VSU MSW Program Named Among Georgia Top Three Best

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University’s Master of Social Work program has earned a top three spot on MastersInCounseling.org’s list of the Best Social Work Master’s Programs in Georgia for 2027.

MastersInCounseling.org researchers analyzed Master of Social Work programs at colleges and universities across Georgia, scoring them on tuition and net price, graduation and retention rates, early career earnings, program flexibility and delivery, and accreditation status. VSU’s program stood out for its hybrid format and flexibility for students.

“This recognition reflects the strength and flexibility of VSU’s Master of Social Work program and the dedication of our faculty, students, and community partners,” said Dr. Christopher Shar, associate professor and program director. “Our program provides students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, values, ethics, and skills necessary to make a meaningful impact through professional social work practice. We are proud to offer an accessible, high-quality graduate education that meets the needs of students and the communities they will serve.”

Established in 1995 through the collective efforts of area social workers, concerned citizens, university faculty, and others, VSU’s Master of Social Work program was originally offered in a traditional face-to-face format.

In 2003 VSU became the first institution of higher education in Georgia to offer a hybrid, competency-based Master of Social Work program. In this hybrid format, the majority of the coursework is completed online, with students attending five intensive weekends on the VSU campus during the fall and spring semesters. The degree can be completed in two or three years.

VSU also offers an advanced standing Master of Social Work option for students who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education accredited program within the previous five years. This program consists of 33 semester hours and can be completed in as little as one year, also in the hybrid format.

Shar said the hybrid model “proves quite useful for graduate students who often are balancing work life, family life, and personal life alongside the priority of school life.” 

VSU’s Master of Social Work program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and features an advanced generalist curriculum designed to prepare students for professional social work practice across multiple levels.

Currently housed in the School of Health Sciences, under the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, the Master of Social Work program at VSU has a strong tradition of preparing compassionate, knowledgeable, and skilled professionals who are ready to serve individuals, families, organizations, and communities.

“One of the program’s greatest strengths is its longstanding connection to the region,” said Dr. Heather M. Kelley, head of the School of Health Sciences. “VSU has been educating social workers for more than 30 years, and our graduates serve individuals, families, and communities throughout Georgia and across the country. Many of our community partners and field supervisors are themselves VSU Master of Social Work alumni, creating a strong network between current students, graduates, and the social service agencies in our region.”