Best MSW Programs in Mississippi (2026)
Every CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work program in Mississippi for 2026, with tuition, LMSW/LCSW licensure requirements, salary data, and field placement details.
Key Takeaways
- Mississippi has 4 CSWE-accredited MSW programs — all at public universities — with in-state tuition starting at approximately $350/credit at Mississippi Valley State University, making Mississippi one of the most affordable states in the nation for an MSW.
- The LCSW requires at least 24 months of post-MSW supervised practice including 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact and 100 hours of face-to-face supervision by an LCSW, plus the ASWB Clinical exam. The LMSW requires only the MSW degree and the ASWB Masters exam — no post-degree experience.
- Mississippi social workers earn well below the national median across all specialties — child/family social workers earn a median of approximately $35,580 compared to $58,570 nationally — but the state's very low cost of living (84.8 index) significantly narrows the real purchasing power gap.
- Mississippi has 53 of 82 counties (65%) designated as mental health HPSAs, with the most severe shortages in the rural Delta region and southern Mississippi, creating persistent demand for licensed social workers.
- The Mississippi State Loan Repayment Program offers up to $50,000 for behavioral health professionals who commit to 2 years of practice in a Health Professional Shortage Area. Federal NHSC and PSLF programs provide additional financial incentives for social workers serving in underserved communities.
Mississippi offers 4 CSWE-accredited MSW programs spanning the state from Oxford to Hattiesburg, with all four housed at public universities and in-state tuition starting at roughly $350/credit. Whether you want a traditional on-campus experience at Ole Miss in Oxford, the state's oldest MSW program at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, a fully online option through Jackson State University, or a rural-focused program at Mississippi Valley State University in the Delta, there is an option that fits your location, schedule, and budget.
After graduation, Mississippi offers two main social work license levels relevant to MSW holders: the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The LMSW is available immediately upon passing the ASWB Masters exam — no post-degree supervised experience required. The LCSW requires at least 24 months (but no more than 36 months) of supervised post-graduate clinical practice including 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact and 100 hours of face-to-face supervision by an LCSW, plus the ASWB Clinical exam. Both licenses are issued by the Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists.
Mississippi's social work job market is shaped by persistent shortage: 65% of the state's 82 counties are designated mental health HPSAs, with the most severe gaps in the Mississippi Delta and rural southern counties. Major employers include the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (CPS), the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH), the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), Forrest General Hospital, Baptist Memorial Health Care, the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson, and community mental health centers across the state. The Mississippi State Loan Repayment Program and federal programs like NHSC and PSLF offer meaningful financial incentives for social workers serving in shortage areas.
CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in Mississippi
| School | Tuition (In-State) | Format | Length | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern Mississippi | $529/credit | On-campus (Hattiesburg and Gulf Park/Long Beach) | 2 years (60 credits) | CSWE-accredited |
| Jackson State University | $483/credit | On-campus (Jackson) or fully online | 2 years (60 credits) | CSWE-accredited |
| University of Mississippi | $416/credit | On-campus (Oxford) | 2 years (60 credits) | CSWE-accredited |
| Mississippi Valley State University | $350/credit | On-campus (Itta Bena) | 2 years (60 credits) | CSWE-accredited |
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg
In-State Tuition
$529/credit
Out-of-State
$641/credit
Format
On-campus (Hattiesburg and Gulf Park/Long Beach)
Full-Time
2 years (60 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (34 credits)
Field Hours
900 (300 foundation + 600 concentration for full-time)
Concentrations
Advanced Direct Practice
- Mississippi's oldest graduate social work program, established in 1974 with continuous CSWE accreditation
- Offered on both the Hattiesburg main campus and the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach on the Gulf Coast
