Best MSW Programs in New Hampshire (2026)
CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work programs in New Hampshire for 2026, with tuition, licensure requirements, salary data by specialty, and field placement details.
Key Takeaways
- New Hampshire has 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program — the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in Durham, which offers on-campus, fully online, and hybrid delivery formats.
- UNH's MSW requires 62 credit hours including 1,240 hours of supervised field placement. In-state graduate tuition is approximately $800/credit (~$49,600 total), with an online option at roughly $750/credit for all students.
- New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages, so social workers keep more of every dollar earned. A healthcare social worker earning $75,730 in New Hampshire takes home significantly more than someone earning the same in nearby Massachusetts or Vermont.
- The LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) requires 3,000 hours of post-MSW supervised clinical experience over a minimum of 2 years, with at least 100 hours of direct supervision, plus passing the ASWB Clinical exam.
- New Hampshire's rural northern counties are designated mental health shortage areas. The state's State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) provides up to $50,000 for clinicians who serve in these underserved communities.
New Hampshire has a single CSWE-accredited MSW program, but it is a strong one. The University of New Hampshire's Department of Social Work has been continuously accredited by CSWE since 1973 and offers three distinct delivery formats — on-campus in Durham, fully online, and a hybrid option through UNH Manchester — giving students meaningful flexibility without leaving the state. With an advanced generalist curriculum and elective concentrations in health and mental health, addictions, children and families, and disabilities, UNH prepares graduates for the full range of social work practice settings.
New Hampshire's status as a no-income-tax state is a significant financial advantage for social workers. While salaries here are competitive with or above national medians, the lack of state income tax on wages means your effective take-home pay is substantially higher than in neighboring states like Massachusetts (5% tax) or Vermont (up to 8.75%). This advantage compounds over an entire career and is worth factoring into any cost-of-living comparison.
After graduation, New Hampshire's licensing system offers two MSW-level credentials through the Board of Mental Health Practice: the LMSW for generalist practice and the LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) for independent clinical practice and private practice. The state's growing behavioral health needs — particularly in the northern and rural counties — mean MSW graduates are in strong demand, and multiple loan repayment incentives help offset education costs for those willing to serve in underserved areas.
CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in New Hampshire
| School | Tuition (In-State) | Format | Length | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) | $800/credit (~$49,600 total for 62 credits) | On-campus (Durham), fully online, or hybrid (UNH Manchester) | 2 years (62 credits) | CSWE-accredited |
University of New Hampshire (UNH)
Durham
In-State Tuition
$800/credit (~$49,600 total for 62 credits)
Out-of-State
$1,400/credit (~$86,800 total for 62 credits)
Format
On-campus (Durham), fully online, or hybrid (UNH Manchester)
Full-Time
2 years (62 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (37 credits)
Field Hours
1,240 (two internships across 4 semesters)
Concentrations
Health and Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Abuse, Children, Youth, and Families, Disabilities, Self-Designed Field of Practice
- Continuously CSWE-accredited since 1973 — over 50 years of social work education in New Hampshire
- Three delivery formats: on-campus in Durham, fully online (asynchronous), and hybrid through UNH Manchester
- Advanced generalist curriculum with five elective concentration areas, including a self-designed option
- 1,240 hours of supervised field placement across two internships — among the highest in the region
- Advanced standing track for BSW graduates completable in 1 year (37 credits)
- Part-time options available across all formats (3–4 years to complete)
- Dual degree option: MSW/MS in Recreation Management and Policy
Social Work Licensure Requirements in New Hampshire
New Hampshire licenses social workers through the Board of Mental Health Practice (BMHP), housed within the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC). The state offers two MSW-level license types: the LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) for generalist practice under supervision, and the LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) for independent clinical practice, psychotherapy, and private practice.
Most MSW graduates begin by earning the LMSW, which requires passing the ASWB Masters exam but no post-degree supervised experience. The LICSW requires 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over a minimum of 2 years, plus passing the ASWB Clinical exam. New Hampshire also licenses Clinical Social Work Associates — MSW graduates who are accumulating supervised hours toward the LICSW.
| License | Full Name | Supervised Hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| LMSW | Licensed Master Social Worker | N/A (associate level) | ASWB Masters |
| LICSW | Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker | 3,000 hrs (2 years minimum min) | ASWB Clinical |
New Hampshire does not have automatic reciprocity with other states, but the Board of Mental Health Practice will evaluate applications from out-of-state licensees on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must demonstrate that their education, supervised experience, and examination history meet requirements substantially similar to New Hampshire's. You must hold an equivalent license in good standing, submit official transcripts, and provide documentation of supervised hours and ASWB exam scores. New Hampshire is not currently a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact, so there is no expedited pathway for compact-state licensees at this time.
