Support individuals. Strengthen families. Serve communities.
Expand your opportunities to affect change by earning a Master of Social Work degree, on campus or online.
Do work that matters, no matter where you are located
Build your leadership and skills to expand your career in a number of roles, including counselor, case manager, clinician, administrator, researcher, community organizer, nonprofit manager, or educator, among many others. The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree integrates clinical and community-based practice so you can recognize and build upon personal, cultural, and community strengths that engage healing and growth.
Whether you opt to study online or in person, you’ll earn the same leading social work degree that provides a foundation for micro, mezzo, or macro practice. Plus, dual-degree options give you a way to stand out from your peers in the social work field and integrate social work with another in-demand discipline. You graduate not only with a degree, but with a passion for service, a commitment to social justice, and a deep belief in the dignity and worth of each person.
Any bachelor's degree is required for all MSW applicants. Advanced Standing available for those with a Bachelor of Social Work.
Focus on People Within Their Environments
Our students and faculty focus on what matters most: people. Keeping individuals at the center of everything we do allows our graduates and their communities to thrive.
One of the Top Schools for Social Work
Ranked in the Top 30 of Best Schools for Social Work in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report and fully accredited by the Council of Social Work Education.
Gain Field Experience
Work with any of the 100+ social service agencies, government entities, schools, hospitals, and businesses participating in our field education program (MSW only).
High Exam Pass Rates
Tulane students consistently have high exam pass rates with an 85% clinical exam pass rate (compared to 75% nationally).
Dual Degrees
Gain a competitive edge as an MSW grad with additional certification or a dual degree that allows you to integrate social work with disaster management, public health, or law.
MSW & Master of Science in Disaster Resilience Leadership (MS-DRL)
Tulane's Master of Science in Disaster Resilience Leadership is the only program of its kind in the nation. Address the root causes of community vulnerability by going beyond disaster operations to focus on human and social factors, economics, environment, infrastructure, and evaluation.
MSW & Juris Doctor (JD)
Combine your interests in law and social work. This four-year, Master of Social Work and Juris Doctor dual-degree program prepares you to work in juvenile justice, forensic social work, corrections, child advocacy, legislative advocacy, and public policy. Even if you plan to focus more on law or more on social work, the interdisciplinary knowledge is critical to assisting your clients and affecting lasting change.
MSW & Master of Public Health (MPH)
Empower individuals and communities to address their physical and mental health needs over the course of their entire lives. A five-semester program, the dual degree MSW and Master of Public Health equips you with effective, culturally appropriate methods for helping communities improve their wellbeing.
Add a Certification—at No Additional Cost
Focus your MSW degree with two certification options. The Disaster and Collective Trauma Certificate Program, one of the few in the country, prepares you to treat the psychological consequences of disasters of all kinds. The Mental Health, Addiction, and the Family Certificate Program, funded by the Porter-Cason Institute, prepares you to develop creativity and courage, particularly as it relates to healing in a relational context.
Only in New Orleans
Building a career in social work is so much richer when you have a community who can celebrate your joys and empathize with your sorrows. And learning on-campus in New Orleans gives you the opportunity to get hands-on experience from the rich history of our city, as well as develop strong, meaningful one-on-one relationships with peers and professors. There’s nothing quite like learning alongside your future colleagues, co-workers, and, ultimately, friends in one of the most diverse cities in the country.
Top School, Affordable Degree
Tulane School of Social Work maintains a competitive tuition rate that is on par with many peer institutions. Through generous individual, corporate, and foundation donors, there are a number of scholarships awarded to social work students.
For MSW Candidates: By completing your application, you will automatically be considered for merit based scholarships. We also encourage you to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, as you may be eligible for need-based scholarships.
Find Employment in Public, Private, and Non-Profit Sectors
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics*, employment of social workers is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations–12% between 2020 to 2030. For child, family, and school social workers, as well as healthcare social workers, employment is expected to grow 13%, while employment for mental health and substance abuse social workers is expected to grow even faster–15%.
Completing your social work degree in New Orleans gives you opportunities to learn about local companies and organizations where you can do work that matters. Plus, many students develop relationships with classmates who are connected to local job opportunities. Tulane graduates go on to work in mental health clinics, government organizations, non-profits, community development corporations, child welfare programs, hospitals, and schools, among other organizations.
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
" Developing empathy and knowing what trauma is and how people experience it helps to address what they need. You don’t just think about a flooded home. You think of that person losing the place where they grew up, raised their kids, and celebrated with friends and family. When you do that, you caxn help them rebuild in a thoughtful way. "
— Mark Rogers, II, LMSW Capabilities Research and Development Associate, Field Operations
Online MSW & Online MSW/MS-DRL Dual Degree
Fall Admission Deadlines
Priority to Submit
June 1st
Application Complete
July 1st
Classes Start
August
On Campus MSW & MSW/MS-DRL Dual Degree
Fall Admission Deadlines
Priority to Submit
April 1st
Application Complete
June 1st
Classes Start
August
Online MSW & Online MSW/MS-DRL Dual Degree
Summer Admission Deadlines
Priority to Submit
March 1st
Application Complete
April 5th
Classes Start
May
Online MSW & Online MSW/MS-DRL Dual Degree
Spring Admission Deadlines
Priority to Submit
November 1st
Application Complete
December 5th
Classes Start
January
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