Pennsylvania · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Allentown, PA (2026)
Published · Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology
Allentown, Pennsylvania (population 124,880) has no MSW campus within city limits , with 9 more accredited programs within about 60 miles. 14 Pennsylvania programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Pennsylvania licensure.
Best MSW programs in Allentown, PA
No CSWE-accredited MSW program currently lists a campus inside Allentown, PA. See the nearby and online options below.
Best MSW programs near Allentown, PA
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Allentown, PA, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Bryn Mawr · ~40 mi
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA, PA · CSWE-accredited since 1919 · Online or On-Campus
8.2
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Bryn Mawr College has held CSWE accreditation since 1919, 107 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Bryn Mawr, PA). 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. The program also offers 1 dual-degree option and 2 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 8.5
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 Scranton · ~57 mi
Marywood University
Scranton, PA, PA · CSWE-accredited since 1969 · Online or On-Campus
8.0
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Marywood University has held CSWE accreditation since 1969, 57 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Scranton, PA; Lehigh Valley, PA (1969). 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 dual-degree options and 1 embedded certificate.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 8.8
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 7.5
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 9.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #3 Philadelphia · ~44 mi
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA, PA · CSWE-accredited since 1919 · On-Campus
8.0
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
University of Pennsylvania has held CSWE accreditation since 1919, 107 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Philadelphia, PA). It records 2 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Macro Social Work). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 9 dual-degree options and 5 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Macro Social Work
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #4 Philadelphia · ~44 mi
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA, PA · CSWE-accredited since 1969 · Online or On-Campus
7.8
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Temple University has held CSWE accreditation since 1969, 57 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Philadelphia, PA). It records 2 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Macro Social Work). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 2 dual-degree options.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Macro Social Work
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 8.8
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 7.9
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #5 Chester · ~52 mi
Widener University
Chester, PA, PA · CSWE-accredited since 1993 · Online or On-Campus
6.8
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Widener University has held CSWE accreditation since 1993, 33 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Chester, PA). It records 1 concentration (Clinical or Direct Practice). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 1 dual-degree option and 1 embedded certificate.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 6.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 6.5
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 8.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #6 Philadelphia · ~44 mi
West Chester University
West Chester, PA, PA · CSWE-accredited since 1998 · On-Campus
6.6
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
West Chester University has held CSWE accreditation since 1998, 28 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 2 approved campuses (West Chester, PA; Philadelphia, PA). It records 1 concentration (Clinical or Direct Practice). 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. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 5.4
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 6.3
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 7.5
- Delivery format (18%) 6.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #7 Kutztown · ~16 mi
Kutztown University
Kutztown, PA, PA · CSWE-accredited since 2003 · Online or On-Campus
6.4
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Kutztown University has held CSWE accreditation since 2003, 23 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Kutztown, PA). It records 2 concentrations (Advanced Generalist; Children, Youth, and Families). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 1 embedded certificate.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist, Children, Youth, and Families
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 4.8
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 6.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 8.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #8 Plymouth Meeting · ~35 mi
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA, PA · CSWE-accredited since 2021 · On-Campus
5.4
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
La Salle University has held CSWE accreditation since 2021, 5 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 2 approved campuses (Philadelphia, PA; Plymouth Meeting, PA). It records 1 concentration (Other). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 2 dual-degree options.
Concentrations
Other
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 2.6
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 6.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 6.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #9 Bloomsburg · ~58 mi
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PA, PA · CSWE-accredited since 2021 · Online or On-Campus
5.4
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania has held CSWE accreditation since 2021, 5 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Bloomsburg, PA). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Visit the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania MSW program site
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 2.6
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 8.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Online MSW programs available in Allentown, PA
Pennsylvania-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Allentown, PA residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pittsburgh | 1919 | Yes | #21 |
| Bryn Mawr College | 1919 | Yes | #54 |
| Marywood University | 1969 | Yes | #61 |
| Temple University | 1969 | Yes | #80 |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania and Shippensburg University Collaborative | 2006 | Yes | #115 |
| Widener University | 1993 | Yes | #119 |
| Kutztown University | 2003 | Yes | #148 |
| Carlow University | 2017 | Yes | #160 |
| Pennsylvania Western University | 2000 | Yes | #190 |
| Slippery Rock University | 2020 | Yes | #204 |
| Alvernia University | 2019 | Yes | #235 |
| Lancaster Bible College | 2021 | Yes | #253 |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | 2021 | Yes | #270 |
| Eastern University | 2021 | No | #347 |
How much do social workers make in Allentown, PA in 2026?
