6 Best Online MBA/MSW Dual Degree Programs

Social service agencies, community organizations, and nonprofits need leaders who understand the people they serve and the budgets, staff, and strategy it takes to keep programs running. An MBA/MSW dual degree combines a Master of Social Work with a Master of Business Administration, giving you clinical or community practice skills alongside the management training to direct an organization. Among online dual MBA programs, this pairing is a natural fit if you want to lead mission-driven work.

Most MBA/MSW dual degrees are still offered on campus at large research universities, so fully online options are limited. The six programs below offer online or largely online paths, with field placements you can typically complete in your own community. Read on for details on each program, plus coursework, timelines, costs, and the leadership careers this combination supports.

What Is an Online MBA/MSW Degree?

An MBA/MSW dual degree lets you earn a Master of Social Work and a Master of Business Administration through a coordinated program, graduating with two separate diplomas. Because some courses count toward both degrees, you'll usually need about 63 to 96 credits instead of the 100 or more required to earn them separately. If you want a broader look at the field first, an overview of social work degrees covers program levels, licensure, and career paths.

The MSW portion includes social work practice, human behavior, social policy, research methods, and supervised field education, often with a choice between direct practice and macro practice. The MBA side adds accounting, finance, marketing, management, and strategy. Many students choose a macro practice focus, which centers on community organizing, program administration, and policy, since it aligns closely with business leadership.

Best Online MBA/MSW Dual Degree Programs

These schools offer MBA/MSW dual degrees with fully online or mostly online coursework. Format details and any residency or regional restrictions are noted in each entry.

1. Aurora University

Aurora University in Illinois offers one of the few fully online MSW/MBA dual degrees, with eight-week courses and no GRE or GMAT requirement. The program requires 84 credit hours and takes an estimated four to five years, making it a good fit for working professionals who need a manageable pace. The MSW is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and the university holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Four field instruction courses give you hands-on social work experience, and Aurora's MSW meets licensure requirements across the country. Instructors use open educational resources in place of traditional textbooks whenever possible, which helps keep costs down. Admission requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, a resume, two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.

2. Carlow University

Carlow University in Pittsburgh delivers its MSW-MBA dual degree online with low-residency requirements, and most students finish in about three years. Total credits range from 63 to 84, depending on your background, with the business coursework adding 27 credits beyond the MSW. The MSW is CSWE-accredited, and the MBA holds accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

You can choose between direct practice and macro practice specializations, and field placements are matched to your professional interests. Business courses cover management, finance, employment law, and data-driven decision-making, taught by faculty with experience in both fields. At least two years of work experience is preferred for admission.

3. University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Students in the online Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville can pair it with an MBA from the Haslam College of Business, which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The dual program requires 96 credits, 51 for the MSSW and 45 for the MBA, and lets you finish both degrees in three years instead of four. The online MSSW is CSWE-accredited.

Field practicums usually take place in the second and third years, and online students can complete them in their own communities. You'll need separate admission to both colleges, though you can request dual degree approval before or after starting either program. The dual option is currently available to Knoxville and online students.

4. Dominican University

At Dominican University near Chicago, the MBA/MSW dual degree pairs an AACSB-accredited MBA from the Brennan School of Business with a CSWE-accredited MSW. Full-time students can finish in three years, including summers, or in two years if they already hold a CSWE-accredited bachelor's degree in social work.

Classes are offered online, in the evening, and during the day, though online social work courses are available only to residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin. MBA concentrations include healthcare administration, leadership, data analytics, and marketing, and average class sizes stay around 16 students. Dominican's network of more than 350 field placement agencies in the Chicago area gives you plenty of practicum options.

