Looking to start or advance your career as a social worker in The Tar Heel State? Then these rankings of the best MSW programs in North Carolina is the perfect place to start.
Impressively, five different schools achieved a 90% or better pass rate on the ASWB Master’s Exam. With that many high-performing programs, choosing the right one may seem a little daunting.
Fortunately, we collected data on every Master of Social Work degree program in the state to make narrowing down your options a little easier.
In this article, we researched all the key information you need to know about the top MSW programs in North Carolina. This includes exam pass rates, degree pathways, admission requirements, tuition, and more.
So, to discover if one of these programs may be the perfect fit for you, keep reading.
Table of Contents
- What Is The Best MSW Program In North Carolina?
- 5 Best MSW Programs In North Carolina Ranked
- Is An MSW Program In North Carolina Right For You?
- North Carolina MSW Programs FAQs
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What Is The Best MSW Program In North Carolina?
The best MSW program in North Carolina is Appalachian State University based on our ranking criteria. While only one graduate took the ASWB Master’s Exam in 2022, they passed, giving this school a 100% pass rate.
Appalachian State also boasts an impressive Clinical Exam pass rate at 75%. Of the 20 graduates who took the test, 15 of them passed.
However, just because this school topped our rankings doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the perfect fit for you.
For example, while App State offers an online track for Advanced Standing students, they only offer on-campus pathways for Regular Standing students. Meanwhile, schools like East Carolina State University offer an online track for both Regular and Advanced Standing students.
Therefore, if you’re hoping to enter an online Regular Standing MSW program in NC, East Carolina may make the better option in this case.
Ultimately, choosing the right MSW program depends on your own personal preferences and goals. So, to learn about your options and what makes each school stand out, keep reading.
5 Best MSW Programs In North Carolina Ranked
To rank the best MSW programs in North Carolina, we used official exam pass rate data from the Association of Social Work Boards. This way we were able to rank each school using an objective metric.
Since you’ll need to pass the Master’s Exam in order to become a Licensed Master of Social Work, these pass rates are a good measure of how well each school prepares you for social work practice.
Additionally, since multiple schools achieved a 100% pass rate on the Master’s Exam, we broke the tie by based on which school had the higher Clinical Exam pass rate.
The table below ranks every MSW program from the highest ASWB Master’s Exam pass rate to the lowest. To learn more about the top MSW programs in North Carolina, keep reading after the table.
| School | Masters Exam Pass Rate | Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| Appalachian State University | 100.0% | 75.0% |
| Western Carolina University | 100.0% | 66.7% |
| East Carolina University | 100.0% | 37.0% |
| University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill | 93.3% | 91.9% |
| University of North Carolina – Charlotte | 90.9% | 46.4% |
| University of North Carolina – Wilmington | 75.0% | 66.7% |
| North Carolina A&T State University | 50.0% | 16.7% |
| Johnson C. Smith University | 40.0% | 16.7% |
| University of North Carolina – Pembroke | 33.3% | 23.1% |
| North Carolina State University | 25.0% | 64.0% |
| Fayetteville State University | 25.0% | 38.9% |
| North Carolina Central University | 20.0% | 16.0% |
| University of North Carolina – Greensboro | 0.0% | 55.6% |
| Elizabeth City State University (BSW only) | N/A | 0.0% |
1. Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University offers several pathways through which you can earn your MSW degree, including:
- One-Year, Full-Time Advanced Standing
- Two-Year, Part-Time Advanced Standing
- Two-Year, Full-Time Regular Standing
- Four-Year, Part-Time Regular Standing
While the Regular Standing track is only available on-campus, the Advanced Standing track is available both on-campus and online.
Additionally, you can opt to pursue one of two concentrations: Community and Organizations Practice or Individuals and Families.
The Community and Organizations Practice concentration focuses on social problems and change “at the community, organizational, and societal levels”. Meanwhile, the Individuals and Families concentration prepares you for “agency-based practice with diverse children, adolescents, adults and families”.
To gain entry into the MSW program at App State, you must meet the following admission requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree with a strong liberal arts background
- Submission of GRE scores
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in coursework for your last earned degree, or minimum 2.5 GPA if your GRE scores are in the top 25th percentile
- Advanced Standing students must attain a 3.2 GPA in all undergraduate social work courses
- Three letters of recommendation, with at least one academic reference and one human service experience reference
- Submission of personal statement
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $2,965 per semester (part-time); $319 per credit hour (online track); Full-time tuition not explicitly listed | $8,524 per semester (part-time); Online and full-time tuition not explicitly listed | 100.0% | 75.0% |
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2. Western Carolina University
Second in our rankings of the best MSW programs in North Carolina is Western Carolina University. Of the four graduates who took the ASWB Master’s Exam in 2022, all of them passed, giving this school an impressive 100% pass rate.