Licensing Board
New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice (BMHP)
Phone: 603-271-2702
Social Worker Salary in New Hampshire
New Hampshire social workers earn salaries that are competitive with or above national medians, and the state's lack of income tax on wages makes the real take-home pay significantly higher than the numbers alone suggest. A healthcare social worker earning $75,730 in New Hampshire keeps every dollar from state taxation, while the same worker in neighboring Massachusetts would lose 5% to state income tax. 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 | $58,570 | $58,570 | 0.0% | $60,440 (Manchester-Nashua) |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $75,730 | $68,090 | +11.2% | $78,100 (Manchester-Nashua) |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $63,810 | $60,060 | +6.2% | $65,500 (Manchester-Nashua) |
This state has no income tax, making take-home pay higher than these numbers suggest.
New Hampshire Social Work Job Market and Workforce
New Hampshire's social work job market is shaped by the state's small population (approximately 1.4 million), its mix of urban southern communities and vast rural northern regions, and an ongoing behavioral health workforce shortage. The state employs roughly 3,800 social workers across all specialties (BLS May 2024), including approximately 1,900 child, family, and school social workers, 1,050 healthcare social workers, and 850 mental health and substance abuse social workers.
The HRSA designation data shows that multiple northern and rural New Hampshire counties — including Coos, Grafton, Carroll, and Sullivan — qualify as Mental Health Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). The opioid and substance use crisis has hit New Hampshire particularly hard, driving sustained demand for social workers with addictions and behavioral health expertise.
Major employers of social workers in the state include the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (the state's only academic medical center), Catholic Medical Center, Elliot Health System, New Hampshire Hospital (the state psychiatric hospital), community mental health centers such as Riverbend Community Mental Health and The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester, and VA facilities in Manchester. Southern New Hampshire's proximity to Boston also creates cross-border employment opportunities for licensed social workers.
Loan Repayment and Scholarship Programs
- New Hampshire State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) — Up to $50,000 in loan repayment for behavioral health providers (including LICSWs) who commit to 2 years of full-time service at an approved NHSC site in a designated Health Professional Shortage Area. Recipients may apply for additional service extensions.
- National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment — Up to $55,000 for licensed clinical social workers serving full-time at approved sites in mental health HPSAs for 2 years, with options to extend for additional awards.
- NHSC SUD Workforce Loan Repayment Program — Specifically targets substance use disorder treatment providers. Given New Hampshire's ongoing opioid crisis, this program is particularly relevant for MSW graduates specializing in addictions.
- Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — Social workers at NH DHHS, community mental health centers, Dartmouth-Hitchcock, VA facilities, and other qualifying nonprofit or government employers are eligible for federal PSLF after 120 qualifying payments (10 years).
How to Choose an MSW Program in New Hampshire
With only one CSWE-accredited MSW program in the state, choosing a program in New Hampshire is less about comparing schools and more about selecting the right format, pace, and concentration within UNH's offerings. UNH provides meaningful flexibility across three delivery formats and multiple timelines, so the decision hinges on your personal circumstances and career goals.
- If you want a traditional campus experience: UNH's on-campus MSW in Durham offers the full university experience with face-to-face classes, direct access to faculty, and a strong cohort model. Durham is a small college town in the Seacoast region, about an hour from Boston.
- If you need fully online flexibility: UNH's online MSW is asynchronous and can be completed from anywhere. The online format charges approximately $750/credit regardless of residency, making it potentially more affordable than the on-campus option for out-of-state students.
- If you want a hybrid model: The UNH Manchester hybrid option combines online coursework with in-person classes at the Manchester campus, offering a middle ground for students in southern New Hampshire who want some face-to-face interaction without commuting to Durham.
- If you have a BSW and want to finish fast: UNH's advanced standing track takes just 1 year and 37 credits for BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs with a 3.2+ GPA. Advanced standing is available in all three delivery formats.
- If you want clinical or health-focused training: Select the Health and Mental Health elective concentration, which is particularly strong given UNH's placement network with Dartmouth-Hitchcock and the state's community mental health center system.
- If addictions work is your focus: UNH's Addictions and Substance Abuse concentration is especially relevant in New Hampshire, which has been one of the states hardest hit by the opioid crisis and has strong demand for substance use disorder professionals.
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 — New Hampshire
- University of New Hampshire — MSW Program
- NH Board of Mental Health Practice — Office of Professional Licensure and Certification
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Social Workers in New Hampshire (May 2024)
- ASWB — Licensing Exams
- HRSA — Mental Health HPSA Data
- New Hampshire State Loan Repayment Program
- NH RSA 330-A — Mental Health Practice Act