Merrimack College is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA).
Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Graduate ready to meet initial social work licensure requirements. Fellowships available.
Rooted in Augustinian values and social justice, Merrimack’s CSWE-accredited, two-year graduate degree in social work is designed to prepare you to be an agent of positive change and transform the society in which you live.
Master of Social Work Degree at a Glance
Mode of Study
On Campus
Est. Time
2 years full-time; part-time study available
Start Terms*
Spring, Summer, Fall
View Application Deadlines
Credits
56; 36 with advanced standing
100%
LICSW Pass Rate
Accreditation
CSWE, NECHE
Fellowships
Presidential
Scholarships
Dean Scholarship &
Alumni Scholarship
*Our Spring entrance term is for part-time students only, and that our Summer entrance term is for advanced standing students only.
Note that the Fall application deadline for the Master of Social Work is earlier than most other programs. Please view our application deadlines for more information.
Tell Me More About Merrimack's Master of Social Work Degree
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Graduate Info Session & Tour
Sunday, March 23, 2025
from 10:30 am
to 12:00 pm
Explore the Merrimack College community, gain tips on what makes a strong application, hear about our fellowship opportunities, take a tour and more!
Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) Tuition
Published Tuition
$1,100 per credit (56 credits). Tuition for 2024-2025. Rates are subject to change.
Average Aid Amount
Scholarships and fellowships significantly reduce the tuition for most of our students.
Average Tuition Cost
After scholarships and fellowships.
Typical Tuition Savings for the Master of Social Work
Merrimack College offers generous scholarship and fellowship opportunities to offset your graduate tuition.
Presidential Fellowships are 9-month, 25 hour-per-week field placements and cover 36 credits, or $39,600 of tuition.
Double Warrior Alumni Scholarships are awarded to all Merrimack College alumni, covering 33% of tuition ($20,328), for recent graduates, and 25% ($15,400) for earlier alumni.
Dean Scholarships are merit based aid awarded to all students that average $11,700, or about 19% of tuition.
Visit the page below to find all up-to-date tuition and fees information.
Overview of Merrimack’s Master of Social Work
Our MSW degree program is an advanced generalist program with an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. You will integrate and apply social work knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive and affective processes to practice in a culturally responsive, purposeful, intentional, and professional manner to promote human and community well-being. You will have the option to take electives that will lead you to gain knowledge within a specific practice area. Depending on your focus, you may be assigned a field educational experience within the corresponding practice area.
You can select from a variety of interests, including:
Clinical Practice with individuals, families, groups & organizations
Substance Use Disorders and behavioral addictions practice
Macro Social Work Practice
Community Engagement
School Social Work
Spirituality
Criminology and criminal justice
Why Choose the MSW Program at Merrimack
In addition to being the only MSW degree program in the Merrimack Valley, our program stands out for its:
CONVENIENT FELXIBILITY
Our master of social work is a 2-year, 56-credit advanced generalist program with evening classes and many elective options.We also offer a 3 to 4-semester, 36-credit advanced standing program for students who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited institution.
EXCEPTIONAL FACULTY
Breaking new ground at Merrimack College, all faculty in the master’s degree in social work are highly trained and educated professionals excited to help develop the future of social work in the Merrimack Valley. In addition to being published scholars and leaders in local, regional and national social work agencies and organizations, they also use their expertise and experiences to guide you into the field.
REAL-WORLD FIELD EXPERIENCE
Merrimack’s social work graduate program creates and provides students with transformative learning experiences in and out of the classroom that positively impact children, youth, families and the greater society. You will engage in a minimum 900 hours of hands-on practical experience in a local school, community agency, nonprofit, health or mental health center, or another relevant social service-type agency or institution.
PRACTICAL, RELEVANT SKILLS
Merrimack’s MSW program focuses on access, equity, social and economic justice, as well as ethical and reflective practices. Our program produces leaders who demonstrate the knowledge and skills of advanced direct social work practice. Upon graduation, you’ll be well equipped to respond to the need for services that promote social, economic and political justice for all groups, especially those confronting discrimination and oppression.
