Online BA in Social Work | BASW

Earn real-world experience and prepare for a professional social work career in a variety of settings, including clinical research, community outreach and nonprofit or government organizations.

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The online Bachelor of Arts in Social Work helps you build your knowledge of social, political and cultural change and your skills in organizational dynamics and technological processes to help you best serve diverse communities.

As a student, you will:

Hone your skills through 400 supervised on-site field practice hours.
Learn to have a positive impact on the lives of others through the career of your choice.
Prepare for a position in child and family social work, gerontology, mental health care, probation/correctional treatment, social and community service, or substance abuse treatment.

Next Session

Summer I (Apr 29, 2024)

Estimated Tuition

$500/Credit

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Ways to Learn

Online

Affordable, asynchronous classes that fit your work schedule, offered 100% online so you can learn while you earn.

Our attentive, expert scholar practitioners guide you through 400 supervised on-site field hours in your areas of interest.

Learn how to intervene, evaluate and effectively communicate with a diverse set of individuals, families, groups and communities.

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Data source: Lightcast™ 2022 www.lightcast.io

The pathway information provided through this website is based partly on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data licensed by the University of Massachusetts Global from Lightcast. While the University of Massachusetts Global believes this data to be reliable, some of the data is based on estimates made by Lightcast when actual data is unavailable. Those estimates and the corresponding data may need to be corrected.

1. Change in employment projections 2022 - 2032

2. Based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and updated quarterly

3. The University of Massachusetts Global does not guarantee a job to graduates upon completion of any program

The professors realized I have a life and wanted to pursue my dreams. They didn’t make me feel like I had to choose between family and school. They made me feel like I could be successful in both.

Dominique H.
BA, Psychology

Rojelio Morales American Indian Education

What I admired the most were the professors. They are very structured; they are very disciplined. Their communication was on point, and their leadership style. They never criticized me. They worked with me.

Rojelio Morales
BA, Organizational Leadership

From the moment I applied, my admissions counselor was such a huge support.

Alison C.
BBA in Human Resources

Applicants for this program must complete the formal application process and submit required documents. Documents required vary based on the number of transferable credits and include:

0 - 11 TRANSFERABLE CREDITS

High school diploma or GED equivalent
Official high school transcript indicating the date of graduation

12 OR MORE TRANSFERABLE CREDITS

A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
Provide official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended

active military?

Admissibility and minimum transfer credit awarded will be determined based on the Community College of the Air Force, SMART, AARTS or JST transcripts.

Transcripts

Only credits from regionally accredited institutions may be accepted in transfer. Failure to report any previous academic work at another college or university may be considered a violation of academic integrity.

Residency Restrictions

This program is not available to residents of all states. Please contact a University Enrollment Coach for details.

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BACHELOR DEGREE REQUIREMENTS? Request more information>

General Education Requirements

Bachelor degrees require students to complete a minimum of 120 semester units which include a combination of General Education requirements and program specific requirements. In the absence of sufficient transfer credit, students may need to take additional general electives to satisfy the 120 total units for the degree which a UMass Global Academic Advisor will help you evaluate.

Course List
Code	Course Name	Credits
Basic Skills		12
ENGU103	Writing Communication I: Writing and Rhetoric	3
ENGU 104	Written Communication II: Writing About Literature	3
MATU 103	Applied Mathematics	3
COMU 101	Public Speaking 1	3
	Quantitative reasoning	3
	Oral communication	3
Breadth Requirements		24
Humanities	Select from 3 different areas: Communications, English, Fine Arts, Foreign Languages, Humanities, Liberal Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies	9
Natural Sciences	Select 6 credits	6
Social Sciences	Select from 3 different areas: Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Economics, History, Marketing, Organizational Leadership, Political Science/Legal Studies, Psychology, Social Sciences, Social Work, Sociology	9
Liberal Education Foundations		6
LBSU 302	Information Fluency and Academic Integrity	3
LBSU 304	Liberal Arts Core Foundations	3
Total Credits		42

Core Requirements

Course List
Code	Course Name	Credits
SOWK 300	Social Work Foundations	3
SOWK 302	Interview and Assessment Skills in Social Work	3
SOWK 303	Diversity and Justice in a Global Society	3
SOWK 304	Social Welfare	3
SOWK 306	Human Behavior and the Social Environment I: Infancy, Childhood, and Adolescence	3
SOWK 307	Human Behavior and the Social Environment II: Adulthood & Aging	3
SOWK 309	Introduction to Social Work Research	3
SOWK 418	Social Policy	3
SOWK 421	Social Work Practice: Individuals and Families	3
SOWK 422	Social Work Practice: Groups	3
SOWK 423	Social Work Practice: Organizations and Communities	3
SOWK 493	Social Work Practicum Seminar I ^*	3
SOWK 494	Social Work Practicum Seminar II ^*	3
SOWK 495	Social Work Practicum Seminar III ^*	3
Social Work Core Subtotal		42
*If a student does not complete the required 400 practicum hours during the SOWK 493, 494, 495 course series, s/he will be enrolled in a required SOWK 497 Practicum Continuation course (0 credits) and required to pay a Practicum Continuation fee, per each course and session, until the student completes the total required hours and receives a P in the SOWK 493, 494, 495 courses. Students will accumulate hours toward their practicum requirements only when enrolled in SOWK 493, 494, 495, or 497.

