A society consists of different people that live different lives. Some individuals live decent and content lives while some may need a little helping hand to get by. Social workers are people that work towards the improvement of the community by understanding, assessing and solving issues.
Social work is a rewarding line of profession that may not be as highly paid as a software engineer. However, it is definitely a profession that helps improve people’s lives for the better.
Have a look at the 21 Cheapest Online Degrees in Social Work from $260 tuition per credit hour.
What is social work?
Social work is a line of profession based on practice to address and help improve issues in a community. In order to become a certified social worker, individuals must earn a degree in social work that will further help them acquire the skills and knowledge needed to tackle societal issues.
Social work as profession is needed across various existing social institutions including schools, hospitals, families, military, child welfare, human services and senior centers to name a few.
Difference between Social Work versus Public Health
Social Work | Public Health |
The focus of social work lies towards understanding and solving issues in a community and across social institutions. Social workers interact and work with people at the individual level to address certain underlying societal issues. | The focus of public health is to ensure that the population of a region enjoys wellbeing of health. Public health workers interact with people at the community level instead of individual cases to address issues such as diseases and epidemics. |
What degree is best for a social worker?
To become a social worker, an individual has to earn a degree in social work first. An associate’s degree will help a person get an entry level job across organizations which may help them to earn an annual salary ranging anywhere from $27,840 and upwards.
However, in order to advance in their line of career, acquiring a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from an accredited institution can be helpful. A bachelor’s degree introduces coursework that are a step above an associate’s degree courses in social work. Likewise, a master’s degree will have a more advanced approach at the social work program and its courses. Ultimately, the goal of each level of degree is to enhance an individual’s skills and knowledge in the field of study.
Have a look at the available degree options for earning an accredited social work degree:
Degree | Credits (may vary) | Typical Program Duration | General Admission Requirements (may vary) |
Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years | HSE/Official High School Transcripts/Minimum Required GPA |
Master’s Degree | 30-65 credits | 2 years | Bachelor’s degree in a related field. |
5 Online Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work
1. Texas State University
Program: Bachelor of Social Work
Tuition: $307.36/credit hour (resident); $715.36/credit hour (non-resident)
Accreditation: the program is accredited by the CSWE. The university is accredited by the SACSCOC.
Ranking: the university is ranked #10 in Top Public Universities in Texas.
Financial aid: available, with 83% of students receiving financial aid.
The program will help graduates to combine social work values, knowledge and skills toward social and economic justice.
2. Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Program: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work
Tuition: $415/credit hour
Accreditation: the program is accredited by the CSWE. The university is accredited by the SACSCOC.
Financial aid: available, with 99% of students receiving financial aid.
A bachelor’s degree in social work at the SAGU will help launch students for a career as a social worker across schools, hospitals, and non-profit organizations.
3. Our Lady of the Lake University
Program: Online Bachelor of Social Work
Tuition: $494/credit hour
Accreditation: the program is accredited by the CSWE. The university is accredited by the SACSCOC.
Ranking: the university is ranked #39 in Colleges with the Best Professors in Texas.
Financial aid: available, with 100% of students receiving financial aid.
The CSWE-accredited social program is designed with practical coursework that addresses trends and topics on social work and the community.
4. Angelo State University
Program: Social Work – BSW
Tuition: $9,310/year (resident); $21,910/year (non-resident)
Accreditation: the program is accredited by the CSWE. The university is accredited by the SACSCOC.
Ranking: the university is ranked #16 in Top Public Universities in Texas.
Financial aid: available, with 97% of students receiving financial aid.
The program helps students to enjoy career opportunities across institutions and organizations including – community development, family social work, and more.
5. University of Texas at Arlington’s
Program: Social Work – Bachelor’s
Tuition: $12,208/year (resident); $27,494/year (non-resident)
Accreditation: the program is accredited by the CSWE. The university is accredited by the SACSCOC.
Ranking: the university is ranked #9 in Top Public Universities in Texas.
Financial aid: available, with 93% of students receiving financial aid.
Earning a degree at the UTA will help graduates build a strong foundation in social work allowing them to start a career as social workers.
9 Online Master’s Degrees in Social Work
1. Texas State University
Program: Master of Social Work
Tuition: $357.36/credit hour (resident); $765.36/credit hour (non-resident)
Accreditation: the program is accredited by the CSWE. The university is accredited by the SACSCOC.
Ranking: the university is ranked #10 in Top Public Universities in Texas.
Financial aid: available, with 83% of students receiving financial aid.
Acquire an advanced level of administration and leadership skills that cater to a diverse population through the social work program.
2. University of Houston
Program: Social Work – MSW
Tuition: $474.76/credit hour (resident); $982.76/credit hour (non-resident)
Accreditation: the program is accredited by the CSWE. The university is accredited by the SACSCOC.
Ranking: the university is ranked #91 in Top Public Universities in America.
Financial aid: available, with 83% of students receiving financial aid.
The master’s degree in social work prepares graduates with the knowledge and skills enabling them to carry out social services more efficiently.
3. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Program: Social Work – MSSW
Tuition: $592.25/credit hour (resident); $1,012.25/credit hour (non-resident)
Accreditation: the program is accredited by the CSWE. The university is accredited by the SACSCOC.
Ranking: the university is ranked #12 in Colleges with the Best Professors in Texas.
Financial aid: available, with 98% of students receiving financial aid.
The social work program focuses on topics including – professional competence, multicultural awareness, social services, and ethical practice.
4. Stephen F. Austin State University
Program: Master of Social Work – Specialized Practice
Accreditation: the program is accredited by the CSWE. The university is accredited by the SACSCOC.
Ranking: the university is ranked #11 in Top Public Universities in Texas.
Financial aid: available, with 87% of students receiving financial aid.
The social work program is designed to help graduates develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to advance in their career.
5. Our Lady of the Lake University
Program: Online Master of Social Work
Tuition: $962/credit hour
Accreditation: the program is accredited by the CSWE. The university is accredited by the SACSCOC.
Ranking: the university is ranked #39 in Colleges with the Best Professors in Texas.
Financial aid: available, with 100% of students receiving financial aid.
The MSW program prepares students for a licensure pathway into social work professions.
6. Baylor University
Program: Master of Social Work
Tuition: $1,100/credit hour
Accreditation: the program is accredited by the CSWE. The university is accredited by the SACSCOC.
Ranking: the university is ranked #8 in Colleges with the Best Professors in Texas.
Financial aid: available, with 97% of students receiving financial aid.
The master’s program is equipped with coursework to help graduates develop and enhance their social work skills and knowledge.
7. Angelo State University
Program: Social Work – MSW
Tuition: $7,246/year (resident); $14,808/year (non-resident)
Accreditation: the program is accredited by the CSWE. The university is accredited by the SACSCOC.
Ranking: the university is ranked #16 in Top Public Universities in Texas.
Financial aid: available, with 97% of students receiving financial aid.
The program prepares graduates for pursuing their licensure at the master’s level along with practical courses in various health and human service fields.
8. West Texas A&M University
Program: MS – Social Work
Tuition: $9,664/year (residents); $11,376/year (non-resident)
Accreditation: the program is accredited by the CSWE. The university is accredited by the SACSCOC.
Ranking: the university is ranked #6 in Top Public Universities in Texas.
Financial aid: available, with 91% of students receiving financial aid.
The 100% online social work program offers a comprehensive coursework that helps graduates to address social issues across various social institutions.
9. University of Texas at Arlington’s
Program: Social Work – Master’s
Tuition: $11,044/year (resident); $23,486/year (non-resident)
Accreditation: the program is accredited by the CSWE. The university is accredited by the SACSCOC.
Ranking: the university is ranked #9 in Top Public Universities in Texas.
Financial aid: available, with 93% of students receiving financial aid.
The program in social work prepares individuals for more advanced and supervisory positions of work across various institutions and organizations.
How long does it take to be a social worker?
An individual who has completed his or her associate’s degree in social work in two years can start working as a social worker across different organizations. However, the job criteria for different organizations may also vary. A condition some organizations may have for individuals applying for a position could be to have a bachelor’s degree.
Additionally, in order to secure a better paying job, a bachelor’s degree in social work can help to increase the chances. Normally, a bachelor’s degree can take up to 4 years to complete.
If a social worker with a bachelor’s degree chooses to further advance in their line of work, earning a master’s degree in a related field can be helpful.
How do I become a social worker if I already have a degree?
After completing an associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, an individual can appear for a licensure examination. The AWSB offers five social work licensing exams including – associate’s exam, bachelor’s exam, master’s exam, advanced generalist exam and the clinical exam.
On passing an associate’s exam, individuals can get placed in entry level social work professions. Likewise, passing the bachelor’s exam will increase the chances of a person landing a better career opportunity in social work. The same applies for the master’s, the advanced generalist and the clinical exam.
However, the clinical exam has its merits where individuals after passing the exam are free to practice clinical social work independently.
Are social workers in high demand in the US?
There is a demand for skilled social workers in the United States. According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics, it has been estimated that employment for social work-related occupations is projected to grow 12 percent from 2021 to 2031. This percentage can be roughly converted to approximately 74,700 job openings each year.
Have a look at the percent change data below to get a better idea of growth in the upcoming years:
What are the highest paying social work jobs?
Here are some of the highly paid social work jobs that individuals can achieve with the right skillset and knowledge –
Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
Director of Rehabilitation | $84,203 |
Postsecondary Teacher | $80,560 |
Health Services Administrator | $78,627 |
Policy Analyst | $75,716 |
Therapist | $73,504 |
Community Service Manager | $69,600 |
Source: indeed.com
Is social work a good career?
Pursuing a career as a social worker is undoubtedly a rewarding line of work giving the fact professionals get to interact with all kinds of people. Now, if you are someone that believes in understanding certain issues that communities go through and want to help improve those situations for the better, getting a degree in social work and pursuing a career as a social worker might just be the right choice for you.