Best Online Bachelor's Degrees in Social Work

To come up with our list of the best online bachelor's degrees in social work, Study.com dug into the numbers and took a look at the unique features of social work programs across the country. The programs below were selected utilizing Department of Education data on tuition, graduation rates, and financial aid options. Also, Study.com looked for programs that meet the requirements for students to prepare for licensure and become entry-level social work generalists or proceed into advanced social work education at the master's level. We identified programs that were accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), offered a healthy dose of practical, hands-on training, and provided a broad-based curriculum that prepared students for careers in a variety of social work fields. Check out the prestigious offerings below to get prepared for a social work career.

To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit Study.com's ranking methodology page.

*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Online Associate Degrees in Social Work

Online associate degree programs in social work are available as Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degrees, and there are also related online degrees available, such as an AA in Human Services. These 2-year degree programs are usually designed to prepare students to transfer to a 4-year institution to finish their social work degree. Students typically take 60 to 61 credits of coursework that generally consists of general education courses and some introductory courses in social work that provide students with an overview of the field. Some programs may include community placement opportunities for students to get hands-on training working with real social workers.

Online Bachelor's Degrees in Social Work

Online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree programs, as well as a few online Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) in Social Work programs, usually require at least 120 credits of coursework. These programs may utilize skills labs and video case studies to help give online students real-world experience in the field. Some of these programs may allow students to further focus their studies with concentration areas and/or may conclude with a capstone experience. During the final year of the program, students may be required to participate in a field site placement experience to gain hands-on learning experience from real social workers. Some programs may also require on-campus intensives to allow students to interact with faculty and peers. Depending on the school, students may be able to pursue a fast track option to earn their master's degree in the field.

Online Master's Degrees in Social Work

Online Master of Social Work (MSW) degree programs may require as much as 60 credits of coursework. Students may be able to focus their studies in various areas of concentration and are usually required to complete practicum, field placement, and/or internship experiences to receive the necessary hands-on training for licensure preparation as a clinical social worker. Coursework may also utilize case studies and virtual reality scenarios to help train students. Students who already have a BSW may be able to enter these master's programs in advanced standing and finish their master's in as little as 12 months.

Online Doctoral Degrees in Social Work

At the doctoral level, students can choose between an online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work or a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree. Some of these programs are available in full- and part-time formats and may allow students to graduate in less than 2 years, although many require at least 3 to 4 years of study. Students typically complete a final capstone research project or dissertation. Although these programs are offered online, some programs may require short, on-campus residencies to allow students to interact with their peers and faculty members. Coursework is usually customizable, and many programs offer additional focus or concentration areas.

Online Certificates in Social Work

Online certificate programs in social work are often offered as professional certificates and/or are available in a specific area of social work. For example, online continuing education certificate programs are available in areas like addictions, political social work, advanced clinical dementia practice, and more. These certificate programs are generally designed to further advance students' skills and knowledge in the field of social work and may help with career advancement/professional development. Many programs can be completed in 1 year or less, and some programs, may qualify students to apply for state licensure as a social worker.

Concentrations or focus areas in social work are more common for master's and doctoral degree programs in the field than for bachelor's degrees. However, some bachelor's degree programs may offer focus areas and/or additional endorsement opportunities, such as a Child Welfare Endorsement. At the master's and doctoral levels, students may take additional courses in their chosen concentration area to help prepare for specific careers and/or licensures in the field. Some available concentrations for online social work degrees include:

• Criminal justice
• Addictions
• Medical social work
• Youth and families
• Adult mental health and wellness
• School social work
• Advocacy
• Military social work

While there are some free online social work courses available from different institutions that may be beneficial for a range of careers, a full online degree in social work is the best route for students wishing to become a social worker. These degree programs provide students with a well-rounded education through general education courses and core social work courses that go more in-depth in various topics. Depending on the program, online bachelor's degree programs in the field may include hands-on learning experiences in the form of field placements, internships, and more. Some common course topics for online bachelor's programs in social work may include:

• Human behavior
• Social work practice with individuals/families
• Social work practice with groups
• Diversity
• Policy and advocacy
• Welfare state
• Social work research
• Social work practice with organizations/communities

Most online bachelor's degree programs in social work are intended to be completed in the traditional 4 years. However, there are some programs that may allow students to finish slightly faster on average, such as earning their degree in 3.5 years. Another way to earn a bachelor's degree faster includes earning an associate's degree first. There are at least a couple of online degree completion programs in social work that are designed for those who already have their associate degree. Usually, these programs can be completed in as little as 2 years.

A high-quality online bachelor's degree program in social work usually has two levels of accreditation. The first level is regional accreditation that an institution receives as a whole. This accreditation helps students who attend the school qualify for federal financial aid, generally allows credits to transfer more easily, and ensures that the various degree programs at the institution have met general academic standards for quality. Regional accreditation groups may include organizations like the Higher Learning Commission.

Some specific degree programs, such as social work programs, have an additional level of accreditation from a subject-specific organization. In the case of social work programs, several online bachelor's (and graduate-level) programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The CSWE uses standards specific to the field of social work to ensure that students in accredited programs are receiving a high-quality education that will prepare them for careers in the field. Employers may also prefer students who have earned a CSWE-accredited degree.

Social work licensure typically depends on the type of social worker. In general, all clinical social workers must earn a state license to practice, and many nonclinical social workers are also required to have state licensure to practice. While requirements may vary from state to state, clinical social workers usually need to have a master's degree in the field and must complete at least 2 years of supervised experience in social work. After meeting these requirements, students must pass an exam to earn their Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential.

