Master of Social Work

Online Master of Social Work

Make a Difference in Rural Communities

Eastern Oregon University’s online Master of Social Work (MSW) program is designed for compassionate, driven professionals who are ready to make an impactful difference in underserved rural communities. This advanced-generalist curriculum, accessible entirely online, provides you with a flexible learning experience tailored to balance with your professional and personal life.

Prepare for Trauma-Informed, Ethical Practice

Our MSW curriculum is grounded in social justice, inclusion, and human rights. You’ll explore the values and skills essential for rural social work, focusing on advocacy, anti-oppressive practices, and community support. With courses on diversity, equity, and trauma-informed care, our program equips you to become a solution-driven social worker prepared for a wide range of professional settings.

Curriculum Overview


62 Quarter Credits

The MSW program requires 62 credits, including core courses and electives designed for social work in rural settings.

Field Placement & Practicum Opportunities

Our program emphasizes hands-on experience, offering field placement and practicum opportunities that can often be completed in your current role or as paid placements. With electives in areas like addictions, human trafficking, rural social work, and healthcare, our curriculum addresses critical needs in social work today.

Highlighted Courses:

  • Ethics, Human Rights, and Social Justice
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Trauma-Informed Practice

Note: EOU’s MSW program aims for candidacy status with CSWE accreditation by June 2025, allowing future graduates to be recognized retroactively as graduates from an accredited program if accreditation is granted.

Career Outcomes


The demand for social workers is rising, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 7% growth through 2033, creating over 54,000 new job opportunities. With your MSW from EOU, you’ll be ready to step into advanced roles and lead initiatives that support diverse individuals, families, and communities.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
  • Promote social, racial, economic, and environmental justice
  • Apply anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in practice
  • Conduct research-informed practice and engage in policy advocacy
  • Assess and support individuals, groups, and communities with compassion

Flexible, Online Learning—Accessible from Anywhere

Our fully online format allows you to pursue your MSW without compromising on quality or accessibility. Whether you’re located in the heart of Oregon or remote across the country*, EOU’s online courses are here to fit your schedule.

How to get started


Contact Us!

EOU Admissions Office
Email: admissions@eou.edu
Phone: 800-452-8639

Social work education is accessible to you, and it will prepare you to become a professional social worker who can really make an impact. I want students to know that they are welcome, belong and have a community here.

Christine M. Saladino, Ph.D., LMSW (she/her/hers)
MSW Program Director
College of Education

*EOU’s Master of Master of Social Work degree does not meet the educational requirements for licensure in Florida, New Hampshire, and New York. For the 2025-2026 academic year, EOU’s MSW Program will not be admitting students from the following states that require full accreditation to be able to take the first level licensure exam: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The program will update the states from which we will accept student admissions as the program progresses through accreditation.