Allentown, Pennsylvania sits within the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 1,660 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $64,390 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 | 560 | $64,390 | $47,830 – $80,330 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 170 | $55,840 | $39,130 – $79,990 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 870 | $56,940 | $39,570 – $86,680 |
| Social workers, all other | 60 | $52,690 | $38,360 – $98,740 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 520 | $75,150 | $48,070 – $111,730 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Allentown, PA earn a median of $56,940 versus $50,820 statewide in Pennsylvania and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the Pennsylvania median.
Where do social workers work in Allentown, PA in 2026?
Allentown, Pennsylvania sits in Lehigh County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Lehigh County Office of Mental Health / Behavioral Health
- Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke’s University Health Network
- Allentown School District
- Valley Youth House
- KidsPeace
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 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Allentown, PA?
After an MSW from Allentown, PA or anywhere, these are the Pennsylvania social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) | Bachelor of Social Work | — | Bachelors |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 3000 hours | Clinical |
| Licensed Social Worker (LSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | — | Masters |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Pennsylvania state board before applying.
Bilingual social work in Allentown
Allentown, the largest city in the Lehigh Valley, has been reshaped over the last generation by a large and expanding Latino population, with deep Puerto Rican roots and a growing Dominican community. Social workers who understand these families, their migration histories, and the everyday realities of navigating services in a second language are among the most valued professionals in the region.
Bilingual capacity in Spanish is a genuine asset here, not a footnote on a resume. If you speak Spanish, name it on every application and ask each program whether it can match you with field placements in the neighborhoods where that skill matters most. Practicing across culture and language, sometimes called mezzo and macro work when it reaches whole communities, is where a lot of the real need sits.
Where is the demand for social workers in Allentown?
The Lehigh Valley has grown steadily as people and employers move in from denser metro areas nearby, and Allentown sits at the center of that growth. More residents, more schools, more clinics, and more warehousing and logistics work all translate into a wider safety net that needs staffing. Social work is one of the fields feeling that pull.
For students, that means field placements and jobs are not confined to a single sector. County human services, hospitals, schools, and community nonprofits all recruit here. It helps to think early about the kind of role you want, whether that is direct clinical practice or coordinating programs as a community service manager. Browsing the broader social work career paths can help you aim your placements.
Child and family welfare social work in Allentown
Child and family work is a steady backbone of social work in Allentown. Lehigh County's human services, family courts, and the many community agencies that surround them rely on social workers to keep children safe, support parents, and hold families together whenever that is possible. It is demanding work, and it is some of the most needed in the city.
MSW students who want this path should look for field placements that put them alongside caseworkers early, since the learning here is hands on. Fluency in the cultures and languages of Allentown's families makes a real difference in these homes. If this is your calling, read more about the child and family social worker role and how the graduate degree opens doors within it.
Healthcare social work in Allentown
Allentown anchors a regional healthcare economy, and its hospitals and clinics are large employers of social workers. Medical social workers help patients and families manage discharge planning, chronic illness, mental health needs, and the tangle of insurance and community resources that comes with serious diagnoses. In a diverse city, doing that work well often means bridging language and culture at the bedside.
This is a path where the clinical license matters. Many hospital roles favor or require the LCSW, which builds on supervised clinical hours after your MSW. If you are drawn to medical settings, look for placements in hospitals or community health centers and read more about the healthcare social worker role before you choose your concentration.
Studying for an MSW without leaving the Lehigh Valley
One quiet advantage of studying in Allentown is that the Lehigh Valley remains more affordable than the larger metros just to its east and south, while still offering a full range of placements. For MSW students watching their budgets, staying local can mean lower living costs and the chance to build a professional network in the community where you plan to practice.
Weigh your options carefully, since format and cost vary a lot between programs. Some students prefer a nearby campus for the in person field connections, while others prioritize flexibility through an online MSW. Either way, compare Pennsylvania programs against each other and think about where you want to build your roots before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Allentown, PA?
How much do social workers earn in Allentown, PA?
Can I earn an MSW online from Allentown, PA?
What license do MSW graduates need in Pennsylvania?
MSW programs in other Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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.