Online Social Work Degree Programs
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WHAT IS AN ONLINE SOCIAL WORK DEGREE?
Flexible coursework in how to assist others is provided by online social work degree programs. Additionally, students may choose to complete their practicum or internship in person, which could be conveniently located near their homes. These programs cover a variety of topics, including human behavior and working with diverse populations, and teach students how to support individuals facing difficulties such as addiction, unemployment, and illness. By preparing students for roles in the rapidly expanding field of social work, these programs are a valuable asset.
TYPES OF ONLINE SOCIAL WORK DEGREE PROGRAMS
Master of Social Work – Mental Health
The MSW program places a particular emphasis on addressing the mental health requirements of adults throughout their lifetime. Alongside this, the program provides a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of social work, including professional competencies.
Course Examples:
- Theories of Health and Mental Health
- Policy in Integrated Care
- Research and Evaluation for Social Work
Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
M.S. Work – Families and Children
The MSW program is designed to address the needs of children, youth, and families, with a focus on studying core social work skill areas. In addition to this, students will learn about fostering positive social environments that are supportive of children.
Course Examples:
- Social Work Practice with Children and Families Across Settings
- Policy and Macro Practice in Child, Youth and Family Services
Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Master of Science in Human Services – Organizational and Social Services
The program’s main emphasis is on enhancing the quality of life for diverse populations. Within this focus, students will learn about managing resources and designing programs that cater to the unique needs of the community.
Course Examples:
- History and Diversity in Human Services
- Human Development
No specific program accreditation
ONLINE SOCIAL WORK DEGREE PROGRAMS
Online social work degree programs are available at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD levels, and all of them share a common focus on improving the well-being of others. Students will examine the needs of various communities and populations, gaining insight into how they can make a positive impact.
An online BSW program provides students with a comprehensive overview of the social work field. Courses covering topics such as human behavior, psychology, and social policy form the foundation for more advanced studies. At this level, research and statistics may also be essential components of the curriculum.
Students may have the opportunity to choose electives or specialize in a particular area of interest, such as addiction, criminal justice, healthcare, or child welfare.
Bachelor’s in social work programs include courses like:
- Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- Ethics in Professional Helping
- Chemical Dependency
- Diversity and Multi culturalism
- Social Work Research
- Victimology
- Working with Aging Populations
Intro to Field Work
Despite being an online program, many social work degree programs offer in-person field work and practicums. In fact, it’s typical for BSW programs to require 400 to 600 hours of field work. During this time, students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a real-world social work setting under the supervision of professionals.
An online MSW program provides a more in-depth education than a BSW and can help prepare students for clinical, specialist, and advanced practice career paths. It’s not necessary to have a BSW to pursue an MSW degree program, although students with a BSW may be eligible for Advanced Practice MSW programs that can potentially be completed in less time.
In an online MSW program, students can expect to explore a range of applications and settings for social work, including schools and mental health clinics. The curriculum not only covers social work practice but also delves into the theory and policies that inform the practice. Additionally, students have the option to select a specific focus area, such as Clinical Practice or Policy, Planning & Administration.
Social work master’s programs include courses like:
- Social Work History and Welfare Policy
- Diversity and Oppression
- Program and Strategic Planning
- LGBT Psycho/Social/Political Issues
- Social Work with Immigrants and Refugees
Fieldwork is a significant component of most MSW programs, with 900 hours of field education being the norm. Students have the opportunity to gain practical experience at a variety of facilities, including local hospitals, health agencies, schools, and other organizations.
Online PhD programs in social work concentrate on advanced topics in social work theory and policy. Students typically complete a dissertation or research project in their specific area of interest as a requirement for graduation.
There are two primary types of social work doctorate programs. A Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program is practice-based and often geared towards individuals pursuing clinical or administrative roles. On the other hand, a PhD in Social Work program emphasizes research and methodology, making it a suitable choice for those interested in an academic career path.
WHAT DO SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM COURSES LOOK LIKE?
Human Behavior in the Social Environment: The course Human Behavior in the Social Environment explores the impact of human behavior on our daily lives. Students learn about the coexistence of different groups and how it can lead to both positive and negative outcomes.
Ethics in Professional Helping: The course Ethics in Professional Helping focuses on the basic human rights that every individual possesses. Through this course, students learn about the various factors that can either protect or threaten these rights.
