Last updated: February 25, 2026

Best MSW Programs in Hawaii (2026)

Every CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work program in Hawaii for 2026, with tuition, LSW/LCSW licensure requirements, salary data, and field placement details.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

B.A. in Psychology, University of Washington — Seattle

Key Takeaways

  • Hawaii has 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health), offering on-campus and distance education formats with four specializations: Behavioral Mental Health, Child and Family, Gerontology, and Health.
  • In-state graduate tuition at UH Manoa is approximately $650/credit (~$37,050 total for 57 credits), while out-of-state tuition runs about $1,402/credit (~$79,914 total). The distance education program extends access to students on neighbor islands through UH community college sites on Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island.
  • Hawaii social workers earn above the national median for child, family, and school social workers and healthcare social workers, but the state's extremely high cost of living offsets the salary advantage. Hawaii has a state income tax (ranging from 1.4% to 11%) and a general excise tax, which combined with the high cost of living can significantly reduce take-home pay.
  • The LCSW requires 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical experience (including 2,000 hours of direct clinical work and 100 hours of face-to-face supervision) over at least 2 years, plus the ASWB Clinical exam. You must first hold an LSW, which requires the MSW plus the ASWB Advanced Generalist or Masters exam.
  • Hawaii faces significant behavioral health workforce shortages across all islands, particularly in rural areas on the neighbor islands. The Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program (HSLRP) and the state's Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program (HELP) provide up to $50,000 annually for clinicians who serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas.

Hawaii offers one CSWE-accredited MSW program through the University of Hawaii at Manoa's Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, the only graduate social work program in the state. UH Manoa's MSW program is an advanced generalist program with four distinct specializations: Behavioral Mental Health, Child and Family, Gerontology, and Health. Students select a specialization by the end of their foundation-level coursework.

The program is available in a fully campus-based format on UH Manoa's Honolulu campus and through a Distance Education (DE) format that delivers evening classes to sites across the Hawaiian Islands, including UH Hilo Hawaii Community College (Palamanui), Kauai Community College, UH Maui College campuses, and UH West Oahu. This statewide delivery model is critical for a geographically isolated island state where relocating to Oahu is not always feasible.

After graduation, the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) issues three levels of social work licensure: LBSW (bachelor's level), LSW (master's level), and LCSW (clinical). The LSW is the entry-level credential for MSW graduates, and the LCSW is required for independent clinical practice, psychotherapy, diagnosis, and private practice. Hawaii's unique multicultural population, geographic isolation, and persistent behavioral health workforce shortages across the neighbor islands create strong demand for culturally competent, licensed social workers throughout the state.

CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in Hawaii

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
University of Hawaii at Manoa $650/credit (~$37,050 total for 57 credits) On-campus (Honolulu) or Distance Education (evening classes at UH sites on neighbor islands) 2 years (57 credits) CSWE-accredited

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu

In-State Tuition

$650/credit (~$37,050 total for 57 credits)

Out-of-State

$1,402/credit (~$79,914 total for 57 credits)

Format

On-campus (Honolulu) or Distance Education (evening classes at UH sites on neighbor islands)

Full-Time

2 years (57 credits)

Advanced Standing

1 year (30 credits)

Field Hours

900 (foundation + specialization combined); 450 for advanced standing

Concentrations

Behavioral Mental Health, Child and Family, Gerontology, Health

  • Only CSWE-accredited MSW program in Hawaii, housed in the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health — one of the most established social work programs in the Pacific region
  • Four distinct specializations (Behavioral Mental Health, Child and Family, Gerontology, and Health) allow students to tailor their education to specific populations and practice settings
  • Distance Education format delivers evening classes to UH community college sites on Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island (Palamanui), and West Oahu, making the MSW accessible across all major islands without relocating to Honolulu
  • Advanced standing track for BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs reduces the program to 30 credits (1 year) and 450 field placement hours
  • Culturally grounded curriculum emphasizing Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations, multicultural practice, and social justice — reflecting Hawaii's unique demographic and cultural landscape
  • Field placements available at agencies across all islands, including Queen's Medical Center, Hawaii State Department of Human Services, Tripler Army Medical Center, community health centers, and child welfare agencies statewide
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0 (no grade below B- in social work courses)

