Best Social Work Online Programs
Written by Rebecca Munday
Last Updated: April 2024
Bachelor of social work (BSW) programs prepare you to pursue entry-level positions in social work and advanced standing in master’s programs — or even a career as a licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW) in some states.
If you earn your bachelor of social work online, you can complete assignments at your convenience and enjoy added scheduling flexibility. Find out more about the best online bachelor of social work degrees, typical coursework, and how to choose the right school for your personal and professional goals.
What to Expect From a Bachelor of Social Work Online Program
An online bachelor of social work program typically takes four years of full-time enrollment to complete. Part-time attendance extends this timeline. The Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) requires you to complete at least 400 hours of fieldwork experience for an accredited BSW program.
Most BSW programs include more experience than the minimum requirements. You’ll learn about research methods, social welfare policy, and human behavior in the social environment. After graduation, you can pursue the following:
- Entry-level roles in social work, like community support worker
- LBSW certification, if your state offers the license
- Master of social work (MSW) programs with advanced standing.
Featured Online Bachelor’s in Social Work Programs
The Best Bachelor of Social Work Online Programs
When choosing an online BSW program, consider several factors. Though each student values different elements of their ideal program, all prospective BSW enrollees should research the following considerations before applying:
- Accreditation: You’ll need to make sure you attend a CSWE-accredited program to receive financial aid, apply for licensure, and enroll in graduate school. All programs on this list are accredited.
- Fieldwork Experience: During the application process, research the program’s fieldwork requirements and how it helps online learners receive placements.
- Online Learning Experience: Research whether the classes are synchronous or asynchronous, credit requirements for full-time and part-time enrollment, and online student resources.
- Tuition and Education Costs: Ask about discounts or waived fees for online students. Then, plan how you’ll pay for books, fees, tuition, and housing while earning your degree.
We use a data-driven methodology to determine the best social work degree programs based on affordability, academics, and reputation.
1. Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University offers its bachelor of social work online with in-person internships or fieldwork in students’ home communities. The program emphasizes poverty, structural racism, and oppression, particularly in rural and indigenous areas of the southwest United States. Graduates qualify to apply for state licensure. Online study follows a semester-based schedule with assignment deadlines.
The 120-credit curriculum includes course topics in advocacy for human rights and social justice, quantitative reasoning, and conducting individual research.
- Program(s): Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Flagstaff, Arizona
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Tuition: $11,160 per year
- Admission Requirements: Admission to NAU; 24 credits in progress; a 2.25 GPA; and a B in Social Work 220: People to People: Social Welfare and Social Work
- Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months (less with transfer credits)
- On-Campus Requirements: No
2. University of Louisville
The fully online bachelor of social work at the University of Louisville features 24/7 access to learning tools and practicums and service learning near students’ homes. The curriculum focuses on effective intervention responses to complex social justice issues. Enrollees can opt to specialize in drug and alcohol counseling.
The program requires 120 credits and accepts up to 60 hours of community college transfer credits and up to 90 credits earned at a four-year college or university.
- Program(s): Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Louisville, Kentucky
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Tuition: $514 per credit hour
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED certificate; 2.5 GPA; ACT score of 20 or higher; pre-college curriculum
- Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months (less time with transfer credits)
- On-Campus Requirements: No
3. Aurora University
Aurora University‘s online bachelor of social work provides a broad view of social work, along with specializations in addictions or child welfare. Students can apply classroom learning to their field internships, which may be completed at their current workplace with program permission. Each enrollee pairs with a faculty mentor.
Some courses use digital open education resources instead of textbooks at no cost to students. The program accepts up to 50% of the 120-credit total in transfer credits.
- Program(s): Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Aurora, Illinois
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Tuition: $438 per credit hour
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED certificate; 15 transfer credits or ACT/SAT scores (unless test-optional requested); 2.5 GPA; 60 hours of general education requirements and prerequisites in U.S. government, psychology, and sociology; background check
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months with transfer credits
- On-Campus Requirements: No
4. Wayne State University
At Wayne State University, students can earn their bachelor of social work (BSW) degree online and enroll full- or part-time through the school’s WOW! program. Distance learners complete 460 hours of fieldwork at program-arranged sites at a location near each student.
Asynchronously delivered course work mirrors that of the on-campus BSW program. The curriculum includes classes in diversity, oppression, and social justice; human behavior in the social environment; and social welfare in the U.S.: current programs.
- Program(s): Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Detroit, Michigan
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Tuition: $512 per credit hour for Michigan residents; $563-$1,176 for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: 60 college-level credits (completed or in progress) of pre-professional coursework; 2.5 GPA; online assessment to determine distance learning readiness
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
5. Liberty University
Liberty University, an evangelical Christian school, allows online bachelor of social work students to transfer up to 75% of credits toward the program’s 120-credit total. The curriculum emphasizes understanding human psychology to take on critical social challenges. Distance learners complete field placements in their communities.
The program offers networking with professors and classmates during a five-day virtual intensive and allows learners to complete assignments on their own schedules. Courses include ethics in professional helping and social work practice with individuals, families, and groups.
- Program(s): Bachelor of social work
- Campus: Lynchburg, Virginia
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Tuition: $390 per credit hour full-time; $455 part-time
- Admission Requirements: High school self-certification form and high school/college transcripts; 2.0 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: 42 months (average)
- On-Campus Requirements: No
Paying for a Bachelor of Social Work Online Program
Undergraduate tuition and fees cost an average of about $14,690 in the 2022-2023 school year, according to data from the National Center of Education Statistics. Before you enroll in your online BSW program, make sure you have a plan to pay for the tuition, fees, and supplies you’ll need to complete the program.
Ask your program director or admissions office if the school waives any fees or offers any discounts to online students. Find out the financial aid you qualify for by:
- Filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Asking your program director about available scholarships
- Researching other financial aid opportunities, such as grants and loans
Careers and Salary with an Online Bachelor of Social Work Degree
Once you earn a BSW, you may qualify to become an LBSW if your state offers it or a similar license. With a BSW, you can work at the macro level of social work.
As a macro-level social worker, you can identify populations that need services, advocate for services and policy changes in your community, and work with other social workers to effect change. Typical roles include:
- Victim advocate
- Policy analyst
- Behavioral analyst
- Community support worker
- Case manager
Payscale data from April 2024 indicates that BSW-level social workers earn an annual average of $46,640. The lowest 10% of BSW graduates earn about $34,000 annually, while the top 10% earn around $68,000.
Frequently Asked Questions About an Online Bachelor of Social Work
How is an online bachelor’s in social work different from traditional on-campus programs?
The main difference between earning your bachelor of social work online and on campus is that distance learning occurs in a virtual environment. Instructors often deliver courses asynchronously, so you can complete your coursework whenever it fits into your schedule. Other differences may include lower transportation costs and fees.
How do you complete fieldwork experience for an online social work program?
You’ll complete your field placement in person in a local agency setting 2-5 days a week during normal business hours, often with placement assistance from your school. You may be able to work some of these hours outside of normal business hours, depending on other obligations.
What is the difference between a bachelor’s and a master’s in social work?
The difference between a BSW and MSW is the scope of practice and level of social work you can participate in after graduating and becoming licensed. With a BSW, you can practice at the macro social work level. An MSW prepares you for macro and mezzo social work.
Is an online bachelor’s in social work worth it?
An online bachelor of social work can be worth it if you want a flexible way to become an entry-level social worker, practice macro-level social work, or enter your MSW with advanced standing. An online BSW can fit around your schedule and allow you to pursue programs that you otherwise could not access due to distance.