- Advanced standing reduces the program to just 34 credits for BSW holders
- Over 200 agency partners for field placement across Mississippi and beyond
- Study abroad opportunity in Jamaica focusing on human rights and social justice
Jackson State University
Jackson
In-State Tuition
$483/credit
Out-of-State
$483/credit (online, flat rate)
Format
On-campus (Jackson) or fully online
Full-Time
2 years (60 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (30 credits)
Field Hours
900 (450 foundation + 450 concentration)
Concentrations
Children, Youth, and Families
- Only Mississippi MSW program offering a fully online option — available for both traditional and advanced standing tracks
- HBCU with continuous CSWE accreditation since 1998 and strong ties to Jackson's diverse community
- Clinical practice focus with a specialization in children, youth, and families
- Part-time evening program designed for working professionals, completable in 3 years
- Located in Mississippi's capital city with access to state agencies, UMMC, and the VA Medical Center
University of Mississippi
University
In-State Tuition
$416/credit
Out-of-State
$1,256/credit
Format
On-campus (Oxford)
Full-Time
2 years (60 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (30 credits)
Field Hours
900 (225 hours x 4 semesters)
Concentrations
Clinical Social Work
- Strong clinical concentration with coursework in psychotherapy, trauma and crisis intervention, and substance abuse
- Elective tracks in forensic social work with children, child welfare, gerontology, and leadership/administration
- Advanced standing for BSW holders requires only 30 credits — completable in one year
- Located at Mississippi's flagship university in Oxford with access to north Mississippi field placement agencies
- Some elective courses available online for scheduling flexibility
Mississippi Valley State University
Itta Bena
In-State Tuition
$350/credit
Out-of-State
$452/credit
Format
On-campus (Itta Bena)
Full-Time
2 years (60 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (30 credits)
Field Hours
900 (450 foundation + 450 advanced)
Concentrations
Child and Family Welfare
- Most affordable MSW program in Mississippi at approximately $350/credit for in-state students
- HBCU with a specialized rural social work framework preparing graduates for practice in underserved Delta communities
- Focused concentration in child and family welfare addressing critical needs in the Mississippi Delta
- Advanced standing track requires only 30 credits and 450 hours of advanced field placement
- Small cohort sizes with individualized faculty mentoring and strong community partnerships
Social Work Licensure Requirements in Mississippi
Mississippi issues social work licenses through the Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists. For MSW graduates, the two primary license levels are the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Mississippi also issues the Licensed Social Worker (LSW) for BSW holders.
The LMSW requires no post-degree supervised experience. You can apply immediately after completing your MSW from a CSWE-accredited program and passing the ASWB Masters exam. The LCSW requires at least 24 months of supervised post-MSW clinical practice (not exceeding 36 consecutive months), including 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact and 100 hours of face-to-face supervision by a licensed LCSW. At least half of the supervision sessions must be one-on-one. Both licenses require 24 hours of continuing education per two-year renewal period. Initial license application fees are $110 for both the LMSW and LCSW.
| License | Full Name | Supervised Hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSW | Licensed Social Worker | N/A (associate level) | ASWB Bachelors |
| LMSW | Licensed Master Social Worker | N/A (associate level) | ASWB Masters |
| LCSW | Licensed Clinical Social Worker | 1,000 hrs (24 months (not to exceed 36 months) min) | ASWB Clinical |
Mississippi does not offer automatic reciprocity for out-of-state social work licenses. All applicants must apply through the Mississippi Board of Examiners and meet Mississippi's education, examination, and experience requirements. If you hold an active LCSW or equivalent clinical license in another state and have already passed the appropriate ASWB exam, you will not need to re-take the exam. However, you must verify that your supervised hours meet Mississippi's 1,000-hour face-to-face client contact requirement and 100-hour supervision requirement, submit official transcripts, complete a background check, and provide documentation of your out-of-state license. Contact the Board directly at 601-987-6806 for guidance on how your existing credentials transfer.
