Become a change agent by actively participating in the resolution of social problems and lending your voice to the cause of the marginalized. Obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Social Work equips you with the ability to represent the interests of those in need. Our curriculum uses a creative strategy to examine, intervene, and evaluate in a variety of social contexts, ranging from people and families to neighbourhoods and communities. Make a difference in other people’s lives by moving forward.
How to Get a Social Worker Degree Online
After earning your BSW, you will be able to sit for any state’s licensed social worker (LSW) exam in the nation. For students transferring in with AA degrees, this recognized, evidence-based program will help you get your BSW degree online, at your convenience, either full- or part-time, in as few as four semesters. Our programs are available year-round in Fall, Spring, and Summer terms, giving you flexibility with your schedule and graduation date. We also offer field practicums.
Courses
The curriculum comprises basic courses that will equip you with the fundamental information needed to serve as a caseworker in a variety of varied areas. To improve the soft skills you’ll need as a social worker, such as critical thinking and diversity training, general education classes and electives are also necessary.
Core Courses & Field Education Courses
- GEN/201: Foundations for University Success
- SCI/163T: Elements of Health and Wellness
- PSY/110: Psychology of Learning
- ENG/110: English Composition I
- HUM/115: Critical Thinking in Everyday Life
- ENG/210: English Composition II
- FP/100T: Everyday Economics and Finances
- ENV/100T: Principles of Environmental Science
- MTH/215T: Quantitative Reasoning I
- MTH/216T: Quantitative Reasoning II
- REL/133: World Religious Traditions I
- POL/215: State and Local Political Processes
General Education Courses
- GEN/201: Foundations for University Success
- SCI/163T: Elements of Health and Wellness
- PSY/110: Psychology of Learning
- ENG/110: English Composition I
- HUM/115: Critical Thinking in Everyday Life
- ENG/210: English Composition II
- FP/100T: Everyday Economics and Finances
- ENV/100T: Principles of Environmental Science
- MTH/215T: Quantitative Reasoning I
- MTH/216T: Quantitative Reasoning II
- REL/133: World Religious Traditions I
- POL/215: State and Local Political Processes
Elective Courses
- PSY/203T: Foundations of Psychology
- PSY/205T: Life Span Human Development
- SCI/220T: Human Nutrition
- ENG/230: Mechanics of Writing
- SOC/100: Introduction to Sociology
- POL/115: American National Government
- SOC/110: Teamwork, Collaboration, and Conflict Resolution
- REL/134: World Religious Traditions II
- SOC/262: Contemporary American Society
- ETH/120: Cultural Diversity in the United States
- BIO/101T: Principles of Biology
- ENG/135: Essentials of Contemporary Communication
- HST/175: The American Experience Since 1945
- COMM/110: Introduction to Oral Communication
Requirements: 120 credits
To earn this Bachelor of Science in Social Work degree, you must complete 120 credits. Depending on transferrable credits or credits obtained through the University’s Prior Learning Assessment, your course plan may change.
14 Essential Courses
Along with important coursework on social work policy, advocacy, and other topics, your core courses take you through a 4-course series that introduces you to our groundbreaking social work practice methodology. Get practical experience creating advocacy tactics and strategies as well as mapping client systems.
14 Elective Courses
The requirement for elective courses lets you complete much-needed diversity-related experience, which will be helpful when you interact with people from a variety of social and cultural backgrounds in your line of work. Electives in psychology, sociology, and other social sciences will help you become more knowledgeable about the intricate socioeconomic context that you will be managing on a daily basis.
12 Gen Ed Courses
Courses in general education provide a strong emphasis on acquiring supplementary abilities that will enhance your social work experience. Writing, logic, and critical thinking all improve your ability to communicate and make defensible decisions in the workplace.
Courses in Field Education
You will need to complete 400 hours of field education experience across two 15-week courses, Field Education I SWRK 405 and Field Education II SWRK 420, as part of your 14 core courses. View the BSSW Field Education Handbook to find out more about placement, preparation, and field education. There is a field component that is done in person (at an approved site).
Schedule
You can plan your online course schedule for your social work degree with the assistance of your academic counsellor.
Tuition
Transfer credits
You can graduate more quickly and save money and time by using your previously earned, transferable college credits. We have therefore accepted credits from more than 5,000 universities. Find out if you can utilize transfer credits that are eligible from a college or university that has received institutional accreditation toward your social work bachelor’s degree.
Admissions
Free of cost and commitment, apply.
We want you to feel amazing about starting your degree since we know it’s a huge decision. For this reason, we eliminate any barriers to your application.
- No SAT or ACT is necessary.
- Essay writing is not necessary.
- Free, risk-free trial available to qualified students
- When feasible, we’ll ask for transcripts at no cost to you, and we accept qualified credits from more than 5,000 recognized universities.
Accreditation
You can rely on the calibre of your training.
The Board of Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education has granted the University of Phoenix’s Bachelor of Science in Social Work accreditation.
The Bachelor of Science in Social Work’s accreditation certifies that it satisfies or surpasses requirements for program quality evaluation, which are assessed via a peer review procedure.
A program that has earned accreditation possesses the resources to fulfil its objectives and vision, and the Commission on Accreditation has confirmed that it complies with every aspect of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
Every program site and mode of program delivery used by an accredited program is accredited. Reliability about the calibre of the curriculum and the proficiency of the students who graduate from it is guaranteed by accreditation.
Conclusion
The advent of online learning has completely changed the options available to anyone seeking a social work degree, creating new paths for both career and personal development. Online social work programs enable aspiring social workers to acquire the information, skills, and compassion required to significantly impact their communities by providing flexible, easily accessible, and superior learning experiences.
The benefits of online learning are becoming more and more clear as the social work sector develops and the demand for qualified practitioners rises. Prospective students can now accomplish their educational and career goals on their terms by striking a balance between their academic aims and their personal and professional obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Social Worker Degree
With a degree in social work, what are your options?
- Opportunities in the field of social work, such as family protection specialist, foster care social worker, and juvenile services specialist, may become available with an online social work degree and the proper state certification. Work environments include child protection services, hospitals, and groups that promote and engage the community. Find out more about a career in social work.
In what ways does field education complement my degree in social work?
- A combination of classroom instruction, field supervision, and agency-assigned relevant tasks will make up your field experience.
- The Field Faculty skillfully leads collaborative learning events that help students make sense of their particular fieldwork experiences. During the course of the lesson, students will actively participate in case presentations, have the chance to provide and receive constructive and encouraging feedback, have time to process obstacles and make progress, and use role-playing and self-disclosure to hone their critical thinking, self-awareness, and self-regulation skills.
- Students are overseen by a faculty member from the University of Phoenix and closely observed by an agency supervisor while they work at the selected organization. Students can work with individuals, families, and groups of clients in community settings as part of field education courses.
- To get ready for field placement courses, students collaborate with a designated Field Placement Coordinator (FPC). The goal of the FPC is to give students the tools and assistance they need to have a great Field Education experience. The FPC can assist students in finding and choosing an agency.
What makes a University of Phoenix Bachelor of Social Work degree desirable?
- In states where the degree is available, the BSSW program offers the academic preparation required for a bachelor’s level social work certification or license. State-specific standards for social work certification or licensure at the bachelor’s degree differ.
- The criteria for the program may vary depending on the agency license requirements in your native state. Before contacting your state agency, please check the social work licensure page for requirements particular to your state. Although extensively accessible, not every program is open to citizens of every state. Consult a university enrollment representative, please.