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- QUICK LINKS
- Programs
- Courses
- Tuition
- How to enroll
- Career services
Looking for inspiration? Find programs and careers based on your skills and interests.
844-937-8679
online bsSW degree
Bachelor of Science in Social Work Degree
online bsSW degree
Bachelor of Science in Social Work Degree
Bachelor's degree
4 years
Approximate Program Length
120
Total Credits
$398
Cost per Credit
Online
Format
With our Bachelor of Science in Social Work degree, you can prepare to address societal problems and advocate for social change. Gain a foundation in social work theory and application and become an effective, ethical and culturally aware professional. You’ll gain real-world experience through our online social work program’s curriculum and supervised field education component. Plus, become educationally prepared to pursue state licensure or certification so you can enhance the lives of diverse groups and individuals.
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Analyze social work policies and practice outcomes
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Apply ethical and professional behavior in a social work setting
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Employ advocacy strategies to advance human rights
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Put diversity, equity and inclusion into practice strategies
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Use intervention, assessment and social work skills
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Utilize practice-informed research and research-informed practice
Courses
To learn more about field education, preparation and placement, view the BSSW Field Education Handbook.
There is no in-person residency requirement for the BSSW, but there is an in-person field component. To learn more about class requirements and to gain a general program overview, view the BSSW Program Handbook.
What you'll learn
When you earn your online social work degree, you’ll be equipped with a concrete set of skills you can apply on the job.
You’ll learn how to:
- Analyze practice outcomes with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
- Apply assessment and intervention skills with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
- Apply ethical and professional behavior in a social work setting
- Employ anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion in practice strategies
- Explore policies related to social work practice
- Use advocacy strategies to advance human rights and social, racial, economic and environmental justice
- Use social work skills to engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
- Utilize practice-informed research and research-informed practice in a social work setting
Schedule
Your academic counselor will help you schedule courses for your online social work degree.
Program Purpose Statement
The Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) is an undergraduate degree program that provides a foundation in social work theory and teaches the application of professional social work values, principles, standards and techniques to educationally prepare graduates to pursue state licensure or certification as a bachelor’s-level social worker in select states. Licensure requirements vary by state. There may be additional qualifications and/or disqualifications applicable in order to become a social worker. See the licensure requirements and contact information for your state.
Careers & Outcomes
Careers & Outcomes
What can you do with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work degree?
A BSSW can prepare you to be a:
- Case Manager
- Child Protection Specialist
- Family Service Worker
- Foster Care Worker
- Social Service Coordinator
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth for social workers is projected to be faster than average between 2021 and 2031. However, it is important to note that this job growth accounts for career outcomes for professionals in bachelor’s and master’s prepared roles.
BLS projections are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.
Career Services for Life®
Get career coaching, resumé building and interview prep, for life. While outside career advising can cost over $200 an hour, at University of Phoenix it’s built right into your degree at no added cost.
You don’t have to go it alone.
You’ll have a team of advisors invested in your success from day one — dedicated to helping you build your confidence and a personalized career plan you can stick with.
Tools and resources available 24/7/365
We're a university built for the busy. Build your resumé, prepare for an interview and plan your career — whenever it fits your life, day or night.
Networking & mentorship
Through virtual job fairs and networking with the alumni community, we've made it easy to tap into the experience and connections of your peers and colleagues at the University.
Tuition
Tuition
Paying for school
Lock in the peace of mind that comes with fixed, affordable tuition. You’ll enjoy one flat rate from the moment you enroll until the day you graduate from your program. That’s your Tuition Guarantee.
Save time and money on your degree
Credit transfer made easy
Earn your degree faster, and for less, with eligible transfer credits.
Get credit for what you already know
Satisfy your general education requirements without starting from scratch. Have previous relevant work and life experience evaluated for potential credit.
Need some help?
Our enrollment representatives provide personal support while you make an informed choice about going back to school. Reach us by phone at 844-937-8679 or chat with us 7 days a week.
Student Experience
Student Experience
An education that fits your busy life
Balancing family, work and school
Work toward your degree without giving up what matters most. Start your degree year-round and take one class at a time.
Online learning
Enroll in online classes and attend class whenever it fits your life, day or night.
Around-the-clock support and resources
You have a support team available up to 20 hours a day, 5 days a week. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 90% of our surveyed students.[1]
[1] Transactional Survey, August 2021-22 (18,645 respondents)
Accreditation & Faculty
Accreditation & Faculty
Count on the quality of your education
Programmatic Accreditation
University of Phoenix’s Bachelor of Science in Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation.
Accreditation of a baccalaureate social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’ Commission on Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
For more information about social work accreditation, you may contact Accreditation.
real-world faculty
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Bachelor of Science in Social Work degree
Social work addresses social problems and advocates for social justice. Earning our social work degree online helps prepare you to become an effective, ethical and culturally aware professional. Our coursework and curriculum give you the knowledge and tools to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities toward these goals.
An online social work degree, along with the appropriate licensure in your state, could open opportunities in the field of social work, such as family protection specialist, foster care social worker and youth services specialist. You could work in settings such as child protective services, healthcare agencies and community outreach and advocacy organizations.
Many social work professionals work in government and non-profit settings, but graduates gain a well-rounded, versatile social work foundation that can translate to a variety of practice settings.
Our online social work degree curriculum is designed specifically so working professionals like you can get an education. Our social work coursework helps students build a strong foundation in social work while teaching leadership skills that can help prepare you for a career in the field.
In our online social work degree, you’ll learn from faculty who are practitioners in the field, and you’ll be able to join our large alumni network. Enjoy a flexible learning environment as well as robust resources and support for your local community-based field placement.
The BSSW program provides the academic preparation for bachelor’s level social work licensure or certification in select states. Students must meet the licensure requirements in any state in which they desire to practice.
Bachelor’s level social work licensure or certification requirements vary by state. Program requirements may change based upon your home state’s agency licensure requirements. Please visit the social work licensure page for state specific requirements prior to reaching out to your state agency.
*While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.
The BLS Projected Growth for 2021-2031 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.