Online Bachelor Degree in Social Work Programs

Earning a bachelor degree in social work online is the first step towards embarking on a career that provides a broad range of human services to vulnerable individuals and groups. A graduate with a degree in social work may choose to work with individuals directly in a one-on-one setting, or may prefer to focus more on policy, intervention strategies, administrative procedures or specific applications such as child welfare and family services.

Colleges with Online Social Work Degrees & Human Services Programs

Online distance education allows learners to earn a bachelor degree in social work online, at their own pace. Accredited online programs from distance learning colleges enable learners to successfully balance academic commitments with other aspects of their life.

Walden University

Online Human Services Degrees

B.S. in Political Science and Public Administration - Global Issues & Social Justice
B.S. in Political Science and Public Administration - Public Service through Civic Engagement
Bachelor in Criminal Justice - Human Services for CJ
Bachelor in Psychology - Human Services

University of Phoenix

Online Bachelor's Human Services Degree

BS in Human Services/Management

Search more colleges and universities offering online bachelor degree in social work programs>>>

Who Should Earn a Bachelor Degree in Social Work?

Students who are interested in a bachelor degree in social work should be people who care about people on an individual basis, or who care about shaping policy that influences how aid and social work is delivered. Social workers who meet with individuals on a one-on-one basis should be empathetic individuals who enjoy helping people. These social workers must also have patience for dealing with sometimes slow government processes, and the ability to withstand appeals from people who don't qualify for aid or who are attempting to manipulate the system.

Social workers who want to influence policy and work in other settings must have an ability to shape and administer policies that affect large groups of people and evaluate how changes in policy will affect the target groups. As a social worker, you must also be a problem solver and possess good planning and organizational skills.

Also, bachelor degree in social work is an undergraduate program for those who want to pursue a master's human services degree or a masters degree in social work.

Education & Curriculum for a BA Social Work Degree

The curriculum for a social work degree may vary from college to college, but a social work degree education combines general education classes with courses relating specifically to the responsibilities of a social work career. Social workers may take courses in psychology, sociology, counseling, human development and communications.

Students who have an interest in a specific aspect of social work may choose to specialize in that area. For example, social workers who want to work with the elderly may take gerontology courses, or social workers who want to work in health administration may focus their education on health care and related coursework. Some schools may provide a social work degree with a focus in one of these subsets, such as health care administration, public policy, child and family welfare or other aspects of social work.

Career Opportunities and Salary for Social Workers

The career opportunities for social workers are diverse, but tend to fall into one of three main areas: child, family and school social workers; medical and public health social workers; and mental health and substance abuse social workers. Other types of social workers may be employed in government, shaping policy, or may work for private organizations, researching, analyzing and writing grants to raise awareness or further causes.

Child, family and school social workers may work for organizations, such as schools, private firms, such as adoption agencies, or in state or local government, in child protection or welfare offices.

Medical and public health social workers provide support for individuals, families or groups who are coping with health-related issues, such as people with chronic or acute illnesses, or people who are unable to care for themselves. Medical and public health social workers may be employed by hospitals, nursing homes, family services agencies, or local governments.

A mental health or substance abuse social worker interacts with at-risk populations to assess and treat individuals with mental illness or substance abuse problems. These social workers may work in public institutions or for private practices and organizations, or may be employed directly by the client.

Social work bachelor degree holders have median incomes range from $31,000 in small organizations or local government, to over $55,000 for general medical and surgical hospitals. Better opportunities for salary and advancement exist for graduates with a masters degree in social work.