Get Your Fast-Track Social Work Degree Online

If you have an associate degree — or at least two years’ worth of college credit — and an interest in social work, you can enroll in an accelerated social work degree program online. These fast-track programs let you earn a bachelor of social work (BSW) in less time and on your own schedule.

The best online BSW programs prepare you to advocate and support individuals, families, and communities facing challenging situations.

And the best part? With an online accelerated social work degree, you can learn from the comfort of your own home.

Accelerated social work degree programs cater to aspiring social workers who have some college credit and want to earn their degree as quickly as possible.

In these programs, you’ll cover the same core coursework as traditional BSW programs, including topics such as social problems, social welfare and policy, environment and society, and social research.

Most accelerated BSW programs are degree-completion programs. In other words, they’re designed for students who either have an associate degree or who have begun, but not yet completed, their bachelor’s degree.

Because of this, accelerated social work programs tend to require certain prerequisites, like a particular number of transfer credits or an associate degree in social work.

Once you graduate, you can look for entry-level social work roles or go on to earn a master of social work (MSW).

The typical length of an accelerated social work program is two years. That said, the length of your program will ultimately depend on how many credits you transfer.

Most fast-track BSW programs require you to have completed around 60 college credits under your belt before starting the program. And since a bachelor’s degree normally requires a total of 120 credits, you’ll likely have to accumulate 60 additional credits to earn your accelerated social work degree.

Most of these credits will focus on social work, that is, your major.

You can speed up your program even more by transferring additional college credits (some schools allow up to 90), earning credit for life and work experience, taking college placement tests, and/or enrolling in summer classes.

An online bachelor’s in social services — which includes social work — costs around $9,000 in tuition and fees for in-state students and $11,000 for out-of-state students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

For a two-year online accelerated social work degree, you can expect to spend around $9,000-$15,000 on your program, assuming you qualify for some financial aid.

For example, Keuka College charges $534 per credit for its accelerated online social work program, whereas Misericordia University charges $695 per credit. Mount Vernon Nazarene University, meanwhile, only charges $350 per credit.

Before you apply to online fast-track social work degree programs, look for programmatic accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE is the primary accrediting agency for social work programs in the United States.

Accreditation from CSWE ensures your program meets rigorous standards and provides quality education and training for aspiring social workers.

You should also confirm the school is institutionally accredited, ideally by a regional accreditor. College accreditation impacts not only employment and licensure but also your ability to qualify for federal financial aid and transfer credits.

“There are numerous factors to take into account when deciding which online BSW program will be best for you,” says Melissa Bronstein, a licensed independent clinical social worker based in Massachusetts. “Consider program formats, areas of specialization, and available fieldwork opportunities to ensure a program aligns with your goals and interests.”

In the table below, you’ll find 10 popular not-for-profit schools with fast-track online social work degree programs. All programs are accredited by CSWE, which ensures a high-quality education for your future career in social work.

Note that the number of credits listed for each program is in addition to any credits you transfer in — typically 60, depending on the program. You’ll still need a total of 120 credits to earn your bachelor’s in social work.

You typically need an MSW to work in clinical roles. But with an accelerated social work degree, you can qualify for many nonclinical jobs in the field.

Some options to consider include:

Before you can work as a social worker, your state may require you to complete supervised experience and earn licensure. To earn licensure, you’ll need to pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exams.

Your BSW program will prepare you with around 400 hours of field practicums, as required by CSWE.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 7% growth in jobs for social workers between 2023 and 2033. These workers earn a median annual salary of $61,330 as of May 2024.

Whether an accelerated social work degree is worth it depends on your academic interests, budget, and career goals.

Consider the costs compared to what you might earn after you graduate to find the return of investment of the degree.

Fast-track online social work programs let you earn your degree faster than traditional bachelor’s programs. In addition, they can help you save money on tuition and fees and enter the job market faster.

“Social work can be an extremely rewarding, though at times challenging, profession,” says Bronstein. “It’s important to seek out support from your professors, admin, and peers and find the study routines and work-life balance that suit you best.”

Some challenges you might face in your accelerated social work program include a heavy workload, a rigorous academic schedule, and less time for your other commitments.

But if you are self-disciplined and want to start your social work career as soon as possible, a fast-track program could be a great fit for you.