What to Look For in a Bachelor of Social Work Online Program
Written by Ann Feeney, SWG Rankings Team
Last Updated: May 2023
Earning your bachelor of social work (BSW) online offers flexibility and convenience so you can work or take care of other responsibilities while in school. But, with so many options, it can be difficult to decide on the right program for you. Learn about top BSW programs, what to look for and expect, and possible social work careers and salaries after graduation.
What to Look For in a Bachelor of Social Work Online Program
Accreditation
Look for BSW programs accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE-accredited programs undergo a peer-review process to ensure the program meets high-equality educational standards to ensure that graduates are qualified to work in the field of social work. You also need a degree from a CSWE-accredited program to apply for social work licensure in most states. This guide lists only accredited bachelor of social work online programs.
Cost
Many factors affect college costs, including whether the program is private or public if you are eligible for in-state tuition and financial aid. Attending a bachelor of social work program online can save on transportation and room and board fees, but you still need to pay for travel to fieldwork placements and books.
Financial Aid
While in school, you may be eligible for grants, scholarships, and loans from your school, the federal government, and other organizations. After you graduate, you may be eligible for loan forgiveness if you work in a public service or government role.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements can tell you how likely you are to be accepted to a program and what the school most values in students. Talk to the admission staff if you do not meet your dream school’s requirements. For example, you may have other skills, lived experiences, or attributes that might make up for a slightly lower GPA.
Online Requirements/Formatting
Earning a bachelor of social work online can be a very different experience from an on-campus program. Developing an online rapport with fellow students, faculty, and staff can require more deliberate effort. If you prefer real-time discussions, look for synchronous classes in which students all attend lectures at the same time. However, if you need more flexibility for work or other obligations, asynchronous classes allow you to view lectures on your own schedule.
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Best Bachelor of Social Work Online Programs
View our methodology to learn more about how we create school rankings.
1. University of Louisville
Designed for working adults, the University of Louisville‘s online bachelor of social work degree provides the foundation for understanding social justice issues and entering the social work field. The program emphasizes critical analysis, planning, and implementation skills, and advocacy for marginalized individuals.
Coursework delivery takes place entirely online, and in-person practicum experiences happen at agencies close to students’ homes. Enrollees can opt to specialize in drug and alcohol counseling.
UofL offers a $250 per credit active military tuition rate.
- Program(s): Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Louisville, Kentucky
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Tuition: $514 per credit
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED certificate; minimum 2.5 GPA; ACT score of 20 or higher; pre-college curriculum completion
- Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months (or less with college-level transfer credits)
- On-Campus Requirements: No
2. University of Tennessee, Knoxville
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville offers an online bachelor of science in social work degree for applicants with 60 transferable college credits and an associate degree. Course delivery follows both synchronous and asynchronous formats, and field coordinators work with students to secure supervised practicum placements at agencies and organizations near their homes.
Courses include adverse childhood experiences and trauma-informed care, human development in context, mental illness and generalist social work, and social justice and anti-oppressive practice.
- Program(s): Bachelor of science in social work
- Campus: Knoxville, Tennessee
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Tuition: $439 per credit for Tennessee residents; $514 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: Associate degree from a regionally accredited community college; 60 transferable credits; 2.0 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
3. Liberty University
Evangelical Christian Liberty University offers an entirely online bachelor of social work (BSW) with field placements in students’ home communities. The 120-credit curriculum focuses on assessment, intervention strategies, and counseling techniques for working with diverse communities. LU accepts up to 75% of transferable college credits toward the BSW.
Courses include ethics in professional helping, human behavior and the social environment, and social work practice with individuals and families. The BSW requires a three-credit virtual intensive.
- Program(s): Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Lynchburg, Virginia
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Tuition: $390 per credit for full-time enrollment; $455 per credit for part-time students
- Admission Requirements: High school transcripts and self-certification form; college transcripts, if applicable; minimum 2.0 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months (with 75% college-level transfer credits)
- On-Campus Requirements: No
4. Northern Arizona University
The bachelor of social work (BSW) online program at Northern Arizona University allows distance learners to complete their required 450 hours of fieldwork experience at a local agency. The flexible, 120-credit program features multiple start dates. Enrollees can study full or -part time and access 24/7 technical support, online library resources, tutoring, and peer mentors.
BSW focus areas include practice with rural and indigenous populations in the Southwest and addressing poverty, structural racism, and oppression.
