Oklahoma – Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Explore and compare a list of accredited schools to enroll in your next program.
Discover online social work degrees in Oklahoma. This guide explores the importance of choosing an accredited program, different online learning options, job growth projections, and the potential salaries after graduation.
Popular Online MSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Online Master’s in Social Work (MSW) Programs in Oklahoma
- University of Oklahoma
- Areas of Practice: Advanced Generalist
- Dual Degree Options: Public Administration, Public Health
- Enrollment Options: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year, Weekends/Evening
Accreditation for Online Social Work Programs in Oklahoma
When applying to online social work programs in Oklahoma, it’s important to select those accredited by the Council for Social Work Education (CSWE). The CSWE evaluates social work programs to ensure that the curriculum meets national standards for academic quality and industry practice.
CSWE accreditation ensures that the program teaches the competencies needed to provide safe and ethical social work services. This is why most state licensure boards require social workers to have graduated from a CSWE-accredited program.
Institutional accreditation applies more broadly to colleges and universities. Top Oklahoma schools hold accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.
Benefits of Studying Social Work Online in Oklahoma
Earning your social work degree online allows you to access programs across the U.S. and enjoy potential cost savings. Online programs also offer a flexible schedule, allowing you to work and maintain other responsibilities while earning a degree.
Distance learners graduate with the same accredited degree as on-campus students and often take courses taught by the same instructors. Online learning also connects you with students from around the country, which can facilitate networking opportunities.
Online social degree programs in Oklahoma offer cost savings through discounted tuition and financial aid resources. Distance learners may also save money by not having to commute to campus or pay for parking. Online students can also keep working and earn their usual salaries.
Course Formats in Online Social Work Degrees
Distance learning can be offered 100% online or in a hybrid format: a blend of in-person and online classes. Online courses also have different delivery modes.
- 100% Online: Fully online programs offer coursework via streaming platforms or recorded lectures. You might attend online class sessions at specific times each week or watch prerecorded course content at your convenience. Some online programs feature both types of course delivery.
- Hybrid: Hybrid study takes place both online and in person. You typically take some classes online and travel to campus or a satellite location for other classes. Hybrid programs may schedule in-person classes in the evening or on weekends to accommodate work schedules.
- Asynchronous: This type of course delivery requires you to access pre-recorded lessons and complete assignments when convenient during the week. Asynchronous programs typically have assignment deadlines. Communication with professors and fellow students takes place over message boards or email.
- Synchronous: Synchronous courses require you to log in to a virtual classroom at set times. This online format allows you to interact virtually with classmates and instructors in real-time.
Online study typically offers more flexibility than on-campus programs, although earning a master’s in social work (MSW) requires in-person practicums and internships. Many online social work programs allow students to complete their field requirements in their local community. Depending on the program, you also need to visit campus for orientation or intensives.
Oklahoma Social Worker Career and Salary Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), annual salaries for most Oklahoma social work occupations fall below national averages. Yet, the state also has the second lowest cost of living in the U.S.
However, social workers under the BLS category “social workers, all other” earn average annual wages of $91,090, which exceeds the national average of $68,800. “All other” social workers often include forensic, trauma, and rehabilitation social workers.
Earning a more advanced Oklahoma social work license may lead to more career opportunities and higher salaries, particularly in clinical and administrative social work. In addition, employment opportunity data from Projections Central shows positive job growth for Oklahoma social workers from 2022 to 2032.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Projected Job Growth (2022-32) |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $43,610 | 4.9% |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $55,130 | 8.7% |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $40,230 | 8.3% |
| Social Workers, All Other | $91,090 | 4.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions About Oklahoma Social Work
Does Oklahoma require social workers to be licensed?
Yes, you need to earn a license to practice social work in Oklahoma. Oklahoma offers entry-level, mid-level, and advanced social work licenses, including options for bachelor’s and master’s degree holders.
How much do social workers make in Oklahoma?
Many social workers in Oklahoma earn salaries on the lower end of the national social worker salary range – between $40,610 and $43,610 — according to the BLS. However, social workers in the “all other” designation, including fields like forensic social work, earn a much higher average salary of $91,090.
Are Oklahoma’s online MSW programs respected?
Oklahoma’s online social work degrees are often accredited by CSWE and are well respected. Online programs require the same courses and fieldwork as in-person programs, preparing graduates for both licensure exams and employment.
Are social workers in demand in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma social workers should see positive demand between 2022 and 2032. Healthcare social workers, substance use social workers, and mental health social workers in Oklahoma are projected to grow 8% in that timeframe, much faster than average.
