Missouri social work programs are located in urban, suburban, and rural areas across the state. Because you must have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) to be licensed and practice as a social worker in Missouri, it is important to consider all the options available for your social work education. This page summarizes many of the traditional on-campus programs available. There are currently no full-time online social work degree programs available in Missouri, although the University of Missouri does offer a part-time MSW degree online.
Quick Facts
- 20 schools offering social work programs in Missouri are in our database (see below)
- Of the social work schools in Missouri, none offer associate’s degrees or certificates, 18 offer bachelor’s degrees, and 7 offer a master’s or advanced degree1
- 1 school ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges
- 6 schools ranked in US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- 1 school ranked in Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs4
- Across 18 schools, 23 bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs in Missouri are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)5
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Top-Ranked Schools with Social Work Programs in Missouri
Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges
- University of Missouri (#74 in-state, #69 out-of-state)
*Institution-wide ranking.
US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- Washington University in St. Louis (#2)
- St. Louis University (#54 tie)
- University of Missouri (#59 tie)
- University of Missouri-St. Louis (#72 tie)
- University of Missouri-Kansas City (#128 tie)
- Missouri State University (#201 tie)
Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs
- University of Missouri
Schools with Social Work Programs Accredited by the CSWE
- Avila University
- Evangel University
- Fontbonne University
- Lincoln University
- Lindenwood University
- Missouri Southern State University
- Missouri State University
- Missouri Western State University
- Park University
- Saint Louis University
- Southeast Missouri State University
- Southwest Baptist University
- University of Central Missouri
- University of Missouri
- University of Missouri-Kansas City
- University of Missouri-St. Louis
- Washington University in St. Louis
- William Woods University
Schools in Missouri with Social Work Degree Programs
BSW and Other Undergraduate Programs
Missouri State University
Located in the southwestern city of Springfield, the School of Social Work at Missouri State University offers CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW degrees. The BSW program prepares students for generalist practice, including case management, advocacy, and policy analysis. The degree takes a minimum of four years to complete full-time; students must pass both the general education requirements and the required courses in the social work curriculum. The program is competitive; students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.50 to remain in the program and at least a “C” grade in all required social work courses. In the final semester of the program, students complete a field education placement in a social service organization. Placements are available in urban organizations in Springfield, rural areas across the state, or faith-based organizations in the region.
Saint Louis University
Ranked #96 among national universities by US News and World Report in 2016, St. Louis University is a private, Jesuit institution with CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) and MSW degrees, as well as a PhD in social work program. The BSSW program in SLU’s School of Social Work focuses on the importance of social justice and community development and the growing importance of global health issues. In addition to required social work courses in social welfare, policy, and research, students must also fulfill the university’s liberal arts core curriculum, including courses in philosophy, math, and social science. The university offers many international undergraduate learning opportunities via academic courses at a satellite campus in Madrid, Spain as well as service-learning opportunities in Ghana, Mexico, and India. The university additionally offers an accelerated joint BSSW/MSW program that allows high-performing students to complete both degrees in five years of full-time study.
MSW and Other Graduate Programs
Washington University in St. Louis
The social work graduate school at Washington University in St. Louis has been ranked #1 among social work graduate schools in the US by US News & World Report. The Brown School of Social Work offers an array of options that help students customize the graduate education experience to meet their future social work career goals. All MSW students must choose a concentration from American Indian and Alaska Native; Children, Youth and Families; Health; Mental Health; Older Adults and Aging; Social and Economic Development; Violence and Injury Prevention; or an Individualized curriculum. Furthermore, students can complete specializations, dual degrees, and certificate programs in specific practice areas. The program takes two years to complete full-time, although high-achieving undergraduate students may apply for the school’s 3-2 MSW Program to complete both the BSW and MSW degrees in five years. Field education is a key part of the MSW experience, helping students develop foundational social work skills and specific skills in the chosen area of concentration.
University of Missouri
In 2016 US News & World Report ranked the University of Missouri #47 among public national universities in the US. The university’s School of Social Work, located in Columbia, offers CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW degrees and a PhD in social work. The MSW program has two specializations to choose from in either Clinical Practice or Policy, Planning, and Administration. To be eligible for the program, candidates must have an undergraduate degree with significant liberal arts content, a GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 hours of coursework, and at least a C- grade in a statistics course. Students can complete the MSW degree either on campus through full-time study or through either in-person or online part-time study. The online program is only open to Missouri residents or residents in neighboring states. The university also offers a dual MSW/Master of Public Health degree and graduate certificates in gerontology and military social work.
