The mission of the graduate social work program is to prepare students to serve as clinical social workers who practice in rural environments with the knowledge and skills at the master’s level to improve well-being for individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Available as either an on-campus or an online program, the emphasis is on promoting interdisciplinary learning and practice to actively address social issues. The graduate program simultaneously trains students in advanced clinical practice while also providing them with skills transferrable across all practice levels.
The MSW on-campus hybrid program requires students to be on campus only one day a week. Most courses are two hours of face-to-face content with one hour of online content. This hybrid program has four options:
The social work online master's simultaneously trains students in advanced clinical practice while also providing them with skills transferrable across all practice levels.
Graduate in as few as 24 months in this CSWE accredited online program.
Choose the level of face-to-face interaction you want in your program. The online MSW includes 100% online courses and an in-person practicum, while our hybrid MSW students attend class one day per week on the Athens campus while completing online coursework and an in-person practicum. No matter which program you choose, you will benefit from live engagement opportunities and real-world coursework to prepare you for future success. The following chart compares the MSW programs to help you decide which program can best help you achieve your goals.
| Online Foundation MSW | Online Advanced Standing MSW | Hybrid Full-Time* Foundation MSW | Hybrid Full-Time* Advanced Standing MSW | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Duration | 10 semesters | 6 semesters | 4 semesters / 2 years | 3 semesters / 1 year |
| Start Date | 3 Starts per Year | 3 Starts per Year | 1 Start per Year (Summer) | 1 Start per Year (Fall) |
| Delivery Format | Online | Online | Hybrid, with in-person classes 1 day/week | Hybrid, with in-person classes 1 day/week |
| Part-Time or Full-Time | Part-Time Only | Part-Time Only | Typically Full-Time* | Typically Full-Time* |
| Learning Style | Recommended for those who prioritize flexibility in learning experiences. | Recommended for those who prioritize flexibility in learning experiences. | Recommended for those who need flexibility but also value face-to-face connections. | Recommended for those who need flexibility but also value face-to-face connections. |
| Graduate Assistantship Eligibility? | No | No | Yes | Yes |
* Athens hybrid MSW also has part-time options; however, this option does not reduce the practicum hours required each semester.
View application deadlines and required materials you'll need to submit when applying for the online or hybrid Master of Social Work programs.