Finding an online school specializing in bachelor’s of social work degrees is no easy task! Many universities have some sort of social sciences degree but not a specialization in social work. They often only carry master’s or doctorate level degrees in social work. Some are accredited by the Council of Social Work Education which carries the highest of standards in social work education. This accreditation is important for finding a job after graduation.
Most social work degree holders do go on to receive their master’s in social work as most states require this degree and for you to be licensed in your state. According to a 2020 Guide to MSW Degrees and Social Work Careers by U.S. News and World Report, social workers can be found in schools, hospitals, drug rehabilitation centers and child welfare agencies. They work in the criminal justice system, as therapists and in government work. They also often work in the private sector or as private business owners of therapy clinics.
In order to become a social worker, one usually needs at least a bachelor’s degree. To become a clinical social worker one must also have a master’s degree AND two years of post-masters experience in a supervised clinical setting and be licensed, as mentioned above. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median wage for social workers was $50,470 in May 2019 and the expected job growth is 13% through the year 2029 which is much faster than average for ALL occupations. Increased demand could be an attributing factor in its fast growth predictions.
QUICK LINKS
- Accredited ONLINE Bachelor of Social Work Programs
- UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
- SPRING ARBOR UNIVERSITY
- NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
- LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
- HUNTINGTON UNIVERSITY
- MISERICORDIA UNIVERSITY
- URSULINE COLLEGE
- WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
- UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY
- NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY
- INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
- EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY
- LIMESTONE COLLEGE
- BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY
- BRANDMAN UNIVERSITY
- BRESCIA UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS
- CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY
- Frequently Asked Questions
Check this out: Social Work Career, Salary and Information Guide
Advance in your career with an online Masters or Doctorate degree in Social Work:
Top 20 Online Master’s of Social Work (MSW) Programs
Best Online Schools for Doctor in Social Work Programs
Accredited ONLINE Bachelor of Social Work Programs
METHODOLOGY: What better way to serve others than to earn an online Bachelor of Social Work degree. OnlineSchoolsCenter.com has located the below programs that offer quality and accredited online bachelor’s degrees in this critical field. They are listed randomly and in no particular order due to each program’s unique qualities. You are sure to find a school that will meet your educational needs and interests.
The below schools were chosen based on the following factors:
- Proper Accreditation according to Social Work degree program standards – specifically that from the CSWE,
- 100% Online or Hybrid Availability, for convenience and flexibility,
- Convenient clinical experience opportunities, when required, within the field of Social Work,
- Financial Aid availability, Grants & Scholarship opportunities,
- Ease of ability to transfer credits to a Master’s degree program in Social Work,
- Positive Student Reviews,
- Programs offering a comprehensive scope of the foundations of Social Work theory and applications,
- Provides skills and knowledge to obtain an entry-level job in Social Work upon graduation,
- Promotes ethical practice within a career in Social Work,
- Prepares students for work in government, non-profit, community outreach or other clinical settings.
If you would like to delve deeper, please see our Methodology page.
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
bachelor of social work (BSW) program
Program Standouts: Housed within the University of Utah’s College of Social Work, the online Bachelor of Social Work degree is a rigorous program that produces experts in the field. There are numerous ways for students to engage in interactive learning through group and collaborative projects, discussion forums, and real-world experiences. Students are kept in constant contact with their professors for help with any problems or questions. Those who are looking for further specialization in their major are encouraged to consider the Child Welfare Title IV-E Career Path, a grant from the Utah State Division of Child and Family Services to assist students who plan on working with children. The University of Utah is an affordable online school with a tuition rate of about $260 per both in-state and out-of-state students.
Coursework Sample:
- Social Diversity and Cultural Understanding
- Global Community-Based Research
- Social Welfare and Policy Services
Campus Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH’S ONLINE SOCIAL WORK BACHELOR’S DEGREE
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
SOCIAL WORK (B.S.S.W.)
Program Standouts: The University of North Dakota is an extraordinary state school offering impressive online programs such as the Bachelor of Science in Social Work. It is an accelerated online bachelor’s degree that can be completed in as few as two years for students who have the discipline. It is also an excellent transfer school for students who have already obtained a significant number of general education credits or core requirements from another accredited college or university. Many students at UND choose to further specialize in their education with a minor in either Gerontology or Chemical Dependency, both of which provide exceptional coursework in relevant areas of the profession. This online social work program has been recognized for its high-quality education by numerous resources and offers one of the top curricula in America.
