Online Social Work Degrees: Comparing Top Schools

Social Work Degree Basics

The popularity social work has increased, evidenced by the number of degree and certificate programs now available at colleges and universities in the United States. Each academic program has its own admissions and graduation requirements and career preparation goals.

Online social work programs combine online and on-campus coursework, with some offering didactic coursework entirely online and asynchronously, so students can study at their own pace. Others require students to attend some or all classes online at scheduled times via live stream. Most programs also include internships or practicums requiring in-person participation.

Still interested? Let’s take a deeper look at career paths in Social Work and see which one might be the right fit.

Career Options for Social Work Students

A degree or certificate in social work can prepare you for occupations in a wide range of areas both within and related to the larger social work profession. Below are five areas to consider, along with potential jobs.

Salary and Career Details

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Social Work Degrees by Level: Which Do You Need?

Social work degree and certificate programs, both undergraduate and graduate, are common at public and private colleges and universities throughout the US. Online options for all credential types are available. Each has specific academic goals and learning outcomes, admissions and curriculum requirements, completion times, and career preparedness purposes, indicated in the program examples below. Costs below are for tuition only.

Undergraduate Certificates

Undergraduate certificates in social work are primarily designed to provide students who have earned or are working on degrees in non-social work majors the opportunity to gain general or specialized skills in the social work field. Certificate programs are available from many of the same schools that offer undergraduate social work degrees, though very few certificate programs in social work are available online. It’s important to note that these certificates are often open only to students currently enrolled in undergraduate degree programs at the same school or those with an undergraduate degree.

STEPS Pick: Best Online Undergraduate Certificate Program

UC Denver’s Undergraduate Certificate in Families & Social Welfare

The online Families & Social Welfare Undergraduate Certificate at UC Denver offers students a foundational understanding of the “complex role of families and family members at multiple levels” as well as the organizations and social systems that support them. Admission is open to bachelor’s degree holders and current UC Denver bachelor’s students in any discipline.

Associate Degrees

There are only a few online associate in social work degree programs currently available. Coursework combines general education (in subjects such as English, math, communications, and the natural and social sciences) with foundational social work courses. These programs typically require 2 years of full-time study, like their traditional counterparts. Keep in mind that almost all entry-level social work jobs require a bachelor’s degree, so students should approach their ASW degree programs as a convenient and cost-savings way to acquire college credits that they can apply to a social work bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university.

STEPS Pick: Best Online Associate Degree Program

Georgia State University’s Associate of Science Social Work Pathway

Offered through GSU’s Perimeter College, the Social Work Pathway AS degree requires a total of 60 credits of core curriculum and pathway courses, all of which can be earned entirely online. At a current tuition rate of $101/credit, the program is an affordable way to complete the first two years of coursework needed for a BSW degree.

Bachelor’s Degrees

A bachelor’s degree in social work is required for a career in positions across social work, social welfare, and human services fields, qualifying you for entry-level, generalist practice jobs. With a bachelor’s degree, you can apply to master’s programs in specialized areas of study such as sociology, psychology, counseling, child development, and social work. Online social work bachelor’s degree programs are widely available, offered by public and private colleges and universities throughout the United States. Course content delivery may be fully- or partially-online, and programs that prepare students for jobs requiring licensure include internships or other in-person practice experiences.

STEPS Pick: Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Program

Cleveland State University’s Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

The BSW program at Cleveland State features 100% online asynchronous coursework. All courses are offered each term (fall, spring, and summer) with full- and part-time study options. Students gain hands-on training in their senior year through participation in a field practicum. Program completion provides licensure availability in all 50 states.

Graduate Certificate Programs

Graduate level programs in social work, including graduate certificate programs, are all about specialization, providing knowledge and training in a particular area of practice within the larger social work field. There are online graduate certificate programs for practically every social work specialization, and some certificates can be earned entirely online. For licensure, in-person internships or practicums will be required. Some certificate programs require a previously earned MSW for admission, while others are open to applicants with a bachelor’s degree.

