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The Master of Social Work (MSW) is a type of master's degree in the field of social work which is received from a graduate school that has been approved by the Council on Social Work Education. The MSW requires two years of post graduate study, in combination with one year's internship, also called field experience. While some people get a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) before pursuing a Master's, most MSW programs accept applicants with undergraduate degrees in a broad range of liberal arts degrees.

Most MSW programs allow students to choose a clinical track, which focuses on direct practice with clients, and a community practice track, with a focus on political advocacy, community organizing, policy analysis and/or human services management. While the clinical track tends to be more popular, there has been a resurgence in community practice concentrations recently. There are also opportunities at many universities to get joint degrees, such as an MSW and a Public Affairs degree, MSW and Public Health, or MSW and Law.

Though Master of Social Work is by far the most common degree title used by graduate social work schools in the United States, it is not universal. For example, Columbia University School of Social Work offers an M.S. degree in social work, and the School of Social Service Administration of the University of Chicago confers an A.M. degree.

• Bachelor of Social Work
• Doctor of Social Work

The MSW is considered a terminal degree in the field of clinical social work. The DSW (Doctorate of Social Work) or Ph.D in social work are the final degrees offered in the field of social work. The DSW is considered the professional doctoral degree while the Ph.D in social work is often viewed as the research or academic doctoral degree. The MSW practice scope has broadened in recent years to include the specialty practice areas of geriatrics and veterinary social work.

• Council on Social Work Education