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Social Work: Online (BSW)

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An online bachelor's degree completion program

Social workers are devoted to helping those who need it most and changing lives for the better. As a student in our online social work bachelor’s program, you will learn how to empower society’s most vulnerable members and protect the health and well-being of your community.

In live, face-to-face online classes with expert Simmons faculty, you will develop foundational social work skills while exploring important topics like social welfare policy and economic and social justice. As you grow your ability to help people navigate life’s complex challenges, you will prepare for a lifetime of community leadership and advocacy.

The online BSW program includes courses in areas such as social justice, human behavior, social research, and social work practice. Our program is designed to help you gain an understanding of today’s most pressing social issues and prepare for careers in a variety of settings, including working with children, older adults, immigrant populations, and patients in hospitals.

 

Required BSW Program Courses

Note: For students entering the program before Fall 2020, SW 345 is a 1 credit course. For students entering Fall 2020 and after, SW 345 is a 4 credit course.
SW101CD Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare 4
SW200CD Social Welfare Policy 4
SW253CD Human Behavior in the Social Environment 4
SOCI249CD Inequalities 4
SW255CD Interviewing & Documentation in Human Services 4
SW351CD Social Work Practice I: Introduction to Generalist Practice 4
SW352 Social Work Practice II: Work with Individuals & Families 4
SW353CD Social Work Practice III: Groups 4
SW354CD Social Work Practice IV: Macro Social Work 4
SOCI239CD Introduction to Social Research I 4
SW 345X Junior Virtual Practicum Experience Seminar 4
SW370CD Social Work Field Placement I 8
SW371CD Social Work Field Placement II 8

In addition to those courses, BSW students are also required to complete the following courses as part of their liberal arts plan of study:

STAT118CD Introductory Statistics 4
 
BIOL109CD Sex, Gender, and Biology 4
OR
BIOL113CD General Biology 4
 
PH101CD Introduction to Public Health 4
Students may transfer in other courses that are approved by the academic department to meet this requirement. Courses included are Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 101), Introduction to American Politics (POLS 101), and American Public Policy (POLS 217).

In our online BSW degree program, you’ll develop the knowledge, values, and skills you need to make a difference for individuals, families, organizations, and communities. As an online BSW student you will complete the academic coursework required to apply for the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam, which measures social work knowledge and competencies. Our graduates are prepared to pursue work in a variety of helping professions.

Practicum Education

The online BSW program provides traditional BSW students with more than 400 hours of practical experience in community settings. These hands-on opportunities allow students to integrate what they learn in the classroom into practice. All students participate in two terms of practicum experiences preparing students for generalist practice upon graduation.

Simmons’ dedicated placement team will help you secure a practicum education placement in or near your community, where you will receive supervision from professional social workers.

Learn more about practicum placements