Pennsylvania · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Reading, PA (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Reading, Pennsylvania (population 94,903) 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 Reading, PA
No CSWE-accredited MSW program currently lists a campus inside Reading, PA. See the nearby and online options below.
Best MSW programs near Reading, PA
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Reading, PA, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Bryn Mawr · ~39 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 Philadelphia · ~48 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
- #3 Philadelphia · ~48 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
- #4 Millersville · ~32 mi
Millersville University of Pennsylvania and Shippensburg University Collaborative
Millersville, PA, PA · CSWE-accredited since 2006 · Online or On-Campus
6.8
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Millersville University of Pennsylvania and Shippensburg University Collaborative has held CSWE accreditation since 2006, 20 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Millersville, PA; Shippensburg, 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. The program also offers 1 dual-degree option and 3 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 4.4
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 8.1
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 9.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #5 Chester · ~45 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 West Chester · ~31 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 · ~15 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 · ~38 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 · ~54 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
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 Reading, PA
Pennsylvania-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Reading, 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 Reading, PA in 2026?
Reading, Pennsylvania sits within the Reading, PA metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 830 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $64,490 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 | 140 | $64,490 | $46,900 – $84,660 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 120 | $49,920 | $40,470 – $62,670 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 570 | $51,050 | $40,310 – $74,600 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 220 | $74,890 | $48,740 – $105,320 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Reading, PA earn a median of $51,050 versus $50,820 statewide in Pennsylvania and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the Pennsylvania median.
Where do social workers work in Reading, PA in 2026?
Reading, Pennsylvania sits in Berks County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Berks County Mental Health / Developmental Disabilities
- Reading Hospital (Tower Health)
- Reading School District
- Service Access & Management (SAM)
- Berks Counseling Center
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 Reading, PA; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Reading, PA?
After an MSW from Reading, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Reading, PA?
How much do social workers earn in Reading, PA?
Can I earn an MSW online from Reading, 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.
Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.