Other licenses for nonclinical social workers vary by state and level of education. For example, according to the Association of Social Work Boards, Georgia has the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) credential for those with a master's degree, while New Mexico has the LMSW, the Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) for those with a master's and 3,600 hours of experience, and the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW0 for those with a bachelor's degree.

Generally, graduates with a bachelor's degree in social work go on to become some type of social worker. Although there are some jobs in social work for people without a degree, most social workers need at least a bachelor's degree. However, specific requirements may vary by the type of social work performed. For example, those wishing to become a medical social worker may have slightly different requirements than requirements for becoming a foster care social worker or the requirements for a child protective services social worker. Social workers can work in a wide range of settings and areas of the field, including:

• Corrections
• Schools
• Medical facilities
• Disability services
• Elderly care facilities
• Military

While many graduates may take on the role of a social worker, there are other related positions available that can utilize a social work degree. Some of these positions may include titles like:

• Social and community service manager
• Child life specialist
• Residential counselor
• Substance abuse counselor
• Mental health case manager
• Program coordinator

How to Become a Social Worker

Students wondering what it takes to become a social worker should first know that aspiring social workers need a formal education. Many social workers may only need a bachelor's degree, but other social work positions, such as clinical social workers, may be required to hold a master's degree. Depending on the position, some social workers may also need to have so many years of supervised experience, like 2 years of experience for clinical social workers. Clinical social workers also have to obtain a state license, but many other nonclinical social workers may also need a state license to practice.

While specific job duties may vary by the type of social worker performed, in general, social workers help people handle a variety of different issues that arise in daily life. They may evaluate clients' needs, connect them with community resources, perform follow-up checks to see if clients are improving, and/or respond to different types of crisis situations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that social workers made a median annual salary of $50,470, as of 2019. The job outlook for these professionals is 13% from 2019 to 2029, which is much faster than the average.

How to Become a Social and Community Service Manager

Social and community service managers usually need to have at least a bachelor's degree in areas like social work, public health, or business administration. Typically, these professionals also need to have some prior work experience. This experience may come by first working in positions as a substance abuse counselor, social worker, or other related position.

These managers oversee programs and/or organizations that aim to improve and maintain the social well-being of their communities. This usually requires them to perform various administrative duties, plan and execute outreach events, secure funding for services, evaluate the effectiveness of programs, and work closely with community members to better serve the people. According to the BLS, social and community service managers made a median annual salary of $67,150, as of 2019. The job outlook for these managers is 17% from 2019 to 2029, which is also much faster than the average.

There are several different forms of financial aid available to students to help them pay for school. Loans have to be paid back, while grants or scholarships do not. In order to see what types of federal loans and/or grants students may qualify for, they first need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Then, they may decide to pursue additional scholarships or grants to help pay for school. These awards may be available to specific demographics, majors, interests, and more.

There are even scholarships available specifically for undergraduate and/or graduate students pursuing their degree in social work. Some of these scholarships are offered by professional social work organizations or colleges and universities that offer the degree. Students generally need to meet the criteria to apply, and some scholarships may be geared towards specific populations, like veterans or minorities. A few examples of available social work scholarships include:

• City Year Scholarship- This award from the University of Southern California is given to two incoming students each year who are majoring in social work and attending school full-time. These students must have participated in serving underprivileged communities in the City Year--Give a Year program.
• Burt Annin Child Welfare Scholarship- This scholarship is available to students at the University of Utah who are pursuing a BSW or MSW and want to work in child welfare social work.
• National Association of Black Social Workers Scholarship- The NABSW offers this scholarship to full-time undergraduate or graduate students in the field. Applicants need to be a member of the NABSW and have to submit a statement of purpose.

When selecting a social work school and program, students should first consider their career goals and personal schedules. It may be helpful to begin by identifying schools that offer CSWE-accredited online bachelor's degree programs since this accreditation helps ensure academic quality and may be preferred by employers. Students may also want to find a school that is preparing them for the licensing requirements in the state they wish to work. Then, students may want to examine any in-person requirements that the program may have. For example, some programs require on-campus residencies and/or many programs require field placement experiences for hands-on learning. Students should be sure that these requirements fit with their personal schedule and/or geographical location. Some students who know they want to pursue an MSW may look for schools that offer an accelerated or advanced standing MSW program so they can easily transition to graduate school after graduation.

Tuition rates and/or scholarship opportunities may also play a role in determining which school can be afforded. Other factors to consider when choosing a program may include program format, class sizes, and/or any additional unique learning opportunities, such as extracurriculars. Many schools also provide a range of learning resources specifically for online learners.

Social workers may benefit from joining a professional organization early in their education and/or career. These organizations are designed to further advance the field of social work through education, advocacy, professional development, and more. Professionals also get the chance to network and support one another in their work. Some available social work organizations include:

• National Association of Black Social Workers-Specifically designed for black social workers, the NABSW provides membership and professional publications for social workers to explore. Professionals can also benefit from the group's career center and available scholarship opportunities.
• Council on Social Work Education- The CSWE also offers membership, in addition to accreditation for social work degree programs. From the group's homepage, professionals can access publications, information on events and meetings, and advocacy and education resources.
• National Association of Social Workers- The NASW provides different types of membership and practice resources for various areas of social work, including child welfare, health, and school social work. The group offers various certifications and continuing education opportunities, as well as conferences and advocacy campaigns.