For people who care about people, social services is the perfect field. Social workers connect people in need with the programs, institutions, and services designed to help them.
According to the Social Work License Map, social workers are currently most in demand in Arizona, California, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Texas. But even if you don’t live in one of those states, most communities have people in need and systems to help them. Many online bachelor in social work programs require fieldwork, and they’ll help you get plugged into the social work agencies wherever you live.
You don’t have to move across the country to learn how to serve your community through social services. There are countless online bachelor in social work degree programs that can land you the credentials, expertise, and experience you need to enter the field.
To help you sort through all these programs, we’ve used data from The National Center for Education Statistics and ratings from school-ranking entities like TheBestSchools.org, NonprofitCollegesOnline.com, SocialWorkDegreeCenter.com, CareersInPsychology.com, and CollegeChoice.net—so this list of the top 10 online bachelor’s in social work programs is the best of the best.
One school remarked that there are only 16 online BSW programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Nine of them are on this list.
To help you make the choice that’s right for you, we’ll show you each school’s:
- Tuition cost
- Program length
- Graduation rates
- Awards and accolades
- Accreditation
- Anything else we think will help you decide
Let’s find a school you’ll love! For starters, here are some highlights:
Most affordable
You won’t have to spend a fortune earning your BSW at any of these schools, but if you live in New Mexico, you’ve got access to the most affordable education on this list. Western New Mexico University’s in-state tuition runs about $6,000 per year. They’re #6 on our list. For everyone else, Bemidji State University (#5) costs about $8,000 per year, regardless of which state you live in.
Best job placement rate
It’s worth noting that while most of these programs will prepare you to become a licensed social worker, getting your license is almost always a separate process. Your BSW gives you the expertise (and often the experience) you need for many entry level social work positions, but you may not qualify for more advanced positions.
That said, Western New Mexico University (#6) reported a 67% employment rate within nine months of graduation for their BSW graduates. If you want a job in the field fast, WNMU may be your best choice.
Best graduation rate
None of these schools have an amazing graduation rate, but at the same time, only one has a notably low graduation rate *cough* WNMU (20%). If you’re worried about whether or not you’ll actually complete one of these programs and come out with a degree, Appalachian State University (#9), with a graduation rate of 72%, may be for you.
Now, on to the top ten!
1. Humboldt State University
Tuition cost:
- In-State: about $7,000 per year
- Out-of-State: about $18,000 per year
Program length: 120 credits
Graduation rate: 46%
Accreditation:
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
- Council on Social Work Education
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on NonprofitCollegesOnline.com: 1
- Rank on TheBestSchools.org: 3
- Rank on SocialWorkDegreeCenter.com: 3
- Rank on CareersInPsychology.com: 7
Humboldt State University offers a two year online bachelor in social work degree through their Department of Social Work. If you poke around on their website, you might have to hunt a little to find their online program—they call it distributed learning, but it’s online.
Here’s how they describe “distributed learning”:
“Distributed Learning provides access to education so that people can strengthen their own communities without needing to leave their area, jobs, and families. Distributed Learning is not simply online education. It is education that is interactive, locally based, networked, student-centered, and also online. It is education designed around knowledge about effective and transformative adult learning.”
This program isn’t fully online. When you start the distributed learning program, you’ll have to go to campus to attend an orientation, and then show up for an intensive once per year. (The intensive usually takes place over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, before classes start again in January.)
Humboldt’s online BA in social work is designed to “prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice responsive to the challenges and resources present in rural areas in particular and in more populated areas in general.”
You must complete the courses in order.
Here’s what Humboldt says about their BASW program:
“Undergraduates develop an ability to analyze and critically evaluate research studies and apply the findings to everyday practice. Ethics and critical thinking are strongly emphasized for careers in schools, medical offices, child and adult protective services, mental health, legal work and international aid to refugees and immigrants.”
