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Online Bachelor's in Social Work

Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Become a change agent by actively contributing to solutions for social issues, using your voice to advocate for those who are underserved. The Bachelor of Science in Social Work weaves theory into practical application to help you enhance the lives of diverse individuals, families and communities. Our online bachelor’s in social work includes a required in-person field education component to teach you how to engage, assess, intervene and evaluate across social scenarios to prepare to be an effective, ethical, culturally aware social worker. Take the next step to make a difference in the lives of others.Ìý

Job-ready skills for your professional profile

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Advocacy:ÌýUse advocacy strategies to help remove social, economic and environmental barriers.

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Social work:ÌýApply ethical and professional behavior in a social work setting.

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Advocacy:ÌýUse advocacy strategies to help remove social, economic and environmental barriers.

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Social work:ÌýApply ethical and professional behavior in a social work setting.

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Research:ÌýApply practice-informed research and research-informed practice.

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Client assessment:ÌýApply assessment skills with individuals, families, groups and more.

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Research:ÌýApply practice-informed research and research-informed practice.

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Client assessment:ÌýApply assessment skills with individuals, families, groups and more.

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Career-relevant education with real-world value

Program at a glance

View hands-on fieldwork

With a total of 400 hours of field education at an approved site, you can get hands-on practical experience working with clients in community settings. This required in-person field component helps you weave the theoretical foundations learned in the classroom into your practice as a generalist practitioner.Ìý

View courses

View licensure preparation

The Bachelor of Science in Social Work educationally prepares you to pursue state licensure or certification as a bachelor's level social worker in select states. Licensure requirements vary by state, and you must ascertain and meet the licensure requirements in any state in which you desire to practice.

View licensure details

View real-world faculty

Learn from leaders in the social work community who have distinguished themselves through effective practice, professional service and demonstrated knowledge. Our faculty are active in the human service community, providing services, supervising social workers and volunteering for organizations.Ìý

View faculty

Program by the numbers

4.25 years
Program length

120 credits
Number of credits required

5-15 weeks
Course length

400 hours
Field education hours required

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Explore detailed insights about the online bachelor’s in social work program. Ìý

Courses for your online social work degree

Find what you'll learn in a course – look for the skills-aligned trophy cup

Skills-aligned trophy cup

Our curriculum for the online bachelor’s in social work prepares you to become an effective, ethical, culturally aware social worker who advocates for social change and promotes resilience. Our coursework introduces and reinforces outcomes related to the nine competencies established by the Council on Social Work Education. You can develop skills like professionalism, cultural competence, ethical decision-making and interpersonal communication to prepare for a career as a social worker.

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Requirements and course details

Your course schedule may vary based on transfer credits or credits earned through the University’sÌýPrior Learning Assessment.

  • Completion of a minimum of 120 credits, including:
    • General Education: 36 credits
    • Electives: 42 credits
    • Required Course of Study: 42 credits
  • A minimum of 30 upper division credits.

Your core courses introduce you to our social work practice methodology through a four-course series, along with critical coursework such social work policy, advocacy and more. Gain experience mapping client systems and developing advocacy strategies and practices.Ìý

You can learn how to:

  • Analyze practice outcomes with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
  • Apply assessment and intervention skills with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
  • Apply ethical and professional behavior in a social work setting.
  • Employ practice strategies to support a variety of individuals.
  • Explore policies related to social work practice.
  • Use advocacy strategies to help remove social, economic and environmental barriers.
  • Use social work skills to engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
  • Utilize practice-informed research and research-informed practice in a social work setting.

Elective courses in the Bachelor of Science in Social Work help you become a more well-rounded professional in different specialties. These may help as you encounter a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds in your profession. Electives like psychology, sociology and other social sciences can sharpen your knowledge of the complex socio-economic environment you may manage every day when you pursue a social work career.Ìý

As you pursue your online bachelor’s in social work, general education courses emphasize additional skills that will round out your experience as a social worker. Critical thinking, writing and reasoning help you communicate better and make informed decisions in the field.

You can develop these soft skills sought by employers:
  • Problem solving
  • Information literacy
  • Decision making
  • Innovation
  • Strategic thinking
  • Research
  • Investigation
  • Written communication

The field education component in the Bachelor of Science in Social Work is designed to connect the theoretical and conceptual contributions of the classroom environment to experience in a practice setting. Under the supervision of a qualified social work professional and assigned faculty, you’re empowered to implement knowledge, theory and concepts hands on within a social work agency.

You can complete the required in-person field experience component in either two 15-week experiences in Field Education I (SWRK/405) and Field Education II (SWRK/420) or in a single 15-week block placement (SWRK/425).

