Through a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program, students may learn how to provide social services to families, individuals and communities with a focus on serving oppressed or underserved populations. Earning a BSW degree may open up career opportunities, including entry-level positions in areas such as child welfare, public health and substance abuse.

Whether you want to enter the human services field immediately after graduation or expand your education and engage in clinical social work through a Master of Social Work (MSW) program, a bachelor’s degree in social work or similar field is usually a first step to acquiring the skills and knowledge in the social work field.

A career in social work can be fulfilling and rewarding. If you are searching for a career in which your best skills are used to help improve the mental, behavioral and physical lives of others—a career in social work could be best for you. Earning your BSW could be the first step to take toward starting your career in social work.

As a social worker, you will help individuals, groups, families and communities overcome issues such as mental health concerns, environmental disparities and family conflicts. If you enjoy working with people and want to help improve your community, a BSW opens the way for social work licensure and enables you to start working in the field as a professional.

Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work is a substantial investment that entails years of education and training and calls for hard work and financial commitment. That’s why it is essential that your BSW program is top-notch—to make the investment worth it. Here are some essential factors to keep in mind when looking for a Bachelor of Social Work program:

Online vs. on campus: One of the most significant factors to consider is the format through which the degree program is delivered. Some BSW programs can be completed online. Others are offered on campus, providing students with hands-on learning opportunities. If you are a working professional, the flexibility in scheduling that comes with an online program could be just what you need. On the other hand, you may find that an on-campus degree program is the best way to remain engaged.

Accreditation: Ensuring that the school you are interested in holds proper accreditation guarantees that the education you will be receiving meets national mandates. If you attend an accredited undergraduate social work program, you may be able to apply courses from your program as prerequisites to more advanced degrees, such as an advanced standing Master of Social Work program.

Social work specialties and licensure: If you plan to enter the social work field, there are many different specialties to choose from. Ensure that the program you are interested in offers the specialization that you want. Many social work positions also require a license to begin working. When pursuing a degree, check that the curriculum will set you up to meet your state’s licensure requirements.

These are just a few areas to be aware of when deciding on a BSW program. Other factors to consider include the school’s reputation, financial aid opportunities, if the cost of the program falls within your budget and further degree opportunities.

Earning a bachelor’s degree in social work at a CSWE-accredited school may help open up the door to further opportunities, such as an advanced standing MSW. With the work and experience gained during a BSW program, along with proper licensure, students may enter the job field and gain positions in schools, government agencies, communities and non-profits. In many states, a BSW can lead to entry-level social work licensure and can help you advance in your workplace as well as boost your earning potential. In 2020, the top 10% of social workers earned more than $85,820, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Your BSW education may also give you the basic education and skills you need to pursue a graduate degree, whether that be an MSW program or a Doctor of Social Work (DSW). Either way, your bachelor’s in social work ultimately sets you up to enter a growing field. While employment for all occupations is expected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030, employment of social workers is expected to grow by 12% during the same time period, according to the BLS.

BSW programs vary from school to school, but generally there are some components of the programs that may share similarities or overlap. This includes admissions requirements and foundational courses.

Applicants must typically have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, as well as a GPA that meets the school’s standards. Admissions requirements may also include minimum SAT or ACT scores, a personal essay, letters of recommendation and a completed application.

A typical BSW curriculum generally consists of 120 credits to be taken over the course of four years. Aside from general education requirements, students will be engaged in classes that teach them about human behavior, social welfare policy, cultural diversity, psychology, sociology and methods for working with different groups and individuals.

Some BSW classes might include:

Introduction to Social Work: In this course, you will learn about the profession, common problems in society and the role that social service agencies play.

Social Work With Individuals: This builds upon the introduction course and drills down to how social service agencies and social workers serve people in need.

Social Work With Families and Groups: Similar to classes addressing individuals, this course covers the complicated structure of today’s families and the challenges they face, as well as the role social work plays to help.

Social Welfare Policy and Practices: This course provides the structure for investigating social work policy and practices. This class may also review the policy development and history of social welfare policy in the United States and the effects of the policy on social contracts and constructs.

Human Behavior in the Social Environment: Behavioral scientists have been studying humans for many generations, and this type of course presents the many theories that drive human behaviors. Some universities might call these classes “mental health” coursework.

Diversity, Oppression and Social Justice: Coursework specific to these areas helps future social workers understand specific challenges people face based on their backgrounds. Some universities might offer even more specific courses on subtopics such as gender issues, poverty, and Hispanic and African American studies.

Research Methods in Social Work: In these courses, instructors provide practical simulated or hands-on experience for future social workers. You might work in groups on case studies, or you might be required to take practical experience hours.

Crisis and Trauma: You might also be required to take core classes about these areas, or if you choose to specialize in crisis and trauma, this might be an elective choice. It depends on the university and their course requirements.

Students are also often required to complete some sort of real-life experience or practicum, such as community service in the social work field under the direct supervision of a qualified professional. At the end of the program, you may be eligible to take the ASWB Bachelors Exam and gain licensure.

With a bachelor’s degree in social work and proper licensure, you are qualified to work in a variety of capacities. After the program, students will be equipped to work in direct service positions that focus on social welfare and policy, individual and family support services, intervention strategies and casework planning.

Graduates can also pursue an advanced social work degree, such as a two-year Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, to prepare social workers for specialized work in their chosen focus. Besides social work, there are also many other related fields that you can continue your education in, such as psychology, child development, counseling, sociology or gerontology.

The scope of social work practice is broad, which means you may find yourself participating in legislative processes pertaining to the populations that you serve or working within the health services sector. As varied as the social work field is, graduates often end up practicing in one or more of the following focus areas:

With the goal of improving the quality of life for individuals and groups, there are many ways a social worker can influence social justice and effect community or system-wide change. Specific job titles within these three categories, or elsewhere, might include:

Social workers may be able to pursue licensure at the bachelor education level. Some states offer licensure options for undergraduate trained social workers; however, most states require a master’s degree in social work for licensure. The median annual salary for social workers in 2020 was $51,760, compared to $41,950 for all occupations, according to BLS data. How much a social worker earns can vary based on their employer, location and the industry in which they practice. For instance, social workers employed in local government earned a mean salary of $69,520 in 2020 while those working in state government made $49,810.

Before you apply to a program, do your research to know what that program is offering and how it can get you closer to achieving the professional goals you’ve set for yourself.

Last updated October 2021.