Meanwhile, 10 out of 15 graduates taking the Clinical Exam passed, equating to a 66.7% pass rate.
Western Carolina University offers several Master in Social Work degree pathways, including:
- 10-Month, Full-Time Advanced Standing
- Two-Year, Part-Time Advanced Standing
- Two-Year, Full-Time Regular Standing
- Four-Year, Part-Time Regular Standing
Most classes occur in an on-campus format at WCU’s main campus in Cullowhee and Biltmore Park Instructional Site in south Asheville. However, some classes are delivered online or in a hybrid format.
Additionally, students can opt to pursue a range of supplemental certificates and focus areas, such as:
- Addiction Studies Certificate
- Child Welfare Education Collaborative (CWEC)
- Culturally-Based Native Health Certificate
- Integrated Care Focus Area (students may be eligible for a $10,000 stipend when pursuing this focus area)
- School Social Work Certificate
Finally, to gain admission into the MSW program at WCU, you must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree with a strong liberal arts background; Advanced Standing students must have earned their BSW in the last five years
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework, or a minimum 2.85 cumulative GPA
- Three letters of recommendation, of which at least one should be an academic reference
- At least some human services experience is preferred
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $5,630.40 per semester (full-time students taking 9 or more credits); $406.15 per credit hour (part-time students taking between one and eight credits) | $10,989.90 per semester (full-time students taking 9 or more credits); $1,001.65 per credit hour (part-time students taking between one and eight credits) | 100.0% | 66.7% |
3. East Carolina University
East Carolina University is the next best MSW program in North Carolina, and the last school in our rankings to achieve a 100% ASWB Master’s Exam pass rate. Of the three students who took the test in 2022, all of them passed.
Meanwhile, graduates attained a 37.0% pass rate on the Clinical Exam, with 10 out of 27 passing.
There are several different tracks you can pursue to earn you MSW degree at ECU, including:
- One-Year, Full-Time, On-Campus Advanced Standing
- Two-Year, Full-Time, On-Campus Regular Standing
- Three-Year, Part-Time, 100% Online Advanced Standing
- Three-Year, Part-Time, 100% Online Regular Standing
As you may have noticed, the full-time pathways are only available in an on-campus format, while part-time pathways are only available in 100% online format.
The online tracks consist of synchronous courses on Saturdays, and asynchronous courses you can complete when you want. Meanwhile, on-campus classes are delivered at the school’s campus in Greenville, NC.
Finally, to gain admission into the MSW program East Carolina University, you must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree; Advanced Standing students must have earned their BSW in the last seven years
- Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in all undergraduate coursework
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in last 30 semester hours of undergraduate coursework
- Complete undergraduate coursework with a C grade or better in natural sciences; social sciences; humanities; and mathematics
- Three references
- Submission of resume and response to essay question
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| Not explicitly listed | Not explicitly listed, though it will be higher than the resident tuition | 100.0% | 37.0% |
4. University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)
Number four in our rankings of the top MSW programs in North Carolina is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Of the 15 students who took the ASWB Master’s Exam in 2022, 14 of them passed, equalling a pass rate of 93.3%
UNC Chapel Hill also achieved the highest Clinical pass rate in the state, with an impressive 91.9%. 34 out of the 37 graduates who took the test passed, indicating this is a great option if you hope to become an LCSW.
While there’s no part-time Advanced Standing option at this school, there are several degree pathways to choose from:
- One-Year, Full-Time Advanced Standing
- Two-Year, Full-Time Regular Standing
- Three-Year, Part-Time Regular Standing (students in this track may be able to use their current social work employment as a field placement)
- 100% Online Regular Standing (there is no online advanced standing option)
Additionally, you’ll choose from one of two concentrations: Direct Practice (DP) or Community, Management, and Policy Practice (CMPP).
The Direct Practice concentration prepares students to work with individuals, families, and groups in face-to-face settings. Meanwhile, the CMPP concentration prepares students for leadership careers in community organizing, administration, policy development, and advocacy.
Finally, to gain entry into the MSW program at UNC Chapel Hill, you must meet the following admission requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree encompassing knowledge from a broad range of disciplines
- Advanced Standing students must attain an average GPA of B or higher in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework and all required undergraduate social work courses
- Advanced Standing students must complete a minimum of 400 direct service placement hours with a grade of B or better
- Submission of current resume and four- to five-page statement of purpose
- Three letters of recommendation; at least one letter must be from a member of your BSW faculty for Advanced Standing students
- Social work-related coursework and experience is preferred, but not mandatory
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $811.23 per credit hour (part-time students taking less than 9 credits); $7,301 per semester (full-time students taking 9 or more credits) | $1,841.35 per credit hour (part-time students taking less than 9 credits); $16,572.00 per semester (full-time students taking 9 or more credits) | 93.3% | 91.9% |
5. University of North Carolina (Charlotte)
The fifth and final school in our rankings of the best MSW programs in North Carolina is University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Of the 11 graduates who took the ASWB Master’s Exam in 2022, 10 of them passed, equaling a 90.0% pass rate.
