Best Accelerated Social Work Degree Programs of 2024
Earning an accelerated bachelor of social work (BSW) can launch you on a fast track to a social work career. If you have an associate degree, you can earn a BSW by enrolling in an accelerated degree completion program. After graduation, you can pursue careers in the field or apply to a master of social work (MSW) program and obtain state licensure.
Online BSW programs offer flexibility for students with personal and work responsibilities.
Check out this guide to learn about the top accelerated BSW degrees.
Popular Online BSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Best Accelerated Social Work Degrees of 2024
Simmons University
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$41,872
- Out-of-state$41,872
- In-State$21,384
- Out-of-state$21,384
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled5,984
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
- Knoxville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,332
- Out-of-state$29,522
- In-State$11,468
- Out-of-state$29,656
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled31,701
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Dakota
- Grand Forks, ND
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,882
- Out-of-state$13,323
- In-State$11,503
- Out-of-state$17,254
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled13,772
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment70%
- AccreditationYes
Temple University
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$16,488
- Out-of-state$29,712
- In-State$17,388
- Out-of-state$23,922
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate72%
- Students Enrolled35,626
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Honolulu, HI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,304
- Out-of-state$33,336
- In-State$15,600
- Out-of-state$33,648
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled19,098
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment89%
- AccreditationYes
Misericordia University
- Dallas, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$34,100
- Out-of-state$34,100
- In-State$35,550
- Out-of-state$35,550
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled2,239
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment51%
- AccreditationYes
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
- Mount Vernon, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$23,483
- Out-of-state$23,483
- In-State$10,674
- Out-of-state$10,674
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled2,064
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Touro University Worldwide
- Los Alamitos, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$14,440
- Out-of-state$14,440
- In-State$9,000
- Out-of-state$9,000
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,251
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment99%
- AccreditationYes
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
- Millersville, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,570
- Out-of-state$19,290
- In-State$9,288
- Out-of-state$13,932
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled7,191
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment47%
- AccreditationYes
Briar Cliff University
- Sioux City, IA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$32,526
- Out-of-state$32,526
- In-State$9,450
- Out-of-state$9,450
- Retention Rate63%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,000
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
What Can I Do With an Accelerated Social Work Degree?
Earning an accelerated social work degree can qualify you for entry-level positions in child welfare, mental health, and criminal justice organizations. BSW-trained social workers often work as child advocates, caseworkers, and substance use specialists.
After gaining experience, you may move into administrative roles as social service directors and case managers. You will need an MSW and the appropriate license to offer clinical services to diagnose and treat mental health or behavioral conditions.
How Much Can I Make With an Accelerated Social Work Degree?
Several factors can impact your salary, including your employer, specialization, and education. Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social workers earned an annual median salary of $63,770, with the lowest 10% making less than $39,580 and the highest 10% earning more than $104,580.
Hospitals, local government, and ambulatory healthcare services offer the highest salaries, while individual and family services pay the lowest. The fastest growing specialties, including healthcare and mental health and substance use, may pay higher salaries than child, family, and school social work positions.
What to Look for in an Accelerated Social Work Degree Program
If you have an associate degree or undergraduate transfer credits, an accelerated social work degree provides a quick way to finish your bachelor’s and enter the workforce. Before enrolling in a BSW program, pay attention to these key indicators to ensure it fits your personal and professional needs.
Program Curriculum
Not all social work programs offer the same electives or specializations. If you want to focus on a particular population, such as children or the elderly, or in a specialized area like mental health or substance abuse, find out if the curriculum matches your professional goals.
Accreditation
The schools ranked here hold institutional accreditation to ensure they meet the highest educational standards. Attending an unaccredited school can negatively affect your transfer credits, financial aid eligibility, and employment.
BSW programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education ensure you will qualify for employment and licensure.
Program Length
Students entering an accelerated BSW program with an associate degree or previously earned credits may finish their degree in as little as 15 months, depending on the number of transfer credits the school accepts.
Clinical Experience or Practicum or Field Placement
Even the fastest online social work degrees require 400 hours of clinical experience. Most accelerated programs allow distance learners to complete fieldwork near their homes in the evening or on weekends. When choosing a BSW program, find out if you can complete your required field hours at a place and times that fit your needs.
School Graduation Rate
Graduation rates are a good indicator of the quality of an accelerated BSW program. The percentage of students who graduate in a timely manner and the drop-out rate may indicate how difficult students find the program and how much support they receive.
Online Learning Format and Requirements
While online accelerated programs offer flexibility and convenience, ensure that the instructional format fits your own learning style and schedule. For example, does the program use synchronous (live) or asynchronous (recorded) course delivery methods? Does it require on-campus visits?
What Can I Expect From an Accelerated Social Work Degree Program?
You may enter an accelerated social work program with an associate degree or previous undergraduate coursework. Many transfer credits satisfy the general education requirements needed for the bachelor’s degree. If you enroll without these prerequisites, you may have to complete them before moving into the BSW foundational courses in human behavior, social work practice, research, and policy.
As you progress through the program, you will select electives and specialized courses. These classes usually focus on population groups, such as families, children, or individuals dealing with addictions. You may also explore different social work specialties, including mental health, corrections and justice, medical, and school.
All BSW students must complete a field placement or internship. Some accelerated programs may require an integrative capstone seminar.
What Are the Admission Requirements for Accelerated Social Work Degrees?
Accelerated BSW and traditional BSW programs share similar admission criteria. However, most accelerated programs limit the number of transfer credits or only admit students with an associate or a bachelor’s in a non-social work discipline. Always contact the program’s admission office program for up-to-date information.
Admission Materials
Similar to a traditional BSW application, you must submit official transcripts from previously attended schools, letters of recommendation, and, in some cases, complete a personal statement or resume.
Education and Transfer Credits
Accelerated programs typically accept applicants with a high school diploma or equivalent who have completed an associate degree or a certain number of undergraduate transfer credits. Applicants must demonstrate completion of general education courses and specific prerequisites in classes such as psychology, sociology, and statistics.
GPA
Minimum GPA requirements for degree completion programs vary by school. Most accelerated BSW programs accept students with overall GPAs between 2.5 and 3.0.
Entrance Exam
Most accelerated BSW programs do not require an entrance exam or submission of SAT or ACT scores. However, students may submit standardized test results to support their application.
How Much Does an Accelerated Social Work Degree Cost?
Tuition rates vary considerably depending on the BSW program. Public, in-state schools typically charge lower tuition than private or out-of-state institutions. The total tuition for a two-year BSW program ranges from $20,000-$80,000, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Some accelerated BSW programs offer distance-learners discounted tuition or the same rate as in-state students, regardless of where they live. Students enrolled in online programs can save on transportation, housing, and other personal expenses. Most schools offer the same financial aid opportunities to degree completion and traditional students.
Average Annual Tuition Cost of a Bachelor’s Degree, 2022-2023
Public Institution
$9,750
Private Institution (Nonprofit)
$38,421
Everything Else You Need to Know About Accelerated Social Work Degree Programs
You can earn an accelerated BSW degree in two years or less with an associate degree. Each degree completion program has different transfer requirements and course formats. In some online programs, you may take courses in short 5-8 week formats compared to the 14-16 week formats in traditional programs, enabling you to graduate as quickly as possible.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed January 19, 2024.
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