in hospitals and long-term care facilities. With additional supervised experience and the ASWB clinical exam, MSW graduates can pursue LCSW licensure and an independent private practice.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, child, family, and school social workers in Delaware earn a median annual salary of $52,350 as of May 2024. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Delaware earn a median of $56,120. The BLS projects 5.7% growth for child, family, and school social worker positions in Delaware between 2022 and 2032, with roughly 100 job openings per year.
Choosing the Right Program
Start with your career goal. To obtain LCSW licensure in Delaware, you need a CSWE-accredited program. That means DSU or a nationally accredited online program aligned to Delaware licensure. If you want to understand the difference between an LCSW and an MSW before deciding, that distinction matters for which program and track you choose.
Format matters as much to many students as accreditation. DSU’s online track or a national program may fit your life better than an in-person schedule if you work full-time or have family obligations. If you value campus relationships and prefer in-person learning, DSU’s hybrid format offers a middle ground.
Admission requirements, tuition, and financial aid are also factors worth comparing across programs. Reviewing affordable CSWE-accredited MSW programs can help you weigh costs against outcomes before you commit. Graduate assistantships, scholarships, and federal loan-forgiveness programs, such as the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), can meaningfully reduce costs for qualifying students.
Delaware Schools with Social Work Programs
| School | Location | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware State University | 1200 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 | (302) 857-6060 | wchbs.desu.edu |
| Delaware Technical and Community College – Owens | Route 18 Seashore Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947 | dtcc.edu |
| Delaware Technical and Community College – Stanton/Wilmington | 400 Stanton-Christiana Rd, Newark, DE 19702 | dtcc.edu |
| Delaware Technical and Community College – Terry | 100 Campus Drive, Dover, DE 19901 | dtcc.edu |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE 19716 | (302) 831-2000 | grad.udel.edu |
| Wilmington University | 320 DuPont Hwy, New Castle, DE 19720 | (877) 967-5464 | wilmu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Delaware State University the only accredited MSW program in Delaware?
Yes. DSU is currently the only institution in Delaware offering a CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work. CSWE accreditation is required to sit for the ASWB licensing exam in Delaware. The program is available in traditional and advanced standing tracks, with hybrid and fully online delivery options for both.
What is the Advanced Standing MSW track?
Advanced Standing is available to graduates of CSWE-accredited BSW programs. Because BSW graduates have already completed social work foundation coursework and supervised field education, they skip the foundation year and move directly into advanced study. Full-time Advanced Standing students at DSU can complete the MSW in approximately one year.
Can I earn an MSW online as a Delaware resident?
Yes, in two ways. DSU offers a fully online MSW format for both traditional and Advanced Standing students. Delaware residents can also pursue nationally accredited online MSW programs from universities in other states, many of which are designed to prepare graduates for licensure in Delaware.
What can I do with an MSW in Delaware?
MSW graduates in Delaware work in school social work, child welfare, mental health and substance abuse counseling, healthcare social work, and social service administration. With supervised post-degree hours and the ASWB clinical exam, MSW graduates can pursue LCSW licensure and establish an independent clinical practice.
Do I need an MSW to become licensed in Delaware?
Yes. Delaware requires an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program as the basis for social work licensure. The state licenses at multiple tiers, including the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), each with separate supervised experience and exam requirements. For a full breakdown, visit our Delaware social work licensing requirements page.
Key Takeaways
- DSU is Delaware’s only CSWE-accredited in-state MSW program. Accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education is required for licensure in Delaware and most other states.
- Two tracks, multiple formats: DSU offers traditional and Advanced Standing tracks, both available in hybrid and fully online delivery.
- Field hours are non-negotiable. Traditional students typically complete around 900 total supervised hours across two practicums. Advanced Standing students complete only the advanced practicum.
- Career outlook is solid. BLS projects 5.7% growth for child, family, and school social workers in Delaware through 2032, with roughly 100 openings per year.
- National online programs are a real alternative. Delaware residents can pursue accredited MSW programs through out-of-state universities, many of which offer clinical specializations not available at DSU.
To explore what licensing looks like after you earn your MSW, visit our Delaware social work licensing requirements page.
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.