Meanwhile, their results on the Clinical Exam weren’t quite as impressive, with a 46.4% pass rate. 13 out of 28 graduates who took the test passed.
This school provides four different tracks for earning your MSW degree, including:
- One-Year, Full-Time, On-Campus Advanced Standing: Classes primarily meet on-campus during the daytime, with occasional hybrid or online courses. Courses begin in the Summer semester and consists of three total semesters (Summer, Fall, Spring)
- Two-Year, Full-Time, On-Campus Regular Standing: Classes primarily meet on-campus during the daytime, with occasional hybrid or online courses. Courses begin in the Fall semester and consists of four total semester (Fall, Spring; no Summers)
- Two-Year, Part-Time, Distance Education Advanced Standing: Consists of both synchronous (weeknights and Saturdays) and asynchronous online courses. Begins in the Summer and requires the completion of six total semesters (Summer, Fall, Spring)
- Three-Year, Part-Time, Distance Education Regular Standing: Consists of both synchronous (weeknights and Saturdays) and asynchronous online courses. Begins in the Summer and requires the completion of nine total semesters (Summer, Fall, Spring)
As you may have noticed above, the full-time tracks are only available on-campus, while the part-time tracks are only available through distance/online learning.
We should also note that you may be able to pursue School Social Work licensure, as well as the Child Welfare Education Collaborative, at UNC Charlotte.
Finally, to gain admission into this MSW degree program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree; Advanced Standing students must have earned their BSW in the last seven years
- Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in undergraduate coursework; post-baccalaureate grades are also taken into consideration
- Three recommendations
- Submission or resume and statement of purpose
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $248.17 per credit hour (part-time students taking less than 9 credits); $2,233.50 per semester (full-time students taking 9 or more credits) | $1,057.56 per credit hour (part-time students taking less than 9 credits); $9,518.00 per semester (full-time students taking 9 or more credits) | 90.9% | 46.4% |
Is An MSW Program In North Carolina Right For You?
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With the top five MSW programs in North Carolina boasting a 90-plus percent ASWB Master’s Exam pass rate, there’s no shortage of prestigious schools to choose from in this state.
However, the right choice for you depends on your own personal interests, goals, and preferences. While some programs offer a more diverse array of on-campus, hybrid, and online options, others provide a wider range of focus areas and supplemental certificates.
Of course, if none of the MSW programs in this article quite piqued our interest, you’re not limited to schools based in North Carolina. In fact, you may want to explore other online degree options, which are typically more flexible and affordable.
So, to explore MSW programs suited to your needs and preferences, fill out this form and we’ll help you get started!
North Carolina MSW Programs FAQs
How Much Does An MSW Get Paid In North Carolina?
The average annual salary for an MSW in North Carolina is $69,156 per year. However, salaries typically range from $56,883 to $82,982 per year.
Does UNC Have An Online MSW Program?
The University of North Carolina does have an online MSW program. However, it’s worth noting that the online program is for Regular Standing students only.
Advanced Standing students can either enroll in the school’s on-campus program, or choose a different school offering an online Advanced Standing degree.
Does NC State Have A Good MSW Program?
Based on our ranking criteria, NC State ranks number 10 out of 13 for the best MSW programs in North Carolina. Graduates from this school obtained a 25% pass rate on the ASWB Master’s Exam, with two out of eight passing the test.
However, the school performed better on the Clinical Exam, boasting a 64.0% pass rate. Of the 25 graduates who took the exam, 16 of them passed.
This is the fifth best Clinical Exam pass rate in the state, indicating it could be a good program for those interested in becoming a LCSW.
Does UNC Charlotte Have An MSW Program?
UNC Charlotte does have an MSW program, and ranks as our fifth best MSW program in North Carolina. Graduates from this school achieved a 90.9% pass rate on the ASWB Master’s Exam, with 10 out of 11 passing.
Does UNC Chapel Hill Have An MSW Program?
UNC Chapel Hill does have an MSW program, and ranks as our fourth best MSW program in North Carolina. Graduates from this school attained a 93.3% pass rate on the ASWB Master’s Exam, with 14 out of 15 passing.
This school also boasts an impressive Clinical Exam pass rate at 91.9%, the highest of all the top MSW programs in NC. Of the 37 UNC Chapel Hill graduates who took the test, 34 of them passed.
