Find out where a social work degree can take you

Social Work Degrees Online

Online social work programs provide you with the skills you need to pursue a rewarding career helping individuals and communities.

Though the field has a broad scope, you can specialize in an area that suits your interests, whether it’s working with individuals, children, veterans, or elderly adults. Earning your social work degree online offers the flexibility to study while employed, the opportunity to make connections in the industry and earn field experience, and prepare for the social work licensure exam.

Learn more about the variety of social work degrees available online, what you should look for in a school and program, career outcomes, and more.

With 50+ online degree programs in business, education, social work and more; Campbel…

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King University, located in Bristol, Tenn., offers numerous online degrees for adult …

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Malone University offers many convenient, faith-centered programs that develop men an…

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Is a Social Work Degree Worth It?

An online social work degree gives you the credentials needed to help individuals and communities. Depending on your career level, having a degree can increase your earning potential, make you more marketable to employers, and help you enter a career that you enjoy.

Social work professionals are in demand, as employment is predicted to increase 16% through 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While salaries depend on experience, degree level, and industry, social workers earn a median annual salary of $47,980.

In-Demand Social Work Areas

Online social work programs allow you to concentrate on an area of the field that interests you. Whether you desire to specialize in helping and improving the lives of children, veterans, or your community, you can find an online social work degree that will help you build your skills for this rewarding yet challenging field.

Social workers who work with individuals, groups, and communities may determine ways to improve resources and conditions for those they serve. They also provide counseling and therapy. Other social workers who work with specific conditions also provide counseling and therapy, but may also advocate for policy improvements and conduct research on their area.

Social workers often develop expertise in the following areas:

Community
Child & family
School
Military and veterans
Geriatric
Substance abuse
Medical and public health
Leadership and development
Migration studies
Social work administration
Clinical and mental health

Online Social Work Degrees

With one of the many online social work programs available, you can find purpose in your job as you focus on improving the quality of life for others. Through a flexible online format, you’ll be able to fit your studies into your busy schedule. Earning your social work degree online can help you achieve your goals as a successful social worker.

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: With an online associate degree in social work, you will get an introduction into the field and explore the fundamentals of social work practice. On associate degree can typically be earned in two years. After graduation, you may be qualified to work in assistant roles, such as a case management aide or a community outreach worker.
: An online Bachelor of Social Work goes deeper into the fundamentals of social work practice than an associate program does, and you will have the opportunity to earn real-world experience through a required internship. Earning your BSW online prepares you for the social work licensure exam.
: Online Master of Social Work programs open the doors for career advancement and prepare you for a higher-level career within the field. Upon graduation, you can pursue a career at an administrative level or in counseling. As online MSW programs are designed for the working professional, you can earn your degree while employed full time.

Master of Social Work (MSW) LocationCampbellsville, KY Tuition$24,096 School Accreditation(s)SACSCOC Degree Accreditation(s)CSWE Program Length24 months: The online MSW program from Campbellsville University prepares you for career advancement so that you can move out of entry-level positions in the field. With a curriculum rooted in ethical and Christian ideals, the program helps you develop an advanced understanding of the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary for becoming a leader in social work. Accredited by the CSWE, this program offers the opportunity to pursue a career in a wide range of areas, including therapy and counseling, community mental health, child protection, the criminal justice system, public advocacy and home health. You could also enter a career in the VA or while on active duty in the military as an addiction or substance abuse counselor.
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What to Look for In an Online Social Work School?

As you search for the right online social work program, you should look for the following things from the school and program:

Affordability
Quality
Flexible course schedule
Skilled instructors
Field education
Specializations

It is important to ensure that the online program you are interested in is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The CSWE has set standards for the quality of social work programs. To receive your social work license, most states require that you have a degree from a program accredited by the CSWE. Also, make sure that the school also holds a regional accreditation.

Common Misconceptions About Online Social Work Degrees

: If the online program you’re interested in is accredited, chances are it has a required field education component. Even though the classroom portion of your program is online, you will have to complete a certain amount of hours through an internship with a nearby agency in your area of interest.
: A high-quality online social work program will give you the knowledge and skills you need to pursue licensure. Social work licensure is granted at the state level. In order to become a licensed social worker, you must complete a CSWE-accredited degree program prior to applying for your license. You must then take and pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam.
: If your background is in a different area than social work, an online degree program can help you enter the field. Earning your social work degree online will show employers that you are dedicated to changing your career and that you have the credentials needed to be successful.

