North Carolina · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Charlotte, NC (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Charlotte, North Carolina (population 911,311) has 2 CSWE-accredited MSW programs based in the city , with 1 more accredited program within about 60 miles. 6 North Carolina programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for North Carolina licensure.
Best MSW programs in Charlotte, NC
Accredited programs with a campus in Charlotte, NC, ranked by our five-factor model. National and online rank badges appear only for programs in the top 25 (nationally, or among online programs).
- #1 In Charlotte, NC
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC, NC · CSWE-accredited since 2004 · Online or On-Campus
6.1
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
University of North Carolina at Charlotte has held CSWE accreditation since 2004, 22 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Charlotte, NC). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 2 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 4.6
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 6.3
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 In Charlotte, NC
Johnson C. Smith University
Charlotte, NC, NC · CSWE-accredited since 2013 · On-Campus
4.6
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
Johnson C. Smith University has held CSWE accreditation since 2013, 13 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Charlotte, NC). 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
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.6
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 5.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 6.0
Best MSW programs near Charlotte, NC
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Charlotte, NC, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Hickory · ~46 mi
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC, NC · CSWE-accredited since 2006 · Online or On-Campus
6.6
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online option Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
Appalachian State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2006, 20 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Boone, NC; Hickory, NC). It records 2 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Community Development and Social Systems). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 4.4
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 5.9
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 7.5
- Delivery format (18%) 8.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Online MSW programs available in Charlotte, NC
North Carolina-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Charlotte, NC residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 1920 | Yes | #44 |
| East Carolina University | 1974 | Yes | #87 |
| Appalachian State University | 2006 | Yes | #138 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | 2004 | Yes | #170 |
| Western Carolina University | 2006 | Yes | #176 |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | 2008 | Yes | #228 |
How much do social workers make in Charlotte, NC in 2026?
Charlotte, North Carolina sits within the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 5,340 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is social workers, all other at a $69,300 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 | 1,170 | $66,410 | $38,030 – $88,350 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 840 | $58,090 | $37,060 – $76,380 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 3,020 | $60,950 | $44,810 – $85,380 |
| Social workers, all other | 310 | $69,300 | $44,250 – $113,610 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 1,120 | $79,990 | $55,000 – $128,710 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Charlotte, NC earn a median of $60,950 versus $59,610 statewide in North Carolina and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the North Carolina median.
Where do social workers work in Charlotte, NC in 2026?
Charlotte, North Carolina sits in Mecklenburg County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Mecklenburg County Community Support Services and Public Health
- Atrium Health and Novant Health
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
- Thompson Child & Family Focus
- Alexander Youth Network
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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Charlotte, NC?
After an MSW from Charlotte, NC or anywhere, these are the North Carolina social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW) | Master of Social Work or Doctorate of Social Work | — | Masters |
| Certified Social Work Manager (CSWM) | Bachelor of Social Work or Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 3000 hours | Advanced Generalist |
| Certified Social Worker (CSW) | Bachelor of Social Work | — | Bachelors |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 3000 hours | Clinical |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | — | Exam Not Required |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the North Carolina state board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Charlotte, NC?
How much do social workers earn in Charlotte, NC?
Can I earn an MSW online from Charlotte, NC?
What license do MSW graduates need in North Carolina?
MSW programs in other North Carolina 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 North Carolina license requirements.
Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.