Best Online Social Work (BSW) Degrees of 2025

The best online schools for social work degrees train you to help people, families, and communities cope with daily challenges. A bachelor’s in social work opens the door to social work careers, as well as advanced studies in clinical social work, counseling, and therapy.

Learn more about online bachelor’s degree programs in social work in this guide.

A BSW is an undergraduate degree that prepares you for an entry-level social work job. It covers the history, theories, and practices of social work. Additionally, it teaches skills to address issues like child welfare and mental health. After graduation, you can pursue entry-level social work jobs or a master’s in social work program.

An online BSW usually takes four years to complete and requires 120 credits. However, the duration can vary based on whether you study full-time or part-time. Classes are online, but you’ll need to complete fieldwork in person, usually at a location near where you live.

In addition to social work classes, BSW programs include general education courses in the arts, humanities, and sciences. If you have an associate degree or college credits, some online programs may accept transfer credits, helping you finish your degree sooner.

While focus areas are more common at the master’s level, some BSW programs may also let you concentrate your social work degree in a specific area of social work. Common specializations at the BSW level include:

Online and campus-based BSW programs that are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education offer high-quality education programs that are recognized by employers and lead to licensure. The difference lies in how you learn the material.

In an online BSW program, you’ll complete coursework virtually and learn core skills like communication, ethics, and case planning through digital simulations and virtual discussions.

Most programs end with an in-person practicum, which your school will help you initiate. Some programs require you to visit the campus, while others help you find an agency in your area.

In a campus-based program, you’ll attend in-person classes and develop the same skills through live role-plays, peer collaboration, and face-to-face feedback. The school usually coordinates practicum placements through established partnerships with local agencies.

With a BSW, you can become a non-clinical social worker, but it’s not your only option. Earning a BSW opens the door to many meaningful career paths in social and community work, including:

*Some states require a master’s degree

No, to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), you will need to pursue a master’s degree in social work or a closely related field. Additionally, most states require the completion of 2-3 years of supervised clinical work and a clinical exam to obtain licensure.

A master’s program from one of our lists below can help set you up for a career as an LCSW.

The job outlook for social work and similar fields, such as counseling and therapy, is generally positive. Social workers are crucial in healthcare, schools, and social services. The BLS projects a 7% growth in social work jobs from 2023-2033.

The average total cost of an online BSW program is about $32,000, according to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). On average, online BSW programs cost nearly $2,500 less per year than on-campus programs.

Adjusted for inflation using the BLS calculator, the cost of an online BSW is around $39,000 as of May 2025, compared to approximately $50,500 for a campus-based program. While still a significant investment, you can save by avoiding commuting costs, parking fees, and campus facilities charges as an online student.