Mississippi · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Southaven, MS (2026)
Published · Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Southaven, Mississippi (population 56,851) has no MSW campus within city limits , with 1 more accredited program within about 60 miles. 1 Mississippi programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Mississippi licensure.
Best MSW programs in Southaven, MS
No CSWE-accredited MSW program currently lists a campus inside Southaven, MS. See the nearby and online options below.
Best MSW programs near Southaven, MS
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Southaven, MS, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Oxford · ~48 mi
University of Mississippi, The
Oxford, MS, MS · CSWE-accredited since 2008 · On-Campus
4.3
1 concentration No Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
University of Mississippi, The has held CSWE accreditation since 2008, 18 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Oxford, MS). It records 1 concentration (Clinical or Direct Practice). The program runs on a full-time plan of study.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 4.2
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 3.2
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 6.0
Online MSW programs available in Southaven, MS
Mississippi-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Southaven, MS residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson State University | 1997 | Yes | #163 |
How much do social workers make in Southaven, MS in 2026?
Southaven, Mississippi sits within the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 3,450 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $64,430 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 | 950 | $64,430 | $41,010 – $86,790 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 380 | $46,810 | $40,550 – $73,490 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 1,810 | $56,090 | $42,800 – $85,590 |
| Social workers, all other | 310 | $53,680 | $33,350 – $111,570 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 550 | $84,930 | $57,190 – $140,710 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Southaven, MS earn a median of $56,090 versus $46,530 statewide in Mississippi and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the Mississippi median.
Where do social workers work in Southaven, MS in 2026?
Southaven, Mississippi sits in DeSoto County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Communicare (Region IV Mental Health Services)
- Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto and Methodist Olive Branch
- DeSoto County Schools
- Youth Villages
- Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Southaven, MS?
After an MSW from Southaven, MS or anywhere, these are the Mississippi social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 24 months number of hours not specified | Advanced Generalist or Clinical |
| Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | Master of Social Work or PhD in Social Work or Doctorate of Social Work | — | Masters |
| Licensed Social Worker (LSW) | Bachelor of Social Work | — | Bachelors |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Mississippi state board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Southaven, MS?
How much do social workers earn in Southaven, MS?
Can I earn an MSW online from Southaven, MS?
What license do MSW graduates need in Mississippi?
MSW programs in other Mississippi 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 Mississippi license requirements.
Published 2026-06-12; last updated 2026-06-23. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.