2. Briar Cliff University
Tuition cost: about $29,000 per year
Program length: 124 credits
Graduation rate: 44%
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
- Council on Social Work Education
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on NonprofitCollegesOnline.com: 2
- Rank on SocialWorkDegreeCenter.com: 4
- Rank on TheBestSchools.org: 7
- Rank on CareersInPsychology.com: 9
- Rank on CollegeChoice.net: 9
Briar Cliff University offers an online BSW degree through their Department of Social Work. This program includes several courses that help you learn about how social work functions in your local community. You’ll establish local social workers as your mentors, and at some point you will advocate for or oppose a piece of state legislation.
You’ll have personal mentoring sessions with your faculty through Skype, and you’ll directly interact with them in some way every week.
BCU’s social work program has been CSWE accredited since 1974. For over 40 years, they’ve been at the forefront of social work education.
For a quick look at some highlights from the program, here’s one of BCU’s social work professors:
The BSW program culminates in a 450-hour internship (or “field practicum”) in your local community, which you’ll establish with the help of BCU’s field director. You cannot transfer relevant life experience to replace this part of the program.
The field director explains more about the practicum in this video.
Briar Cliff University accepts up to 90 transfer credits. You can transfer relevant life experience for up to 12 credits.
3. California State University-Chico
Tuition cost:
- In-State: about $7,000 per year
- Out-of-State: about $18,000 per year
Program length: 120 credits
Graduation rate: 69%
Accreditation:
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
- Council on Social Work Education
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on SocialWorkDegreeCenter.com: 1
- Rank on CareersInPsychology.com: 3
- Rank on TheBestSchools.org: 4
California State University’s Chico campus offers an online BSW through their School of Social Work. Like BCU, this is a “distributed learning” program. It’s offered in both a two year and three year format (they both have the same curriculum).
Also similar to BCU, this program requires 480 hours of field education. The practicum begins in your final two semesters, and must be completed in northern California. (You can see eligible counties here.)
You’re also required to attend two weekend “face-to-face” times per semester.
The program places an emphasis on “social justice and work with the most vulnerable populations.”
Before you get very far into the program, you must be accepted into the “professional sequence” to continue progressing. To be accepted, you have to have your general education requirements completed, 60 hours of volunteer work with a social service agency, at least 60 transferable credits, and you must have completed or started several core social work courses.
All courses need to be completed in order.
Fun fact: California State University-Chico has a transfer rate of 4%. The national average is almost 10X higher. Students who start here typically stay here.
4. University of Utah
Tuition cost:
- In-State: about $9,000 per year
- Out-of-State: about $27,000 per year
Program length: 51 credits
Graduation rate: 65%
Accreditation:
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Council on Social Work Education
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on SocialWorkDegreeCenter.com: 2
- Rank on CareersInPsychology: 4
- Rank on CollegeChoice.net: 4
University of Utah Online offers a BSW program through the College of Social Work.
The main page for the online BSW program says that it’s not fully online. However, the program admissions policies and procedures page says there’s a fully online option.
Here’s what they say about it:
“Within the College of Social Work the Bachelor of Social Work Program educates and trains professional social workers to become the agents of change who work on behalf of society and their fellow human beings. More specifically, the BSW Program seeks to establish mutually respectful and supportive relationships with marginalized communities (e.g., people of color, indigenous and aboriginal communities, refugee and immigrant communities, LGBTQ communities, people with mental illness, and rural communities) to assist in the development of community leaders and programs needed to achieve social justice and improve the human condition of all community members.”
As an online student, you’ll have group assignments, peer reviews, and online discussions. You can attend “online office hours” in discussion threads or over the phone.
Before you can begin the program, you’ll have to complete a few crucial liberal arts and social work courses. Here’s why:
“Because social work is a profession that draws wisdom and knowledge from a variety of disciplines, social work majors are required to complete courses in a number of behavioral, physical science, and humanities areas. Each course has been selected because it provides a sound background for content that will be covered in required social work courses.”
