Best Online Social Work (BSW) Degrees of 2025

What You'll Like: Charter Oak State College's online BSW is designed for working professionals. You'll gain skills for generalist social work practice while building the expertise needed to become a leader in the field. The curriculum emphasizes ethical practice, diversity, and service to the professional community and vulnerable groups.  

Things We Love:

• With six start dates per year, you can choose from a part-time or full-time curriculum to fit the program into your schedule.
• Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students at just $329 per credit.
• You may be able to receive college credits for prior education and work experience. 

What to Know Before You Apply:

• You must complete a practicum that starts in the fall and covers an entire year.  
• The application process includes a virtual interview with the program director or a designee.
• Charter Oak's BSW program is currently in candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education.

What You'll Like: The University of Alabama's BSW program can be completed entirely online and is identical to the widely respected on-campus program. The research-based curriculum prepares you to work in healthcare establishments, mental health and substance misuse centers, schools, and advocacy organizations.

Things We Love:

• At $385 per credit, tuition is competitive with other programs on this list.
• Applications are accepted year-round.
• For the mandatory 450-hour practicum, the school partners with a variety of social service agencies serving diverse populations.
• UA offers many online scholarships. 

What to Know Before You Apply:

• All three skills labs are offered in virtual, synchronous meetings on select Saturdays.
• If you intend to reside or seek professional licensure outside of Alabama, you must review your state licensure requirements before applying to the program.

What You'll Like: The BSW program at Northern Arizona University trains you to advocate for marginalized children, adults, and families in your community. The curriculum emphasizes dynamic coursework and hands-on learning to prepare you to be a voice for human rights and social justice.

Things We Love:

• Get the flexibility of an online degree with the structure of a semester-based course schedule and assignment deadlines.
• The program is designed to help you effectively address poverty, structural racism, and oppression with a focus on rural and Indigenous regions in the Southwest.

What to Know Before You Apply:

• You must have at least 24 credit hours in progress at NAU before you can formally apply to the BSW program.
• You'll need a grade of B or better in a lower-level social work course and a minimum GPA of 2.25 for admission to the program.
• You can enroll in NAU's Honors College while in the BSW program.

What You'll Like: The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's online BS in social work (BSSW) offers flexibility without compromising quality. The online curriculum is identical to the on-campus curriculum, with all courses delivered using a mix of real-time or synchronous video conference software plus asynchronous coursework.

Things We Love:

• Over 95% of UT's BSSW graduates report being employed within six months of graduation.
• The program is designed for transfer students who have earned 60 transferrable credits with an associate degree from a regionally accredited community college. 

What to Know Before You Apply:

• A field coordinator will help you secure the required practicum placement for real-world practice under the supervision of a professional social worker.
• The program had a 94% retention rate in 2023, indicating strong student support. 

What You'll Like: Temple University's online BSW program focuses on core social justice issues and working with communities in need. Topics you'll focus on include institutional racism, health disparities, and poverty in Philadelphia’s dynamic urban setting.

Things We Love:

• The curriculum prepares you for entry-level social work careers that advance social justice for individuals, families, and communities in need.
• Fieldwork and intensive internship opportunities allow you to develop real-world experience while integrating theory.
• Temple offers a transfer equivalency tool that allows you to see which credits may be transferable to the BSW program.

What to Know Before You Apply:

• Temple does not provide a laptop and requires one as part of the minimum hardware specification.
• Out-of-state tuition is $33,912 per year, nearly double the cost of tuition for Pennsylvania residents.

What You'll Like: Thomas University's online BSW program prepares you to make a difference in the lives of both individuals and communities. You can apply the skills developed in this program across many fields, including mental health, social justice, family counseling, and legislative advocacy.

Things We Love:

• The curriculum includes social work practice fundamentals for families, groups, communities and organizations, and individuals. 
• TU collaborates with numerous agencies and organizations to provide you with internships and fieldwork that build critical educational experiences.
• The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits TU's BSW curriculum.

What to Know Before You Apply:

• To apply, you must submit your high school transcript or GED. For admission, you must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 to enter the BSW program in your junior year.
• Military service members and dependents receive a tuition discount.

What You'll Like: The University of Cincinnati offers an online BSW focusing on social work ethics and practice, diversity and social justice, and human behavior and the social environment. You'll prepare to assess, intervene, and advocate for clients effectively through hands-on experience and case studies.

Things We Love:

• You'll have access to a student success coordinator and program coordinator to help you stay on track while addressing both academic and non-academic issues. 
• Most UC students continue to work while enrolled in the BSW program. 
• A field coordinator can help you set up a practicum outside of the Cincinnati area. 

What to Know Before You Apply:

• In the program's final year, you'll complete 432 hours of field placement, approximately 16 hours per week.
• For admission to the BSW program, you must have a minimum of 24 credits from an accredited institution and a minimum GPA of 2.75.

What You'll Like: East Central University's 100% online BSW program promotes human and community well-being through a global perspective, scientific knowledge, and respect for diversity. After graduation, you'll be qualified to pursue a master’s degree or work in human and social services positions helping individuals, families, groups, and organizations. 

Things We Love:

• ECU allows you to transfer up to 94 credits to graduate in as little as two years.
• Choose from various electives to specialize your studies and work toward your career goals.
• The BSW program is accredited by CSWE.

What to Know Before You Apply:

• Tuition for Oklahoma residents is $322 per credit, while out-of-state tuition is $639 per credit.
• You're required to participate in hands-on internships for valuable workplace experience.

What You'll Like: Georgia State University's online BSW program prepares you to fight for social justice, help children and families, and improve community connections. You'll be equipped to work in various settings, including hospitals, community health centers, schools, nursing homes, and nonprofit organizations. 

Things We Love:

• The curriculum focuses on nine competencies connected to Georgia's accreditation and licensure rules.
• You'll work with the undergraduate advisement center throughout your time at Georgia State to ensure you're enrolling in the correct classes.

What to Know Before You Apply:

• Out-of-state students pay $29,400 in tuition annually, while Georgia residents are charged $9,180.
• You can start at Georgia State with an Exploratory Social Work status before you formally apply for the program in your junior year.
• You must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to apply to the BSW program.

What You'll Like: A tech-forward school, Maryville University offers a 100% online BSW. You'll learn from industry professionals and experienced practitioners while gaining real-world experience, with coursework aligned with the nine CSWE competencies. 

Things We Love:

• The program emphasizes self-care so you can learn to practice at the highest level in this challenging field. 
• The BSW focuses on diversity, generalist practice, social justice, experiential projects, and real-world scenarios.
• Work with a virtual community of like-minded students and experienced professionals, including licensed clinical social workers.

What to Know Before You Apply:

• There's no application fee, and you do not have to submit ACT or SAT scores to apply.
• You can transfer credits you earned at an accredited institution to reduce the cost and time it takes to earn your degree.