- Program(s): Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Flagstaff, Arizona
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Tuition: $465 per credit
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED certificate; 2.25 GPA; 24 completed credits, including a B-grade in SW 220: People to People: Social Welfare and Social Work
- Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months (or less with college-level transfer credits)
- On-Campus Requirements: No
5. Huntington University
Founded by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University focuses its bachelor of social work online program on teaching real-world advocacy, ministry, and intervention to help people in need. Online coursework, along with community service and fieldwork in their local areas, allows students the flexibility to continue working.
The 120-credit curriculum introduces social work and addictions, features courses in human behavior and the social environment and social policy, and includes an intercultural practicum.
- Program(s): Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Huntington, Indiana
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Tuition: $402 per credit
- Admission Requirements: High school transcripts; college transcripts, if applicable and with more than 24 credits earned
- Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months (or less with college-level transfer credits)
- On-Campus Requirements: No
6. Wayne State University
The online bachelor of social work (BSW) program at Wayne State University offers flexible full- and part-time study options. Course delivery follows a sequential asynchronous format, but admittees are required to attend an on-campus orientation.
The school arranges 460-hour, senior-year field experiences in Southeast Michigan with consideration toward students’ locations, but it cannot guarantee placements in their areas. Some courses include service- and experiential-learning components. Student support includes BSW advisors, online mentoring, tutoring, and campus-based activities via Zoom.
- Program(s): Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Detroit, Michigan
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Tuition: $431-$512 per credit for Michigan residents; $987-$1,176 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: 60 college-level credits at Wayne State (or transferable from another school) and pre-professional coursework; minimum 2.5 GPA; completion of online assessment
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months (with 60 transferable credits)
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
7. Aurora University
Aurora University‘s bachelor of social work online program offers concentrations in addictions or child welfare, which prepare them for certifications and licensure in those specializations. Distance learners receive faculty mentorship and field internship placement support and can complete their field experiences in their local areas.
Core coursework includes research methods in social work, social welfare: institutions and policies, and survey of social work. Some courses use free, digital, openly licensed content in place of textbooks.
- Program(s): Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Aurora, Illinois
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Tuition: $438 per credit
- Admission Requirements: Associate degree or 60 college-level transfer credits and high school diploma or GED certificate (applicants with fewer than 15 college credits submit high school transcripts with 2.5 GPA and ACT/SAT test scores); official college/university transcripts; resume showing two or more years of work or military experience or relevant responsibilities; 2.5 college GPA; prerequisite coursework
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months (with transfer credits)
- On-Campus Requirements: No
8. Spring Arbor University
The online bachelor of social work at Methodist Church-affiliated Spring Arbor University requires no campus visits and accepts up to 80 college-level transfer credits. Enrollees work with a faculty liaison to arrange and complete 400 internship hours at field sites in their communities.
The 120-credit curriculum emphasizes theory and skill development and features courses in practice with individuals and families, racial and ethnic relations, and social welfare policies. Michigan residents can opt to earn a 22-hour child welfare endorsement.
- Program(s): Bachelor of Social Work
- Campus: Spring Arbor, Michigan
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Tuition: $598 per credit
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED score above 500; minimum 2.5 college GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 20 months (depending on number of transfer credits)
- On-Campus Requirements: No
9. Angelo State University
Angelo State University offers an online bachelor of social work program that focuses on advocacy for people from diverse populations experiencing social, mental, or physical challenges. Graduates gain eligibility to take the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners licensing exam.
The 120-credit curriculum includes courses in addictions, domestic violence, social work diversity and ethical practice, and social work and criminal justice. Distance learners complete their required 500 hours of field training at local agencies.
- Program(s): Bachelor of social work
- Campus: San Angelo, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Tuition: $9,310 per year for Texas residents; $21,550 per year for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: High school or, if applicable, college transcripts; completion of introduction to social work and theory and practice prerequisites
- Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months (or less with college-level transfer credits)
- On-Campus Requirements: No
10. University of Nebraska Kearney
The University of Nebraska Kearney‘s 120-credit bachelor of social work (BSW) features online study and a reduced 30-credit general studies education requirement. BSW courses include introduction to disabilities, child abuse and neglect, social work in legal settings, and school social work. Each student completes 400 hours of field practicums at an agency approved by the program’s field placement committee.
In addition to low tuition costs, UNK offers several scholarships and field placement stipends for social work enrollees.
