In Rhode Island, you must have a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to become licensed and practice as a clinical social worker. Though there are no online social work schools in Rhode Island, you may be able to complete an online program based in another state to meet licensure requirements. If you choose to earn a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree first, you can apply for advanced standing admission at graduate social work schools that offer this option in order to reduce the amount of time it takes to earn your graduate social work degree.
Quick Facts
- 4 schools offering social work programs in Rhode Island are in our database (see below)
- Of the social work schools in Rhode Island, 1 offers associate’s degrees or certificates, 3 offer bachelor’s degrees, and 1 offers a master’s or advanced degree1
- No schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- No schools ranked in Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs4
- Across 3 schools, 4 bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- Rhode Island College (#105 tie)
Schools with Social Work Programs Accredited by the CSWE
- Providence College
- Rhode Island College
- Salve Regina University
Schools in Rhode Island with Social Work Degree Programs
BSW and Other Undergraduate Programs
Salve Regina University
Located in the coastal city of Newport, Salve Regina University is a private Roman Catholic school with a primarily female undergraduate population. The school’s BSW program within the Department of Social Work is accredited by the CSWE and includes courses such as Social Problems, Human Behavior and Diversity, and International Social Work. Human Biology and American Politics courses are also required. Students engage in field experiences in each year of the program for a total of 660 hours of field education upon graduation. Because of the program’s generalist focus graduates have found work in diverse areas of practice, including child welfare, addictions, hospitals, and schools. US News & World Report ranked the university in a tie for 36th place in the Regional Universities (North) category in 2016.
Providence College
Providence College is a highly ranked Roman Catholic private institution. In 2016, US News & World Report ranked the school #2 among regional universities in the North. The CSWE-accredited BSW program in Providence College’s Department of Social Work provides students with the opportunity to combine their professional and religious goals in service. The college has small class sizes that encourage interaction between staff and students. To declare social work as a major, students must complete liberal arts classes and four prerequisite courses before the junior year. Once admitted, the majority of courses taken are in social work, research, and policy. It is also possible to complete an undergraduate thesis. Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better may be interested in the Alpha Delta Mu Social Work Honor Society, which has had a chapter on campus since 1995.
MSW and Other Graduate Programs
Rhode Island College
Located in Providence, Rhode Island College is a public school tied for 131st place among regional universities in the North by US News & World Report in 2016. The Rhode Island College School of Social Work has a CSWE-accredited BSW program and the state’s only MSW degree program. The MSW program offers two specializations in either Clinical or Macro practice and can be completed in two years through full-time study or up to four years through part-time study. Students can also switch from part-time study during the first year of the program to full-time study during the second year of the program. The school offers advanced standing to students with a CSWE-accredited BSW degree earned in the past five years, which may shorten the time needed to complete the degree. Students in this program are required to attend a preparation course in the summer preceding enrollment to prepare for the graduate program.
Accreditation Information for Rhode Island Social Work Schools
| School | Graduation Rate1 | Transfer-Out Rate1 | Associate’s SW Program | Bachelor’s SW Program | Graduate SW Program | CSWE Accredited5 | US News Best Social Work Grad Schools Ranking3 | Net Price*1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Rhode Island | 12% | 20% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $6,055 |
| Providence College | 86% | 4% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $33,825 |
| Rhode Island College | 43% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #105 tie | $8,372 |
| Salve Regina University | 67% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $30,693 |
*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 Rhode Island 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).
Community College of Rhode Island
400 East Ave
Warwick, RI 02886-1807
(401) 825-1000
http://www.ccri.edu
Student Review: “The Community College of Rhode Island, so far has been a grate experience for me. I’m just at the end of my first semester there. The Campus in Lincoln that I attend is one of if not the biggest CCRI campuses. The Professors I had this semester were very knowledgeable and helpful. All of the Faculty that I have met, have been kind and willing to take the time to answer any questions a student may have. I have also been able to expand my network, which will surely be helpful to me in this field! I am excited what the next few semesters will bring and I’m excited to learn as much as I can about Substance Abuse and Social Work.” – Student at Community College of Rhode Island
Providence College*
1 Cunningham Sq
Providence, RI 02918-0001
(401) 865-1000
http://www.providence.edu
Rhode Island College*
600 Mount Pleasant Ave
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 456-8000
http://www.ric.edu/
Student Review: “Overall, RIC (Rhode Island College) provides students with a social work program that enables students to be ready for the workplace. For example, internships are required in both RIC’s BSW and MSW program, and RIC will put you into contact with potential internship sites. Additionally, RIC houses some of the most well known figures in the social work world, such as Fredrich Reamer, who wrote the NASW Code of Ethics. Lastly, the option to apply as Advanced Standing to the MSW program, if you were a BSW graduate, allows you to receive a BSW and MSW in only 5 years.” – Student at Rhode Island College
Salve Regina University*
100 Ochre Point Ave
Newport, RI 02840-4192
(401) 847-6650
http://www.salve.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