Coursework Sample:
- Generalist Social Work Practice with Task and Treatment Groups
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment I and II
- Social Work Research
Campus Location: Grand Forks, ND
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA’S ONLINE B.S. IN SOCIAL WORK
SPRING ARBOR UNIVERSITY
SOCIAL WORK (BSW)
Program Standouts: Spring Arbor University’s online social work bachelor’s degree is an excellent choice for individuals who desire more in-depth experience and real-world training. Students at this online school undergo extensive practice-based courses, wherein they learn how to work directly with individuals, families, and groups of clients. The immersive internship experience provides even more experiential learning opportunities in which students gain invaluable tools and future social work techniques. Some areas of emphasis in this degree include social and economic justice, integrity and competence in practice, and service values. The faculty and staff at SAU are experts who are steeped in practice and theory and highly involved in each student’s professional goals.
Coursework Sample:
- Practice With Individuals and Families
- Social Welfare Policies
- Practice with Communities and Organizations.
Campus Location: Spring Arbor, MI
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT SPRING ARBOR UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BACHELOR’S OF SOCIAL WORK (BSW)
NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK DEGREE (BSW)
Program Standouts: The Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a well-known online school with numerous accolades for its achievements as a distance education institution. This bachelor’s degree in social work is perfect for students who are looking to enter the field immediately upon graduating, or for those who are considering a masters-level education. In fact, the credits in this online degree are so valuable that the curriculum fulfills nearly half of the requirements for any Masters in Social Work. eNSU’s BSW is a generalist program that lays a strong foundation of understanding upon which graduates can build their experience as professionals. Alumni work in a wide range of areas in the field, such as Family Services, Military Social Work, Mental Health and Illness, Child Welfare, and more.
Coursework Sample:
- Techniques of Interviewing
- Economics and Social Work
- Differential Diagnosis
Campus Location: Natchitoches, LA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA’S BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK ONLINE DEGREE
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SOCIAL WORK DEGREE
Program Standouts: Liberty University is one of the most popular online schools in the nation. It receives unending recognition for its outstanding degrees, affordability, and flexibility. It is an accelerated university in which students complete classes throughout eight-week terms. The social work undergraduate can be shortened significantly for transfer students who are free to carry over up to 75% of the total degree requirements. On average, students typically complete the Bachelor of Social Work in about three-and-a-half years. Liberty University is an evangelical Christian school, and all of the degree programs are rooted in principles of faith and ministry. The BSW coursework provides opportunities for students to experience learning abroad in the International Social Work Field Experience, which connects them with peers and professionals across the entire globe. Learning at Liberty online guarantees a unique and exciting education.
Coursework Sample:
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment
- Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families
- International Social Work Field Experience
Campus Location: Lynchburg, VA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SOCIAL WORK DEGREE
HUNTINGTON UNIVERSITY
ONLINE BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK
Program Standouts: Huntington University is a top-rated Christian school in the state of Indiana. Here, online undergraduate students of social work obtain an esteemed education founded in the principles of Christ. Huntington is an accelerated online school where students take on five-week courses at a time, which allows them to focus more strongly on their studies. The curriculum provides an education that satisfies all of the requirements for licensure or certification throughout the country. Huntington also offers an exciting Master of Arts in Counseling degree for students who are ready to take their education to the graduate level. However, many graduates go on to play major roles in clinics, hospitals, schools, state and local government agencies, or youth-serving organizations.
Coursework Sample:
- Job Shadow in Social Work
- Intercultural Immersion Experience
- Child Welfare
Campus Location: Huntington, IN
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT HUNTINGTON UNIVERSITY’S SOCIAL WORK BACHELOR’S DEGREE ONLINE
MISERICORDIA UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK (BSW) ACCELERATED DEGREE PROGRAM
Program Standouts: The Bachelor of Social Work at Misericordia University is an accelerated online degree that equally integrates practical and theoretical concepts. It can be taken part-time or full-time, depending on students’ learning methods, and many complete the degree in as little as two years. The curriculum includes exciting field experience opportunities in Social Welfare Agencies that put such concepts into use. MU’s program is specifically designed to educate working adults who have busy professional and personal lives. While the BSW is quite flexible and accommodating of students’ individual goals and needs, the “predictable schedule” provides courses in a sequential, structured, cohort format. The extensive fieldwork experiences make this program one of the most involved and rewarding in the country and provides students with outstanding networking connections.