STEPS Pick: Best Online Graduate Certificate Program

Colorado State University’s Conflict Resolution and Mediation Graduate Certificate

CSU’s Conflict Resolution and Mediation Graduate Certificate is designed to help students develop skills in conflict resolution for use in professional mediation and wide range of other professional and personal settings. All coursework is delivered asynchronously, and studies can be completed in as few as three semesters. Admission is open to applicants with an undergraduate degree from a four-year institution.

Master’s Degrees

The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree prepares students for specialized clinical licensure and practice in the field. Online program options are numerous and quite popular and often feature fully-online didactic coursework. Nearly all MSW programs, online or otherwise, include the in-person clinical experiences needed for state license eligibility. Most online MSW programs require two years of full-time study, but there are numerous part-time programs available. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in almost any major may be admitted into an online MSW program. Additionally, those with a BSW may be eligible to enroll in an advanced standing MSW program that can be completed in as few as 12 months.

STEPS Pick: Best Online Master’s Degree Program

Rutgers University’s Online Master of Social Work

The Master of Social Work program at Rutger’s University features 100% online coursework delivered asynchronously. Students complete in-person practicums for valuable administrative and client-facing skills. Two specializations are available: Clinical and Management & Policy (MAP). Two-year (full-time) and three-year (part-time) options are available.

Doctoral Degrees

Doctoral degrees in social work come in two forms, each with its own career purpose. The Doctor of Social Work (DSW) is a practice-focused doctorate designed for clinical specialists seeking to advance their careers into management and leadership roles. DSW programs are specialized and highly competitive, and applicants must have substantial work experience in the field. Most online programs are hybrid, and all require in-person residencies. Study is typically full-time, with most programs varying in length from 2 to 4 years.

The PhD in Social Work is designed for professionals interested in advanced careers in academic research and education. Online programs feature fully- or partially online coursework, but curricula focus heavily on intensive advanced research and teaching experiences, both of which require substantial in-person residency participation. Program lengths are typically from 3 to 5 years or longer.

STEPS Pick: Best Online Doctoral Degree Program

University of New England’s Doctorate in Social Work

UNE’s online Doctorate in Social Work focuses on the development of advanced leadership and clinical skills to “address complex social issues and drive systemic change.” Two concentrations are offered: Advanced Clinical Practice and Higher Education Administration. Students can customize their studies through their elective course choices. The program is entirely online and can be completed in 2.5 to 4 years.

Choosing the Right Online Social Work Program

Building a successful career in social work is a process that begins with your post-secondary education, and that education begins with selecting the one degree or certificate program that best suits your academic needs and career goals. If you’ve read the credential descriptions above, you likely have several questions about each program you consider. Below are five questions to get you started:

Is the content in this program delivered synchronously or asynchronously?

Asynchronous coursework means students log on and study via prerecorded lectures, written materials, and assignments at any time. Synchronous delivery requires students to log on and participate in class lectures and other related activities via live stream at specific times. Online coursework in social work programs may be synchronous, asynchronous, or a combination of the two, so it’s critical that you understand program content delivery for any program you’re considering.

Is this program properly accredited?

You’ll be looking for proper institutional and programmatic accreditation for the programs you consider. Institutional accreditation of U.S. colleges and universities is handled by several Department of Education recognized accrediting agencies. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs (and some graduate certificates); there currently is no programmatic accreditation for US-based social work doctoral degrees.

Does this program provide me with academic eligibility for state licensure?

If you’re intending on a career in social work, it’s highly likely you’ll need a state license to practice. That’s why your social work program’s curriculum will probably include some form of in-person internship, practicum, or similar clinical experience. Each state has its own license eligibility requirements, so be sure to review the requirements in your state carefully and confirm that the program you’re considering will meet those requirements before you enroll.

Will I be able to complete my internship or practicum requirements in my local area?

Eligibility for state social work licensure requires that you to possess hands-on experience in professional practice, so you’ll likely need to complete some form of in-person practice requirement as part of your degree or certificate program. It’s important to confirm your ability to complete this requirement in your local area before enrolling in an online program.

Does this program accept transfer credits from other schools?

One of the best ways to cut the time and cost of a social work degree or certificate program is by applying previously earned college credits to your program. Schools may apply credits earned in a social work certificate program at that school to their same-level social work degree program. Transferring credits from other schools is not always permitted, so if you have credits you’d like to use, be sure to speak with a program representative.

How Much Does a Degree in Social Work Cost?

Total costs for earning a social work degree or certificate online vary substantially from program to program due to a variety of factors, most predominantly, the specific type of academic credential offered. Other major factors impacting cost include whether the school offering the program is public or private (private school tuition is often higher than those at public schools) and in-state or out-of-state residency (public schools may charge higher tuition rates for out-of-state students).

Here are cost estimates for different social work degrees; your program’s total price tag may be greater or less.

• Associate degree (annual, full-time): low-to-mid four figures to the very low five figures
• Bachelor’s degree (annual, full-time): low-to-mid five figures
• Master’s degree (total program): low-to-mid five figure to upper-five figures
• Doctoral degree (total program): mid-five figures

Social work students may be able to save on program costs with financial aid, including scholarships and grants, fellowships and assistantships (graduate students), employer tuition reimbursement programs, and more. Transfer credits can also reduce tuition.

Answering Common Social Work Student Questions

What are the differences between social work, counseling, and psychology?

While there is a lot of overlap in terms of definition, scopes of practice, and skills required, there are also distinct differences between the social work, counseling, and psychology fields. Counseling professionals help their patients and clients to deal with behavioral, emotional, mental, and social problems and develop strategies and habits to overcome those problems. Psychology professionals focus on the treatment of mental health disorders most often clinical settings. Social work professionals incorporate aspects of both counseling and psychology to assess client needs and address those needs by connecting clients to available social services.

What skills do I need to succeed as a social work student and professional?

A primary learning outcome of social work education programs is the development of hard and soft skills you’ll need to succeed during and after completion of your social work degree or certificate program, including:

• Active listening
• Advocacy
• Critical thinking
• Computer/internet
• Diversity and cultural competence
• Empathy
• Ethical decision making and conduct
• Oral and written communication
• Organization
• Patience
• Prioritization
• Problem solving
• Research and data analysis
• Self-discipline and motivation
• Teamwork and collaboration

Can social work college graduates find jobs in the nonprofit and private sectors?

Most social work degree and certificate holders will work in the public (government) sector, but social work graduates can also build satisfying and lucrative careers in the private and nonprofit areas. Roles with businesses and corporations include community outreach, social responsibility promotions, and employee assistance services. Employment with nonprofits that provide services in addiction treatment, child welfare, and homeless housing are also available, and many social work professionals establish their own private counseling, therapy, and consulting practices.

How much do social workers earn?

What you earn in your social work job will depend on a lot of factors, including the specific job title and employer, education level attained, length of time in the profession, geographic location, and more. Here are some recent (May 2023) mean annual wage figures for a number of social work occupation categories:

• Child, family, and school social workers: $53,940
• Healthcare social workers: $62,940
• Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $55,960
• Social workers, all others: $63,770

Keep in mind that these are mean annual figures for workers in these categories overall across the entire nation. Also remember that it’s common for social workers (particularly those in the public sector) to receive valuable benefits packages along with their salaries.

Are there professional associations in the social work field?

Yes, there are several with many offering memberships and benefits specifically for social work students. Among the most prominent are:

• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• Clinical Social Work Association (CSWA)
• School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA)
• Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care (SSWLHC)

Making Your Decision

You’ve reached the end of our guide and determined that going for a career in social work is what you want. Now it’s time to put the information and advice we’ve provided to work and start your program or certificate program search. Finding just the right program for you will take some time and effort, but we believe it will be worth it. Remember that you’re not alone – there are plenty of resources out there to help, including degree and certificate programs from each school. Study websites carefully to gain a clear understanding of what each program offers and if you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact a program representative.

And don’t forget one other valuable resource: STEPS website.

STEPS Best Online Social Work Degree Programs

To gain a better understanding of online social work programs, it’s helpful to look at what the best programs offer in terms of program objectives, course subject matter, content delivery methods, and more. We’ve surveyed the current landscape of social work programs and ranked the best below. Factors considered in making our program choices include proper accreditation, affordability, academic quality, study convenience, and access to useful student support services. For more on our selection process, click the “About the Rankings” button.