Social Work Licensure Requirements in Hawaii

Hawaii issues three levels of social work licensure through the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL) Division: the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), the Licensed Social Worker (LSW), and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). For MSW graduates, the LSW is the entry-level license and the LCSW is the advanced clinical credential required for independent clinical practice, psychotherapy, diagnosis, and private practice.

The LSW requires an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program and passage of the ASWB Advanced Generalist, Masters, or Clinical exam. No post-degree supervised experience is required for the LSW — you can apply immediately after completing your MSW. For the LCSW, Hawaii requires 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical social work experience in an agency setting over a minimum of 2 years (and no more than 5 years), including 2,000 hours of direct clinical work (assessment, psychotherapy, and clinical diagnosis) and 100 hours of face-to-face supervision (at least 60 individual and up to 40 in small groups of 6 or fewer). Your supervisor must be an LCSW with at least 4,500 hours of post-master's clinical social work experience. You must also pass the ASWB Clinical exam.

All licensees must complete 45 hours of continuing education per renewal period, including at least 3 hours in ethics. Renewal is biennial. Application fees are $60 for all license types, and ASWB exams are administered by Pearson VUE.

License Full Name Supervised Hours Exam
LCSW Licensed Clinical Social Worker 3,000 hrs (2 years min) ASWB Clinical
LSW Licensed Social Worker N/A (associate level) ASWB Advanced Generalist, Masters, or Clinical
LBSW Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker N/A (associate level) ASWB Bachelors

Hawaii does not offer automatic reciprocity with other states but does consider applicants licensed in other jurisdictions on a case-by-case basis. Out-of-state licensees must submit a completed application, official transcripts verifying a CSWE-accredited MSW or BSW, verification of current licensure in good standing from the issuing state, documentation of ASWB exam passage at the appropriate level, and any required supervised experience documentation (for LCSW applicants). A criminal background check is also required. Hawaii has not yet enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact, so multistate practice privileges are not currently available. Given Hawaii's geographic isolation, the DCCA recommends applying well in advance of when you intend to begin practice in the state.

Licensing Board

Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) — Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL)

Phone: 808-586-3000

Board Website → Verify a License →

Social Worker Salary in Hawaii

Hawaii social workers generally earn above or near the national median across most specialties, reflecting the state's extremely high cost of living — the highest in the nation. While nominal salaries look competitive, the real purchasing power is reduced by housing costs that are roughly double the national average. Hawaii has a state income tax ranging from 1.4% to 11%, plus a general excise tax, which further reduces take-home pay. All salary data below is from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.

Occupation State Median National Median Premium Top Metro
Child, Family, and School Social Workers $60,250 $58,570 +2.9% $61,400 (Urban Honolulu)
Healthcare Social Workers $77,270 $68,090 +13.5% $78,640 (Urban Honolulu)
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers $59,660 $60,060 -0.7% $60,830 (Urban Honolulu)

Hawaii Social Work Job Market and Workforce

Hawaii faces significant behavioral health workforce shortages across all islands, with the neighbor islands (Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island/Big Island, Molokai, and Lanai) experiencing the most severe gaps. Many rural communities on the neighbor islands are designated as Mental Health Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) by HRSA, meaning residents have insufficient access to mental health care providers. Hawaii's geographic isolation — both from the mainland and between islands — creates unique barriers to workforce recruitment and retention that do not exist in contiguous states.

