Looking to start or advance your career as a social worker in a state home to some of the most prestigious universities in the nation? Then these rankings of the best MSW programs in Connecticut is the perfect place to start!
While there are surprisingly few Master in Social Work degree programs to choose from in this state, picking the right one can still be overwhelming. So, to help you select the right school, we compiled data on every available program.
In fact, in this article we cover all the key information you need to know about all of the top MSW programs in Connecticut. This includes exam pass rates, degree pathways, admission requirements, tuition, and more.
So, keep reading to discover if one of these programs may be the right fit for you.
Table of Contents
- What Is The Best MSW Program in Connecticut?
- 4 Best MSW Programs in Connecticut Ranked
- Is An MSW Program In Connecticut Right For You?
- Connecticut MSW Programs FAQs
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What Is The Best MSW Program in Connecticut?
Based on our ranking criteria, the best MSW program in Connecticut is Southern Connecticut State University. Of the 101 graduates who took the ASWB Master’s Exam in 2022, 69 of them passed, giving this school a pass rate of 68.3%.
Meanwhile, this school boasts a 60.5% pass rate on the Clinical Exam. Of the 81 students who took the test, 49 of them passed.
However, just because Southern Connecticut State University topped our rankings doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best fit for you. For example, while Southern Connecticut State achieved a higher exam pass rate, UCONN offers a lot more degree pathways.
Ultimately, the program that’s right for you will depend on your own personal circumstances and goals. That’s why we collected all the background info in the next section–so you can learn about the unique offerings of all the top MSW programs in Connecticut.
4 Best MSW Programs in Connecticut Ranked
To rank the best MSW programs in Connecticut, 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.
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 Connecticut, keep reading after the table.
Note: Western Connecticut State University had the highest pass rate on the ASWB Master’s Exam at 100%, with one graduate taking and passing the test. However, the school only offers a BSW degree. This likely indicates that the graduate from this school who passed the exam earned their BSW from this school, and then went on to earn their MSW from a different school. Therefore, we have not included Western Connecticut State in our rankings after the table.
| School | Masters Exam Pass Rate | Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| 1. Western Connecticut State University | 100.0% | N/A |
| 2. Southern Connecticut State University | 68.3% | 60.5% |
| 3. University of Connecticut | 63.0% | 60.0% |
| 4. Sacred Heart University | 58.5% | 72.7% |
| 5. Quinnipiac University | 51.7% | 74.2% |
| 6. University of Saint Joseph | 36.1% | 68.4% |
| 7. Central Connecticut State University | 0.0% | N/A |
1. Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University offers two different MSW concentrations: Clinical Practice and Community Practice.
The Clinical Practice concentration prepares you to “promote the health, development, recovery, and community integration” of individuals. Meanwhile, the Community Practice concentration prepares you to “promote the personal and social development of people in their communities”.
Additionally, the school offers both MSW degree tracks in multiple learning formats, including on-campus, hybrid, and online.
Furthermore, both concentrations require a total of 60 credits to complete, typically taking four 15-credit semesters to finish. However, Advanced Standing students can earn their degree with a total of only 33 credits.
We should also note that Southern Connecticut University offers a dual MSW degree, where you can pair either concentration with a degree in Women’s and Gender Studies.
Finally, to gain entry into this program, you must meet the following admission requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum 3.0 GPA; however, they will consider a GPA of between 2.5 and 3.0 for conditional acceptance
- Human services experience is preferred
- Three letters of recommendation; Advanced Standing students must submit at least one reference from a BSW faculty advisor or field seminar instructor
- Submission of resume and personal statement
- For Advanced Standing students, submission of field evaluation
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $4,358 per semester | $11,223 per semester | 68.3% | 60.5% |
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2. University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut is second in our rankings of the best MSW programs in Connecticut with an ASWB pass rate of 63.0%. Of the 173 graduates who took the exam in 2022, 109 of them passed.
Meanwhile, 99 out of 165 graduates taking the Clinical Exam pass, giving them a pass rate of 60.0%.
This school offers a wide array of different track and learning formats, including:
- Full-time, Two-Year track
- Part-Time, Three-Year track
- Part-Time, Four-Year track
- Part-Time, Cohort-Based, Three-Year track
- Advanced Standing 10-Month, Full-Time track
- Advanced Standing 18-Month, Part-Time track
- Online Three-Year, Part-Time track
Additionally, this school provides a concentration-based curriculum, meaning you can choose a concentration in one of the following three areas:
- Individuals, Groups, and Families
- Community Organizing
- Policy Practice
You can also opt to focus on a particular issue in social work through the school’s Focused Areas of Study Option. This allows you to use your elective credits to complement your concentration, focusing on topics such as:
- Health and Wellness through the Lifespan
- International Issues in Social Work
- Intersectionality, Human Agency, and Social Justice
- Urban Issues in Social Work
- Violence Prevention in Families and Communities
Furthermore, we should note that University of Connecticut also offers special tuition assistance programs, in addition to dual and joint degrees, including:
- School Social Work Program
- Connecticut ¡Adelante! (aimed at increasing the number of bilingual social workers)
- Department of Children and Families (DCF) Cohort Program
- Scholars in Aging Program
- Public Health (MPH) Dual Degree
- Juris Doctor (JD) Dual Degree
- Public Administration (MPA) Joint Degree
- Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Joint Degree
Finally, to gain admission to the MSW program at UCONN, you must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree with Liberal Arts foundation; Advanced Standing student must have earned their BSW in the last six years
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for all undergraduate coursework; 3.5 GPA is preferred for Advanced Standing students
- Submission of resume and personal statement (and Advanced Standing essay, if applicable)
- Two letters of recommendation for standard track students, or three for Advanced Standing students
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $9,756 per semester (full-time); $1,084 per credit (part-time, less than nine credits per semester); $880 per credit (online program) | $20,712 per semester (full-time); $2,302 per credit (part-time, less than nine credits per semester) | 63.0% | 60.0% |
3. Sacred Heart University
Number three in our rankings of the top MSW programs in Connecticut is Sacred Heart University. Graduates from this school attained a 58.5% pass rate on the ASWB Master’s Exam, with 86 out of 147 passing.