Career Outlook: Where Can a Master of Social Work Take You?
Job Openings
For Social Workers in 2023
Industry Growth
Faster than average industry growth in the United States between 2023 and 2033.
Average Annual Salary
The average annual salary for a Social Worker in Massachusetts.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2024
Jobs with a Social Work Master’s Degree
Upon completing our program, you’ll be well-equipped to pursue a career in social work and related disciplines. Positions may include:
- Social worker
- Mental health case manager
- Child welfare specialist
- School social worker
- Substance abuse counselor
- Medical social worker
- Clinical case manager
- Behavioral health manager
- Community Organizer
Where Merrimack’s Master of Social Work Graduates Work
Beth Israel Lahey Behavioral Health Services
Clinical Social Worker
The Center For Hope and Healing Inc
Counselor and Program Advocate
NFI Massachusetts, Inc.
MST Clinician
Department of Mental Health
Transitional Age Youth Case Manager
What Our MSW Students and Alumni Say
Listen to student Podcast
International Institute of New England
MSW Alumnae Panel Feature
Listen to Student Podcast
What You'll Learn in Merrimack's Master of Social Work
Explore Our Career-Focused Concentrations
Merrimack College’s Master of Social Work program offers a range of concentrations to allow you to tailor your graduate education to your specific interests and career goals. While we encourage you to choose from these options to deepen your expertise in a particular area, selecting a concentration is not required. Available concentrations include:
School Social Work
School social work is one of the fastest-growing areas of social work practice. Please reach out to the MSW or school counseling program director to discuss options.
Criminology
Forensic social work and the areas of crime, justice and reform offer an exciting option for MSW students at Merrimack. You have the option to take your elective courses in the criminology and criminal justice program and complete one of your two required field education placements (at least 450-clock hours) in a criminal justice setting.
Substance Use Disorders
Opioid and other illicit substance use and behavioral addiction continue to be a growing concern in our country. If you’re interested in working in the vital area of substance use and abuse disorders, you have the option to take electives related to mental health, public health and substance use. You will also complete one of your two required field education placements (at least 450-clock hours) in a setting that works towards eliminating and/or treating addictions.
Community Engagement
- Macro social work is one of the most rewarding areas of social work practice. If you’re interested in working in the nonprofit sector, you have the option to take your elective courses in the community engagement program and complete one of your two required field education placements (at least 450-clock hours) in a non-profit or community-based agency.
Spirituality
Spirituality and faith are often a resource for people who are struggling with a variety of socio-emotional challenges. In collaboration with the Religious & Theological Studies department, MSW students who are interested in pursuing a specialization in spirituality will be able to take courses in the Spiritual Direction graduate certificate program. Students should consult with both their MSW advisor and the Spiritual Direction certificate advisor.
Key Courses You'll Take
Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice
MSW 5001
- Introduces an integrated practice framework that promotes human rights and justice and identifies the root causes of global social issues.
- Explores theories that address human need, social, economic, and environmental justice, intersectionality, diversity, and oppression and discrimination.
- Examines the resilience of populations-at-risk, particularly people of color, persons with disabilities, and people who identify as LGBTQ.
Contemporary Social Welfare Policy: Development, Analysis, and Advocacy
MSW 5006
- Delves into concepts related to the development of social welfare policy and how values of apply to policy development.
- Explores of the historical underpinnings of social policy, social injustice, and systemic racism.
- Investigates social welfare policy areas, including child welfare policy, criminal justice policy, social inequality, poverty, health care, housing, and the foundations of the Americans with Disabilities Act/Laws.
Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis in Social Work
MSW 5029
Master of Social Work Curriculum
View Full Curriculum from the Graduate Catalog
M.S.W. Requirements
To see more details about the program, please visit catalog.merrimack.edu.Skills You'll Learn
Through Merrimack’s Master of Social Work, you will learn both in the classroom and in real-world settings. CSWE requires MSW students to spend at least 900 hours in the field. Merrimack’s MSW program staff will assist students in securing a field educational experience that will provide outstanding real-world, social justice-based work.
