Online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs

Many career paths, including social work, begin with a bachelor’s degree. For students who want to help others and are interested in public health or counseling, a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) might be the right course. In many states, a BSW is the minimum educational requirement to achieve entry-level licensure as a social worker.

Social workers can be found in various settings, including schools, healthcare systems, correctional facilities, and community mental health centers. Despite these diverse environments, they share a common purpose. Social workers are united by their commitment to advocating for social justice that positively impacts communities. They assist clients in identifying solutions for negative behaviors, developing healthy coping mechanisms for challenging situations, and accessing social resources.

There are numerous BSW programs available on-campus to local students, but there are also online and hybrid options. Regardless of format, a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is required for entry-level social work licensure, where applicable, and for admittance to advanced standing Master of Social Work (MSW) programs.

The program cards and tables featured on this page were last updated in November 2021. For the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school.

Simmons University

School of Social Work

info

Bachelor of Social Work

Women with 17+ prior college credits or an associate degree: Complete your Bachelor of Social Work in a supportive women’s online BSW program.

  • Empowering women to become leaders for 100+ years
  • Up to 96 transfer credits accepted, plus credit for life experience
  • Degree programs are designed for working professionals and can be completed part time

info SPONSORED

Accredited online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree programs

We’ve found several BSW degree online programs that are CSWE-accredited, with some offering minors.

Bemidji State University

School of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Bemidji, Minnesota

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 3+ years

Credits: 70

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Online Application 
  • Completed eleven goal areas of liberal education 
  • Completed SOWK prefix courses with a grade of C or higher 
  • Social Work course GPA 2.5 or higher, Overall 2.0 or higher 
Learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Bemidji State University

California State University

School of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Chico, California

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 4 years

Credits: 120

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Online Application  
  • Transcripts  
  • Prerequisite courses  
  • Minimum 10 hours of volunteer service 
Learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from California State University

Campbellsville University

Carver School of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Campbellsville, Kentucky

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 4 years

Credits: 120

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Online Application 
  • Transcripts  
  • Letters of recommendation 
  • GPA Requirements 
  • ACT/SAT Scores OR Placements exam  scores 
Learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Campbellsville University

Eastern Kentucky University

School of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Richmond, Kentucky

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 4 years

Credits: 120

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  •  Online Application
  • Transcripts OR credit hours (24)
  • Letters of recommendation
  • GPA Requirements
  • ACT/SAT Scores OR Placements exam scores
Learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Eastern Kentucky University

Humboldt State University

Department of Social Work

Bachelors of Arts in Social Work

Arcata, California

Name of Degree: Bachelors of Arts in Social Work

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 4 years

Credits: 60

Concentrations:

Human Behavior

Huntington University

School of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Huntington, Indiana

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 60+

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Online Application
  • Transcripts OR credit hours (24)
  • Letters of recommendation
  • GPA Requirements
  • ACT/SAT Scores OR Placements exam scores
Learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Huntington University

Indiana Wesleyan University

School of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Marion, Indiana

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 64

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Online Application
  • Transcripts OR Transferable credit hours (24)
  • Application Fee
  • FAFSA FIling
Learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Indiana Wesleyan University

Liberty University

School of Social Work

Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW)

Lynchburg, Virginia

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 4 years

Credits: 120

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Online Application
  • Transcripts
  • GPA Requirement
  • Standardized Test Scores
  • Admissions Essay
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) from Liberty University

Malone University

Bachelors of Arts in Social Work

Canton, Ohio

Name of Degree: Bachelors of Arts in Social Work

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: N/A

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Official transcripts
  •  Two letters of recommendation
Learn more about the Bachelors of Arts in Social Work from Malone University

Metropolitan State University of Denver

School of Social Work

Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW)

Denver, Colorado

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 4 years

Credits: 120

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Online Application
  • Transcripts
  • Application Fee
  • GED OR Test Scores
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) from Metropolitan State University of Denver

Millersville University

School of Social Work

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW)

Millersville, Pennsylvania

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 4 years

Credits: 120

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Online Application
  • Transcripts
  • GPA Requirement
  • Standardized Test Scores
  • Admissions Essay
Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) from Millersville University

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

School of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 4 years

Credits: 120

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Transcripts Online Application
  • Application Fee
  • GED OR Test Scores
  • TOEFL or IELTS for international students
Learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Spring Arbor University

School of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Spring Arbor, Michigan

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 4 years

Credits: 120

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Transcripts 
  • Online Application
  • Application Fee
  • GED OR Test Scores
  • TOEFL or IELTS for international students
Learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Spring Arbor University

