Have you ever thought about helping people and making a positive impact on their lives? Well, guess what? An Online Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work might be just the thing for you!
This program allows you to learn and make a difference, all from the comfort of your computer. You’ll get to explore how to support and assist individuals and communities in need, all while earning your degree online.
By enrolling in this program, you will gain the skills and knowledge needed to become a passionate advocate for the vulnerable and marginalized, and a champion for social and socioeconomic change. Join us in this rewarding educational experience and take the first step towards a fulfilling career in social work.
Popular Online Bachelor’s in Social Work Programs
The online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is created for students who want to build a solid understanding of social justice issues and enter the field of social work.
Some popular online Bachelor’s in Social Work programs include:
| SCHOOL | IN-STATE TUITION | OUT-OF-STATE TUITION | ACCEPTANCE RATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR | $7,666 | $24,482 | 83% |
| Fresno Pacific University Fresno, CA | $32,954 | $32,954 | 78% |
| Simmons University Boston, MA | $41,872 | $41,872 | 84% |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN | $11,332 | $29,522 | 75% |
| University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND | $8,882 | $13,323 | 89% |
| The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL | $10,780 | $30,250 | 79% |
| Temple University Philadelphia, PA | $16,488 | $29,712 | 72% |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MO | $24,766 | $24,766 | 92% |
| University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI | $11,304 | $33,336 | 70% |
| Misericordia University Dallas, PA | $34,100 | $34,100 | 89% |
Check below for a detailed overview of these best top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Social Work.
1. University of Arkansas
- Location: Fayetteville, AR
- Duration: 4 years
- Format: Available Online + Campus
- Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
- Cost per Credit: $292
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120
The University of Arkansas has an online program for a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). This program is for people who want to be social workers and help others.
In the program, students learn about how people behave and how to solve social problems. It’s only for people who live in Arkansas. Students do some in-person work and also have classes they can do on their own time.
To join the BSW program, you first need to get into the University of Arkansas. If you’re applying for the first time, you have to share your high school grades and ACT or SAT scores. If you’ve been to college before, you need to show your college grades.
2. Fresno Pacific University
- Location: Fresno, CA
- Duration: 4 years
- Format: Available Online
- Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
- Cost per Credit: $550
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 51
Fresno Pacific University has a program where you can finish your social work degree and get a Bachelor of Arts. This is for people who have already done some college. You can do it all online, and it takes about 24 months. They teach about the Christian faith, social justice, and serving others for your whole life.
In the program, you take classes like “Becoming a Change Agent,” “Biblical Perspective for Social Justice,” and “Urban Society and the Welfare State.” You also do some practical work and write a paper.
To join, you should have done two years of college, have at least 60 credits from a bachelor’s program, and a GPA of at least 2.4.
3. Simmons University
- Location: Boston, MA
- Duration: 4 years
- Format: Available both Online and On Campus
- Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
- Cost per Credit: $500
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 128
Simmons University has an online program where you can finish a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. In the classes, everyone learns together about things like fairness, social justice, and how we take care of people. The main topics include understanding inequality, how to talk to people in need, learning about social research, and practicing social work.
Students also do hands-on training in their local areas, and they can choose extra classes in subjects like American politics, macroeconomics, and public health if they want.
To join, you should already have done at least 17 college-level classes. The program also lets you bring in up to 96 classes you did at other places.
4. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
- Location: Knoxville, TN
- Duration: 4 years
- Format: Available both Online and On Campus
- Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State: $439
- Out-of-State: $514
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 60
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s online social work degree program is designed for transfer students with associate degrees.
The five-semester curriculum includes electives in crisis intervention and suicidology, forensics social work, military and veteran population, and trauma. Applicants must complete introductions to social work and social welfare classes before enrollment.
5. University of North Dakota
- Location: Grand Forks, ND
- Duration: 4 years
- Format: Available both Online and On Campus
- Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
- Cost per Credit:
- In-State: $462
- Out-of-State: $509-$658
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120
The University of North Dakota has a program where you can get a Bachelor of Science in Social Work online. They focus on helping people and communities in rural areas. In the classes, you learn about social work practice, human behavior, social policy, and research.
If you join the program from a distance, you attend some classes at specific times and also do practical work in your local area. Sometimes, you might need to go to the campus for hands-on activities.
6. The University of Alabama
- Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
- Duration: 4 years
- Format: Available both Online and On Campus
- Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
- Cost per Credit: $385
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120
The University of Alabama has a program where you can get a Bachelor of Social Work. You’ll have classes online, and you’ll also do some hands-on learning close to your home, within 60 miles. In the beginning, you’ll learn about social work theory, the history of social work in the U.S., and issues of unfairness and social injustice.
To join, you should have finished 54 credits, and your grades should be okay – at least a 2.25 GPA overall and a 2.5 GPA in your social work classes. Once you’re accepted, there’s a one-day orientation at the Tuscaloosa campus.
7. Temple University
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Duration: 4 years
- Format: Available both Online and On Campus
- Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
- Cost per Credit: $610
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 120
Temple University has a program to help you become a social worker. In this program, you’ll learn a lot about how people grow, interact, and stand up for others. The classes cover things like understanding society and dealing with unfairness. You also have to spend 400 hours working at a place that helps people.
If you’re already working or going to a community college, Temple University has an online option. You can do 60 hours of classes online at your own pace, either part-time or full-time. You don’t need to take a test to join; you can apply using the Common Application.
8. Maryville University of Saint Louis
- Location: Saint Louis, MO
- Duration: 4 years
- Format: Available both Online and On Campus
- Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
- Cost per Credit: $525
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 128
Maryville University has an online program for a Bachelor of Social Work. This program helps you get ready for more advanced studies or starting a job in social work.
You’ll learn online about things like handling money in social work, understanding different cultures, and dealing with social issues. There’s also a part where you get practical experience.
To join, if you’re just starting college, you need to have at least a 2.5 GPA. If you’ve already been to college, your GPA should be at least 2.0. The good thing is, you don’t need to take a test or pay a fee to apply.
9. University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Location: Honolulu, HI
- Duration: 4 years
- Format: Available both Online and On Campus
- Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
- Cost per Credit: $471
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 59
The University of Hawaii at Manoa has a program for social work. If you live in Hawaii and have completed certain classes, you can join and learn from a distance. To get in, you need at least a 2.5 GPA, show you’re committed to social work through your job or volunteering, provide three references, and share your resume.
In the program, you’ll have classes you can do on your own time and also practical learning at community organizations. Once you finish, you can take a test to become a licensed social worker in Hawaii.
10. Misericordia University
- Location: Dallas, PA
- Duration: 4 years
- Format: Available both Online and On Campus
- Programmatic Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education
- Cost per Credit: $460
- Total Credits Required to Graduate: 121
Misericordia University’s BSW program provides a fast-track, two-year route to earning a social work degree. After completing the program, graduates can apply for a license to practice in Pennsylvania and other states. They may also be eligible for advanced standing admission into master’s in social work programs.
The program combines online and in-person learning. Students can sign up for prerequisite, core, and elective courses before joining a fall cohort for the necessary social work classes. Fieldwork hours can be completed during weekends and evenings for added flexibility.
