Best Online Social Work Degrees

What Sets It Apart: 

Georgia State University offers an online bachelor of social work (BSW) that emphasizes the nine key professional competencies needed to become a licensed social worker in Georgia. The program stands out for its emphasis on intervention strategy and how Georgia State engages every student with proactive academic advisory services.

Cost per Semester:
In State | $4,590
Out of State | $14,700

Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education

Leads to Licensure: Yes

Why Students Choose Georgia State:

• Competency-Focused Curriculum: Georgia State's BSW curriculum systematically develops essential skills with a highly structured approach to proficiency training. 
• Focus on Client Diversity: You'll learn how to assist clients from diverse socioeconomic, racial, and cultural backgrounds.
• Out-of-State Eligibility: In fall 2023, Georgia State opened the online BSW program to students outside Georgia.

Know Before You Enroll:

• Selective Admissions: Georgia State's online BSW program has limited space and a competitive admissions process.
• Course Registration Requires Action: Course registration works on a first-come, first-served basis. Academic advisors will help you, but you must act quickly to secure course enrollment.
• In-Person Components: The program includes a required in-person field training experience.

What Sets It Apart: 

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's online bachelor of science in social work (BSSW) uses a generalist model to help you prepare for various career paths. Coursework revolves around the intersection of social work and social justice. We like the program's 94% retention rate, which signals high satisfaction levels among incoming students.

Cost per Semester:
In-State | $5,780
Out-of-State | $15,352

Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education

Leads to Licensure: Yes

Why Students Choose UT Knoxville:

• Strong Outcomes: UT Knoxville reports that 95% of program graduates secure employment within six months of earning their degree.
• Guaranteed Admissions Policy: You're guaranteed admission if you have an associate degree in social work with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, at least 60 transferable credits, and a grade of C or better in foundational coursework.
• Upskilling Opportunities: Graduates have a direct path to UT Knoxville's online social work master's program.

Know Before You Enroll:

• Designed for Transfer Students: UT Knoxville limits eligibility to applicants with at least 60 transferable credits and an associate degree in social work.
• No Access to Honors Track: Eligibility for the BSSW honors track is limited to students in the campus-based program.

What Sets It Apart: 

Northern Arizona University's online BSW program offers a well-balanced blend of academic theory and practical training for the real world. The program has a location-specific focus, emphasizing the unique needs of the Southwest region's rural and Indigenous populations.

Cost per Semester:
In State | $5,844
Out of State | $5,844

Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education

Leads to Licensure: Yes

Why Students Choose NAU:

• Affordable Tuition: NAU applies the same low, flat-rate tuition to all online students, regardless of where they live.
• Optional Honors Track: NAU offers online students a path to the honors program.
• Generous Transfer Policy: You can transfer up to 75 eligible credit units to obtain advanced standing and finish your degree program faster.

Know Before You Enroll:

• Offline Requirements Apply: You must complete an in-person internship or fieldwork experience.
• No Self-Pacing Options: NAU uses a semester-based schedule that provides structure but inhibits accelerated learning.
• Previous Credits Required: To qualify for program entry, you must have at least 24 active college credits in progress.

What Sets It Apart: 

Delaware State University's online BSW program prepares students to become licensed social workers. The curriculum teaches the nine core competencies and 41 standard professional practice behaviors, combining relevant corequisites with a focused social work core. We like the program's track record: DSU's in-seat program was first accredited by the Council on Social Work Education in 1982.

Cost per Semester:
In State | $6,237
Out of State | $6,237

Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education

Leads to Licensure: Yes

Why Students Choose DSU:

• Unique Status: This is Delaware's only CSWE-accredited BSW program.
• Collaborative and Applied Learning: DSU builds student-faculty collaboration opportunities into the program, emphasizing experiential learning.
• Head Start on Master's Studies: Graduates qualify for advanced standing in DSU's master of social work program, making it faster and easier to upgrade your degree.

Know Before You Enroll:

• Significant Fieldwork Requirements: DSU's curriculum includes 12 practicum credits, which must be completed in person.
• Few Social Work Electives: The program's structure limits your degree personalization and customization options.
• Program-Specific Admissions: You can only enter the social work major after completing two years of undergraduate coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

What Sets It Apart: 

The BSW program at Eastern Kentucky University offers excellent flexibility. Every student follows a uniquely tailored degree plan, and six start dates throughout the year make it easy to begin. We also like the program's 100% online profile: You don't have to visit the campus, and in-person practicum components are optional.

Cost per Semester:
In State | $6,645
Out of State | $6,645

Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education

Leads to Licensure: Yes

Why Students Choose EKU:

• Accelerated Pace: Eight-week terms speed up your academic progress.
• Generous Credit Transfer Policy: You can transfer up to 90 credits, representing three quarters of the degree's requirements.
• Textbooks Included: The EKU BookSmart program provides required textbooks to students at no additional cost.

Know Before You Enroll:

• No Credits for Experience: EKU cannot accept life or professional experience for transfer credit.
• Transfer Credit Minimums: You'll need at least 24 eligible college credits to enter as a transfer student.
• Double Major Limitations: If you plan to double major, you must declare your social work major first.

