Best Online Social Work Degree Programs of 2024

Do you see yourself making a difference in the lives of others? Earning an online social work degree can lead you to a fulfilling career supporting individuals of all ages, serving vulnerable populations and advocating for increased social services and public health awareness. Use this guide to learn about the best online social work programs, accreditation, licensure, and career prospects.

Best Online Social Work Degree Programs

Reasons to Get an Online Social Work Degree

There are many reasons to pursue an online social work degree. For one, social work is an in-demand career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an above-average growth rate of 7% for social workers from 2022-2032.

An online social work degree will also help you develop highly marketable and transferable skills like:

• Empathy
• Interpersonal communication
• Cultural competence
• Case management
• Interviewing
• Advocacy

These skills can serve you well in social work and other industries.

Another benefit of earning an online social work degree is the opportunity to advocate and assist populations you're passionate about, whether that's children, families, or people with mental health conditions.

Finally, if you become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), you may be able to access better-paying jobs and work directly with clients in a clinical environment.

Admission Requirements for Social Work Degree Programs

Courses and Concentrations in Online Social Work Degree Programs

A BSW will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the social work field. As with many bachelor’s degree programs, online social work degrees are pretty challenging: they require a lot of reading, research, and analysis.

Most online BSW programs require 120 credits, including 60 credits of general education requirements (like math, sciences, and humanities courses.)

At the same time, you'll learn the basic principles of human behavior and social services, specific demographics and populations you may want to specialize in, and ethics for social workers. Then you’ll apply everything you've learned through a supervised internship.

Here are some examples of online social work classes you may take:

• Introduction to social work
• Social work research methods
• Diversity and cultural competence
• Professional ethics
• Social welfare policy
• Human behavior in the social environment
• Child and family services

Many programs offer specializations as well, such as the following:

• Child and family
• Corrections and rehabilitation
• Aging services
• School social work
• Social work leadership
• Policy change
• Criminal justice

Social Work Licensure

If you want to become a licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW) or your state’s equivalent, here's what that's going to take:

• Earn a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program.
• Check with your state board to see if they offer LBSW licensure.
• Apply for LBSW licensure or equivalent in your state. Submit all required documents and authorization for a criminal background check, and pay the licensing and application fees.
• Pass the bachelor’s licensing exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).
• After you pass the ASWB exam, apply to your state board for licensure.

Social Work Career and Salary Information

If you want to dive deeper into your career options as a BSW graduate, here's a list of roles and salaries you can pursue.

Expert Q&A With a Real Social Worker

Lindsey Konchar MSW, LGSW

Lindsey Konchar, MSW, is a licensed graduate social worker (LGSW). She earned her BA in psychology in 2014, then chose to serve in AmeriCorps on a 10-month commitment. After her time in AmeriCorps came to a close, Lindsey worked in an inpatient psychiatric hospital, working with patients experiencing severe anxiety, depression, and other diagnoses. She chose to go back to graduate school, and went on to earn her master's in social work in 2019. Lindsey has since had experience working in transitional care units and integrative health care settings. She also wrote the book "I Got 99 Coping Skills and Being a B*tch Ain't One" and is the owner of copingwithlindsey.com.

Q: Why did you decide to pursue a degree in social work?

A: "When speaking in terms of the helping profession, social work offers the most variety — by far. With a social work license, you can work in a variety of settings with a variety of populations, and you aren't limited to one specific niche. I chose a degree in social work for the flexibility and options it provides."

Q: In your opinion, what is the value of earning a social work degree?

A: "It's hard to put a price on something that is a part of you. Social work certainly isn't the highest-paying profession, but on average, the pay is good. The bigger value I receive from my degree is the fulfillment it brings me."

Q: Do you feel that a bachelor's degree in social work is limiting as far as job opportunities?

A: "Short answer: Yes. Long answer: It depends. Everyone has different goals and stories of success. If you are hoping to be a caseworker, child welfare specialist, child protective worker, research assistant, behavioral health professional, psychiatric technician, or outreach specialist, then go for gold and stick with a bachelor's in social work. If you want to have more options than that, then earning a master's is a better plan for you!"

Q: Would you encourage undergraduate students who are working toward a social work degree to pursue a master's in social work (MSW)?

A: "Absolutely. Having a master's degree is when more doors open, and the professional job opportunities become endless. I chose to earn my BA, take two years to gain some "real world" experience, then go back to school and earn my MSW. Not everyone will or even should take that same road, but I thought it was the best use of my time."

Q: What is the biggest piece of advice you would give aspiring social workers?

A: "Keep an open mind. When I started on the journey of earning a master's degree, I was working toward counseling and student personnel (CSP) with the hopes of becoming a school counselor. Then my eyes were opened to new and different possibilities. I, instead, pursued a master's in social work. I am so happy I kept an open mind and allowed change to work its way into my life. Instead of working in schools, I have found myself in psychiatric hospitals and integrative clinics, and both have been such a great fit. With an MSW, I can always go work in a school whenever that seems to be the best fit. But if I had just stayed in the initial CSP program, I would have been limited and never experienced this other work. An MSW is where it's at!"

Q: Has a social work degree been worth it for you?

A: "I have loved my career path and trajectory. The ups and downs, triumphs and tribulations, have all been wonderful learning opportunities. I definitely think a social work degree is worth it!"

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Work

How much does a social work degree cost?

Students who earned a degree in the social or behavioral sciences paid $8,120 in tuition and fees, according to 2020 data from the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES).

We hear you: That’s a lot of money. Fortunately, social work students can qualify for different kinds of scholarships and financial aid to help make getting their BSW more affordable.

The right online social work program can save you money on commuting costs, room, board, and on-campus fees while also providing the flexibility to work and minimize lost income while you study.

How much do social work graduates make?

According to the BLS, the median annual pay for social workers in 2023 was $63,770. Earning a master's in social work (MSW) can help you advance your career and attain higher salaries. MSW graduates earn $4,000 per year more than BSW graduates on average, according to Payscale data from November 2023.

However, salaries can vary widely depending on where you live, what kind of setting you work in, and how much experience you have.

• The lowest earning 10% of social workers make less than $36,600.
• The highest earning 10% of social workers make over $87,300.

How do I become a social worker?

The steps to becoming a social worker vary based on your state’s social work license requirements and the license level you choose. Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), or your state’s equivalent require the most education and supervised practice and have the largest scope of practice. Follow these five steps to become an LCSW:

Step 1: Get a bachelor's degree in social work or a related field (sociology, psychology, or human services). With a BSW, you can pursue entry-level roles in the field and pursue licensure baccalaureate social worker license, in many states. Yet you can't perform clinical duties or qualify for licensed master social worker, advanced generalist, or clinical level licensure.

Step 2: Get an MSW. MSW programs provide specialized training in clinical assessment and management.

Step 3: Complete your required practicum or internship experiences. For clinical social work licensure, MSW graduates usually need two additional years of supervised training.

Step 4: Prepare for and pass the ASWB clinical exam.

Step 5: Find a clinical social work role where you can get out there and start changing the world as a licensed clinical social worker. Provide therapy, advocate for clients, work in policy, or open your own private practice — now you can do it all.