The University of Utah

College of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Salt Lake City, Utah

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 3+ years

Credits: 120

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Transcripts
  • Online Application
  • Application Fee or approved Fee Waiver
Learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from The University of Utah

Union Institute and University

School of Social Work

Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW)

Cincinnati, Ohio

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 4 years

Credits: 120

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Transcripts
  • Online Application
  • High School Diploma OR GED
  • Test Scores
  • TOEFL or IELTS for international students 
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) from Union Institute and University

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

School of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Little Rock, Arkansas

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 4 years

Credits: 120

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Transcripts
  • Online Application
  • ACT/SAT Scores
  • 2.25 GPA Requirement
Learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from University of Arkansas at Little Rock

University of Cincinnati

School of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Cincinnati, Ohio

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 4 years

Credits: 57

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Transcripts
  • Online Application
  • ACT/SAT Scores
  • 2.25 GPA Requirement
Learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from University of Cincinnati

University of Louisville

Kent School of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Louisville, Kentucky

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 3+ years

Credits: 120

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Transcripts
  • Online Application
  • Application Fee
  • 2.50 GPA Requirement
Learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from University of Louisville

University of Massachusetts Global

School of Social Work

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW)

Irvine, California

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 3+ years

Credits: 120

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Online Application 
  • Transcripts 
  • 12 or more transferable baccalaureate credits 
  • Completed eleven goal areas of liberal education 
  • Completed SOWK prefix courses with a grade of C or higher 
Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) from University of Massachusetts Global

University of Nebraska at Kearney

School of Social Work

Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW)

Kearney, Nebraska

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 3+ years

Credits: 120

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Transcripts
  • Online Application
  • Application Fee
  • 2.50 GPA Requirement
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) from University of Nebraska at Kearney

Ursuline College

School of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Pepper Pike, Ohio

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 4 years

Credits: 120

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Transcripts
  • Online Application
  • Application Fee
Learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Ursuline College

Western New Mexico University

School of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Silver City, New Mexico

Name of Degree: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 3+ years

Credits: 120

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Transcripts
  • Online Application
  • Application Fee
  • 2.50 GPA Requirement
Learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Western New Mexico University

What to expect from an online BSW program

In an accredited Bachelor of Social Work online program, you’ll explore the foundations of social work. Your classes will take place online, with some scheduled for specific times and others being entirely self-paced. 

Anticipate listening to lectures, completing assigned readings, performing research, writing papers, participating in group discussions, and giving virtual presentations. In hybrid programs, you may take in-person classes in the evenings and on the weekends. 

Another aspect of many Bachelor of Social Work online programs is a specialization. Students considering a social work career should think through their preferred work setting, the issues they’re passionate about, or populations they’d like to serve. You can choose a BSW degree specialization based on your interests.

Accreditation for online BSW programs

Students hoping to earn a BSW degree should familiarize themselves with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This organization accredits BSW and MSW programs. Earning a CSWE-accredited BSW degree online may help prepare you for entry-level licensure, depending on your state’s rules.

What will I learn in an online BSW program?

Students in social work programs study how people function individually as well as in groups. Additionally, they learn about mental health issues, behavioral disorders, and disabilities. This prepares them to work with a wide range of people, including at-risk populations. Bachelor of Social Work online programs also look at how politics and government influence or dictate social welfare policies.

A typical BSW degree curriculum may cover topics such as:

  • Basics of psychology
  • Basics of sociology
  • Basics of economics
  • Human behavior and the social environment
  • Social issues
  • State and local government
  • Social welfare and policy
  • Social work practice
  • Statistics 

How long does it take to get an online BSW degree?

Full-time students typically complete a bachelor’s degree program in four years. However, many online and hybrid Bachelor of Social Work programs offer part-time study, potentially extending the program’s duration for those who choose this option. Whether you’re a full- or part-time student, your curriculum will likely consist of social work and liberal arts credits.

By taking the time to complete a BSW degree, you might save time later if you want to pursue a master’s degree in social work (MSW) or eventually a doctorate in social work (DSW). An MSW generally takes two years to complete. However, with an accredited BSW, you may be able to enroll in an advanced standing program which takes about a year to complete.

Will I need to complete field work?

Yes, all BSW programs incorporate internship or field experiences. According to the CSWE, all accredited programs require at least 400 hours of supervised field experience. This real-world experience allows aspiring professionals to gain insight into the daily activities of a social worker. Typically, your school will assist you in finding an internship or field placement. Depending on the state, individuals may need post-degree experience to obtain a baccalaureate-level social work license. 