In addition, our social work program provides you with full preparation for taking the initial social work license exam. You will learn how to:
Conduct clinical assessments and plan interventions using the latest treatment modalities
Work with diverse clients of all racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds
Help children and families navigate schools and other social institutions
Featured Faculty
James Howland, Ed.D., M.S.W.
Program Director and Associate Professor of Practice, Master of Social Work
Dr. James Howland is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of clinical practice experience. His research centers around engagement of boys and men exploring their understanding of social and emotional development and identities, paying particular attention to the influences of family, peers, gender, and culture. His expertise also includes the evaluation and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders; sport psychology; and the engagement, assessment, and evaluation treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. Dr. Howland earned both his Ed.D. in Counseling Psychology and M.S.W. from Boston University.
Katherine Willard, MSW, LICSW
Director of Field Education and Assistant Professor of Practice, Master of Social Work
Katherine Willard is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with expansive knowledge in supporting children, adolescents and families. Most recently, Katie served as the Assistant Director of School Counseling to a local urban school district, where she was tasked with overseeing all social emotional learning initiatives for the district, providing supervision to all mental health clinicians, guidance counselors and social workers and leading all mental wellness initiatives for the district. Most notably, she was able to connect the district with the Early College Program. Katie also has experience as a School Adjustment Counselor, an Outpatient Counselor, Day Treatment facilities and residential programs. She holds an MSW with Specialization in Trauma and Interpersonal Violence from Simmons College and an Ed.S. from Bridgewater State University.
Jonathan Kessler, MSW, LICSW
Assistant Professor of Practice, Master of Social Work
Jonathan P. Kessler is a clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience. He has provided clinical services in a variety of settings, including criminal justice work, in and out, patient treatment, addictions and trauma. He is the former Clinical Director of Camp Amesbury, a residential facility for incarcerated adolescent women and has been the lead social worker for North Shore Educational Consortium’s Transitions Program working with young adults on the autism spectrum. He has advanced clinical skill training in hypnosis, trauma, motivational interviewing as well as individual, group and family therapy. He holds an MSW from Simmons College School of Social Work.
Sara Lafkas, Ed.D., M.S.W.
Assistant Professor of Practice, Master of Social Work
Dr. Sara Lafkas began her career working as an elementary school teacher in South Los Angeles. After receiving her MSW, she was a social worker in Child Protective Services in Northern California. Some of her additional professional experiences include working as a psychotherapist in private practice and at college counseling and community mental health service centers. Dr. Lafkas has also previously served as a social work faculty member and as an instructor for graduate-level counseling courses. Dr. Lafkas’ dissertation focused on Latter-Saint (Mormon) Women who experienced parental divorce. She has also presented and written on many other topics, including self-compassion practice. Some of her recent research has focused on women’s perceptions of self-compassion. Dr. Lafkas earned her Ed.D. in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University Graduate School of Education and her M.S.W. from the University of Washington.
Virginia Durnford, Ed.D., MSW, MA
Lecturer
Dr. Virginia Durnford is an expert in trauma-informed care and the provision of therapeutic services for children and adults with special needs, particularly within trauma-sensitive school environments. Her research focuses on the treatment of trauma, including PTSD, and how it affects learning, with a special interest in developing strategies to support educational teams working with students struggling with Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders. Dr. Durnford holds an Ed.D. in Teacher Education and School Improvement from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, an MSW in Social Work from Boston University, and an MA in Special Education from the University of Connecticut. Her professional experience includes counseling in high-needs schools, providing therapeutic services in both school settings and private practice, and using resiliency training to help youth and young adults manage stress and anxiety.
