Written by Gayle Morris, BSN, MSN; SWDG.com Rankings Team
Last Updated: July 2023
Are you concerned about the social injustices, disparities, and inequities you see in the world? Are you looking for a rewarding career that uses evidence-based strategies to help others? An online bachelor of social work (BSW) program could help you meet your goals.
In an online BSW program, you gain professional experience and learn how to analyze interventions so you can effectively respond to complex social situations. This guide explores what you can expect from an online program, available options to pay for your education, and a list of top bachelor of social work online programs.
What You Can Expect from an Online BSW Program
Candidates can choose from hybrid or completely online BSW programs; many programs offer part-time options for working students. Bachelor of social work online programs typically require an online orientation to provide students with the information and skills necessary to complete the program.
BSW-holders have career opportunities in entry-level positions, such as substance abuse, child welfare, and public health.Students explore important foundations in human behavior and psychology, which students use in the internship component of their education.
These are professional programs offered by organizations to candidates completing their program, which can be paid or unpaid positions. Professionals who choose to go on for their master of social work build on their undergraduate knowledge while participating in research. The terminal degree in social work is a Ph.D. While this does not lead to a different license, it can be a way to stand out in the field and potentially open doors to higher-paying jobs.
Featured Online Social Work Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Best Online Bachelor of Social Work Degree Programs
The choice you make for your online program should include factors important to your learning, flexibility, and support needs. Also, be sure to consider accreditation, fieldwork requirements, and finances.
- Accreditation: Accreditation ensures the program meets national standards, credits can be transferred to another program, and they can receive federal aid. All programs on this list hold CSWE accreditation.
- Fieldwork Experience: Student experiences during fieldwork help form their career options. Consider if the program offers placement assistance, how you interact with instructors, and the skills you are expected to learn.
- Tuition and Education Costs: Tuition is often less than campus-based programs. Consider all fees and miscellaneous expenses that are included to ensure the program is affordable.
We use a data-driven methodology to determine the best social work degree programs based on three influential factors, including affordability, academics, and reputation.
1. University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Founded in 1927, UA Little Rock offers a 120-credit online bachelor of social work that provides hands-on experience through a senior-year internship. Students complete 16 hours per week in the fall and spring semesters during the field experience. The program also comprises social work foundation courses that merge social welfare policy, statistics, research methods, case management, and addictions and mental health.
UA Little Rock's BSW 2+2 program offers a direct path for Arkansans who hold a two-year degree from a local community college. With a BSW, learners can apply for UA Little Rock's master of social work degree as an advanced standing student.
Only Arkansas residents in their sophomore year can apply. New cohorts begin in the fall. Enrollees must be a UA Little Rock student with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
- Program: Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Little Rock, Arkansas
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Higher Learning Commission; Council on Social Work Education
- Tuition: $280 per credit
2. Campbellsville University
At the 1906-founded Campbellsville University, students can earn an online bachelor of social work that emphasizes Christian ethics and values. Courses teach learners to build a generalist practice working with communities and organizations, individuals, and families and groups.
Students take three electives in areas, such as aging, addictions, or school social work. The program ends with a 32-hour field instruction, which learners can complete full or part time. Qualifying applicants can get tuition assistance and a stipend to earn public child welfare certification.
After completing this 120-credit program, students can transfer into the online MSW program as an advanced standing student and graduate in 12 months. Applicants for the BSW degree need at least 30 general education credits with a minimum 2.75 GPA. They must also submit transcripts and one letter of recommendation.
- Program: Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Campbellsville, Kentucky
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; Council on Social Work Education
- Tuition: $424 per credit
3. Liberty University
With a 40-year history of distance education, Liberty's CSWE-accredited online bachelor of social work degree only takes 3.5 years to complete. There are no on-campus requirements, but learners must attend a live online intensive and two field placements over two semesters. Online students have the option to work in their local community.