To complete the program, you’ll have to complete an internship as well. The length of the internship isn’t specified online.
Courses must be completed in order.
5. Bemidji State University
Tuition cost: about $8,000 per year
Program length: 69 credits
Graduation rate: 46%
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
- Council on Social Work Education
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on NonprofitCollegesOnline.com: 3
- Rank on CareersInPsychology: 6
- Rank on TheBestSchools.org: 8
Bemidji State University offers a hybrid BSW program through their College of Health Sciences & Human Ecology, Social Work Department. They call it SWIM: social work integrated model. Don’t be intimidated by the word “hybrid” though: it looks like the non-online requirements are fairly similar to other programs that just call themselves “online.”
You’ll be part of an online cohort, and the vast majority of your classes will be online.
The non-online components of the program are on-campus courses three times per semester and a 480 hour internship in your local community.
Here’s what BSU says about the program:
“With liberal education as its foundation, students receive a multi-disciplinary and social work discipline education that addresses the biological, psychological, and social aspects of human development and interactions.”
BSU also offers a 20-credit minor in chemical dependency for BSW students, though it should be noted that this doesn’t include the requirements needed for you to become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
Very few undergraduate students at BSU finish their degree in four years. The most recent data from the National Center for Education said it was 5%.
6. Western New Mexico University
Tuition cost:
- In-State: about $6,000 per year
- Out-of-State: about $14,000 per year
Program length: 120 credits
Graduation rate: 20%
Employment rate: 67%
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
- Council on Social Work Education
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on CareersInPsycholoy: 2
- Rank on TheBestSchools.org: 5
Western New Mexico University offers an online bachelor in social work degree. You don’t ever have to go to campus. Your courses are fully online, and your practicum can be completed locally.
Here’s what they say about the program:
“Wherever people need help, social workers are there! We emphasize the core social work values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence in a caring and nurturing environment. Small class sizes are important to Western. Our courses are taught by professors who are licensed professional social workers; here, our faculty have actually practiced social work, and they are willing to share their experiences in the classroom.”
In addition to the core social work classes, you can use your electives to take courses in specific social work related topics, including:
- Sustainable development
- Social work with the homeless
- Social work with the military
- Social work in a school setting
- Child welfare
- Grant writing
28% of students surveyed in 2014 received a raise after completing the program. 67% either already had jobs or became employed within nine months of graduation.
7. Huntington University
Tuition cost: about $25,000 per year
Program length: 128 credits
Graduation rate: 65%
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on CollegeChoice.net: 3
- Rank on SocialWorkDegreeCenter.com: 5
Huntington University offers an online bachelor in social work through their accelerated learning program.
Here’s what they say about the program:
“Our social work program focuses on the foundational values of the profession which are service, justice, integrity, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, and competence. Our nationally-accredited program addresses the current needs of individuals, families, groups and communities, allowing students to be globally aware and locally active.”
The website says the program provides you with “the capacity to become licensed in any state.” I would assume that means you will have the knowledge and skills you need to meet license requirements. This probably isn’t saying the program meets licensure requirements in every state.
Huntington University also says you will be required to complete fieldwork, but it doesn’t specify how extensive that fieldwork is.
Note: If you complete your general education requirements at Huntington University, it may include a few Christian or Bible-related courses. HU is a Christian college closely associated with the Church of United Brethren in Christ.
Here’s what they say about the Christian aspect of your education at Huntington University:
“Through a curriculum of demonstrated academic excellence, students are educated in the liberal arts and their chosen disciplines, always seeking to examine the relationship between the disciplines and God’s revelation in Jesus Christ.”
8. Indiana Wesleyan University
Tuition cost: about $10,000 per year
Program length: 120 credits
Graduation rate: 49%
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
- Council on Social Work Education
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on TheBestSchools.org: 6
- Rank on CollegeChoice: 7
- Rank on CareersInPsychology: 8
Indiana Wesleyan University offers an online BSW through their College of Arts and Sciences
And the national and global campus.
