A degree in social work prepares students for a wide range of social work practices with individuals, families, and communities.
Social Work degree programs are often designed to train students to obtain a leadership role to challenge injustice and promote the social, political, and environmental well-being of society as a whole.
Several programs also offer concentrations in fields such as mental health, substance abuse, environment, etc. Programs are available at all levels from bachelor's to PhD. Graduates may find opportunities in government and non-government offices working for social welfare. One may also find a job in an educational institution as a faculty member.
Top Social Work Universities in the USA are listed below:
|
Rank (QS 2022) |
University |
|
32 |
University of California – Berkeley |
|
85 |
University of Washington- Seattle, Campus |
|
120 |
Ohio State University |
|
186 |
University of Minnesota |
|
216 |
Arizona State University |
|
431 |
Colorado State University |
|
541 - 550 |
University of Tennessee |
|
801 - 1000 |
Kansas State University |
|
1001 - 1200 |
The University of Texas at Arlington |
|
West Texas A&M University |
|
|
University of North Dakota |
Top Social Work University in the USA: Bachelor of Social Work
The course duration of a bachelor of social work degree in the USA is 3 to 5 years. The program is offered in both Arts and Science streams. The tuition fee for the program ranges from $11,000 to $48,000 per year.
|
University |
Programs |
|
University of California – Berkeley |
Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare |
|
University of Washington- Seattle, Campus |
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work |
|
Ohio State University |
Bachelor of Science in Social Work |
|
University of Minnesota |
Bachelor of Social Work |
|
Arizona State University |
Bachelor in Social Work |
|
Colorado State University |
Bachelor Of Social Work |
|
University of Tennessee |
Bachelor of Science in Social Work |
|
Kansas State University |
Bachelor of Arts/Science in Social Work |
|
The University of Texas at Arlington |
Bachelor Of Social Work |
|
West Texas A&M University |
Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare |
|
University of North Dakota |
Bachelor of Science in Social Work |
Entry Requirements:
Document Checklist:
- Completion of online application
- Transcripts of prior studies
- Essay or statement of purpose
- Letter or recommendations
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
- Proof of Fund
- Resume
Academic Requirement:
- Completion of grade 12 with a minimum average score of 2.5 to 3.0.
- Prerequisite courses generally include math and statistics with at least 2.0 to 2.5 in each course.
- Applicants who have taken university-level courses and obtained a GPA of 2.5 to 3.0 may apply as transfer students.
English Language Requirement:
- IELTS score of 6.0 to 7.0 overall with at least 6.0 to 6.5 in each band.
- TOEFL score of 75 to 90 overall
- PTE score of 53 to 58 overall.
Top Social Work University in the USA: Bachelor of Social Work (Tuition Fee)
|
University |
Tuition Fee Per Year |
|
University of California – Berkeley |
$24,090 |
|
University of Washington- Seattle, Campus |
$38,756 |
|
Ohio State University |
$35,000 |
|
University of Minnesota |
$19,148 |
|
Arizona State University |
$31,200 |
|
Colorado State University |
$29,000 |
|
University of Tennessee |
$31,664 |
|
Kansas State University |
$25,944 |
|
The University of Texas at Arlington |
$24,600 |
|
West Texas A&M University |
$11,941 |
|
University of North Dakota |
$18,755 |
Top Social Work University in the USA: Master of Social Work
Master of Social Work in the USA is a 1.5 to 2 years program. The tuition fee for the program ranges from $13,000 to $39,000 per year.
|
University |
Program |
|
University of California – Berkeley |
Masters of Social Welfare |
|
University of Washington- Seattle, Campus |
Master of Social Work |
|
Ohio State University |
Master of Social Work |
|
University of Minnesota |
Master of Social Work |
|
Arizona State University |
Master of Social Work |
|
Colorado State University |
Master of Social Work |
|
University of Tennessee |
Master of Social Work |
|
The University of Texas at Arlington |
Master of Social Work |
|
West Texas A&M University |
Master of Science in Social Work |
Document Checklist:
- Official Transcript
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Recommendation
- Financial Affidavit
Academic Requirement:
A 4 years bachelor’s degree with an average GPA of 3.0 in the final two years of the study.
English Language Requirement:
- An IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each section.
- A TOEFL score of 80 to 92 overall.