Fellowships, Scholarships, and Financial Aid
MSW Graduate Fellowships
Graduate fellowships in Merrimack’s Master of Social Work program provide hands-on professional experience while significantly reducing tuition. Fellows benefit from real-world work opportunities and professional networking.
The Master of Social Work fellowship program offers graduate students the opportunity to receive a Presidential Fellowship, which covers 100% of tuition for the first year of the program (up to 36 credits). This fellowship includes a 9-month, unpaid placement, requiring a commitment of 25 hours of work per week.
Note that, because of the 900 hours of field work integrated into the MSW curriculum, fellowships are not available for the second year of the program. All MSW graduate fellows will be automatically eligible for merit scholarship in the second year.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Merrimack College offers scholarships for students who are not receiving a full- or half-tuition fellowship. Our scholarship opportunities available to MSW students include:
- Dean Scholarship: Determined by academic merit and financial need. Students not receiving a fellowship are automatically considered for a Dean Scholarship upon applying.
- Double Warrior Alumni Scholarship: Available to all Merrimack graduates. Students enrolling immediately after senior undergraduate year automatically receive a 33% discount, and 25% thereafter. Please note that Double Warrior alumni scholarships cannot be combined with Dean Scholarships.
Financial aid in the form of federal aid, private loans, and payment plans are also options available for graduate students. Click the link below to learn more about our scholarships and financial aid opportunities.
Application Information for the Master of Social Work
The MSW degree program welcomes interested students with bachelor’s degrees in all fields. You do not need to have a BSW or BA in a social science or liberal arts discipline to earn an MSW.
It’s easy to apply online! Simply create your account by registering a username and password. This will allow you to start an application, save and log back in at any time to complete it before submission.
A Completed Application Includes:
Important Information:
- Online application
- Official college transcripts from all institutions attended
- Resumé
- Interview OR personal statement
- Contact information for one reference OR one letter of recommendation
- No application fee or GRE requirement.
- If applying for a fellowship, be sure to indicate that on your application.
- Optional: Submit test scores to enhance or support your academic background.
In accordance with CSWE policy, the MSW program at Merrimack College does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience.
Graduate Community and Student Support
Discover Merrimack’s vibrant and supportive graduate community! Our Graduate Center, located on the second floor of the McQuade Library, is our hub for student life, resources, and support, ensuring that you get the most out of your graduate experience.
Enjoy the following benefits that are exclusive to graduate students:
A comfortable lounge for studying and socializing
A home base for daily life on campus with coffee and tea, a microwave and a fridge
A venue for programs and services supporting graduate student success
A warm, inviting place to connect with staff and other graduate students
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Accreditation
Merrimack College is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA).
Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the BOA indicates that it meets or exceeds standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the BOA has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS).
Accreditation applies to all program options, which includes locations and delivery methods. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
Review our program’s accredited status in CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs. For more information about social work accreditation, contact CSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation.
Summary of the Program's Assessment Plan
As part of the on-going accreditation process, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requires all programs to report the assessment results of a series of competencies.
Want to Learn More about the Master of Social Work?
Schedule an Informational Call with the Program Director
Take the Next Step (We're Here to Help)
At Merrimack, we are ready to meet you where you are and get you where you want to go. And, we make the process simple along the way! Please feel free to contact our Graduate Admission team or join us at an upcoming event if you have any questions regarding scholarships, fellowships, financial aid, or the application process.
Programs Related to the Master of Social Work
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Grad Chat Podcast
Tune in to hear Zahra Ahmadi, a current student, discuss her path from Afghanistan to pursuing graduate studies in the US. Throughout the episode, she offers valuable insights for international students, recounts her fellowship involvement, and provides helpful tips for prospective MSW students. If you’re curious about the Master of Social Work, this is a must-listen!
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Merrimack College Awards & Recognition
U.S. News & World Report | Best Regional Universities North (2024)
- Most Innovative Schools (#5)
- Regional Universities North (#39)
- Best Undergraduate Teaching (#19)
- Best Colleges for Veterans (#15)
- Best Value Schools (#51)