Chemical Dependency: The course Chemical Dependency focuses on the negative consequences that can arise from the misuse of drugs and other substances. Students learn to identify and treat these issues in order to improve the lives of those affected.
Violence and the Community:The course Violence and the Community explores the impact of violence on individuals and communities, with a focus on issues such as child abuse, drug trafficking, and war. Students may learn about the causes of violence and strategies to prevent and address it.
Social Work Research:The course Social Work Research teaches students how to use scientific methods to research social issues. By conducting their own studies, students can identify problems, propose solutions, and offer new perspectives on social issues.
Oppression and the Struggle for Human Rights: The world includes people from many different groups. You could learn to help those who are treated unfairly because of things like race, gender, health and age.
Working with Aging Populations: The course Working with Aging Populations focuses on the unique needs and challenges of older individuals. Students may learn to identify and address mental and physical health issues that commonly affect aging populations, with the goal of improving their overall well-being.
Intro to Fieldwork: This course provides an introduction to fieldwork, where you can apply the knowledge gained in class to assist people in real-world settings. It involves visiting different locations to interact with individuals and identify ways to provide them with support.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SOCIAL WORK DEGREE ONLINE?
Full-time students typically take four years to complete a BSW degree program, which is typically around 120 credits. An online MSW program typically requires 36 to 60 credits, depending on whether you have a BSW and qualify for Advanced Standing. Students with Advanced Standing can earn an MSW in as little as one year. If you do not have a BSW and do not qualify for Advanced Standing, it could take two or more years to earn your MSW.
Online DSW or PhD in Social Work programs typically require between 42 to 52 credits, and can take approximately two to three and a half years to complete.
HOW MUCH DOES AN ONLINE SOCIAL WORK DEGREE PROGRAM COST?
The cost of earning a psych degree online varies a lot. Psych majors paid a median in state public tuition of $7,178. For out of state private colleges, they paid a median tuition of $30,746. Of course, many schools fall between those two extremes. Compare the tuition costs for these schools offering psych programs:
TOP SCHOOLS FOR SOCIAL WORK DEGREE ONLINE PROGRAMS
According to the most recent data, 794 schools offered social work programs. From those schools, 53,773 degrees were awarded to students. Most of these were Master’s degrees.
| School | 2017 Degrees awarded | 2019/20 Tuition (out of state unless *) |
| University of Southern California | 1478 | $58,195* |
| Rutgers University New Brunswick | 767 | $32,189 |
| The University of Texas at Arlington | 726 | $28,129 |
| Fordham University | 649 | $54,393* |
| New York University | 612 | $53,308* |
| Aurora University | 515 | $25,060* |
| Wayne State University | 514 | $28,887 |
| Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis | 481 | $30,710 |
| CUNY Hunter College | 465 | $15,332 |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | 460 | $61,788* |
Estimated for full time, beginning undergrad students
CHOOSING AN ACCREDITED ONLINE SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM
Social work programs at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which evaluates various aspects such as faculty qualifications and student diversity.
To be accredited, programs must include a curriculum that covers at least nine social work competencies, such as demonstrating ethical and professional behavior and promoting human rights.
To ensure the quality of your education, it is recommended to choose an accredited program or regionally accredited school. Accreditation also enables you to qualify for federal financial aid, which can help cover the cost of tuition for those who qualify.
FINDING ACCREDITED PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAMS & SCHOOLS
First of all, you’ll want to make sure your school is regionally accredited. This helps to make sure the school meets certain standards (currently, the U.S. has six regional accrediting bodies).
Next, look for program accreditation. The American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation accredits PhD programs in Psychology. They review programs in the following areas:
- Clinical psychology
- Counseling psychology
- School psychology
Plus, they accredit some PhD internships and post PhD residencies. Take note that the Commission on Accreditation (CoA) does not accredit psychology Master’s or undergraduate programs.
WHAT CAN I DO WITH A SOCIAL WORK DEGREE?
TOP SALARIES BY STATE FOR SOCIAL WORK DEGREE HOLDERS
The following data is for Child, Family, and School Social Workers. The numbers will differ for other social work career paths.
| State | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
| District of Columbia | 2,250 | $71,590 |
| New Jersey | 4,910 | $68,830 |
| Connecticut | 5,360 | $68,360 |
| Rhode Island | 1,660 | $63,310 |
| Maryland | 4,610 | $61,910 |