Enrollees complete 120 credits, including required Christian-based coursework. The major coursework covers statistics for the social sciences, introduction to research, chemical dependency, ethics in professional helping, and social welfare and policy. The lessons teach students to build a social work practice by working with individuals, families, and groups.
Eligible applicants need at least a 2.0 GPA. Learners can submit an application with no upfront application fee. Military members and veterans can get the application fee waived.
- Program: Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Lynchburg, Virginia
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; Council on Social Work Education
- Tuition: $390-$455 per credit
4. Southwestern Assemblies of God University
SAGU's 120-credit online bachelor of social work degree integrates Christian faith with personal attention from professors through mentorships and small classes. The social work program focuses on generalist practice with courses in social welfare policies, church and community social work, and behavioral science research. Students take the classroom learning into the field for two practicums. Electives include women's studies, abuse and neglect, forensic social work, and international social work. This program qualifies learners for advanced standing in SAGU's MSW degree.
Online learners can access campus resources, such as fitness programs at the Wellness Center and job assistance at the Career Center.
Undergraduates applying for online degrees need to submit college and high school transcripts. If a student has less than 21 general education credits, they may need to take a placement test.
- Program: Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Waxahachie, Texas
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; Council on Social Work Education
- Tuition: $415 per credit
5. University of North Dakota
UND's online bachelor of social work degree, CSWE-accredited since 1974, lets students graduate in 1-4 years with optional minors in gerontology or chemical dependency. The courses explore a generalist practice working with individuals and families, communities and organizations, and task and treatment groups. Licensed field instructors supervise field experience.
UND's Children and Family Services Training Center offers research and training opportunities for those interested in child welfare. Learners study online but also gain access to a network of peers through the Student Social Work Association or Phi Alpha.
UND accepts applications in the fall, spring, and summer. Applicants need at least 45 credits, completed prerequisites, and a minimum 2.75 GPA to apply. Additionally, financial support goes to students who agree to work in a North Dakota child welfare agency after college.
- Program: Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Grand Forks, North Dakota
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Higher Learning Commission; Council on Social Work Education
- Tuition: $390 per credit
6. Brescia University
Students can complete Brescia's online bachelor of social work degree in as few as two years, depending on their prior college experience. Brescia accepts up to 81 transfer credits to help learners graduate quicker. If students complete the 120-credit BSW program with a 3.5 GPA, they gain automatic admission into Brescia's MSW program.
The generalist practice curriculum includes courses on human behavior in the social environment, social issues in diversity, social work and aging, and policy. The first practicum requires 170 hours and the second 280 hours. Students can also study abroad in Australia and New Zealand.
This program offers five start dates, which allows learners to apply at any time. Applicants must complete principles of sociology, introduction to psychology, and other prerequisites to gain admittance. The application also includes a mandatory admission video and essay.
- Program: Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Owensboro, Kentucky
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; Council on Social Work Education
- Tuition: $450 per credit
7. Aurora University
Founded in 1893, Aurora's George Williams School of Social Work offers a bachelor of social work program with two specializations in addictions and child welfare. Depending on transfer credits, learners can graduate in 2-4 years. The program requires 120 credits, including 40 courses in research methods, human behavior in social environment, special welfare, and social work with groups, families, and individuals. Students get direct client experience through two field instructions with the option to gain internship credit from their workplace.
Earning a BSW degree qualifies students for Aurora's online MSW program with tracks in addictions, child welfare, forensics, gerontology, healthcare, leadership administration, military and veterans social work, or school social work.
To apply, students need at least two years of work experience, 60 general education credits, a minimum 2.5 GPA, and a completed background check.
- Program: Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Aurora, Illinois
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Higher Learning Commission; Council on Social Work Education
- Tuition: $438 per credit
8. Wayne State University
WSU, with roots that date back to 1868, features a two-year online bachelor of social work degree that provides a flexible learning format with full- and part-time options. Learners study online, except to complete the 460-hour, two-semester field placement and the mandatory in-person orientation. The Office of Field Education can work with students to find field placement in their home community.
