The Best Online Colleges for Social Work

A career in social work can be fulfilling for those who want to help vulnerable populations. Social workers make a difference in people’s lives by connecting them to vital services and resources.

Earning a bachelor’s degree in social work is an excellent first step toward becoming a licensed social worker (LSW). This degree can also open the door to other career opportunities in social and human services.

Many colleges and universities offer accredited bachelor’s in social work degree programs, including online degrees for students who prefer flexible or remote learning. Use this guide to learn about the best online colleges for social work.

A bachelor’s degree program in social work involves an undergraduate core curriculum plus courses related to social work, such as human behavior in the social environment, the history and values of social welfare, and social work practice in community organization. Most social work degree programs require a practicum or internship before graduation.

A bachelor of social work (BSW), bachelor of arts (BA) in social work, and bachelor of science (BS) in social work will all prepare you for a career in social work, although through different curriculum requirements. The BS may emphasize research methods and may require a more intensive practicum plus extra math or science courses. A BA program is more likely to have a humanities focus and a foreign language requirement. A BSW may focus more on social work courses and training, but it can also be synonymous with a BA or BS in social work.

An online bachelor’s degree can be the first step toward becoming a social worker. In some states, a BSW satisfies the education requirement for licensure. However, for clinical roles, states typically require a master of social work (MSW). While some MSW programs accept students with a bachelor’s degree in a related field, a BSW may allow you to enroll with advanced standing, shortening the time required to graduate.

Many people choose the online route because of the flexibility it affords compared to a traditional on-campus program. Distance learning programs offer students the convenience of studying from home in full-time, part-time, or accelerated learning formats.

When researching online social work degrees, look for schools and programs with accreditation.

There are two types of accreditors: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditors assess the quality of academic programs and the strength of the institution as a whole. Programmatic accreditors specialize in a particular field and review programs or departments within an institution.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is primarily responsible for accrediting social work programs at universities. Depending on your state, you may not be able to earn your social worker license if you attend an unaccredited program.

While admission requirements vary for online BSW programs, schools often require official transcripts, SAT or ACT test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation. Some programs, such as the online BSW from Maryville University, don’t require any entrance exams or an application fee.

Other programs, such as Northern Arizona University’s BSW, require students to apply through the school’s social work department after having at least 24 credits in progress and a minimum GPA of 2.25.

After earning a bachelor’s degree, a number of states allow you to apply for a licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW) credential. You’ll need to possess a bachelor’s degree, submit an application, pass the national Association of Social Work Boards exam, and, if required by your state, pass a jurisprudence exam.

The LBSW credential allows you to work under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or case management supervisor. You can also help community organizations and policymakers implement programs and services.

If you live in a state that requires social workers to hold an MSW or are otherwise uninterested in becoming a social worker, you can pursue other careers within social services, such as social case worker or case manager. You could also pursue a career as a health education specialist, substance use counselor, correctional treatment specialist, outreach worker, or community manager. Other potential careers include mediator, human resources manager, and research assistant.

Many of these careers are growing faster than the national average, allowing you to find strong job opportunities.

A BSW program can prepare you to pursue a master’s in social work, a doctorate in social work, or a master’s in counseling. An advanced degree prepares you for additional certifications or to pursue careers such as a college professor or counselor.

Depending on the master’s degree program you complete and your state’s requirements, you can apply to become an LSW, a licensed graduate social worker (LGSW), a licensed master social worker (LMSW), or an LCSW. The LCSW credential requires around three additional years of postgraduate clinical experience.

If you choose a degree in advanced clinical practice, potential careers include behavioral health clinician, family and child therapist, academic advisor, clinical coordinator, early childhood mental health consultant, geriatric care manager, and medical social worker.

An online social work degree program can be worth it. Distance learning programs allow learners the flexibility to maintain their lifestyles, personal commitments, and even part- or full-time jobs. For individuals who feel passionately about social work, an online bachelor’s program can serve as a path into the field.

While a traditional bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete, online social work programs give students considerably more flexibility and format options. Accelerated learners might finish even quicker, in three years or less. Part-time students may need 5-8 years to finish the program.

The course load for a BSW, combined with a practicum or internship toward the end of your degree program, can be challenging for some students. The emotional toll of social work is also difficult for some people.

According to the NCES, in 2020, the average annual cost of attendance for full-time, in-person study for a BSW was $32,462, which adds up to nearly $130,000 for four years. Full-time online study was $21,016, or just over $84,000 for four years.

Whether you take part in an online or on-campus program can affect your total costs, and accessing in-state tuition at a public university could help you save on tuition. You can also research scholarships and grants to reduce the cost of your degree program.

Yes, you can become a social worker with a bachelor’s degree. However, you will need to meet your state’s licensure requirements, which can include a certification test. Some states also require an internship or supervised work experience before you can become a social worker.