Meanwhile, eight of the 11 graduates who took the Clinical Exam passed, giving this school a pass rate of 72.7%.
This school also offers multiple pathways to earn your Master in Social Work degree, including:
- Traditional Full-Time track: Requires 60 credits and two years to complete; classes meet for one full day during the week
- Traditional Part-Time track: Requires 60 credits and three years to complete; classes meet on campus on alternating Saturdays, with supplemental online coursework
- Advanced Standing Full-Time track: Requires 30 credits and one year to complete; classes meet all day on Thursdays
- Online track: Advanced Standing and Part-Time students can also opt to earn their degree through 100% online coursework
- Accelerated 3+2 Bachelor’s to Master’s track: Complete four years of undergraduate coursework and enter the Advanced Standing program to earn a Bachelor’s in Health Science and MSW within five years
- Accelerated 4+1 Bachelor’s to Master’s track: Complete four years of undergraduate coursework and enter the Advanced Standing program to earn your BSW and MSW
- 4+2 Bachelor’s to Master’s track: Complete the traditional BSW program and enter the traditional MSW program to earn both degrees in six years
Additionally, Sacred Heart University allows you to choose from one of two specializations: Direct Clinical Practice or Direct Community Practice.
The Clinical Practice specialization “focuses on practice with individuals, couples, families, and small groups.” Meanwhile, the Community Practice specialization “focuses on practice with micro to macro client and constituent systems, including large groups, organizations, communities, and governments.”
To gain entry into this Connecticut MSW program, you must meet the following admission requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree; Advanced Standing students must have earned their BSW in the last six years
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all undergraduate coursework; Advanced Standing students must achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA in all social work courses and with a grade of B or better in each course
- Two letters of recommendation
- Submission of resume and admission essay
- Advanced Standing students must submit field evaluation forms from all field placements
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $840 per credit, plus $350 placement fees for several field work courses; You’ll generally take 15 credits per semester, which equates to about $12,600 per semester | N/A (Private University) | 58.5% | 72.7% |
4. Quinnipiac University
The final school in our rankings of the best MSW programs in Connecticut is Quinnipiac University. Graduates from this school achieved a 51.7% pass rate on the ASWB Master’s Exam, with 15 out of 29 passing.
Meanwhile, 23 out of 31 graduates taking the Clinical Exam passed, giving this school a 74.2% pass rate.
Quinnipiac University offers several pathways to earn your Master of Social Work degree, all of which are conducted on-campus, including:
- Two-Year, Full-Time track: 15 credits per semester for four semester for a total of 60 completed credits
- Three-Year Extended track: 6 credits for the first two semesters, 9 credits for the second two semesters, and 15 credits for the last two semester for a total of 60 completed credits
- One-Year, Full-Time Advanced Standing track: Two 15-credit semesters for a total of 30 completed credits
- Two-Year, Part-Time Advanced Standing track: 6 credits for the first two semesters, and 9 credits for the second two semester for a total of 30 completed credits
Additionally, we should note that this school offers one dual degree option: a Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work (JS/MSW).
Finally, to gain entry into Quinnipiac University’s MSW program, you must meet the following admission requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree
- Attain a minimum 3.0 GPA in undergraduate coursework; Advanced Standing students must earn a grade of B or better in all BSW coursework
- Complete at least 20 semester credits in liberal arts
- Submission of resume and autobiographical statement
- Two letters of recommendation; Advanced Standing students must submit one recommendation letter from a BSW program director or professor, and one from a BSW field supervisor
- Advanced Standing students must submit their BSW field evaluation
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $12,465 per semester (Two-Year Full-Time and One-Year Advanced Standing tracks); $7,935 to $10,200 (Three-Year Extended track); $4,945 to $7,935 per semester (Two-Year Advanced Standing) | N/A (Private University) | 51.7% | 74.2% |
Is An MSW Program In Connecticut Right For You?
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While there aren’t that many MSW programs in Connecticut to choose from, any of the ones we listed above could make a good option.
Some programs, like UCONN, stand out for their vast array of different degree tracks and specializations. Meanwhile, schools like Sacred Heart, shine in their ability to let you easily transition from undergraduate into graduate coursework.
Ultimately, the one that’s right for you will depend on your own unique goals and circumstances.
However, keep in mind that you’re not limited to MSW programs in Connecticut. In fact, you may want to explore onlline degree options, which are typically more flexible and affordable than traditional degrees.
To find an MSW degree program suited to your needs, fill out this form and we’ll help you get started!
Connecticut MSW Programs FAQs
How Much Is The UCONN MSW Program?
The cost of the MSW program at UCONN can vary based on the format you select.
For example, the online program costs $880 per credit. Meanwhile, you can expect full-time enrollment to cost you $9,756 per semester. Or, if you enroll part-time, which is nine or less credits per semester, you’ll pay $1,084 per credit.