This Where Online Works (WOW!) program offers asynchronous courses that require no set class times, but only weekly deadlines. Learners take 120 credits, studying professional writing, social work trends and history, social justice, and research methods and data analysis.
Only applicants who have at least 60 college credits can apply. Applicants need a minimum 2.5 GPA to qualify.
- Program: Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Detroit, Michigan
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Higher Learning Commission; Council on Social Work Education
- Tuition: $519 per credit
9. Bemidji State University
BSU, which opened its doors in 1919, lets learners earn a bachelor of social work online with the option to specialize in addictions. The Department of Social Work's BSW program follows CSWE standards. The curriculum gives learners a generalist social work education with courses in interpersonal relations, human behavior in social environment, social welfare policy, research, and family dynamics and intervention.
Students take the coursework online but travel to the BSU campus once a month to sharpen their practice skills. The program culminates with a senior 480-hour internship, where learners are supervised at a human service agency.
There's no fee to apply for the BSW program. Applicants must complete 30 general education credits and need at least a 2.0 GPA.
- Program: Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Bemidji, Minnesota
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Higher Learning Commission; Council on Social Work Education
- Tuition: $4,497 per semester
10. Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global
Founded in 1920, IWU delivers an online bachelor of social work program with a Christian-based education learners can complete in 32 months. The program comprises 22 courses, which students take one at a time over six-week semesters. Enrollees study intergroup relations, state and local government and politics, social research, social welfare organization, and social policy. The director of field education arranges field placement or internships.
To graduate, learners need to complete 120 credits and 400 supervised hours of field experience.
Admissions requirements include a high school or GED diploma, transcripts from high school or college, at least 45 transferable credits.
- Program: Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Marion, Indiana
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Higher Learning Commission; Council on Social Work Education
- Tuition: $430 per credit
How to Pay for a Bachelor of Social Work Degree Program
Bachelor of social work online programs come with a range of tuition and fees. While the instructional fee is often less, students may also need to pay an information technology fee, distance learning fee, and a non-resident surcharge for out-of-state students. The average for a BSW can range from $15,000 to $25,000, depending on the program.
Students have several options to save on the cost of education, including financial aid, grants, loans, and scholarships. Social workers may also apply for loan forgiveness programs when they work in rural areas or with vulnerable populations. The number of years of service depends on the program.
Careers and Salaries with a Bachelor of Social Work Degree
A bachelor of social work online program prepares graduates for several career opportunities. BSW graduates are needed as rehabilitation case workers, probation officers, human services specialists, and case managers. Social workers can also choose to specialize in family services, work as mental health assistants, or design and run activities and workshops at rehabilitation centers.
According to the National Association of Social Workers, salaries vary depending on a variety of factors, such as geography, degree, and area of practice. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows the annual median pay is $50,390, which also varies depending on the work environment and ranges $61,190-$46,640.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online BSW Degrees
Are online BSW programs respected?
Online programs are well respected when accredited. Most employers are not interested in how a candidate earned the degree. They may ask about the college or university, but they are most interested in whether you hold a license.
Is a bachelor's in social work worth it?
Social work attracts compassionate people who genuinely want to make a difference in others' lives. A bachelor of social work online program allows you to achieve that goal and gives you the opportunity to further your education with a master of social work degree.
What is the difference between a BSW and a BA in social work?
They are both undergraduate degrees with some key differences. While a BSW is a professional degree, a bachelor of arts in social work may not include fieldwork or coursework in social welfare policy, human behavior, and practice methods.
What is the difference between a BSW and an MSW in social work?
A BSW is a four-year degree that prepares you for entry-level positions, while an MSW is typically a two-year degree that opens doors to a variety of clinical settings, including substance abuse counseling, child welfare, private practice, or healthcare administration.