Coursework Sample:
- Comparative Sociology
- Cultural Minorities
- American National Government
Campus Location: Dallas, PA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT MISERICORDIA UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE ACCELERATED BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK
URSULINE COLLEGE
ONLINE SOCIAL WORK BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAM
Program Standouts: Ursuline College’s online social work undergraduate program is extensive, particularly in regards to the fieldwork experiences. Students participate in longer course terms of fifteen weeks, during which they are matched with organizations and agencies throughout their local communities. Current and past students have only the most glowing comments regarding their immersive, hands-on education at this fantastic online school. Some of the areas that Ursuline graduates have gained employment include the AIDS Task Force, Hospice of the Western Reserve, Women Safe, and West Side Community House, all of which provide outstanding services for a wide variety of clients. The curriculum schedule is quite flexible and allows students to complete courses online, live, or in a hybrid format.
Coursework Sample:
- Social Welfare as a Social Institution
- Human Behavior and Social Environment
- Policies, Programs, and Issues
Campus Location: Pepper Pike, OH
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
- Ohio Department of Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT URSULINE COLLEGE’S ONLINE SOCIAL WORK BACHELOR’S DEGREE
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE BSW PROGRAM
Program Standouts: The online Bachelor of Social Work curriculum is composed of five key areas: human behavior and the social environment, research methods, social work practice, social welfare policy and services, and field education. In these coursework emphases, students develop a keen understanding of social justice, values and ethics, populations-at-risk, systemic oppression, and discrimination. The fieldwork and internship requirements put such theories into practice in a variety of public and private agencies, particularly those in urban areas and communities disproportionately affected by poverty and oppression. Online students learn from the same expert faculty members who teach on-campus courses, and Wayne State University utilizes high-quality learning platforms in the delivery of their programs at a distance.
Coursework Sample:
- Intro to Social Work and Social Welfare
- American Government
- Human Biology
Campus Location: Detroit, MI
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BSW PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
ONLINE BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK (bsw)
Recommended Schools
Program Standouts: The online undergraduate degree in social work at the University of Louisville is offered through the prestigious Kent School of Social Work. The BSW program includes a strong focus on the knowledge and skills related to the effect of social work on institutions, communities, and families. The curriculum has one area of concentration in Drug and Alcohol Counseling, which is an excellent array of coursework designed to prepare students to work in a more specific domain of the profession. The University of Louisville is a well-known online school that receives numerous accolades each year for its achievements in distance education. The coursework is provided 100% online, and students can complete the curriculum entirely on their own schedule.
Coursework Sample:
- Human Behavior and Social Environment
- Social Justice Practice
- Issues in Policy and Service Delivery
Campus Location: Louisville, KY
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE’S ONLINE BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY
ONLINE SOCIAL WORK COMPREHENSIVE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Program Standouts: The wide array of coursework in the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Online Social Work Comprehensive Bachelor of Science degree presents a diverse perspective into a broad field. Many topics provide training and knowledge in working with multiracial and multicultural communities, including those in ethics and social justice. Graduates have the skills to advocate for their future clients while providing expert services in social work. UNK has maintained social work accreditation from the CSWE for nearly forty years, and now offers one of the most highly refined degrees of its kind in the nation. This curriculum is also one of the most affordable in the US, with an in-state tuition of $261 per credit hour and an out-of-state tuition of $396 per credit hour. At UNK, students can take comfort in the fact that they are attending one of the most excellent online programs in social work.
Coursework Sample:
- Human Service Ethics and Experience
- Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- Diversity and Social Justice
Campus Location: Kearney, NE
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY’S ONLINE SOCIAL WORK COMPREHENSIVE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK
Program Standouts: At Northern Arizona University, online students engage in the skills necessary to help individuals experiencing substance abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, disabilities, and death, as well as physical, mental, and behavioral illnesses. The comprehensive curriculum also provides numerous learning experiences in students’ surrounding communities where they can put challenging concepts into practice. Graduates from NAU have gone on to work in a wide range of social service departments that span diverse communities, such as child and youth services, elder care services, victim advocacy, and more. This social work undergraduate is also an excellent foundation upon which to continue one’s education as a therapist, lawyer, hospital care coordinator, expert witness, and other such specialized professions.
