Social Work

100% Online Bachelor of Social Work Degree

Overview

The B.S.W. degree has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1974, when B.S.W. programs first gained accredited status. The new 100% Online B.S.W. Program option gained accreditation April 2023. 

Social work may be the profession for you if you have an interest in social justice, working with people and communities, and creating meaningful social change for vulnerable populations.

The B.S.W. program is geared toward preparing students to be highly competent generalist practitioners who work with individuals, families, groups, and communities to advance human rights, empower others, and create social change. Receiving your B.S.W. will prepare you to work in entry level positions in areas such as mental health, healthcare settings, child and family services, residential treatment, non-profits, and more. 

Program

Social work is a dynamic and unique helping profession rich with meaning, action, and the power to make a difference for individuals, families, groups and communities.The primary goal of social work is to improve a society’s overall well-being, especially for the most vulnerable populations. Many social workers provide direct services to clients helping them cope, manage, and overcome problems such as poverty, abuse, addiction, and mental illness by providing counseling, connecting clients with needed resources, and empowering clients to create change in their own lives.

Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the Bachelor of Social Work entry in the ETSU Undergraduate Catalog.

The Department of Social Work offers fully accredited Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) and Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) programs. The B.S.W. degree has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1974, when B.S.W. programs first gained accredited status.

Image of the Counsel on Social Work Education logo.

Steps to Apply

  • Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account

    Step 1   Create your ETSU Application Account by choosing the "Sign Up" option

    Create your ETSU Application Account

  • Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal

    Step 2  Sign into the ETSU Application Portal and select "Start a New Application"

    Sign in

  • Step 3 - Complete the Remaining Fields

    Step 3   Choose "Undergraduate," select your student type, select your start term, then choose  Social Work and complete the remainder of the form.

    select domestic/international

    select certificate

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why should I pursue this program at ETSU? What makes it unique? 

    The B.S.W. Program is nestled in the southern Appalachian mountains bordering North Carolina and Virginia. The department views itself as a regional program collaborating with community members and service providers in northeast Tennessee, western North Carolina, and southwest Virginia. The demographics of both the faculty and students are representative of this culturally rich geographic region. Accredited since 1974 by the Council on Social Work Education, the B.S.W. program provides opportunities for students to acquire knowledge for better understanding of human behavior in the environment, social welfare policy, practice methods and research skills necessary for successful interventions with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Through examination of evidence-based practices, students will develop critical thinking skills required for exploring complex social problems. Social work may be the profession for you if you have an interest in addressing social injustice, oppression, the plight of economically disadvantaged and at-risk populations. As an undergraduate generalist program, the goal is to build on a liberal arts foundation and equip students with the skills and knowledge for either an entry level professional position in a social agency, or further study at the graduate level.


  • What is an exciting aspect of this program?

    That the core values of ETSU are directly in line with a social work education: “PEOPLE come first, are treated with dignity and respect, and are encouraged to achieve their full potential; RELATIONSHIPS are built on honesty, integrity, and trust; DIVERSITY of people and thought is respected; EXCELLENCE is achieved through teamwork, leadership, creativity, and a strong work ethic; EFFICIENCY is achieved through wise use of human and financial resources; and COMMITMENT to intellectual achievement is embraced.”

  • What accreditation applies to this program? 

    The on-ground B.S.W. degree program has been accredited since 1974, and the online program option is pending approval of the Council on Social Work Education, expected late Spring 2023. 


  • What are my job prospects with this degree? 

    The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections cites the following:

    • 16% Growth Projected in Overall Social Worker Employment,
    • 14% Growth in Child, Family & School Social Work Positions,
    • 20% Growth in Healthcare & Medical Social Work Positions,
    • 19% Growth in Mental Health & Substance Abuse Positions.
  • Do I need to have a background in this field? What are the prerequisites? 
    No. This program does not require a background in the field of social work.
  • Are the courses for this program asynchronous or synchronous? 
    This program is delivered through a combination of asynchronous and synchronous formats. Students must use a laptop or PC to participate and complete assignments. There are no on-campus requirements.
  • Does this program require an internship or field work? 

    Yes, field work is required. B.S.W. students have one internship of 430 hours over 2 semesters. The 430 hours works out to be about 16 hours/week. 

  • What is the time to completion? 

    Full-time students pursuing the B.S.W. typically take 2 years to complete the program (post general education requirements). Part-time students pursing the BSW typically take 4 years to complete the program (post general education requirements).

  • How many spaces are available for each cohort?
    There is no cohort limit. 
  • Does the Department of Social Work offer scholarships?
    Yes, scholarships can be viewed on the program website, here. 

 

 

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