- A DET score of 120 or more
Work Experience:
Students are generally required to submit a proof of experience demonstrating the volunteer work experience of the applicant.
Top Social Work University in the USA: Master of Social Work (Tuition Fee)
|
University |
Tuition Fee per year |
|
University of Washington- Seattle, Campus |
$38,506 |
|
Ohio State University |
$13,400 |
|
University of Minnesota |
$24,000 |
|
Arizona State University |
$23,544 |
|
Colorado State University |
$26,564 |
|
University of Tennessee |
$31,644 |
|
The University of Texas at Arlington |
$23,486 |
|
UC Berkeley |
$19,151 |
Top Social Work University in the USA: Ph.D. in Social Work
Ph.D. in Social Work in the USA is generally 4 to 5 years long. A doctoral program prepares students for a high level of research projects as well as trains them to take a faculty position in an educational institution.
The tuition fee for the program ranges from $18,000 to $30,000 per year. Meanwhile, students of a doctoral program are also generally supported financially through grants, scholarships, and fellowships.
The doctoral program in social work is offered by the following universities in the USA
|
University |
Program |
|
University of California – Berkeley |
Ph.D. in Social Welfare |
|
University of Washington- Seattle, Campus |
Ph.D. in Social Welfare |
|
University of Minnesota |
Ph.D. in Social Work |
|
Arizona State University |
Social Work, PhD |
|
Colorado State University |
Ph.D. in Social Work |
|
University of Tennessee |
Ph.D. in Social Work |
|
The University of Texas at Arlington |
Ph.D. in Social Work |
Document Checklist:
- Online Application and Application Fee
- Official transcripts of all university-level coursework
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of Recommendations
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
- GRE scores
Academic Requirement:
- A bachelor’s or a master’s degree from an accredited institution in social work or a closely related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall.
English Language Requirement:
- An IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.0 overall with at least 6.0 to 6.5 in each band.
- A TOEFL score of 80 to 90 overall
- A PTE score of 58 overall
Top Social Work University in the USA: Scholarships
Scholarships offered by universities for social work students are listed below. Besides these scholarships, there are also other financial aid opportunities such as university-wide scholarships, research, and teaching assistant positions, and external scholarships.
|
University |
Scholarships |
Amount |
|
University of California - Berkeley |
Al and Marguerite Johnson Fellowship |
|
|
Alvarez Endowed Fellowship |
$1500 |
|
|
University of Washington- Seattle, Campus |
AAUW International Fellowship |
$18,000 to $30,000 |
|
Ohio State University |
Ph.D. Special Scholarships (Travel grants, research grants, Seed grants, etc) |
$500 to $2500 |
|
Colorado State University |
Betty P. Broadhurst Scholarship in Social Work |
$3468 |
|
Vicky Buchan Scholarship, Ph.D. in Social Work |
$3594 |
|
|
Fornaro Family Scholars in Social Work Leadership |
$7772 |
|
|
The University of Texas at Arlington |
Social Work Opioid WorkForce Stipend |
$10,000 |
|
Carolyn c. And Santos h. Hernández scholarship endowment for the school of social work |
$1000 |
Top Social Work University in the USA: Job Scope
The salary range for a Social Worker is determined by education, location, experience, and the field of social work he or she has chosen.
Generally, the graduates of a social work program may find employment as case managers, counselors, policy analysts, etc. in government and non-government offices. The average salary of a social worker with a bachelor's degree in the USA is $52,000 per year.
|
Role |
Range of Salary |
Average Salary |
|
Mental Health Therapist |
$37,000 - $66,000 |
$47,731 |
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) |
$43,000 - $78,000 |
$57,896 |
|
Medical Social Worker |
$43,000 - $72,000 |
$55,734 |
|
Social Services Director |
$43,000 - $78,000 |
$57,346 |
|
Social Worker |
$35,000 - $65,000 |
$47,423 |
|
Social Worker (MSW) |
$36,000 - $67,000 |
$48,733 |
|
Clinical Social Worker |
$41,000 - $72,000 |
$54,291 |
|
Substance Abuse Counselor |
$32,000 - $52,000 |
$39,851 |
|
Care Coordinator |
$35,000 - $70,000 |
$49,666 |
|
School Counselor |
$34,000 - $68,000 |
$47,315 |