Field education prepares you by:

  • Integrating classroom learning within the practice setting of field education.
  • Preparing for professional practice in various systems and settings with diverse client populations.
  • Using knowledge, skills, values, professional behaviors and ethics in your professional practice.
  • Practicing skills and interventions within micro, mezzo and macro settings as you relate to generalist practice.
  • Demonstrating proficiency in the bachelor-level CSWE Social Work Competencies.

To learn more about field education, view the Bachelor of Science in Social Work Field Education Manual.

Group of learners practicing social work techniques in the bachelor's in social work program to be educationally prepared to pursue state licensure.

Social work licensure

The Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) is an undergraduate degree program that provides a foundation in social work theory and practice. It teaches the application of professional social work values, principles, standards and techniques to educationally prepare graduates to pursue state licensure or certification as a bachelor’s-level social worker in the states in which the program is offered.ÌýÌý

Group of learners practicing social work techniques in the bachelor's in social work program to be educationally prepared to pursue state licensure.

  • Some states require licensure to practice as a social worker in the state.
  • Licensure as a social worker is obtained through a state licensing agency and may be sought after graduation.
  • The bachelor’s in social work degree educationally prepares you for licensure in the states in which the program is offered.ÌýThe process for obtaining a social work license after completing the program is separate and controlled by the applicable state licensing body.Ìý
  • Some states may refer to this requirement as registration or certification instead of licensure.
  • Licensure requirements vary by state. Not every state requires an exam for licensure.
  • There may be additional qualifications and/or disqualifications applicable to obtaining licensure as a social worker.Ìý

The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Social Work program is to empower students to develop into effective, ethical, culturally aware social workers who advocate for social change and promote resilience in a rapidly evolving global environment. Graduates will be prepared to apply knowledge, skills and social work values to enhance the lives of diverse individuals, families, organizations and communities.

How skills-aligned learning works

What’s something employers are looking for in job candidates? Skills! That’s why we believe in career-focused education. Our programs are designed to help you demonstrate career-relevant skills and put them into practice within weeks, not years. Here’s how:

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Curriculum
We work with a labor market analyst to identify skills today’s employers want in job candidates and embed those skills in our program’s curriculum.

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Courses
Each course you take teaches specific career-relevant skills – one skill per credit, on average. For a 3-credit course, you can earn 3 career-relevant skills.

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Careers
Demonstrate your newly acquired skills, earn badges, build your professional profile and show potential employers what you bring to the table.

Career opportunities with an online bachelor's in social work

Our program isn’t just about earning a social work degree – it’s about getting ready for your career. The online bachelor’s in social work focus on field education, interpersonal communication and advocacy skills help you for a career as a bachelor’s level prepared social worker. You can work in dynamic environments including private and public settings.Ìý

View job-ready skills in BSSW

Skills learned in this program:

  • Professionalism
  • Cultural Competence
  • Ethical Decision Making
  • Self-Care
  • Policy Gap Analysis
  • Advocacy Strategy
  • Human Rights
  • Social Justice
  • Research Bias
  • Influence of Diversity
  • Needs Assessment
  • Case Management
View career opportunities with a BSSW

A BSSW can prepare you to be a:

  • Case Manager
  • Child Protection Specialist
  • Family Service Worker
  • Foster Care Worker
  • Social Service Coordinator
View work environments with a BSSW

You may work in:

  • Community food and housing
  • Emergency and other relief services
  • Individual and family servicesÌý
  • For-profit social service companies
  • Government agencies
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Nursing facilities
  • Residential care facilities
  • Vocational rehabilitation services
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Career guide

Social Work Case Manager

If you're passionate about supporting individuals in need, you may find a fulfilling career as a social worker specializing in case management.

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Career outlook

6% growth

According to the , job growth for social workers is projected to be faster than average between 2024 to 2034. However, it is important to note that this job growth accounts for career outcomes for professionals in bachelor’s and master’s prepared roles.

The BLS Projected Growth for 2024-2034 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ students or graduates.

Program docs

BSSW Learning Outcomes

As a graduate, you’ll be able to apply knowledge, skills and social work values to enhance the lives of diverse individuals, families, organizations and communities.

CSWE Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes

The CSWE Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes shows how we measure and report student mastery of the nine core social work competencies.Ìý

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Cost and savings

Paying for school

Tuition is based on number of credit hours per course. Courses are typically 3 credits, but can range from 1-6 credits. Costs do not include savings opportunities like transfer credits and scholarships.

Undergrad cost per course

$1,364Ìý/ course

Cost per creditÌý

Credits per course

Resource fee

$398

x3

+ $170

Estimated cost per course

$1,364

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What affects the overall cost of my program?

Your full program cost can vary by:Ìý

  • Savings opportunities. Your cost could be reduced with eligible transfer credits, scholarships, employer discounts and more. Students with eligible credits and relevant experience on average saved $11K and 1 year off their undergraduate degree at ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½.

With our Tuition Guarantee, you pay one flat, affordable rate from the moment you enroll to the day you graduate from your program.