5. Pennsylvania Western University

Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) offers a fully online MBA pathway designed for its MSW students and recent MSW graduates. Twelve MSW credits count toward the MBA, so you'll complete 24 additional MBA credits, which full-time students can finish in about 15 months. The MBA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

MBA courses are asynchronous, so you won't need to attend live sessions, and coursework blends quantitative analysis and leadership with social work ethics. Since this is a sequential pathway, you'll complete PennWest's MSW first and then add the business degree. Success coaching and career resources are available throughout the program.

6. Augsburg University

Augsburg University in Minneapolis offers an MSW/MBA built around its hybrid MSW, which meets on alternating weekdays and weekends with online learning activities in between. After finishing the two-year MSW, you'll complete the MBA in about 12 to 16 months through eight-week evening courses. Augsburg's MSW is CSWE-accredited.

Dual degree students follow the Anti-Oppressive Macro Practice specialization, which focuses on community and organizational change. MSW graduates take a reduced set of MBA courses, and you can add a concentration in data analytics, entrepreneurship, or finance. The GMAT is waived, though you'll need to complete MBA math modules before starting quantitative courses.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. Because online MBA/MSW programs are uncommon, the list includes only programs with meaningful online flexibility, rather than padding it with campus-only options. These criteria guided our selections:

• Accreditation: Every MSW program on this list holds CSWE accreditation, which is required for social work licensure in most states.
• Online availability: Fully online programs ranked highest, with hybrid formats and regional restrictions clearly noted.
• Field education flexibility: Programs that let students complete practicums in their own communities were favored.
• Credit efficiency: Dual programs with shared coursework and reasonable total credit requirements earned extra consideration.
• Accessibility: Accessible public and private universities were prioritized over highly selective campus-only programs.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

What Will You Learn in an MBA/MSW Degree Program?

The MSW curriculum covers social work practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities, along with human behavior in the social environment, social welfare policy, research methods, and ethics. Field education is a major component, giving you supervised experience in agencies, schools, hospitals, or community organizations.

On the MBA side, you'll study financial and managerial accounting, finance, marketing, organizational behavior, human resource management, and strategy. Together, the degrees prepare you to design and manage programs, oversee budgets and grants, lead staff, and advocate for policy changes, all while keeping client and community needs at the center of your work.

How Long Does It Take To Earn an MBA/MSW Degree Online?

Most MBA/MSW dual degrees take about three years of full-time study. Students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program may qualify for advanced standing, which can shorten the MSW portion and reduce the total timeline to about two years.

Part-time online programs often take four to five years, especially when field placements are spread across multiple semesters. Sequential programs, where you finish the MSW before starting the MBA, typically add 12 to 16 months after the MSW is complete.

How Much Does an Online MBA/MSW Degree Cost?

Total tuition for an online MBA/MSW dual degree typically ranges from about $40,000 to $75,000 or more. The large number of credits required for both degrees, often 80 or more, makes this one of the more expensive dual degree pairings.

Sequential pathways that add a short MBA after the MSW can cost considerably less than full concurrent programs. Also budget for field placement fees, technology fees, background checks, and any travel for residencies. Comparing affordable online MSW programs can help you gauge typical social work pricing as you evaluate each option.

Financial Aid for Online MBA/MSW Degrees

Social work students have access to several funding sources designed specifically for public service careers. Combining these with federal aid can help keep your debt manageable.

• Federal student loans: Graduate students can borrow Direct Unsubsidized Loans within annual and aggregate limits. Filing the FAFSA for an MBA also qualifies you for many school-based scholarships and grants.
• Social work scholarships: Organizations like the National Association of Social Workers Foundation and the CSWE offer awards and fellowships for MSW students. Many schools also have dedicated scholarships for social work and dual degree students.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Social workers employed full time by government agencies or qualifying nonprofits can have remaining federal loan balances forgiven after 120 qualifying payments. This benefit is especially valuable given the cost of earning two degrees.
• Employer tuition assistance: Hospitals, health systems, and some human service agencies help pay for graduate degrees related to an employee's role. Ask your HR department about tuition reimbursement before you enroll.
• Military benefits: Service members and veterans may be able to apply education benefits toward both degrees. Learning whether the GI Bill covers an MBA can help you plan your funding.