- Program(s): Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Kearney, Nebraska
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Tuition: $259 per credit for Nebraska residents; $396 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: B in introduction to social welfare course; completion of human service ethics and experiences course and required volunteer hours; UNK GPA of 2.5 or, for transfer students, college transcripts for evaluation
- Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months (or less with college-level transfer credits)
- On-Campus Requirements: No
What to Expect in a Bachelor of Social Work Online Program
Coursework
You will learn both theory and practice of social work as you earn your bachelor of social work online. Typical core courses include different population groups and their needs (such as families, children, people experiencing homelessness), social work in different settings (such as medical or schools), effective communication, and diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.
Program Length
Earning a bachelor of social work online typically takes four years for a full-time student. If you have college credits from another school or from advanced placement courses, you may be able to finish earlier. Some BSW programs allow students to attend part-time, which will extend your program length.
Field Placement
You must complete fieldwork as part of your BSW program. The number of hours and type of work vary based on the program. If you are earning a bachelor of social work online, make sure you can complete fieldwork in your community or travel to the school’s approved sites.
Prepare for Licensure
While you can work in the social work field with just a BSW, you must have a social work license to practice as a social worker. You also need a license to perform clinical social work — diagnosing and counseling for mental health conditions. Each state has its own requirements and procedures, and some require licensing for non-clinical social work. The minimum education for most licenses is a master of social work (MSW), but some states require a license to perform supervised fieldwork with clients while you earn your MSW.
What Can You Do with Bachelor of Social Work Degree
Each state board regulates its own social worker licensing requirements. While the scope of work you can perform with a BSW is limited, you can pursue many social work roles. If you want to conduct clinical social work, you can gain experience in the field with a BSW, but you must earn your MSW and license.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 9% growth for social workers between 2021 and 2031, which is faster than the growth for all jobs.
Careers with Bachelor of Social Work Degree
Family Service Worker
Family service workers provide support for families who are experiencing difficulties. While only a licensed clinical social worker can provide clinical help, family service workers can refer families to resources, support licensed clinical social workers, assist with foster care placement and adoptions, or other responsibilities.
Average Salary (February 2023):$39,720
Case Manager
Case managers oversee specific individuals or groups. They track the status of clients, refer them to resources, coordinate care plans, and facilitate successful outcomes. This position typically requires some experience in an entry-level role.
Average Salary (March 2023):$44,770
School Social Worker
Most states require school social workers to have an MSW and a license. School social workers collaborate with teachers, family, and school staff to support the well-being of students. They may address issues primarily within the school, such as bullying or students struggling academically, or help with family issues.
Average Salary (March 2023):$51,060
Care Coordinator
Care coordinators help clients and other professional staff in completing a care plan. At an entry-level position, a care coordinator may act primarily as a facilitator and enable communications between a licensed social worker and a client. Higher-level care coordinators may have more direct responsibilities working with a client.
Average Salary (March 2023):$49,730
How Much Can You Make with a Bachelor of Social Work Degree?
On average, graduates with a bachelor’s in social work make $55,000 annually as of May 2023, according to Payscale.
Many factors affect social worker salaries, including the cost of living, employer, experience, and responsibilities. According to the BLS, social workers for local government earn the most, followed by ambulatory healthcare, state government, and individual and family services. Note that most social workers need an MSW to practice, but licensing requirements vary by state. Contact your state board for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions about Getting Your Bachelor of Social Work Degree Online
Is a bachelor’s enough to become a social worker?
Each state regulates what work you can perform with a BSW and what kind of license you must have. In general, most states require clinical social workers to have an MSW. However, you can pursue other social work roles with a bachelor’s degree, such as case manager, family service worker, and care coordinator.
What can you do with a social work degree?
Most graduates work as licensed social workers, but you can pursue many roles in the social work and social services field. Some options include working in substance misuse counseling, policy analysis and advocacy, and designing and delivering youth programs.
What is the difference between on-campus and online social work programs?
There is no difference between earning a bachelor of social work online and on the campus. You should ensure that whatever BSW program you choose is CSWE accredited. However, the student experience is very different online vs. in person, so consider which format works best for you and your goals.
Are social workers in demand?
The number of job openings for social workers is growing faster than across all jobs. The BLS projects 9% growth in the number of social worker job openings between 2021 and 2031, especially due to turnover and retirement. Demand also varies by region and role. For example, in areas with aging populations, the need for geriatric social workers may be higher than the need for family and child social workers.