Major employers of social workers in Hawaii include The Queen's Health System (the state's largest private health system), Hawaii Pacific Health (Kapiolani, Pali Moku, Straub, and Wilcox medical centers), Tripler Army Medical Center, the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, the Hawaii State Department of Human Services (DHS) (including Child Welfare Services), the Department of Health (DOH) Behavioral Health Administration, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hale Kipa (youth services), Hawaii Behavioral Health, Community Health Centers on all islands, and Native Hawaiian health care systems such as the Papa Ola Lokahi network. The state's growing investment in behavioral health integration, telehealth expansion across islands, and culturally responsive services for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities are creating new roles for MSW-level practitioners.

Loan Repayment and Scholarship Programs

  • Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program (HSLRP) — Provides educational loan repayment for primary care and behavioral health providers (including LCSWs) who commit to serving at non-profit organizations in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas in Hawaii for a 2-year full-time commitment. The program is funded through a federal HRSA grant matched by the employing site.
  • Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program (HELP) — Established by the State of Hawaii, this program provides up to $50,000 in annual loan forgiveness for licensed healthcare professionals (including LCSWs) who commit to a 2-year service agreement in Hawaii. Governor Green announced $30 million in funding for this program to address the state's healthcare workforce crisis.
  • National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program — Up to $75,000 in federal loan repayment for LCSWs serving at NHSC-approved sites in Health Professional Shortage Areas for an initial 2-year commitment, with extensions available. Multiple community health centers across Hawaii's islands are NHSC-approved sites.
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — Social workers employed at The Queen's Health System, Hawaii Pacific Health, the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, Hawaii DHS, DOH, Tripler Army Medical Center, Catholic Charities Hawaii, community health centers, and other qualifying nonprofit or government employers are eligible for federal PSLF after 120 qualifying payments (10 years) under an income-driven repayment plan.

How to Choose an MSW Program in Hawaii

With only 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program in Hawaii, the primary decision is whether UH Manoa's Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health is the right fit for your goals — or whether an out-of-state or online program might better serve your needs. Here are key factors to consider.

  • If you live on a neighbor island: UH Manoa's Distance Education (DE) format delivers evening classes to UH community college sites on Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island (Palamanui), and West Oahu, so you can pursue the MSW without relocating to Honolulu. Field placements are coordinated on your home island whenever possible.
  • If you want a specific specialization: UH Manoa offers four specializations — Behavioral Mental Health, Child and Family, Gerontology, and Health. Not all specializations may be available through the distance format in every cohort, so confirm availability with the program before applying if you are set on a particular track.
  • If cost is a primary concern: In-state tuition at UH Manoa is approximately $650/credit ($37,050 total for 57 credits), making it significantly more affordable than out-of-state programs. Establishing Hawaii residency before enrollment can save over $40,000 compared to out-of-state rates. Online MSW programs from mainland institutions may also be competitive on cost.
  • If you have a BSW and want to finish quickly: UH Manoa's advanced standing track is 30 credits (1 year) with 450 field placement hours, available to BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs with a 3.0 GPA and no grade below B- in social work courses.
  • If you want culturally grounded training: UH Manoa's curriculum is uniquely positioned to address the needs of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and other multicultural communities in Hawaii. No mainland program can replicate this culturally embedded training environment.
  • If you need maximum flexibility: UH Manoa does not offer a fully online MSW (the distance education program still requires attendance at physical UH sites on scheduled evenings). If you need fully asynchronous online delivery, consider a CSWE-accredited online MSW from a mainland institution while completing field placements at an approved Hawaii agency.