Coursework Sample:
- Generalist Practice
- Crisis Intervention
- Contemporary Topics in Social Work
Campus Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY’S BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK ONLINE
INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK
Program Standouts: Indiana Wesleyan University has appeared on many rankings of the most exceptional online degrees in the nation. The Bachelor of Social Work, in particular, has been named by some highly respected academic resources as the best of its kind in 2020. IWU is a Christian school that supports a mission and vision that aligns with the principles of Christ. The College of Adult and Professional Studies’ online social work program is specifically designed for working adults, in which students engage in an extremely flexible degree. Graduates go on to work for any number of social work agencies, industries, organizations, and businesses that work directly with a variety of at-risk populations. This program has held CSWE accreditation for twenty-five years and continues to expand upon an already high-quality curriculum.
Coursework Sample:
- State and Local Government and Politics
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment I and II
- Social Work Practice I, II, and III
Campus Location: Marion, IN
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY’S BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK
EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY
ONLINE BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK
Program Standouts: Eastern New Mexico University provides fascinating course topics in the online Bachelor of Social Work. Students undergo immersive learning experiences in the analysis of alleviating poverty, social injustice, and oppression while maintaining respect for cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity. The degree utilizes multiple high-tech platforms in the delivery of social work distance education, in which students complete a variety of readings, assignments, tests, projects, and labs throughout each semester. ENMU provides multiple social work focused resources and academic assistance programs for online students. These include tutoring services, the Online Writing Center (OWL), the Golden Library, mentors, and faculty members, all of whom are readily available. Graduates work in diverse practice settings, such as courts, corrections, schools, law enforcement, child welfare, and more!
Coursework Sample:
- Perspectives in Mental Health
- Chemical Dependency – Significances and Consequences
- Human Diversity and the Multiculturism in Social Work
Campus Location: Portales, NM
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK
LIMESTONE COLLEGE
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK
Program Standouts: At Limestone College, the bachelor of social work focuses heavily on patterns of human behavior in individuals, organizations, families, and communities. The program has a collaborative approach and teaches students to work both in teams and as leaders. Many topics in this curriculum emphasize the understanding of differences in racially, culturally, sexually, and ethnically diverse groups. Unlike many other online schools on this ranking, students can take classes at Limestone that explore concepts and principles of gender in the modern age, and how today’s social workers can assist different communities of individuals. Limestone students benefit from small class sizes and easy access to professors and mentors. Graduates seeking further professional education and certification in social work should take advantage of the excellent master’s degree at this fine institution.
Coursework Sample:
- The Influence of Sexual Factors on Behavior
- Social Work Intervention: Individuals, Families, and Small Groups
- Social Welfare Programs and Policy
Campus Location: Gaffney, SC
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT LIMESTONE COLLEGE’S BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK
BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY
SOCIAL WORK BSW
Program Standouts: At Bemidji State University, online students complete a hybrid program in social work that utilizes a platform called SWIM – Social Work Integrated Model. The degree emphasizes the development of understanding in human interactions throughout various cultures. The curriculum gives students knowledge and skills at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice in working with groups, families, individuals, communities, and organizations. This online BSW program is perfect for students who require more direct interactions with peers and professors. As a “mostly online bachelor’s,” students create more reliable networking connections and better relationships with their cohort members. Bemidji provides an affordable online bachelor’s social work with a tuition rate for out-of-state students of $322.81.
Coursework Sample:
- Generalist I, II, and III
- Abnormal Psychology
- Family: Dynamics and Intervention
Campus Location: Bemidji, MN
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE SOCIAL WORK BSW
BRANDMAN UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SOCIAL WORK
Program Standouts: Brandman University is a highly popular online school that has received glowing recognition for its achievements in distance education. A bachelor’s degree in social work is offered as either a hybrid program or fully online, depending on individual students’ preferred learning methods. The curriculum is designed to enhance skills in technological processes and organizational dynamics as such applies to political, social, and cultural change. All students engage in 400 hours of immersive field practice, which include positions in gerontology, child and family social work, social and community service, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and probation/correctional treatment.