Licensure with an online BSW degree

A Bachelor of Social Work may help you obtain licensure, but it’s important to understand your state’s unique licensing requirements. Typically, a BSW enables you to pursue the base level of social work license: a Licensed Bachelor of Social Work (LBSW) or similar. You may obtain an LBSW license by applying to your state’s board of social work and passing the Bachelors Exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). 

If you eventually want to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or licensed master social worker (LMSW), you will require a master’s degree in social work and more supervised work experience. There are also online clinical MSW programs that can help prepare you for LCSW licensure. You’ll also have to take the ASWB’s clinical exam.

Examining how different programs prepare you for licensure in their respective states is helpful. Out-of-state students might encounter different licensing requirements in their home state versus their school’s state. If you’re considering attending school in a state different from where you plan to work, make sure you’re aware of any differences in the licensure requirements and steps you may need to take to meet additional requirements.

Social work scholarships

Many students rely on federal loans, grants, and scholarships to cover tuition costs. Thankfully, there are many social work scholarships available. You can look for scholarships available through national and state-specific professional organizations, local businesses and nonprofits, and the social work school you choose to attend. It also can be helpful to look for scholarships for specific demographics, such as women, minorities, and veterans.

The following organizations offer various scholarships:

Social work resources

Prospective social work students can learn more about the profession through associations, online publications, and blogs. Here are some resources for undergraduate social work students:

  • Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): The ASWB is a nonprofit focused on the regulation of social work in the U.S. and Canada. Most importantly, it owns and administers social work licensing exams. Students should review the ASWB’s resources for exam candidates.
  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE): The CSWE determines the minimum education and experience qualifications for accredited social work degree programs. It has educational resources for students and licensed social workers.
  • National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW): The NABSW provides support and resources for Black students and professionals. Students can look for an NABSW chapter in their area.
  • National Association of Puerto Rican Hispanic Social Workers (NAPRHSW): This organization focuses on meeting the needs of the Latinx community and offers student membership.
  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW):  The NASW provides support for the social work profession. Members have access to educational opportunities, networking, job boards, and more. BSW and MSW students, as well as those enrolled in non-CSWE-accredited programs and courses in another subject, may qualify for membership. Verify membership dues on the NASW website.
  • Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR): SSWR is a nonprofit organization for social work researchers and other professionals and students. The annual cost for student membership is $50.
  • Social Work Today: Social Work Today is a professional magazine with articles and research on numerous areas of social work.
  • Social Workers Speak: This site focuses on how social work is portrayed in the media and entertainment industry.

Frequently asked questions

What can you do with a social work degree?

Graduates of BSW programs may qualify for several entry-level positions, though the type of social work career you pursue can depend on your state’s licensing requirements. In some states, a BSW qualifies you for a license, such as an LBSW. In other states, however, professionals must have at least an MSW to obtain licensure.

Here are some types of social work careers you can pursue:

Child and family social work: Protect children experiencing neglect or abuse and connect families with housing, childcare, or food stamps.
School social work: Work with parents and teachers to improve a student’s academic performance or social development.

Learn more on how to become a school social worker.

Health care social work: Help patients adjust to their health circumstances and get connected with support resources as needed.

Learn more on how to become a medical social worker.

Mental health and substance abuse social work: Assist patients diagnosed with mental health illnesses or living with addictions.

Learn more on how to become a mental health social worker.

Can you be a counselor with a social work degree?

There is significant overlap between counseling and social work. Counselors work with individuals or families to address life changes and challenges. Social workers often do the same, but operate within a broader range of social services. In other words, social work can include counseling.

To provide counseling, most states require you to have a master’s degree, such as a master’s in counseling. Students who hope to diagnose mental conditions and provide treatment through therapy must pursue a clinical license, which also requires at least a master’s degree.

How much does a social work degree cost?

Tuition varies depending on the BSW degree program. Private and out-of-state institutions are typically more expensive than public or in-state options.

Consider each program’s tuition, fees, and other expenses when choosing a degree program. For example, some online programs may charge a fee per online credit to support online course delivery. When considering the cost of your degree and how you plan to finance it, you may also want to research social worker salaries to get an idea of earning potential for graduates entering the field.

What is the difference between on-campus and online social work programs?

Some students may express concern that an online Bachelor of Social Work isn’t as rigorous or esteemed as an on-campus program. However, that’s not the case. Online programs can also be accredited and typically feature comparable curricula to on-campus programs. In addition, online classes are often designed and taught by the same full-time faculty that teach on-campus classes. BSW coursework online may provide less in-person connection than an on-campus program, but it can prepare students just as well for social work careers.

Last updated December 2023