There’s good reason social work is described as a calling. The need for social service is vast and requires actual human contact. Thus, while the pay rate is just starting to get better, people in jobs such as mental health counseling find themselves highly unlikely to have their jobs replaced by technological advancements. Statistics bear out a great increase in social work-related employment in the coming decade. You may have to consider graduate school as you measure how much you can build on the online social work bachelor’s degree.
To complete your degree, coursework should provide a solid basis for theoretical and practical applications of current social policy, research and social science, statistics and measurement, among others. Most programs lend themselves to grounding developing professionals with the attitude of advocation and agency for those in need. Job opportunities for these may include health centers, community housing, recovery centers, centers for the aging, and many other possible avenues. If you know that you need to complete your bachelor of social work online, we have given preference for flexibility in scheduling.
Most online bachelor of social work programs require around 120 credits, but typically you are expected to have some experience with distance learning to take on a full-time undergraduate schedule. Thus, you are more likely to use transfer credit, for which the schools on the list below also give credit. We have ranked the following schools with an eye for value, credibility in the field, and support for students enrolled in the program. Most schools require an internship component and some schools require that to be completed in some proximity to the school, so be aware of this caveat as you approach your final selection.
Hourly tuition rate
- $400 and under- 5 points
- $500 and under- 4 points
- $600 and under- 3 points
- $700 and under- 2 points
- $800 and under- 1 point
Graduation rate
- 75 and under- 5 points
- 60 and under- 4 points
- 50 and under- 3 points
- 40 and under- 2 points
- 30 and under- 1 point
Special criteria
- Regional accreditation – 5 points
- CSWE Accreditation (Council on Social Work Education – 5 points
#20 – University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
BSW Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $625
Graduation Rate: 39.1%
Points: 14
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock online bachelor of social work is only open to residents of the Natural State, but if this is you, this may be the program you have been looking for. The 120 credit program asks that all applicants have at least a 2.5 GPA in the three required prerequisite courses and that they begin in the fall semester. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s BSW online is looking for students who can donate at least 16 hours a week for their internship, for at least two semesters.
#19 – Angelo State University
San Angelo, Texas
BSW Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $602.50
Graduation Rate: 31.2%
Points: 14
Angelo State University’s bachelor of social work online is only open to residents of the Lone Star State. Applicants must provide evidence of an up to date resume, a C or better in the course Introduction to Social Work, 20 clock hours of community volunteer service, and “a personal narrative.” The Angelo State University online BSW runs on the cohort system with the prereq intro course offered online in the first summer session, and the cohort beginning each fall with the student’s junior year. The freshman and sophomore years are pursued in the “pre-social work” major.
#18 – Brescia University
Owensboro, Kentucky
BSW Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $425
Graduation Rate: 25.7%
Points: 15
After completing Brescia University’s associate of human services, students can apply to the bachelor of social work online as junior. The associates degree is also 100% online. The school also offers an online master’s of social work, for those who feel like pressing on in the field. The Brescia University online BSW can be completed in about two years with the right combination of transfer credits. As a school, this institution is focused on the specific needs of the adult learner.
#17 – University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
BSW Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $797.09
Graduation Rate: 62.2%
Points: 16
Requiring 48 credits and a successful internship experience for graduation in the major, the University of Utah online bachelor of social work is looking for applicants with a 2.35 GPA overall, completed prerequisites, and a social work focused resume, among other requirements. The program also offers three baccalaureate certificates: substance use disorder treatment training; social justice advocacy; and a professional non-credit certificate. The University of Utah BSW online further requires that the coursework be accomplished in the proper sequence.
#16 – Union Institute and University
Cincinnati, Ohio
Online BSW
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $545
Graduation Rate: 50%
Points: 16
With 48 hours in the major, the Union Institute and University bachelor of social work online entails studies in ethical issues, human behavior, and multicultural issues. This degree concludes with a 400 hour field integrative experience where you put classroom theory into practice in a professional setting. Union Institute and University’s online BSW has no on-campus component and is open to those with junior standing and suitable prerequisites. The capstone element of the program is the field experience and a seminar where you can unpack your field experience to complete the learning process.
#15 – Ursuline College
Pepper Pike, Ohio
Online BSW
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $502
Graduation Rate: 50%
Points: 16
Offering assistance from the first step of the admissions process through graduation, the Ursuline College bachelor of social work online has a bridge program leading directly into the master’s of social services at Case Western Reserve University. Good moral character, a clean background check, and a 2.5 social work GPA are all things candidates to this program should possess for best success. Ursuline College’s online BSW contends that it prepares students for licensure as social workers in the Buckeye State.
#14 – Eastern New Mexico University
Portales, New Mexico
Online BSW
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $249.75
Graduation Rate: 28%
Points: 16
The Eastern New Mexico University online bachelor of social work does have a limited but vital on-campus component. The social work part of the degree can be applied for when the general education portion of the bachelor’s has been completed. Eastern New Mexico University’s BSW online is a 120 hour minimum degree that asks students to participate in a 464 working hour field internship across two semesters. The program also contains entrance and exit exams before graduation.
#13 – University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Online BSW
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $539
Graduation Rate: 53.6%
Points: 17
Admission to the University of Louisville bachelor of social work online requires a final high school GPA of at least 2.5 and a composite ACT score of at least 20. The program allows up to sixty credits to be transferred in from other accredited schools and there is no on-campus requirement for this degree. The University of Louisville’s online BSW expects students to complete a 450 hour practicum prior to graduation, but this may be accomplished over two semesters.