What Sets It Apart: 

The University of Louisville's online BSW program uses an asynchronous course delivery model to teach culturally sensitive, client-focused intervention techniques. We especially like the availability of a concentration track in drug and alcohol counseling. Kentucky-based students in this specialization path qualify for special scholarships.  

Cost per Semester:
In State | $8,100
Out of State | $8,100

Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education

Leads to Licensure: Yes

Why Students Choose UofL:

• Fast-Track Your Master's: Graduates who continue their studies qualify for advanced standing in UofL's master of social work program.
• Excellent Transfer Opportunities: UofL accepts up to 60 transfer credits from junior and community colleges and 90 credits from accredited four-year schools.
• Deep Military Discounts: Active-duty military students pay less than half the standard tuition rate.

Know Before You Enroll:

• Upper-Division Fall Starts: If your transfer credits qualify you for immediate upper-division standing, you can only begin the program in the fall.
• In-Person Practicum: While you can complete your academic coursework entirely online, UofL requires an in-person practicum to meet the degree requirements.
• Potential Practicum Costs: You must purchase liability insurance for your practicum. Costs could be significantly higher if you have a criminal record.

What Sets It Apart: 

The online BSW at Wayne State University caters to transfer students. The program was specifically designed for aspiring licensed social workers with at least 60 eligible transfer credits. 

Wayne State stands out for its unique Where Online Works (WOW!) learning model. It uses a cohort structure to encourage collaboration and networking while delivering essential flexibility for working students.

Cost per Semester:
In State | $6,257
Out of State | $14,951

Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education

Leads to Licensure: Yes

Why Students Choose Wayne State:

• Strong Online Support: Wayne State offers extensive online tutoring, academic advising, mentoring, and campus engagement opportunities.
• Relevant Minors Available: You can personalize your degree with a social work minor in law, social justice, or another academic area of your choice.
• Honors Program: Wayne State opens its BSW honors track to online students.

Know Before You Enroll:

• Sequenced Curriculum: You must complete all courses in the prescribed order.
• Higher Nonresident Tuition: Higher out-of-state rates apply to students not located in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, or Ontario, Canada.
• Extended Practicum: The program's practicum component, which you must complete in person, covers 420 hours.

What Sets It Apart: 

The University of Memphis Global's online BSW program provides the flexibility of a generalist track or a concentration in school social work. We like the degree's well-rounded profile, which requires extensive lower-level foundational social sciences coursework designed to broaden student perspectives.

Cost per Semester:
In State | $5,364
Out of State | $5,364

Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education

Leads to Licensure: Yes

Why Students Choose UofM:

• Capped Tuition: UofM Global caps its online tuition rates at $5,364 per semester for all students, regardless of residence.
• Easy Master's Transition: After completing the degree program, you can continue in the UofM's master of social work program with advanced standing and finish in just one year.

Know Before You Enroll:

• Synchronous Model: While all coursework is 100% online, UofM uses a scheduled, real-time delivery format.
• Practicum Requirements: The program includes a mandatory in-person practicum placement covering at least 400 hours.

What Sets It Apart: 

At the University of Maine at Presque Isle, you can pursue an online BSW that maintains a core focus on social justice in keeping with National Association of Social Workers standards. The program is transfer-friendly and features extensive practical training requirements, which cover a minimum of 700 hours.

Cost per Semester:
In State | $3,900
Out of State | $6,630

Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education

Leads to Licensure: Yes

Why Students Choose UMPI:

• Certificate Options: You can pursue optional human services and mental health rehabilitation certificates if they align with your career goals.
• Strong Employment Support: UMPI offers extensive career services, and many social work graduates secure job offers through their field training placements before graduation.
• Canadian Students Welcome: Students from Canada pay low in-state rates, and the UMPI campus is conveniently located close to the border.

Know Before You Enroll:

• Hybrid Program: The program blends online and face-to-face learning. You'll need to complete some in-person academic requirements.
• Synchronous Online Components: Some online coursework takes place at scheduled times.
• International Practicum Placements: UMPI's practicum placement sites include locations on both sides of the United States-Canada border.

What Sets It Apart: 

Cleveland State University's online BSW program takes an evidence-based approach to learning, immersing students in analytically focused courses that develop standard social work proficiencies. We like the program's universal relevance: Graduates qualify for social work licensing examinations in any U.S. jurisdiction.

Cost per Semester:
In State | $6,811
Out of State | $9,571

Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education

Leads to Licensure: Yes

Why Students Choose CSU:

• Flexible Online Model: Choose from part-time or full-time enrollment, and enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning in either case.
• Financial Aid Availability: About 70% of CSU students receive financial aid, including grants and scholarships.
• Summer Enrollment Option: Continue making academic progress during the summer through compact courses that span 8-12 weeks.

Know Before You Enroll:

• Senior Year Practicum: All senior students must complete an in-person practicum in the fall, spring, or summer semester.
• High Nonresident Tuition: Out-of-state and international students face higher tuition and fees.
• Major Entry Requirements Apply: To qualify for the social work major, you must complete prerequisites and have a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA.