Online Social Work Degree

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Social work includes many career paths in public and private sectors. Many BSW graduates work for government or nonprofit organizations focused on social services. Some social workers serve specific populations, including students, aging adults, families, or people with substance use disorders.

To qualify for BSW programs, applicants need a high school or GED diploma and a good GPA. Application requirements include official transcripts and a personal essay. Some schools require standardized test scores and recommendation letters.

Online social work degrees feature sociology, human services, and psychology classes. Learners also take courses in the history of social work, policy development, and advocacy. Students have the option to complete specialized tracks in chosen fields, such as corrections, rehabilitation, families, trauma, or social work policy.

The BSW qualifies graduates for entry-level social work roles. Many BSW graduates go on to master's programs since licensed clinical social workers need an MSW for clinical licensure. Learn more about online social work programs and careers below.

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Work

How much does it cost to get an online degree?

As of August 2021, four-year public college tuition for in-state students averages $9,580 annually, totaling around $40,000 for a four-year bachelor's degree. Private or out-of-state tuition costs much more than in-state public school tuition.

How long does it take to earn a degree online?

Traditional BSW programs usually take four years of full-time enrollment. Transfer students or learners in accelerated programs lower their time-to-graduation.

How much do social workers make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a $51,760 median annual salary for social workers.

Why Get a Degree in Social Work?

Studying social work builds transferable skills in empathy, interpersonal communication, and cultural competence. The field prepares candidates to support individual clients and intervene with policy and management to address evolving societal systems. Many online social work programs let students participate asynchronously, while some offer live session classes. By completing schoolwork during after-work hours, online learners can keep working while advancing their education.

Online social work degrees support career possibilities in mental health, corrections and rehabilitation, and family services. The BLS projects an above-average growth rate of 12% for social workers during 2020-2030. Earning degrees in this field can help graduates qualify for in-demand, secure employment.

How Much Does a Social Work Degree Cost?

EducationData.org reports that total U.S. college costs currently average about $35,720 annually. Students pay about $53,950 at private nonprofit schools and about $25,620 at in-state public institutions annually. Online social work bachelor's degrees traditionally require four years, so the total degree costs could exceed $100,000. These amounts estimate the total attendance costs, including university fees, room and board, and school supplies.

Prices vary by school and location. Tuition at two-year colleges costs a fraction of what four-year schools charge. Many students earn associate degrees from community colleges before transferring to four-year schools. Aspiring BSWs save money on transportation and residency costs by pursuing their degrees online.

Additional Online Student Fees

Online students often pay less for college. Distance learners do not live on campus, so they do not pay on-campus room, board, and fees. However, online students may need to pay for good computers and internet service at home. Distance learners might also need to pay for technical support.

Other costs include books and supplies, graduation fees, and post-graduation certification or licensure fees. Some programs require online enrollees to visit campus periodically, sometimes for short residencies. Travel costs add up for faraway students, so check residency requirements for prospective programs before applying.

How Much Do Social Work Graduates Make?

Online social work degree-holders pursue many rewarding career paths, such as human services specialists or therapists. Many social workers provide direct support to clients navigating issues such as addiction, poverty, and incarceration.

Social worker salaries vary based on position, employer, and credentials. According to the BLS, the lowest-paid 10% of social workers earn less than $33,020. The top-paid 10% earn over $85,820. Social and community service managers make a $69,600 median annual wage. The highest-paid 10% of these managers earn more than $115,800 each year. Earning graduate degrees (MSW) helps social workers advance their careers and attain higher salaries.

Courses in Social Work

BSW programs require about 120 credits, including 60 credits of associate-level general education requirements. Online social work degrees feature interdisciplinary core and elective courses. Core classes include social work research methods and professional ethics. Learners study social welfare policy, human behavior, and child and family services. Social work programs include supervised internships building skills in case management, active listening, and research.

Many programs offer field specializations such as children and youth, corrections and rehabilitation, or aging services. Other concentration options may include school social work, social work leadership, or policy change. The following classes appear in many social work programs.

• Introduction to Social Work

  The course covers societal issues and corresponding interventions. Introductory courses familiarize enrollees with foundational social work agencies and services. Participants begin to build skills for different social work roles. BSW students take the class early in their social work programs, often during the first term of study.

• Social Welfare Policy

  Social welfare policy teaches the history and values of social welfare services. It often appears as a core course and part of a curriculum concentration. The course discusses policy in areas such as mental health, corrections, and child welfare. Students explore analytic frameworks that highlight modern issues in the social welfare system.

• Cultural Diversity and Cultural Competence

  Titles for this course vary, but almost all social work programs feature introductory and advanced diversity training. Learners consider diverse experiences and perspectives based on gender, race, and class. Participants learn multicultural competency skills and awareness, including cultural humility and sensitivity.

How to Become a Social Worker

Social workers assess and help clients facing challenges in their lives. Entry-level, direct-service social work positions typically require a BSW or related degree. Related fields include sociology, psychology, or human services. Online social work programs offer interdisciplinary classes in human behavior, social work ethics, and social welfare policy. Programs include supervised internships or fieldwork at approved sites near students' homes.

Aspiring clinical social workers usually need MSWs. Most MSW programs accept applicants with online social work degrees or other bachelor's degrees. MSW programs offer specialized concentrations and train enrollees in clinical assessment and management. Programs include advanced practicum or internship experiences. For clinical social work licensure, MSW graduates usually need an additional two years of supervised training. Clinical social workers must pass national social work licensure examinations.

Licensure for Social Work

State social work boards oversee and provide social work licensing. License titles and requirements vary by state. Most states require social workers to hold Council on Social Work Education-accredited BSWs or MSWs. In most states, independent licensed clinical social workers need a graduate degree. Once licensed, candidates complete 30-36 hours of continuing education every two years to keep their license.

Candidates complete many experience hours under independent licensed social worker supervision. Social workers need 2,500-4,000 hours (depending on the state of origin) of supervised clinical experience to qualify for clinical licensure.

Eligible candidates must pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) national licensure examinations. ASWB provides undergraduate and graduate exams for different license levels. Bachelor's-level exams cost $230, while clinical exams cost $260. Some states award one-year provisional licenses to candidates as they prepare for their licensure exam. The license application process often costs another $200, depending on the classification of licensure sought.

Best Online Social Work Degrees 2022

Online Social Work Degree Student Reviews

We believe the best people to share about online learning experiences are students who have really done it, which is why we surveyed 600 unique students. Filter to find a student like you or sort to read the good, the bad, and everything in between. By leaving a review, students were entered to win a sweepstakes.

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• Age 29
• Master's in Social Work
• University of Denver
• Online

Experience

4.0

Value

3.0

Affordability

3.0

What were the challenges of getting your degree online?

"Not being face to face with teachers and peers"

• First generation student

Recommends

• Age 22
• Social Sciences: Interdisciplinary Studies
• Central Washington University
• Online

Experience

4.0

Value

3.0

Affordability

3.0

What advice would you give to a student looking to enroll in an online program?

"Reach out to an advisor to stay on top of graduation requirements."

• Financial assitance
• Has support system

Recommends

• Age 29
• Master of Social Work
• Ohio State University
• Online

Experience

5.0

Value

5.0

Affordability

3.0

What did you like most about your online college experience?

"I was able to be flexible and complete school work around my work schedule"

• Financial assitance
• Works in field of study
• Has support system

Recommends

• Age 45
• Social Work
• Stephen F. Austin State University
• Online *

Experience

4.0

Value

5.0

Affordability

3.0

Why did you decide to enroll in an online degree or certification program?

"This was required for the job field I want to be in"

• Works in field of study
• Has support system

Recommends

• Age 40
• Master's in Social Work
• University of California
• Online

Experience

4.0

Value

4.0

Affordability

4.0

What were the challenges of getting your degree online?

"It was difficult for me to balance school and work."

• Financial assitance
• Works in field of study
• Has support system

Recommends

• Age 61
• Social Work
• University of New England
• Online

Experience

5.0

Value

5.0

Affordability

5.0

Why did you decide to enroll in an online degree or certification program?

"Ability to complete from any location"

• Financial assitance
• First generation student
• Has support system

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Online Students Survey Methodology

Student testimonials have generally been obtained with the offer of compensation for completion of a survey (e.g., entrance into a gift card drawing). Such testimonials are the opinions of such students and surveys are designed to avoid influencing such testimonials either positively or negatively. All student respondents were supplied by Lucid LLC.

Methodology:

All data was collected between 5/19/21 and 5/26/21 and respondents were fielded by Lucid LLC. All respondents in the study were screened by multiple quality checks, including systems like Relevant ID, and responses were manually reviewed to ensure consistency and accuracy. Survey participants include 622 individuals who graduated with an online degree in the past 6 years. Degrees ranged from certifications to associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level programs. Respondents are between 21 and 60 years of age and identified as 48% Female and 52% Male.

Reviewed by:

Melissa Russiano, LCSW, LISW

Melissa Russiano is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice that has organically developed into a specialty helping working professionals. Russiano has a proven track record of helping professionals avoid burnout in a unique way that holds clinicians accountable through laughter, tears, blunt (yet very supportive) feedback and quirky analogies that are grounded in solid theoretical research. Russiano practices solely in a virtual setting in the states of California, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. In addition, Russiano is a professor at Simmons University online, imparting her experiences and knowledge in the field to graduate social work students.

Melissa Russiano is a paid member of the Red Ventures Education freelance review network.