Bachelor of Social Work in the USA is a highly regarded 4 to 5-year undergraduate degree. A Bachelor's degree in social work can help you pave a meaningful career towards the welfare of families and society while offering you career success and the utmost satisfaction.

The job responsibilities might differ for several social workers since some could work on child abuse, crises, and counselling while others could work on psychotherapy, health care etc.

To be a professional social worker in the USA, one needs a minimum of a bachelor's degree in social work. Many universities in the USA, like Arizona State University, University of Washington- Seattle, Campus, Ohio State University, and so on, can help you with this. 

Give this blog a go if you want to know about fees, scholarships, entry requirements and career aspects of BSW in the USA.

Why study Bachelor of Social Work in the USA?

• The job opportunities for social workers are expected to grow by 16% between the period 2016 to 2026.

• The median annual salary for social workers in the USA is approximately USD 52,000. 

• The famous social work offering universities are associated with hundreds of agencies to help students with field placements and internships in mental health counselling, veterans services, education, health care, and community care.

How to become a social worker in the USA? 

To become a social worker in the USA, you need to apply for BSW in the USA. In the steps below, we have listed the application process for BSW briefly.

• First, you need to decide which BSW specialization you want to study and which field you want to work in, in the future. 

• Following this, you research at the University of College USD, offering that program.

• Scan the admission requirements of the institute by specifically going under the bachelor of education program requirements and prepare the documents accordingly. 

• Give IELTS or other English language tests. 

• Look if the universities ask for SATs/ACT for the social work program.

• Collect all the documents (Academic transcripts and certificates from all the academic institutions attended ahead, resume, SOP, English language proficiency test, Passport etc.), scan them and fill in the application form. 

• Wait a few weeks for the acceptance letter from the university or college.

• Pay the tuition fees as dictated and begin collecting documents for VISA, like financial documents and application fees. Apply for the VISA.

Top Universities for Bachelor of Social Work in the USA

These are some of the most popular universities offering Bachelor or Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in various social work programs.

The factors considered for listing these universities as the best bachelor of social work programs are a significant focus, popularity, accreditation, major concentration, overall university quality, and so on.

• University of California- Berkeley

• St. Catherine University

• Arizona State University

• University of Washington- Seattle, Campus

• Ohio State University

• Kansas State University

• The University of Texas at Arlington

• University of Maryland Baltimore County

• University of Arizona

• Colorado State University

• Liberty University

• University of Pennsylvania

• University of Minnesota

• University of North Dakota

• Rutgers University

• University of Nevada- Reno

• University of Tennessee

• West Texas A&M University

• Michigan State University

• North Carolina State University

• University of South Florida

• George Mason University

• Winona State University

BSW Courses in the USA

These are some examples of social work bachelor’s in the USA. Most of these courses are 4 years long and cost from USD 15,000 to USD 60,000 per year and more.

• B.A. Social Work

• BA in International Development Studies

• Bachelor in Social Work

• BSc. in Child, Youth and Family Studies

• B.AA in Senior Living Management

• BSc. in Social Work

• BSc Family and Consumer Sciences (Teacher Licensure)

• B.A Sociology

• BSc in Care, Health and Society

• BSc. Human Development and Family Studies

• Bachelor of Social Work

• Bachelor in Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship

• BSc in Social Science

• BSc in Leadership and Management of Non-Profit Organizations. 

• BSc in Family and Child Development

• BSc in Addiction Counselling and Prevention

• Bachelor in Middle Education (Social Sciences)

• Bachelor in Social Studies Teaching

• BSc. in Family and Consumer Sciences.

• Bachelor in Social Behavior and Human Understanding

• Bachelor of Human Services

• B.A. in Communication- Advocacy and Activism

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Tuition fees for Bachelor of Social Work in the USA

The Bachelor of Social Work fees generally ranges between USD 10,000 to USD 50,000 for international students. In the table below, some of the most affordable universities for BSW are also mentioned alongside the approximate tuition fees.

Eligibility Criteria to study Bachelor of Social Work

The BSW programs in the USA have different sets of exact requirements depending on the university, specialization, and prior degree.

Nevertheless, the common thing is- these universities ask for a valid English proficiency score, sound academic requirements, SAT/ ACT (not compulsory),  and a Statement Of Purpose (SOP).

University of South Alabama

• Course: Social Work (BSW)

• Program duration: 4 years. 

• English Language Requirements: A minimum of 6.5 in IELTS with no band less than 6.0

• Academic Requirements: Complete primary education with an overall GPA of 2.6 and complete the maths and statistics requirements.

University of South Florida

• Course: Social Work (BSW)

• Program duration: 4 to 5 years 

• English Language Requirements: A band score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0 in IELTS or equivalent score in other recognized tests. 

• Academic Requirements: Must score at least 2.0 GPA in all prerequisites and a minimum average of 2.75 GPA.  

• SAT/ ACT Scores

Appalachian State University

• Course: Social Work (BSW)

• Program duration: 4 years

• English Language Requirements: A minimum of 7 with no section/ communication skills less than 6.5 on the IELTS test.

• Academic Requirements: Pass intermediate level or bachelor's in a related subject that fulfils the credit hour requirement with a minimum of 2.6 GPA.

California State University

• Course: Social Work (BSW)

• Program duration: 4 years

• English Language Requirements: A minim of 7 with no band less than 6.5 in IELTS

• Academic Requirements: Applicants must hold primary education (high school diploma or undergraduate studies) covering the primary subject of social studies with an average GPA of 2.75.

Rutgers University

• Course: Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a social work major

• Program duration: 4 years

• Feature: Fully accredited by CSWE- Council on Social Work Education

• English Language Requirements: A minimum overall score of 7.0 in IELTS or equivalent in other tests.

• Academic Requirements: Applicants must hold a minimum average grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. The primary education must fulfil pre-requisite requirements of Statistics, introductory psychology, human biology, introduction to sociology and at least 2 courses in geography, literature, history, anthropology, philosophy, history, art, religion, and communication/ speech.

University of Washington

• Course: Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare (BASW)

• Program duration: 4 to 5 years

• English Language Requirements: A band score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0 in IELTS or equivalent score in other recognized tests. 

• Academic Requirements: Students must score a cumulate minimum GPA OF 2.0 or higher. Completing 2 BASW prerequisite courses with at least a C is asked.

Scholarships in Bachelor of Social Work in the USA

The scholarships offered by US universities for social work aspirants: 

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