#12 – University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Online BS in Social Work
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $521.04
Graduation Rate: 55.5%
Points: 17
The University of North Dakota bachelor of science in social work online offers two related minors that support work in this field: gerontology; and chemical dependency. This highly-touted program is 120 hours in length and does include a field experience component as an upperclassman. Students in the University of North Dakota online BS in social work can expect support from periodic campus visits and the fieldwork must be completed in the region surrounding North Dakota (see website for details).
#11 – Mary Baldwin University
Staunton, Virginia
BSW Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $460
Graduation Rate: 45%
Points: 17
Accepting up to 84 transfer credits, Mary Baldwin University’s bachelor of social work online also asks for students to participate in a 450 hour internship experience in their home community. This program offers two concentrations: medical social work and school social work. The Mary Baldwin University online BSW is only open to students in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Acceptance to the program requires two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a complete transcript, and completion of the application found on the website.
#10 – Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, Iowa
BSW Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $415
Graduation Rate: 46.8%
Points: 17
With three start dates a year, Briar Cliff University’s bachelor of social work online is a two-year program that can be completed by any individual with junior standing and the coordinating prereqs. There is a 450 field hour internship that must be completed prior to graduation. The Briar Cliff University online BSW runs on sixteen week fall and spring semesters and a ten week summer semester. Application to the program calls for two letters of recommendation and a personal statement.
#9 – Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, Kentucky
Online BSW
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $399
Graduation Rate: 38.7%
Points: 17
Also offering a fully online MSW, the Campbellsville University bachelor of social work is 100% online and accepts a maximum of 72 transfer hours to the 120 credit program. Application requirements for this program include: an application to the Carver School of Social Work, three letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. Campbellsville University’s online BSW also includes a 12 credit hour field experience that can be completed over two semesters or in a single term.
#8 – Troy University
Troy, Alabama
BSW Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $338
Graduation Rate: 39%
Points: 17
Troy University’s online bachelor of social work entails a 400 clock hour practicum that gives the student a real-world grounding to their classroom practice. The 120 hour degree offers multiple start dates per year with accessible 9 week terms. The Troy University BSW online features a twenty-seven hour core curriculum, a twenty-seven hour professional pre-program, and nine hours of freely chosen electives. The 400 hour long practicum counts as twelve credit hours in the professional pre-program.
#7 – Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona
BSW Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $425
Graduation Rate: 51.6%
Points: 18
At least thirty credits of Northern Arizona University’s 120 credit online bachelor of social work must be acquired from the Flagstaff institution. All work attempted at this school must receive a GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4 point scale. The Northern Arizona University BSW online asks for email addresses for two personal references and a questionnaire detailing your background and experience with the field of social work, in addition to standard University admission requirements.
#6 – Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Online BSW
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $375
Graduation Rate: 42.7%
Points: 18
The bachelor of social work online at Northwestern State University of Louisiana can be accomplished by a combination of twelve credit hours of fieldwork experience, 48 hours of coursework in topics like research and diagnosis, and sixty hours of general education and minor courses. Admission to the social work program at this school entails the Acknowledgement of the Meaning and Consequence of Plagiarism Form, the BSW Professional Program Admission Form, and the Statement of Understanding and Agreement. Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s online BSW expects applicants to have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
#5 – Bemidji State University
Bemidji, Minnesota
Online BSW
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $274.40
Graduation Rate: 46.4%
Points: 18
Utilizing the Social Work Integrated Model, the online bachelor of social work proffered by Bemidji State University works under the cohort model and meets on campus three to four times per term. The degree involves a 480 clock hour internship that is completed in the student’s home location on a part-time (two semesters) or full-time (one semester) basis. Bemidji State University’s BSW online requires two professional letters of recommendation to be included with the application to the program.
#4 – Misericordia University
Dallas, Pennsylvania
BSW Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $430
Graduation Rate: 71.2%
Points: 19
With a cohort beginning every fall, the Misericordia University online bachelor of social work offers coursework in seven to eight week terms twice a semester. The first spring semester of this program must be completed on campus, but all other coursework online. Misericordia University’s largely online BSW is a 121 hour program that requires a minimum 2.0 GPA for admission to the degree program. A background check by multiple security agencies is also part of the admissions process.
#3 – Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, Indiana
Online BS in Social Work
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $426
Graduation Rate: 65%
Points: 19
Admission to the online bachelor of science in social work at Indiana Wesleyan University requires at least 45 hours of transferable credit and no more than 40 hours from CLEP-like credit. A 400 clock hour internship is part of the education process and may be completed in one or two semesters. Indiana Wesleyan University’s BS in social work online asks for a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation to occur with special requirements including: an overall 2.5 GPA and a GPA of at least 2.7 in all coursework in the 40 hour major.
#2 – University of Nebraska at Kearney
Kearney, Nebraska
BS in Social Work Comprehensive Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $396
Graduation Rate: 56.4%
Points: 19
Students who have satisfactorily completed the prerequisites and have a 2.5 or better pre-existing UNK GPA can be accepted into the University of Nebraska at Kearney online bachelor of science in social work comprehensive. This 120 total credit program is a 48 hour major that encompasses topics like: social welfare, social policy; and diversity and social justice. Completing the University of Nebraska at Kearney BS in social work comprehensive online will result in the student entering one of the fastest-growing fields in the current century.
#1 – Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, Pennsylvania
Online BA in Social Work
Regional Accreditation: Yes
CSWE Accreditation: Yes
Hourly Tuition Rate: $397.50
Graduation Rate: 64.2%
Points: 20
The Millersville University of Pennsylvania bachelor of arts in social work online is a degree completion program open to those with 60 or more hours of transfer credit. The program features rolling admissions and reviews applications as soon as they are considered complete. Millersville University of Pennsylvania’s BA in social work online has no on-campus component. The degree is offered on a cohort model and starts twice a year. The online BASW offered by this school can lead directly into this school’s MSW program.
OCR Staff
January 2020
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