Related Pages

Best Online MSW Programs

National ranking of the top online MSW programs

Best Online BSW Programs

Undergraduate social work programs

Best Online DSW Programs

Doctoral programs for experienced social workers

Clinical Social Worker Career Guide

What LCSWs actually do day-to-day

Clinical Social Worker Salary

Salary data by state and experience level

MSW Programs by State

Compare MSW programs across all 50 states

Frequently Asked Questions

Hawaii has 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, housed in the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health. The program offers on-campus instruction in Honolulu and a Distance Education format with evening classes at UH community college sites on Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island (Palamanui), and West Oahu. Students can choose from four specializations: Behavioral Mental Health, Child and Family, Gerontology, and Health. In-state tuition is approximately $650/credit ($37,050 total for 57 credits).
To become a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Hawaii, you need an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program and a passing score on the ASWB Advanced Generalist, Masters, or Clinical exam. No post-degree supervised experience is required for the LSW. For the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), you must hold a current LSW and complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical social work experience in an agency setting over a minimum of 2 years (maximum 5 years), including at least 2,000 hours of direct clinical work (assessment, psychotherapy, and clinical diagnosis) and 100 hours of face-to-face supervision (at least 60 individual, up to 40 in small groups of 6 or fewer). Your supervisor must be an LCSW with at least 4,500 hours of post-master's clinical experience. You must also pass the ASWB Clinical exam. Both licenses are issued by the DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division.
UH Manoa does not offer a fully online MSW. However, its Distance Education (DE) format delivers evening classes at UH community college sites across the Hawaiian Islands — on Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island (Palamanui), and West Oahu — allowing students on neighbor islands to pursue the degree without relocating to Honolulu. If you need a fully asynchronous online MSW, you would need to enroll in a CSWE-accredited online program from a mainland institution. Many national online MSW programs accept students in Hawaii and allow field placements at approved agencies in the state. Check that any out-of-state program is authorized to operate in Hawaii and that you can arrange local field placements.
For Hawaii residents, UH Manoa's graduate tuition is approximately $650/credit, making the 57-credit standard MSW program about $37,050 total (tuition only, excluding fees). For out-of-state students, tuition is approximately $1,402/credit, or roughly $79,914 total for 57 credits. The advanced standing track (30 credits) costs approximately $19,500 in-state or $42,060 out-of-state. Additional student fees of approximately $902 per semester apply to all students regardless of residency. Establishing Hawaii residency before enrollment can save over $40,000 over the course of the program.
Hawaii social workers earn at or above the national median in most categories, though the state's extremely high cost of living reduces real purchasing power. According to BLS May 2024 data: child, family, and school social workers earn a median of $60,250 (national: $58,570), healthcare social workers earn $77,270 (national: $68,090), and mental health and substance abuse social workers earn approximately $59,660 (national: $60,060). Healthcare social workers in Hawaii earn a 13.5% premium over the national median. Hawaii has a state income tax (1.4% to 11%) plus a general excise tax, which combined with housing costs roughly double the national average, significantly reduces take-home pay.
Yes. The Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program (HSLRP) provides educational loan repayment for behavioral health providers (including LCSWs) who serve at non-profit sites in HPSAs for a 2-year commitment. The state's Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program (HELP) offers up to $50,000 annually for licensed clinicians serving in Hawaii. The federal NHSC Loan Repayment Program (up to $75,000 for a 2-year commitment) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness also apply to Hawaii social workers at qualifying employers such as The Queen's Health System, Hawaii Pacific Health, the VA, DHS, DOH, and community health centers.
The UH Manoa MSW program offers four specializations: (1) Behavioral Mental Health, focused on clinical practice with individuals experiencing mental health and behavioral challenges; (2) Child and Family, preparing students for practice with children, youth, and families facing poverty, abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and related issues; (3) Gerontology, focused on evidence-based practice and research with older adults and their families; and (4) Health, addressing social work in healthcare settings. Students select their specialization by the end of their foundation-level coursework. Note that not all specializations may be available through the Distance Education format in every cohort — confirm availability with the program before applying.
Yes. UH Manoa offers an advanced standing track for BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs. The advanced standing program is 30 credits (compared to 57 for the regular track) and requires 450 hours of field placement (compared to 900 for regular students). It can be completed in approximately 1 year of full-time study. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher with no grade below B- in social work courses. The advanced standing track allows qualified BSW holders to skip foundation-level coursework and move directly into specialization-level classes, significantly reducing both time and cost.