Coursework Sample:
- Drug and Alcohol Treatments in Social Work
- Youth At Risk
- Domestic Violence
Campus Location: Irvine, CA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT BRANDMAN UNIVERSITY’S BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SOCIAL WORK
BRESCIA UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK DEGREE
Program Standouts: Many reasons make Brescia University one of the best online schools for social work. However, the most prominent might be that students can earn their Associate’s in Human Services, Bachelor’s in Social Work, and Master’s of Social Work 100% online. It is an excellent series of programs for adult learners, in particular, and the curricula were designed with precisely such students in mind. The BSW, alone, can be completed in as little as two years for students who qualify. Graduates of this fine university have gone on to work in various areas of the profession, such as anti-poverty programs, child protective and aging population services, criminal justice, and more. Brescia is one of the most affordable social work online schools on this ranking, with a tuition rate of $300 per credit hour for both residents and non-residents of Kentucky.
Coursework Sample:
- Social Issues in Diversity
- Ethical Considerations in Social Work
- Social Work and Aging
Campus Location: Owensboro, KY
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT BRESCIA UNIVERSITY’S BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK DEGREE ONLINE
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK (BSW) FULLY ONLINE PROGRAM
Program Standouts: The coursework available in the University of Alaska Fairbanks Bachelor of Social Work fully online program spans a wide range of fascinating topics. Students are required to complete classes in Special Problem Areas, some examples of which can be found in the Coursework Sample below. It is a highly flexible BSW program that provides numerous pathways to completion. Students can earn their degree on campus, in a hybrid format, or entirely online, depending on their learning preferences. Yet, all students engage in 400 hours of supervised fieldwork in their surrounding communities. Graduates of UAF have the knowledge, experience, and skill to enter into positions in mental health, family agencies, child welfare, youth programs, Native corporations, and other niche areas of the profession.
Coursework Sample:
- Women’s Issues in Social Welfare and Social Work Practices
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
- Child Abuse and Neglect
Campus Location: Fairbanks, AK
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS’ FULLY ONLINE BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK (BSW)
CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE BSW
Program Standouts: Campbellsville University is one of the nation’s most excellent Christian schools that offers an accelerated online bachelor in social work. Courses are completed in eight-week terms and, for students who are interested in further education, the undergraduate program flows perfectly into the Campbellsville online MSW degree. All of the curricula at this online school include a foundation in Christian values and ethics, and the social work courses train students to be capable providers with such a basis. The virtual classroom offers an interactive approach to distance learning, in which students take part in hands-on projects that are designed to simulate future social work scenarios. The practicum then takes students out of the online classroom and into the real world where they put their new skills to work in their communities.
Coursework Sample:
- Faith-Based Social Services and Ministries
- Death, Dying, and Bereavement
- Human Behavior and Social Environment I and II
Campus Location: Decatur, GA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council on Social Work Education
LEARN MORE ABOUT CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BSW
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a Social Worker and what kind of degree will I need?
Becoming a social worker can be a lengthy process, no doubt. Most states require a license to practice in specific capacities; however, earning an online Bachelor of Social Work degree is a great start!
Can you earn your degree online? Some bachelor degree programs are offered online. Furthermore, hybrid programs requiring some on-campus attendance are more plentiful due to the nature of the study. Also, an internship or field experience may be required for graduation.
What will you learn? Through an online Bachelor of Social Work degree program, you should learn about the foundations of social work practice and human behavior, social welfare policies, social service delivery systems, research methods, as well as, micro and macro human behavior in social settings and about diversity and oppression in social work, among other relevant topics of today.
What can I do with an online Bachelor of Social Work degree?
Generally speaking, an online bachelor’s degree in the field of social work is a stepping stone to earning your master’s or doctoral degree. And, in most cases, a graduate degree is required to secure a supervisory position and gain licensure in your state. With that being said, some employers are willing to hire bachelor degree holders for entry-level positions.
As each state has its own licensure regulations, if you would like to work in a school setting or within public health, you generally will need a license to practice. Many who begin their journey in social work hold jobs as case management aides, probation officers, or human services specialists. If you choose to move on, you can easily continue your education to become licensed in the field.
What type of Social Work is right for me?
Becoming a social worker is an awesome opportunity… if you have the time and tenacity to follow through with earning the right educational degrees. It’s a rewarding career choice; although, it can be stressful, and at times, can be painful given the situations you must deal with; it’s not for everybody.
Social work is divided up into three bodies of work; within the family setting, working with children and their schools, or in the field of public health and medicine. Ask yourself where your real interest lies to find an age group or types of life events in which you are passionate about and think that you can be of some assistance, either through your education or own personal experiences. A good social worker must be compassionate, have a willingness to help, a good communicator, very organized and patient, and most importantly, empathetic to other’s needs.