Accreditation Information for Missouri Social Work Schools
| School | Graduation Rate1 | Transfer-Out Rate1 | Associate’s SW Program | Bachelor’s SW Program | Graduate SW Program | CSWE Accred.5 | US News Best Social Work Grad Schools Ranking3 | Net Price*1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avila University | 49% | 39% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $19,781 |
| College of the Ozarks | 63% | 19% | No | Yes | No | No | Not Ranked | $14,152 |
| Evangel University | 48% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $20,480 |
| Fontbonne University | 48% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $18,964 |
| Lincoln University | 25% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $9,528 |
| Lindenwood University | 50% | 27% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $21,440 |
| Missouri State University-Springfield | 55% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #201 tie | $14,192 |
| Missouri Western State University | 36% | 27% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $10,021 |
| Park University | 42% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Ranked | $9,326 |
| Saint Louis University | 72% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #54 tie | $33,812 |
| Southeast Missouri State University | 51% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $11,398 |
| Southwest Baptist University | 49% | 36% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $16,892 |
| University of Central Missouri | 53% | 25% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $13,606 |
| University of Missouri-Columbia | 69% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Ranked | $16,872 |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City | 52% | N/A | No | No | Yes | Yes | #128 tie | $18,904 |
| University of Missouri-St. Louis | 42% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #72 tie | $9,969 |
| Washington University in St. Louis | 95% | N/A | No | No | Yes | Yes | #2 | $33,374 |
| William Woods University | 53% | 14% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $21,386 |
*The net price is calculated by the National Center for Education Statistics by subtracting the average amount of aid (including grants and scholarships) from the total published cost of attendance for in-state/in-district students, which includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses. To gain a better understanding of how to interpret the statistics discussed in this table, see our list of important definitions.
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Directory of Missouri Social Work School Programs
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Avila University*
11901 Wornall Rd
Kansas City, MO 64145-1698
(816) 942-8400
http://www.avila.edu
College of the Ozarks
100 Opportunity Ave
Point Lookout, MO 65726-0017
(417) 334-6411
http://www.cofo.edu
Evangel University*
1111 N Glenstone
Springfield, MO 65802-2125
(417) 865-2815
http://www.evangel.edu
Fontbonne University*
6800 Wydown Blvd
Saint Louis, MO 63105-3098
(314) 862-3456
http://www.fontbonne.edu
Lincoln University*
820 Chestnut St
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 681-5000
http://www.lincolnu.edu
Lindenwood University*
209 S Kingshighway St
Saint Charles, MO 63301-1695
(636) 949-2000
http://www.lindenwood.edu
Missouri State University-Springfield*
901 S National
Springfield, MO 65897
(417) 836-5000
https://www.missouristate.edu
Student Review: “I attended Missouri State University’s Social Work graduate program after I attended MSU’s undergraduate Nursing program. One of the major perks of this program, for me, was that is offered most of the courses for the program in the evening. As a mother and someone that works full time, evening classes are really important to me. I was at the MSU Springfield campus and I really felt my professors cared about me and my ability to succeed after I finished the program. I would recommend this program for people similar to myself – those that are looking to get a quality graduate education while maintaining responsibilities like work and family.” – Student at Missouri State University
Missouri Western State University*
4525 Downs Dr
Saint Joseph, MO 64507
(816) 271-4200
https://www.missouriwestern.edu
Park University*
8700 NW River Park Dr
Parkville, MO 64152-3795
(816) 741-2000
http://www.park.edu
Saint Louis University*
One North Grand Blvd
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2097
(314) 977-2222
http://www.slu.edu
Southeast Missouri State University*
One University Plz, MS 4675
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
(573)
651-2000
http://www.semo.edu
Southwest Baptist University*
1600 University Ave
Bolivar, MO 65613-2596
(800) 526-5859
http://www.sbuniv.edu
University of Central Missouri*
202 Administration Building
Warrensburg, MO 64093
(660)
543-4111
http://www.ucmo.edu
Student Review: “I really enjoyed my time in the social work program. My professors were supportive and awesome. I learned so much more than I ever thought I could. I knew everyone else who was in my program and made two very close friends. I also met my wife there. The campus was small and beautiful. The program was affordable although I was paying out of state tuition. All of my classes were in the same building. My program set up an awesome internship for me and they were very supportive when I decided to pursue graduate school. They even asked me to come back and speak to the next class about graduate school.” – Student at University of Central Missouri
University of Missouri-Columbia*
105 Jesse Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 882-2121
http://www.missouri.edu
University of Missouri-Kansas City*
5100 Rockhill Rd
Kansas City, MO 64110
(816) 235-1000
http://www.umkc.edu
University of Missouri-St. Louis*
One University Blvd
Saint Louis, MO 63121-4400
(314)
516-5000
http://www.umsl.edu
Washington University in St. Louis*
One Brookings Dr
Saint Louis, MO 63130-4899
(314)
935-5000
http://www.wustl.edu
William Woods University*
One University Ave
Fulton, MO 65251-1098
(573) 642-2251
http://www.williamwoods.edu
Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=all
3. US News & World Report Social Work Best Grad Schools Rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings
4.
Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs: /degrees/masters/online/
5. Council on Social Work Education: https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Directory-of-Accredited-Programs.aspx