Clinical Social Worker

What’s It Like Being a Social Worker?

Kristina entered the field of social work to help others with issues in their everyday lives. She gives her perspective on the profession.

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: I would have to say that, throughout my six years of education, each and every professor I had was so enthusiastic for their niche, and I soon learned that that’s how the field is. To be in this field, you have to be an open-minded, genuinely-care-for-others type of human being.
: I think what surprised me the most is how resilient my patients and clients are. Some of them have been through some pretty awful life circumstances and situations, and they are finding the silver lining. The same goes for my colleagues. They are the most selfless groups [of] people I have ever met.
: I wish I would have known that it’s okay not know things sometimes. People perceive us as having all the answers and can fix everything, but our job isn’t “fixing” people. If someone is stagnant or not successful in treatment, it’s not a reflection on me, and it took a while to come to terms with that.
: Dip your feet in every aspect of the field that you can. The field has endless possibilities, and during grad school and even the first years in the field, you are trying to find your niche. A great reason to join the field is simply because you have so many options.

Where Can an Online Social Work Degree Take You?

With a degree in social work, you can pursue many careers that will allow you to help others and communities.

Highest Paying Careers in Social Work

All career information is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job outlook is for 2016 through 2026. View more social work careers.

Healthcare Social Worker

Healthcare social workers help clients manage their illnesses by determining ways to help them adjust their housing, healthcare, and lifestyle.

Median annual salary: $56,200
Job outlook: 20%
Typical education: Bachelor’s degree

Clinical Social Worker

Licensed to treat behavioral, emotional, and mental disorders, clinical social workers help patients cope with difficult situations and provide references to additional services, such as other mental health professionals and support groups.

Median annual salary: $49,470
Job outlook: 16%
Typical education: Master’s degree

Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker

Helping patients with mental illnesses or addictions, these social workers help clients cope with their disorders and provide information on additional resources.

Median annual salary: $44,840
Job outlook: 19%
Typical education: Master’s degree

Explore Social Work Degrees Online

Earning a social work degree online in the field can set you on a path towards a rewarding and meaningful career. View our selection of social work online degree programs below.