How To Choose the Right MBA/MSW Degree

MBA/MSW programs differ in how they handle field education, licensure, and course sequencing. These factors can help you find the program that fits your goals.

CSWE and Business Accreditation

CSWE accreditation is essential, since most state licensing boards require a degree from a CSWE-accredited program. On the business side, AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE accreditation signals a quality MBA.

State Licensure and Authorization

Online MSW programs must be authorized to operate in your state, and some limit online enrollment to residents of certain states. Confirm that the program meets licensure requirements where you plan to practice.

Field Placement Support

Field education is a major part of any MSW, often totaling 900 hours or more for students without a BSW. Ask how the school helps online students find placements in their area and whether placements can be completed at your current employer.

Concurrent vs. Sequential Format

Some programs blend MSW and MBA courses throughout, while others have you finish the MSW first and then add the MBA. Sequential options can be easier to manage if you want to start practicing social work before beginning business coursework.

Practice Specialization

Macro practice specializations focus on community organizing, administration, and policy, which pair naturally with an MBA. Direct practice specializations prepare you for clinical work and may suit you better if you plan to run a private practice or clinical program.

Career Outlook With an Online MBA/MSW Degree

An MBA/MSW dual degree prepares you to lead human service agencies, nonprofits, community health organizations, and social impact programs within businesses. A common path is social and community service manager, a role that oversees programs, staff, and budgets for organizations that support community well-being.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social and community service managers earn a median annual wage of $80,390. Employment is projected to grow 7% through 2035, with about 18,500 openings expected each year. Graduates who move into executive director or chief operating officer roles at larger organizations often earn considerably more.

FAQs About the Best Online MBA/MSW Degree Programs

Students considering an MBA/MSW often have questions about licensure, career paths, and how the degrees work together. These answers address several of the most common ones.

Can You Become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker With an MBA/MSW?

Yes, as long as your MSW is from a CSWE-accredited program and you complete your state's supervised clinical experience and licensing exam requirements. If clinical licensure is your goal, choose a direct practice or clinical specialization that includes the coursework your state board requires. The MBA portion doesn't affect your eligibility for social work licensure.

What Is Advanced Standing in an MSW Program?

Advanced standing lets students who hold a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program skip the foundation year of the MSW. This can cut the MSW from about 60 credits to around 30 to 40, significantly shortening a dual degree program. Students without a BSW can also look for one-year online MSW programs with no BSW requirement, though these are typically intensive and full time.

Is an MBA/MSW Worth It for Nonprofit Leadership?

An MBA/MSW can be especially valuable for nonprofit executives, who often oversee fundraising, budgets, and strategic planning in addition to program quality. The social work background helps you understand client needs and program design, while the MBA strengthens your financial and operational skills. Many boards look for leaders who can balance mission and sustainability.

Can MBA/MSW Graduates Work in Corporate Settings?

MBA/MSW graduates can pursue roles in corporate social responsibility, employee assistance programs, human resources, diversity and inclusion, and social impact consulting. Healthcare systems and insurers also hire dual degree graduates for care management and program leadership roles. The combination gives you a distinctive profile for organizations that blend business goals with social impact.

Do You Need a BSW To Enroll in an MBA/MSW Program?

A BSW isn't required for most MBA/MSW programs, and students from psychology, sociology, business, and many other fields are welcome. Without a BSW, you'll complete the full MSW curriculum, including foundation coursework and additional field hours. Some programs prefer applicants with a liberal arts background or relevant human services experience.

Find Online MBA/MSW Dual Degrees

An online MBA/MSW dual degree can prepare you to lead organizations that make a meaningful difference in people's lives while managing them with business-level skill. Browse programs through Learn.org and connect directly with schools to get personalized information about field placements, licensure, and costs.