Latest 
Career Development Matt Sedlar
Recent Blog Posts
How to Network When You’re Not in Your 20s: Tips for Building Connections as a Nontraditional Student
Career Development Matt SedlarWhat Makes Herzing's MSW Program Unique
Jessica Dickenson Mar 18, 2025
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 67,300 openings are projected for social workers each year across various fields. Social workers are needed in many roles across numerous industries.
Child, family and school social workers are needed on the frontlines to help prevent child abuse and identify alternative homes for children. Healthcare social workers are needed to help the aging population and aid the transition of new treatments, medications and lifestyles for patients and their families. Mental health and substance abuse social workers will see the greatest demand at a 12% growth between 2023-2033. These social workers are needed as more people seek mental health treatment.
Herzing University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) exists to help reach the rising demand. Our curriculum is designed to prepare you to become a culturally informed clinical practitioner through both academic coursework and practical application. The program emphasizes lifelong learning, professional development, service, networking, and adherence to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. However, Herzing doesn’t just provide communities with social workers, but individuals who are dedicated, passionate and competent to meet the challenges that come their way.
Flexible Online Learning
The MSW program provides the flexibility for students to learn from the comfort of their homes. At Herzing, all didactic, lecture-style courses are delivered asynchronously online, hands-on clinical field practicums totaling 900 field practicum hours.
Not everyone can attend school full-time exclusively. We work hard to help you maintain a school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students. In addition to online courses, you can take some classes during the day or evening. Whether you are a parent, caretaker or work full-time, Herzing enables you to learn on your schedule.
Besides classes, Herzing provides access to extensive virtual services. including academic advising, 24/7 tutoring with Knack, support services, technical support and library services.
Extensive Field Education
Field education at Herzing is designed to bridge classroom curriculum to professional social work practice for students to become clinically competent, culturally informed, competent professional social workers.
The Herzing MSW program field experience breaks down:
- Generalist Practicum: Students in the traditional program will spend approximately 12.5 hours each week in supervised practice during their generalist field placement. This will total the required 400 hours of generalist field experience over two semesters. For most students, this will be completed in one organization over sixteen weeks per semester for two semesters. MSW field placements have a generalist focus that allows students to gain knowledge, values and skill experience at all levels of intervention.
- Specialized Practicum: Advanced standing and second-year students complete specialized practicum training and concurrent seminar courses. Students choose their field placement focusing on three potential areas of practice: mental health, medical social work, and children, families and aging services. This will total the required 500 hours of specialist field experience over two semesters. Students complete learning plans with their field instructors and submit weekly communication forms to support successful learning and engagement of theories and concepts and the nine competencies required by CSWE.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) considers your required field education courses and corequisite seminar courses to be part of the ‘signature pedagogy’ in social work education. This is what distinguishes social work from other behavioral health degrees.
Experienced Faculty
It is one thing to have a good curriculum, but it is another thing to have experienced faculty to back it up. The Herzing faculty are practicing Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) with extensive clinical experience. They provide students with a wealth of real-world knowledge that goes beyond theoretical concepts. This hands-on experience allows faculty to offer practical, relevant examples, helping students connect classroom learning to actual situations they will encounter in their careers.
By sharing their professional journeys, challenges and successes, these faculty members also serve as mentors, inspiring students to apply their education with confidence and compassion in real-world settings. Moreover, the faculty's ability to offer personalized guidance based on years of direct practice allows students to gain a unique perspective on ethical dilemmas, decision-making and client-centered approaches, which are essential skills in the profession.
Advanced Standing Option
While the MSW doesn’t require any previous social work experience, individuals with a Bachelor of Social Work degree can opt for the Advanced Standing MSW. You can complete your degree in as few as 12 months. With transfer credit, stackable credentials and adaptive learning technology, you can build a faster pathway to your MSW. The CSWE-aligned program curriculum provides students with advanced knowledge and skills in clinical social work, social justice and advocacy, psychosocial assessment and more.
Current, Passionate and Ready to Help
Herzing’s MSW program was one of ten social work programs in the United States selected to participate in CSWE’s Substance Use Disorders Education and Leadership (SUDEALS) Program. The program develops a cohort of social workers specializing in substance use disorders by engaging MSW students, together with practice, research and policy. Throughout the program, the selected schools will implement CSWE’s CSWE Practitioner Education in Substance Use and Misuse: Competency-Based Resources Guide(Opens in a new window) in field placements or seminars.
Herzing also offers the Students for Social Work Association (SSWA). This student-led organization is open to all students who have an interest in social work. You can network, get involved, and make new connections in the field.
At Herzing University, we are committed to shaping the next generation of social workers who are not only well-versed in the academic foundations of their field but are also equipped with the practical skills needed to address the complex issues facing individuals and communities today. Through flexible learning options, extensive field education and the guidance of experienced faculty, students are provided with the tools they need to succeed in their careers. Whether pursuing a generalist approach or specializing in areas like mental health or healthcare, Herzing’s MSW program helps students become dedicated, culturally informed professionals ready to make a meaningful impact in social work.
Learn More About Our MSW Program
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Get the latest news you need to know, from study hacks to interview tips to career advancement. Have it delivered right to your inbox biweekly.