Many people say that living in Missouri allows you to enjoy the best of the South and the best of the Midwest. The result is a state with a warm, friendly population, in addition to excellent food. Many of these six million people living in Missouri live in one of its large cities, which include Kansas City, St. Louis, and Springfield.
In general, your money will go a lot further in Missouri than in many other states. This is because the cost of living in Missouri is 9% below the national average. As a result of the low cost of living, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that the average housing cost in Missouri is about $138,000, over $40,000 less than the national average.
Missouri is home to eight MSW programs, the majority of which are located in the St. Louis area. With an average tuition cost of $16,270 and an average scholarship award of $9542, your MSW program can be very inexpensive in Missouri.
The first year of your MSW program is commonly referred to as your core year. In this year, you touch on all of the different facets of social work, including evidence-based care, policies and procedures, societal influences, and analysis of the field. In your second year, you move into more advanced classes in a specific concentration. The concentrations available depend on which school you attend. For example, Saint Louis University lets you focus on community and organizations, family, health and mental health, or applied behavior analysis. The concentration you choose will likely have an effect on what employment options are open to you, so make sure you choose a concentration that is in line with your career goals.
During all four semesters of your program, you will need to complete practicum hours at many different sites. While your practicum hours in your first year may put you in contact with many different populations, practicum hours in your second year may focus largely on your concentration of choice. Requirements vary between schools, but most schools require at least 900 field hours.
As you begin your career search after graduation, keep in mind that most employers fall into one of two groups: government agencies or healthcare organizations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that these two groups are the primary social work employers throughout the country. Some of the largest social work employers in Missouri include Hospice Compassus, NorthCare Hospice and Palliative Care, and Pathways Community Behavioral Healthcare.
However, if you want to work for yourself, you have that option as well. Once you meet the clinical requirements for Missouri, you may be able to set up a private practice and counsel patients independently.
The governing board for social workers in Mississippi is the Committee for Social Workers. This process involves applying for the right to complete supervised work experience. After sitting for the board exam, you can legally work as a Licensed Social Worker.
In order to work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, you need to complete 3000 hours of supervised work experience under an LCSW. After meeting this requirement, you can apply for your advanced license.
The general salary range for social workers in Missouri goes from $20,100 per year to $63,500 per year, so it is clear that there are many factors that can affect your salary. In general, healthcare social workers are the highest paid in Missouri. O*Net reports that they earn an average salary of $40,300 per year. Family social workers earn an average salary of $33,100 per year, with reported salaries ranging from $21,200 to $47,400 (O*Net, 2012). If you work as a mental health social worker, you may be able to earn an average salary of $31,800 per year (O*Net, 2012).
Missouri follows the national trend of social workers being in high demand. This is due in part to the Affordable Care Act, which has created a demand for affordable mental health services. Healthcare social workers are in highest demand, with anticipated job growth of 23% through 2020 (O*Net, 2012). Close behind are mental health social workers and family social workers, with anticipated increases of 18% and 7%, respectively (O*Net, 2012).
Schools in Missouri Offering Masters in Social Work Programs
Missouri State University-Springfield
(Springfield, MO)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- Masters in Social Work and Public Administration Policy
- $6,014 Tuition Cost
- $3,284 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Park University
(Parkville, MO)
- Masters in Social Work and Public Administration Policy
- $9,688 Tuition Cost
- $8,275 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
Saint Louis University-Main Campus
(Saint Louis, MO)
- Masters in Health Policy Analysis
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $34,740 Tuition Cost
- $17,345 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Southeast Missouri State University
(Cape Girardeau, MO)
- Masters in Social Work and Public Administration Policy
- $5,814 Tuition Cost
- $4,001 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
University of Missouri-Columbia
(Columbia, MO)
- Masters in Housing and Human Development
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $8,082 Tuition Cost
- $4,942 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
University of Missouri-Kansas City
(Kansas City, MO)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $7,968 Tuition Cost
- $3,878 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
University of Missouri-St Louis
(Saint Louis, MO)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $7,968 Tuition Cost
- $8,522 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
Washington University in St Louis
(Saint Louis, MO)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $42,500 Tuition Cost
- $26,085 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting