Best Bachelor’s in Social Work Degree Programs

Social workers support communities by providing social services, helping clients manage mental health disorders, mentoring children, and connecting clients with resources.

A bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) can pave the way to a meaningful and in-demand career assisting society’s most vulnerable people and groups as a licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW). Specific job duties vary by specialty, state, and employer. Yet, social workers help people access community resources, like healthcare or food stamps; respond to crisis situations, like child abuse; and provide counseling or psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and families.

Professional social workers need a bachelor’s in social work at a minimum. Find the best schools for social work, as well as common career options for graduates.

Social workers support individuals, families, and communities struggling with issues such as poverty, mental health disorders, and behavioral issues. Social workers may help clients access social services and address problems through behavior modification. Many social workers at the master’s level also provide counseling services.

Social workers have several specialization options. For example, school social workers help children and adolescents overcome challenges at school, while substance use and behavioral social workers help clients manage substance use disorders and behavioral problems. Clinical social workers diagnose and treat behavioral and mental health disorders.

The largest employers of social workers are local and state government agencies, individual and family services, and ambulatory healthcare services.

A bachelor’s degree in social work prepares students for entry-level, generalist positions in social work. Graduates of social work bachelor’s programs can also apply to online master of social work programs.

Many students need or prefer the flexibility and convenience of earning a social work degree. Typical social work majors include college students who know they want to become social workers, working professionals who want to change fields, and healthcare administration professionals who want to advance their career and earning potential by earning a BSW.

Bachelor’s in social work programs provide a foundational understanding of the history, major theories, and practices of the profession. Programs cover case management, human growth and development, and professional identity. Students gain critical thinking, advocacy, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Students looking for bachelor’s in social work programs have a lot to consider when choosing a degree, including individual career goals and academic interests, cost, accreditation, program length and flexibility, and specializations.

Read on to learn more about how to choose the right social work degree.

Bachelor’s in social work (BSW) students develop foundational social work skills like case management, crisis intervention, and treatment planning.

A typical curriculum offers courses in social work research, human behavior in the social environment, basic skills for social work practice, and diversity and multiculturalism. Many social work bachelor’s programs do not offer concentrations, instead focusing on preparing students for general practice social work.

Students who plan to pursue a master of social work should use their electives to gain specialized knowledge during undergraduate studies.

Social workers who specialize in mental health and substance use help individuals struggling with mental health challenges and addiction. This specialization explores mental health assessment, trauma, substance use intervention policy, and suicide risk assessment. Students who plan to pursue an MSW and become clinical social workers can benefit from this specialization.

This specialization focuses on working directly with specific communities to improve daily life for people in that community. Community social workers often work on particular issues with citizens, nonprofit groups, and government agencies. For example, they may help start a new school or create a public health initiative.

Child, family, and school social workers typically offer support to children and their families. They can work both in and outside of school settings, including at government agencies and social service agencies. Job duties may include conducting training for school staff, helping parents with children who struggle with behavioral issues in school, and intervening when a child experiences bullying.

There are many specialities that you can pursue after earning a bachelor’s in social work. However, note that some careers require at least a master’s in social work, so it’s important to check with local licensure requirements and potential employers if you are pursuing one of these social work careers.