Social Work

100% Online Bachelor of Social Work Degree

Designed to Help You Make a Difference

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.

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

Vast Opportunities

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 BSW 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 BSW 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 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 (MSW) and Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs. The BSW degree has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1974, when BSW programs first gained accredited status.

Complete Your Degree Online

The BSW 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.

Career Outlook and Income Trends

Steps to Apply

Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account

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

Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal

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

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.

Take me to the application portal

Cost

TN Residents	*GA, KY, NC, SC, VA	*Other USA States	eRate (Out of State, 100% online)	All International
$441 per credit hour	$469 per credit hour	$569 per credit hour	$507 per credit hour	$1202 per credit hour
- Note, tuition discounts are available for border county students - This amount may not include program-specific fees First-Time Freshman and Transfer Students only *Currently enrolled students should visit the tuition and fees charts if considering a major change.

Read more about cost, paying for courses, scholarship options and financial aid, or use the Tuition and Fees estimator to see approximate costs.

The information presented in the Tuition and Fees estimator is only an estimate; it is not an actual statement of costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The BSW 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 BSW 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 BSW degree has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1974, when BSW programs first gained accredited status. The 100% Online BSW program option gained accreditation April 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. Typically, synchronous courses meet once per week during normal working hours.
Does this program require an internship or field work?

Yes, field work is required. BSW 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 BSW 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. Additionally, ETSU's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships offers scholarship information for all student levels. By submitting the Universal Scholarship Application, students can be considered for a variety of university scholarships. Learn more on their website.