Advanced Standing Master of Social Work LocationDavenport, IL Tuition$28,870 School Accreditation(s)HLC Program Length10 months: With the mission to prepare competent and ethical social work professionals who advocate a just society, the Advanced Standing MSW online program at St. Ambrose University offers courses based on the empowerment method of social work. Empowerment social work emphasizes client system strengths and skill development to remove barriers toward growth. Explore this method and develop skills to strengthen your career through MSW online courses that prepare you for practice in healthcare, substance abuse, child welfare, and mental health practice. As you complete your online Advanced Standing MSW degree and study ethical standards for professional social work, you’ll utilize the empowerment method in your practice and help individuals focus on competence rather than deficits. You’ll also develop the skills to engage diversity and difference within your career as you evaluate, assess and intervene with client systems.
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BA in Human Services Counseling LocationAda, OK Tuition4,980 School Accreditation(s)HLC Program Length2-4 Years: Our online human services degree can ready you to work in a variety of professional areas including family support, substance abuse, social services, care facilities, prison systems and more. Areas of concentration are counseling, aging and rehabilitation.
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Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) LocationCampbellsville, KY Tuition$24,096 School Accreditation(s)SACSCOC Program Length4 Years: Develop an understanding of the basics of social work while also gaining hands-on, practical experience in the field with the online Bachelor of Social Work program from Campbellsville University. Through the program, you’ll learn the historical and contemporary principles of social work, as well as the theoretical perspectives related to the field. You will also discover the necessary skills for performing generalist social work practice in a variety of areas: communities and organizations, individuals, families, and groups.
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Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) LocationBristol, TN Tuition$25,798 School Accreditation(s)SACSCOC Program Length16 Months: King University’s online Bachelor of Social Work degree program is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to become global citizens and make an impact in an in-demand career in social work or human services. Choose between three concentrations — nurse educator, administrator, and PNP — and learn to apply advocacy and intervention strategies to support individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations.
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Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) LocationAurora, IL Tuition$22,580 School Accreditation(s)HLC Program Length4 Years: Develop the skills and knowledge needed to begin social work practice with the online Bachelor of Social Work degree completion program from Aurora University. You’ll be prepared to work with communities, groups, families, and individuals in a variety of settings as well as with diverse populations and problems.
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BS in Human Services LocationLakeland, FL Tuition$23,160 School Accreditation(s)SACSCOC Program Length4 Years: Southeastern University’s online Bachelor of Science in Human Services program is for students who feel called to the interdisciplinary, vital, and rapidly growing human services industry. This degree prepares you to become a helper in multiple settings and environments. You will be qualified to work in environments such as clinics, nursing homes, social services agencies, substance abuse programs, homeless shelters, and community organizations.
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BS in Human Services LocationCambridge, MA Tuition$25,500 School Accreditation(s)NECHE Program Length4 Years: Make a difference in your community with the online Bachelor of Science in Human Services program from Lesley University. Develop the skills and knowledge to shape social policies and provide for your clients’ needs in settings, such as: community advocacy, healthcare, criminal justice, crisis intervention, and much more. You’ll gain a strong foundation in the liberal arts, human growth and lifespan development, and human services delivery systems.
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MA in Human Services LocationLakeland, FL Tuition$23,160 School Accreditation(s)SACSCOC Program Length1-2 Years: Southeastern University’s Online Master of Arts in Human Services degree provides students with a theoretical and experience-based understanding of the human services profession. This non-clinical program allows you to choose a specialization based on the types of organizations and people you would like to help. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to serve others in a variety of human services settings.
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Master of Social Work (MSW) LocationPensacola, FL Tuition$3,735 School Accreditation(s)SACSCOC Program Length20-40 Months: UWF’s clinically focused online MSW program provides the knowledge and skills to enter the workplace prepared for advanced social work practice. You will complete a specialized study of medical and behavioral healthcare in this program, which blends clinical internships with hands-on learning. Students who hold a bachelor’s degree in social work can fast-track their studies and complete our online MSW clinical curriculum, while those without previous social work experience* can gain the experience they need through foundational coursework that prepares them for the rigors of social work practice.
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Master of Social Work (MSW) LocationTeaneck, NJ Tuition$42,096 School Accreditation(s)MSCHE Program Length–: Fairleigh Dickinson University’s online Master of Social Work trains students to promote physical, psychological and social well-being for clients in their communities. It is delivered in a flexible online format and can be completed in two years. The Master of Social Work online program provides a comprehensive learning experience that combines social work theory with practical application. The online MSW degree features two program options, advanced standing and traditional.
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Master of Social Work (MSW) LocationCampbellsville, KY Tuition$24,096 School Accreditation(s)SACSCOC Program Length24 months: The online MSW program from Campbellsville University prepares you for career advancement so that you can move out of entry-level positions in the field. With a curriculum rooted in ethical and Christian ideals, the program helps you develop an advanced understanding of the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary for becoming a leader in social work. Accredited by the CSWE, this program offers the opportunity to pursue a career in a wide range of areas, including therapy and counseling, community mental health, child protection, the criminal justice system, public advocacy and home health. You could also enter a career in the VA or while on active duty in the military as an addiction or substance abuse counselor.
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Master of Social Work (MSW) LocationAurora, IL Tuition$22,580 School Accreditation(s)HLC Program Length3 Years: Develop a foundation in generalist clinical social work and specialized study with the online Master of Social Work from Aurora University. Through 1,050 hours of required field instruction, you’ll have the opportunity to apply theories to real-world situations. Customize your learning experience with optional specializations in faith-based social work, forensics, healthcare, leadership administration, and a professional educator licensure.
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Online Master of Social Work LocationChester , PA Tuition$57,472 (MSW) School Accreditation(s)CSWE Program Length36 Months: Widener University’s Online MSW program is a uniquely designed program created to address themes of trauma, both as a curricular theme and studying its cause and effect in the field of Social Work. With a firmer understanding of the area of study and its application, graduates are better equipped to serve clients, families, and communities, focused not only in career advancement but greatest impact. The CSWE-accredited degree offers both regular admission or Advanced Standing admission for students who have earned a Bachelor in Social Work.
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