Licensing Board
Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists
Phone: 601-987-6806
Social Worker Salary in Mississippi
Mississippi social workers earn below the national median across all specialties, but the state's very low cost of living — with a cost of living index of 84.8, the lowest in the nation — means purchasing power is considerably closer to parity than raw salary figures suggest. A social worker earning $40,000 in Mississippi often has comparable buying power to someone earning $50,000+ in an average-cost state. Within the Jackson metro area, salaries are notably higher than rural areas. 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 | $35,580 | $58,570 | -39.3% | $40,120 (Jackson) |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $52,010 | $68,090 | -23.6% | $56,850 (Jackson) |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $37,760 | $60,060 | -37.1% | $43,400 (Jackson) |
Mississippi Social Work Job Market and Workforce
Mississippi has 53 of its 82 counties (65%) designated as mental health Health Professional Shortage Areas, with the most severe shortages concentrated in the Mississippi Delta, the rural Pine Belt, and southern Mississippi. The state ranks near the bottom nationally for access to mental health care, with roughly 60% of the population living in areas without adequate behavioral health providers. Mississippi's population of approximately 2.9 million includes vast rural areas with extremely limited access to mental health services.
Major employers for social workers include the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (CPS), the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) and its network of community mental health centers, the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson (the state's only academic medical center), Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, Baptist Memorial Health Care, the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson, Merit Health hospitals, and numerous federally qualified health centers across the state. Mississippi's growing focus on behavioral health integration, telehealth expansion, and the ongoing opioid crisis are creating new positions statewide, particularly for LCSWs in rural and underserved communities.
Loan Repayment and Scholarship Programs
- Mississippi State Loan Repayment Program (MSLRP) — Up to $50,000 for behavioral health professionals, including LCSWs, who commit to 2 years of full-time practice at an approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area. Administered by the Mississippi Center for Rural Health and Population Studies through the Mississippi State Department of Health.
- 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.
- NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program — Up to $75,000 for LCSWs providing substance use disorder treatment at NHSC-approved sites for an initial 3-year commitment. Addresses Mississippi's significant opioid and substance abuse crisis, particularly in rural areas.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — Social workers employed at Mississippi CPS, DMH, UMMC, VA hospitals, and nonprofit health systems all qualify for federal PSLF after 10 years of qualifying payments under an income-driven repayment plan.
How to Choose an MSW Program in Mississippi
Mississippi's 4 MSW programs are all at public universities, keeping costs relatively low across the board. The decision comes down to where you live, whether you need to study online, which concentration interests you, and how quickly you want to finish.
- If you want the best value as a Mississippi resident: Mississippi Valley State University (approximately $350/credit) is the most affordable MSW in the state. The University of Mississippi at $416/credit is the next most affordable option for on-campus study.
- If you need a fully online program: Jackson State University is the only Mississippi school offering a fully online CSWE-accredited MSW at $483/credit. Both traditional (2-year) and advanced standing (1-year) tracks are available online.
- If you want the most established program: The University of Southern Mississippi has the oldest MSW program in Mississippi (established 1974) with continuous CSWE accreditation, the largest alumni network in the state, and over 200 field placement agency partners.
- If you want a strong clinical focus: The University of Mississippi offers a dedicated Clinical Social Work concentration with coursework in psychotherapy, trauma and crisis intervention, and substance abuse. Elective tracks in forensic social work and gerontology add specialization depth.
- If you want to serve the Delta and rural communities: Mississippi Valley State University's rural social work framework and child and family welfare concentration are purpose-built for practice in the Mississippi Delta — one of the most underserved regions in the nation.
- If you have a BSW and want to finish fast: All 4 programs offer advanced standing for BSW holders. Ole Miss, JSU, and MVSU require only 30 credits (1 year), while USM requires 34 credits. Field placement hours are also reduced for advanced standing students.
- If you want to study on the Gulf Coast: The University of Southern Mississippi offers its MSW program at the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach in addition to the main Hattiesburg campus, giving coastal students a local option.
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
Sources
- CSWE Accredited Programs Directory — Mississippi
- Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Social Workers in Mississippi (May 2024)
- ASWB — Licensing Exams
- HRSA — Mental Health HPSA Data
- Mississippi State Loan Repayment Program (MSLRP)
- NHSC Loan Repayment Program