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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Social Work Degree Overview
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 II (Jun 24, 2024)
Estimated Tuition
$500/Credit
Ways to Learn
Online
Discover Affordable Education
At UMass Global, our goal is to change your life through affordable education. We work with you to find grants, scholarships, tuition discounts, and low interest loans to keep your costs down.
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Program Benefits that Benefit You.
A Better Balance for Work and School
Affordable, asynchronous classes that fit your work schedule, offered 100% online so you can learn while you earn.
Guidance and Support
Our attentive, expert scholar practitioners guide you through 400 supervised on-site field hours in your areas of interest.
Focus on Engagement and Assessment
Learn how to intervene, evaluate and effectively communicate with a diverse set of individuals, families, groups and communities.
Imagine Your Future InSocial Work
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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
Ways to Get Started
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- Apply
- 800.746.0082
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
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
Admission Requirements
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.
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ProgramCurriculum
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 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. 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
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
- Accreditation
- Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
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 formis 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.
Meet Our Faculty
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SOCIAL WORK RESOURCES
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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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