Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)

At Merrimack College, tuition is *750/credit tuition rate effective for the Fall 2026 start term..

Merrimack's Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) is a two-year graduate degree rooted in Augustinian values and social justice. It is an advanced generalist program emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing students to promote human and community well-being. Students integrate social work knowledge, values, and skills to practice in a culturally responsive manner and can tailor their education with electives in specific practice areas.

Focus areas include Clinical Practice with individuals, families, groups & organizations, Substance Use Disorders and behavioral addictions practice, Macro Social Work Practice, Community Engagement, School Social Work, Criminology and criminal justice.

The program requires 60 credits for full-time students or 36 credits for those with advanced standing, integrating coursework with a minimum of 900 hours of hands-on field experience.

Graduates are prepared for roles such as social worker, mental health case manager, child welfare specialist, school social worker, substance abuse counselor, and community organizer.

Applicants need a bachelor's degree in any field; a BSW or social science degree is not required. A completed application includes official transcripts, a resumé, an interview or personal statement, and two letters of recommendation. There is no application fee or GRE requirement.

The programme totals about 60 credit hours. Delivery is available online or on-campus, with full-time study typically taking 2 years and part-time study also available. Evening classes are offered. For international students, tuition is well above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 74% of applicants.

Health sciences learning, research and wellness come together at Merrimack through CHAMP, a hub for academics, research and community wellness. The College offers more than 130 undergraduate majors, minors, master’s degrees and specialized certificate programs. Students can follow a traditional academic route, combine majors, accelerate their studies or pursue dual-degree options. Programs span areas including education, English, sports management, marketing and entrepreneurship, creative arts, design and architecture, government, humanities and health sciences.

Practical preparation is central to the Merrimack experience. Students can take part in co-ops, internships, faculty-led travel and other real-world opportunities. Guaranteed co-ops are part of bachelor’s degrees in humanities, government, and creative arts and design. Graduate students can study online courses, pursue fellowships and work as teaching assistants. Recent academic activity includes songwriting and music production courses, education studies and research connected with wellness.

The campus community is home to the Merrimack Warriors and Division I athletics, with school spirit forming part of everyday campus life. Merrimack is located in North Andover, Massachusetts, and its wider setting includes nearby Andover, where Merrimack on Main is becoming a home for creative arts, design and architecture in a historic building. International students can consider undergraduate, graduate, professional and continuing studies pathways, as well as faculty-led international experiences such as travel to Ireland and Northern Ireland.