Arizona · MSW programs by city

Best MSW Programs near Mesa, AZ (2026)

Last updated June 12, 2026

Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS

Mesa, Arizona (population 511,648) has no MSW campus within city limits , with 2 more accredited programs within about 60 miles. 3 Arizona programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Arizona licensure.

Best MSW programs in Mesa, AZ

No CSWE-accredited MSW program currently lists a campus inside Mesa, AZ. See the nearby and online options below.

Best MSW programs near Mesa, AZ

Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Mesa, AZ, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.

#1 Phoenix · ~25 mi National #4 Online #4

Arizona State University

Phoenix, AZ, AZ · CSWE-accredited since 1965 · Online or On-Campus

9.8

5 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online option Carnegie R1
Why it ranks here

Arizona State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1965, 61 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Phoenix, AZ; Tucson, AZ; Glendale, AZ; and more). It records 5 concentrations (Advanced Generalist; Clinical or Direct Practice; Community Development and Social Systems; and more). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 3 dual-degree options and 3 embedded certificates. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.

Concentrations

Advanced Generalist, Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems, Management or Administration, Social Policy

Program website CSWE directory
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 9.3
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 10.0
- Delivery format (18%) 10.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
#2 Phoenix · ~25 mi

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ, AZ · CSWE-accredited since 2019 · Online or On-Campus

4.8

1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online option
Why it ranks here

Grand Canyon University has held CSWE accreditation since 2019, 7 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Phoenix, AZ). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. The program runs on a full-time plan of study.

Concentrations

Advanced Generalist

Program website CSWE directory
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 2.8
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 6.0

Online MSW programs available in Mesa, AZ

Arizona-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Mesa, AZ residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.

Institution	Accredited	Adv. Standing	Natl.
Arizona State University	1965	Yes	#4
Northern Arizona University	2018	Yes	#329
Grand Canyon University	2019	Yes	#334

How much do social workers make in Mesa, AZ in 2026?

Mesa, Arizona sits within the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 12,210 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $67,090 median. Figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program (May 2025).

Occupation	Employed	Median wage	Typical range (10th–90th)
Healthcare social workers	2,240	$67,090	$45,650 – $98,380
Mental health & substance abuse social workers	2,870	$46,340	$41,460 – $67,550
Child, family & school social workers	5,060	$50,150	$43,350 – $65,900
Social workers, all other	2,040	$62,150	$47,890 – $105,060
Social & community service managers (macro)	2,040	$79,200	$52,790 – $123,320

How local pay compares

Child, family & school social workers around Mesa, AZ earn a median of $50,150 versus $50,150 statewide in Arizona and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the Arizona median.

Where do social workers work in Mesa, AZ in 2026?

Mesa, Arizona sits in Maricopa County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:

Maricopa County Human Services
Banner Desert Medical Center
Mesa Public Schools
A New Leaf
Mercy Care

Representative local employers known to operate in the area; illustrative, not an exhaustive or BLS-sourced list.

Nationally, BLS projects social worker employment to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, driven by demand in healthcare and mental-health settings. Macro roles such as social and community service managers are projected to grow alongside them. See pay by role in our career guides.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) for Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.

What kind of social work license do I need in Mesa, AZ?

After an MSW from Mesa, AZ or anywhere, these are the Arizona social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.

License	Education	Supervised hours	Exam
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)	Bachelor of Social Work	—	Bachelors
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)	Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work	3200 hours	Clinical
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)	Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work	—	Masters

Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Arizona state board before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Mesa, AZ?

No CSWE-accredited MSW program has a campus inside Mesa, AZ itself, but 2 accredited programs operate within about 60 miles, and 3 Arizona programs offer an online option.

How much do social workers earn in Mesa, AZ?

Social work wages in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area vary by specialty. Healthcare social workers are the best paid at a $67,090 annual median, while mental health and substance abuse social workers earn about $46,340. See the full wage table above. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

Can I earn an MSW online from Mesa, AZ?

Yes. 3 CSWE-accredited Arizona MSW programs offer an online option you can complete from Mesa, AZ, and additional out-of-state online programs are available nationally. Online CSWE-accredited degrees carry the same accreditation and licensure eligibility as on-campus programs.

What license do MSW graduates need in Arizona?

Arizona issues the LBSW and LCSW and LMSW. The LCSW requires a CSWE-accredited MSW, supervised post-degree hours, and the ASWB Clinical exam. See the licensure summary above and our credentials guide.

MSW programs in other Arizona cities

Phoenix, AZ 2 in · 0 near Chandler, AZ 0 in · 2 near Gilbert, AZ 0 in · 2 near Tucson, AZ 1 in · 0 near

See all Arizona cities →

Sources

CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs for program accreditation, campuses, and structure.
U.S. Census Bureau 2023 Gazetteer (city coordinates) and Population Estimates Program (population).
ASWB social work licensure database for Arizona license requirements.

Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.