Discover ways to save time and money on your degree with our Savings Explorer®Ìýtool:

Other ways to save on time and tuition

Because we believe everyone deserves an affordable education, we work hard to help our students achieve one. Here’s a few ways you can save time, save money and avoid starting from scratch.Ìý

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Budget & borrow

How to pay for college

Paying for school can be intimidating, but we’re here to help you make sense of it. Our finance advisors can walk you through your options like federal financial aid and savings opportunities to minimize your debt. Plus, we can help you figure out your financial plan.

Why choose us?

Where you earn your degree matters

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Career-relevant skills

Every five weeks, you can develop career-relevant skills, track your progress in each class and showcase your achievements using your personal skills profile.

An instructor explains a concept at a whiteboard, bringing practical knowledge to the classroom with real-world expertise.

Real-world faculty

Your instructors know what works in the real world. As leaders in the field, they bring a hands-on perspective and practical knowledge to the classroom.

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Flexible learning + support

Balance it all — work, family and school — with a university built for busy adults like you.ÌýPlus, get personal support by phone, chat or email — day or night.

A graduate in cap and gown, signifying the Career Services for Life® commitment from her first class to graduation and beyond.

Career Services for Life® commitment

Because your career never stands still, active students get access to career services and resources, from your first class to graduation and beyond, at no added cost.

Associate Dean Samantha Dutton fosters a dynamic learning environment that nurtures curiosity.

Dean spotlight

Learn from accomplished social work professionals

“Ìý

My teaching philosophy centers on fostering a dynamic learning environment that nurtures curiosity, critical thinking and creativity.â€

Samantha Dutton, PhD, LCSW-R, Lt Col (Ret)

Associate Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Associate Dean Samantha Dutton fosters a dynamic learning environment that nurtures curiosity.

Accreditation

Count on the quality of your education

¶¶Òõ´«Ã½â€™s Bachelor of Science in Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA).

Accreditation of a social work program by the BOA indicates that it meets or exceeds standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process.

An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals, and the BOA has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all accreditation standards.

Accreditation applies to all program options, which include locations and delivery methods. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

Review our program’s accredited status inÌý. For more information about social work accreditation, contactÌýCSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation.

Frequently asked questions about the online bachelor's in social work

Social work addresses social problems and advocates for social justice. Earning our online bachelor’s in social work helps prepare you to become an effective, ethical and culturally aware professional.Ìý

Social workers help individuals, families and communities cope with challenges in their lives. They provide support in many situations, such as guiding families through the adoption process, assisting people facing a terminal illness or connecting individuals to resources that address substance use concerns.

Some social workers get involved at a broad level to help community organizations and policymakers develop or improve social programs, services and conditions. This is sometimes referred to as macro social work. Advocacy is an important aspect of social work. Social workers advocate or raise awareness with and on behalf of their clients and constituents. Additionally, they may advocate for social work occupations on local, state and national levels.

Our coursework and curriculum give you knowledge and tools to work with people ranging from single individuals in need to families, groups, organizations and communities. Learn more about becoming aÌýsocial worker.

An online social work degree, along with the appropriate licensure in your state, could open opportunities in the field of social work, such as family protection specialist, foster care social worker and youth services specialist. You could work in settings such as child protective services, healthcare agencies and community outreach and advocacy organizations. Learn more about social work as a career.

Many social work professionals are employed in government and non-profit settings, including schools, healthcare providers and social service agencies.Ìý

Your field experience component will be a combination of classroom activities, field supervision and agency activities as you’re assigned tasks.

Collaborative learning experiences are expertly facilitated by the field faculty to allow you to effectively process your individual fieldwork experience. As a student, you’ll actively engage in the classroom process, which includes case presentations, opportunities to give and receive supportive and constructive feedback and space to process challenges and progress, as well as the use of role-playing and self-disclosure techniques to further develop skills in self-awareness, self-regulation and critical thinking.

While serving at the chosen agency, you are monitored directly by an agency supervisor and supervised simultaneously by your ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ faculty member. Field education courses provide opportunities for you to serve individuals, families and group clients in community settings.

As a student, you can work with an assigned Field Placement Coordinator (FPC) to prepare for field placement courses. The FPC’s purpose is to provide students with support and resources to ensure a positive field education experience. The FPC can help you locate and select an agency for your field education component in the Bachelor of Science in Social Work program.

The published program length for a Bachelor of Science in Social Work is four years and three months.Ìý

The Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) program provides the academic preparation for bachelor’s level social work licensure or certification in states in which the program is offered.Ìý

Bachelor’s level social work licensure or certification requirements vary by state. Program requirements may change based upon your home state’s agency licensure requirements. Please visit theÌýsocial work licensure pageÌýfor state specific requirements prior to reaching out to your state agency.

While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.