Develop an understanding of the basics of social work while also gaining hands-on, practical experience in the field.
Ranked in the top 50 Most Affordable Christian Colleges in the U.S.
Program Details
Next Start Date: 1/15/2025
Course Length: 8 Weeks
Estimated Length: 4 Years
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Overview
The online BSW from Campbellsville University teaches you the foundations of social work so that you can help and support other individuals and groups. After graduating from this program, you will understand how to be an effective social work professional and how to approach clients from a position based on ethics and Christian values. You can then pursue a career in the field or continue your studies with our online MSW. You will study areas such as marriage and family relationships, crisis intervention and social policies.
Through the program, you’ll learn the historical and contemporary principles of social work, as well as the theoretical perspectives related to the field. You will also discover the necessary skills for performing generalist social work practice in a variety of areas, including communities and organizations, individuals, families and groups. Through a required practicum, you will acquire hands-on experience in a supervised social work environment in order to demonstrate your achievement of social work core competencies, which are set forth by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). In addition, you will be able to choose three electives to complete your degree and better tailor it to suit your interests. Some of the elective choices include aging, addictions, foster care and adoption, medical social work, school social work and human rights.
Our online BSW degree offers an interactive classroom, in which you can interact with your professor and other students through video interaction. Our professors are personable and can provide individualized attention thanks to the small class sizes. You’ll also be able to complete a debriefing session with your professors to help solve any problems. Additionally, our social work faculty are experienced in working with non-traditional students who are seeking a comprehensive, experiential social work education.
Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Our online Bachelor of Social Work program is also accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The fully online program gives you the opportunity to study whenever best fits your busy personal and professional schedules. The program’s faculty members also have a wide range of real-life experiences that they incorporate into the curriculum.
“The instructors of the course I have taken have really exceeded my expectations. They are so helpful with anything I have needed. They show they care about me as a student and my success completing the courses.”
– Julia Keeton, BSW
Additional Program Information
Related Social Work Degrees
Course Map
Our online BSW degree consists of a total of 120 credit hours, with 51 credit hours for the social work core curriculum and an additional six hours of electives. The four-year program can be completed in as little as two years, depending on the amount of credits transferred.
The General Education component of undergraduate degrees provides the student with a basic understanding of a broad range of subjects. This supports the liberal arts emphasis of the University’s academic mission.
Your General Education component must include all of the following:
- BIO 110: Biology
- POL 110: American Government
- PSY 111: General Psychology
- SOC 110: Introduction to Sociology
Students must complete ENG 111, with a grade of “C” or better, to enroll in Social Work Area Core courses.
Take each course on the following list:
- SWK 210: Introduction to Social Work
- SWK 220: Practice I (Individual)
- SWK 310: Social Policy and Planning
- SWK 311: Human Behavior and Social Environment I
- SWK 312: Human Behavior and Social Environment II
- SWK 340: Practice II (Families)
- SWK 342: Human Diversity
- SWK 365: Quantitative Statistics and Research Methods
- SWK 366: Qualitative Statistics and Research Methods
- SWK 450: Practice III (Community and Organization)
- SWK 455: Practice IV (Group)
- Field Instruction: 12 hours*
* Students may take 12 hours over 1 semester (SWK 410) or take 6 hours per semester (SWK 420 and SWK 421)
Choose 2 courses from the following list:
- SWK 315: Crisis Intervention
- SWK 331: Marriage and Family
- SWK 335: Human Rights
- SWK 350: Values and Ethics in Social Work Practice
- SWK 355: Faith-Based Social Services and Ministries
- SWK 360: Child Abuse and Neglect
- SWK 370: Child Abuse and Interventions
- SWK 425: Death, Dying and Bereavement
- SWK 460: Aging
- SWK 480: Special Topics
- SWK 481: Addictions
- SWK 482: Conflict Resolution
- SWK 483: Foster Care & Adoption
- SWK 485: Medical Social Work
- SWK 486: School Social Work
- SWK 490: Independent Study in Social Work
Students must take courses totaling 28 credit hours to complete the 120 credit hours requirement for a bachelor’s degree. In conjunction with the online BSW degree, students may pursue a minor in another discipline, but are not required to do so.
Admissions Requirements
Admission to the BSW program is a two-step process. In order to apply to Campbellsville University’s accredited online bachelor’s degree in social work, students must complete or submit for review the following steps:
Apply to CU:
- Online application
- Official transcripts, including a complete record of all courses attempted, from each college or university previously and currently attended
- If transferring less than 24 credit hours, submit an official high school transcript
Apply to the Carver School of Social Work:
After you are admitted to Campbellsville University, and once you’ve met the necessary pre-requisites*, you may begin the Carver School admissions process.
- Carver School specific application
- Three letters of reference
*30 hours of general education courses including BIO 110, ENG 111, PSY 111, SOC 110 and POL 110
Costs & Financial Aid
The online BSW degree costs $424 per credit hour. In order to help students afford their education, Campbellsville University’s staff is available to work with students to discover available financial aid options.
Students can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out what scholarships, grants, loans and payment plans are available for them. There are numerous options available, and not all financial aid is based on need.
A maximum of 72 credits can be transferred from a regionally accredited institution. Students wishing to transfer credits from an associate degree can easily do so through Campbellsville University’s Transfer Scholarship.
Transfer Friendly: You can transfer up to 16 credits of law enforcement training from the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice.
Campbellsville University is a military-friendly school and a proud member of the Yellow Ribbon program. Students who are currently serving or are veterans can further their education in a conducive online environment.
Careers in Social Work
After graduating from our online bachelor’s degree in social work, you can pursue several career paths in the field. Some potential careers include:
- Healthcare social worker
- Substance abuse counselor
- Child and family social worker
- School social worker
Why Choose CU?
Campbellsville University Online seeks to provide an affordable faith-based education that fosters personal and professional growth for its students. Learning in small, 100% online classes, you'll have opportunities to connect one-on-one with expert professors who prioritize your success and value the experience you bring to the table. From day one, you'll also benefit from Campbellsville's student services, including a personal online academic advisor who will provide tailored assistance on your journey toward graduation. Access further support in the areas of mental health, career and finance, life management, technical resources and more. Finish strong with CU.
Learn MoreBenefits of Learning Online
Choosing to finish your degree 100% online means having the flexibility to study at the times and places that are most convenient for you. You'll learn from supportive, expert faculty members who are experienced in their fields and deliver the wellrounded education you need to take the next step in your career. Campbellsville is committed to the quality of its online courses and offers a dynamic selection of degree programs that are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? We’re here to help. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
- Yes, you can. CU honors your educational journey with a generous transfer credit policy that empowers you to make the most of your earned credits. Upon your admission to Campbellsville University, we'll complete a transfer credit evaluation to find out how many of your credits will apply toward your degree. For more information, visit our transfer students page.
- Yes. Your first step is to complete the FAFSA form, and then we will determine your eligibility for any financial aid. Our school code is 001959. Visit our financial aid page to learn more about your options, which include scholarships and grants.
- You can apply to our 100% online degree programs through the online application form. Remember to submit official copies of your high school and/or college transcripts, along with any other required documentation that is specific to your degree program. You can visit the admissions process page to learn more about what to expect throughout the process.