Social Work Electives

Select two from the following:		6
CJCU 416	Domestic Violence
CJCU 418	Victim Advocacy
SOWK 391	Youth At Risk
SOWK 393	Child Abuse
SOWK 405	Military Social Work
SOWK 408	International Social Work
SOWK 440	Social Work Case Management
SOWK 441	Social Work with Latino Populations, Language Skills and Culture
SOWK 442	Technology in Social Work
SOWK 443	Trauma Informed Social Work Practice
SOWK 445	Drug and Alcohol Treatment in Social Work
SOWK 482	Social Work with Older Adults
Social Work Electives Subtotal		6
Total Credits		48

Minor

Course List
Code	Course Name	Credits
Minor Core
SOWK 300	Social Work Foundations	3
SOWK 302	Interview and Assessment Skills in Social Work	3
SOWK 303	Diversity and Justice in a Global Society	3
SOWK 304	Social Welfare	3
Minor Core Subtotal		12
Minor Electives ( 6 credits. All credits must be upper division)
Any two courses from the social work major core requirements or social work electives		6
Minor Electives Subtotal		6
Total Credits		18

University of Massachusetts Global is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

UMass Global's Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

All Council on Social Work Education programs measure and report student learning outcomes. Students are assessed on their mastery of the competencies that comprise the accreditation standards of the Council on Social Work Education. These competencies are dimensions of social work practice that all social workers are expected to master during their professional training. A measurement benchmark is set by the social work programs for each competency. An assessment score at or above that benchmark is considered by the program to represent mastery of that particular competency. This form is used to assist the COA in the evaluation of the program's compliance with the accreditation standards below:

5.0.1(d) The program posts its assessment plan and summary outcomes publicly on its webpage using Form AS

5.0.1(d). The findings are updated every two years, at minimum.

a. The program submits Form AS M5.0.1(d) to report its assessment plan and most recent assessment summary outcomes.

b. The program provides a hyperlink to the program’s webpage where the assessment plan and summary outcomes are publicly displayed.

c. The program provides outcomes for each program option and in aggregate.

arts-sciences

Zoila Gordon, Ph.D., M.S.W. L.C.S.W.

BASW Program Director/ Associate Professor of Social Work

Specialty

Social Work

arts-sciences

Satara Charlson, Ph.D., M.S.W.

Professor of Social Work

Specialty

Social Work

arts-sciences

Karen Woodcock, Ph.D., M.S.W.

Associate Dean of Social Work / Associate Professor of Social Work

Specialty

Social Work

Community and Public Health

arts-sciences

Jeannine Meza, M.S.W., D.S.W.

Associate Professor of Social Work

Specialty

Social Work

All arts & sciences faculty

Dig deeper into this helping profession and explore its different career paths.

SOCIAL WORK RESOURCES

Frequently Asked Questions

Browse through frequently asked questions about the social work profession.

How long does it take to become a social worker?

It usually takes between four to six years to become a social worker. Aspiring social workers must earn their bachelor’s degree, and many continue on to earn a master’s degree as well.

What degree do you need to be a licensed social worker?

In the United States and Canada, the requirements to become a licensed social worker vary by state, province, and territory. However, a common prerequisite is obtaining a degree in social work from an accredited institution. Typically, a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is the minimum requirement for entry-level positions, while a Master of Social Work (MSW) is often necessary for advanced clinical roles.

According to the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), licensure requirements can differ significantly depending on your location. You can find specific licensing requirements by state or province on their website: ASWB Licensing Requirements.

For further insight into the requirements and pathways to becoming a social worker, you can refer to the article: Social Worker Requirements: What You Will Need. This article may provide additional details and considerations for individuals pursuing a career in social work.

How do I become a licensed social worker?

Social worker licensure requirements vary by state. Typically, obtaining your licensure includes achieving a minimum level of education, reaching a required amount of supervised practice time and completing an application. There are also optional and advanced licensures for specific social worker careers. You can learn more about requirements here.

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BA in Social Work