Here’s what they say about the program:
“The mission of Indiana Wesleyan University’s Social Work program is to equip students to enhance human well-being and to meet basic human needs. We believe that people are impacted by their environment. Our students gain first-hand knowledge regarding individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations in order to better understand this impact. Graduates will be prepared for entry-level, generalist social work practice through a variety of classroom, volunteer, and field experiences.”
In this program, you only need to register once. That means no more waking up early and repeatedly clicking refresh to fight against other students for the classes you need.
Through IWU’s virtual classroom, you’ll get individual attention from your instructors and interact with other students.
BSW students must complete 400 hours of fieldwork after completing course requirements. This generally takes place over six months.
You can hear some highlights from the program director in this short video:
https://www.indwes.edu/adult-graduate/programs/bachelor-of-social-work/
Note: Like Huntington University, Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christian college. While none of the courses in the BSW program are explicitly Christianity or Bible-related, you may find that your professors approach social work topics from this perspective. Additionally, if you take your general education requirements here, you can probably expect to take a course or two on religion.
9. Appalachian State University
Tuition cost:
- In-State: about $7,000 per year
- Out-of-State: about $22,000 per year
Program length: 122 credits
Graduation rate: 72%
Accreditation:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
- Council on Social Work Education
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on CollegeChoice.net: 1
- Rank on NonprofitCollegesOnline.com: 8
Appalachian State University’s online bachelor of social work has a full-time and part-time option. The full-time option is designed to be completed in about two and a half years, and the part-time option is designed to take about three years.
You need a minimum of 60 credits before you can enroll in the program.
Here’s what they say about their BSW degree:
“Study for this degree includes the social, economic and political processes involved in the development and change of social service institutions, the dynamics of human behavior and the intervention methods and their applications to a wide variety of situations and clients.”
As a social work student at Appalachian State, you’ll “learn to combine compassion, policy and process to improve the lives of others.”
You’ll also “develop knowledge and skills to work with diverse clients and communities in a variety of human service agencies, providing direct services and advocating for human rights and social and economic justice.”
Regardless of which degree path you choose, you’ll need 32 hours of fieldwork in your final semester.
10. Northern Arizona University
Tuition cost:
- In-State: about $11,000 per year
- Out-of-State: about $24,000 per year
Program length: 120 credits
Graduation rate: 53%
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
- Council on Social Work Education
Awards and accolades:
- Rank on CareersInPsychology.com: 1
- Rank on SocialWorkDegreeCenter.com: 8
Northern Arizona University’s extended campus offers a fully online bachelor in social work.
Here’s what they say about their social work program:
“The social work profession is dedicated to enhancing human well-being and to help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. The intent of this program is to educate competent generalist social workers for practice with diverse populations and multilevel social systems, while developing skills for facilitating the planned change process.”
The online program appears to be a little different than their on-campus degree, but here’s what you can expect:
“Northern Arizona University’s online and CSWE accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree prepares you for a fulfilling social work career where you can help others experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, behavioral disabilities and other challenges. Through this college degree program you will also gain a foundation in advocating policy change for underserved and disenfranchised populations.”
A quick note on transferring schools
According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, more than one third of all college students transfer schools before graduating. In order to transfer your credits from one school to another, the two schools usually have to be accredited by the same organizations.
Thankfully, nine out of the ten schools on this list are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, which means even if the programs use different regionally accrediting bodies, the content will meet the same industry requirements, and you may have an easier time transferring credits.
Additionally, six of these schools are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and two are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges—so if you decide to transfer, there are plenty of great schools that will still accept your credits.
The best school is really up to you
We can’t tell you exactly which school is the best choice for you—and you shouldn’t let anyone else do that, either. You have to weigh the factors that are most important to you and let that guide your decision. Choosing a school is a huge investment—both in terms of what it immediately costs you and how it affects your life. So take your time.
We hope this list has helped make the decision a little easier for you. Good luck in your future studies!
