Advance Your Career Today
Graduate with your BSW and qualify to take any state LSW (licensed social worker) exam across the country. This accredited, evidence-based program allows you to earn your BSW degree fully online, at your convenience (full- or part-time), in as little as four semesters for students transferring in with AA degrees. Our courses and field practicums are offered year-round - Fall, Spring, and Summer terms – allowing you to control your schedule and graduation date.
Time to Complete
4 semesters if you have an AA degree; 8 semesters if starting in the first year.
Credits
120 credits
Program Highlights
- Nationally accredited online BSW program (Council on Social Work Education)
- Convenient online courses offered each term – Fall, Spring, and Summer
- Online courses are asynchronous
- Program can be completed full- or part-time
- Senior year field practicum provides real world training and is available each term – Fall, Spring, & Summer
- Evidence-based curriculum
- The BSW degree allows social work licensure availability across all 50 states
Admissions Requirements
Apply for admission to Cleveland State University.
Application to the social work major is submitted to the BSW Program Coordinator, who conducts orientation sessions to do the following: provide information about the social work profession, its history, fields of practice, current trends and social issues, the mission of the school; and the admission and curricula requirements for majors. The prerequisites for entering the School of Social Work core curriculum for the major require students to have a cumulative 2.0 GPA and have completed the following courses: SWK 200 - Introduction to Social Work, PSC 111 - American Government, one science course that meets General Education requirements, as well as SOC 101 and PSY 101.
Courses
A student must satisfactorily complete 46 credit hours in core Social Work courses. This does not include the University/College’s General Education/Liberal Arts requirements.
First Year
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | English I | 3 Credits |
| MTH 116 | Foundations Quantitative Literacy | 3 Credits |
| BSM 140 | Business Studies Major Experience | 1 Credit |
| PHY 102 | Flying Circus PHY: Sound & Light with Lab elective BIO 107 | 4 Credits |
| UST 206 | Megacities of Asia | 3 Credits |
| ASC 101 | Introduction to University Life | 1 Credit |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 102 | English II | 3 Credits |
| MTH 148 OR BUS 201 | Math for Business Majors OR Applied Business Statistics | 3 Credits |
| MUS 151 | Jazz Survey | 3 Credits |
| FIN 201 OR FIN 351 | Financial Planning OR Intro Financial Management | 3 Credits |
| IST 203 | Software Tools | 3 Credits |
Second Year
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Arts and Humanities Elective (ALAAME)** | 3 Credits | |
| Social Diversity Elective (AA) (could be SWK 150) | 3 Credits | |
| Foreign Language Requirement (if needed) | 4 Credit | |
| General Elective* | 4 Credits | |
| SWK 200 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 Credits |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Science Elective | 3 Credits | |
| SWK 201 | Social Welfare Policy I | 3 Credits |
| Foreign language requirement (if needed) | 3 Credits | |
| General Elective* | 3 Credits | |
| General Elective* | 1 Credits |
Third Year
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Elective* | 3 Credits | |
| General Elective* | 3 Credits | |
| SWK 300 | Social Welfare Policy II | 4 Credit |
| SWK 302 | HBSE I | 4 Credits |
| SWK 304 | Research Methods I | 3 Credits |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Elective* | 3 Credits | |
| General Elective* | 3 Credits | |
| SWK 303 | HBSE II | 3 Credits |
| SWK 305 | Research Methods II | 3 Credits |
| SWK 350 | Generalist Practice | 3 Credits |
Fourth Year
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SWK 385 | Interventions I | 3 Credits |
| SWK 386 | Ethical Decision-making in Social Work Practice | 3 Credits |
| SWK 390 | Field Practicum I | 6 Credits |
| SWK 395 | Fundamentals of Assessment | 2 Credits |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SWK 485 | Interventions II | 3 Credits |
| SWK 486 | Understanding Multicultural Social Work Practice | 3 Credits |
| SWK 490 | Field Practicum II | 6 Credits |
| SWK 495 | Social Work Licensure Exam | 2 Credits |
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition and financial aid for CSU programs are kept competitive so you can receive the education you deserve. Tuition for online programs and courses follows the same fee structure as traditional, on-campus programs and courses. Current CSU Undergraduate tuition costs can be found on the Bursar’s website.
Approximately 70% of CSU’s students receive some form of financial assistance. The University participates in or administers all the major federal and state grant and loan programs. In addition, CSU provides University grants and scholarships.
To begin the financial aid process, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must file a FAFSA every year after January 1st to receive your financial aid. Cleveland State University’s financial aid school code is 003032.
If you have any questions, visit the Financial Aid section of CSU’s website, or contact the Financial Aid office.
Faculty
Your faculty are scholar-practitioners with many years of social work experience across dozens of practice areas – including aging, schools, chemical dependency, juvenile delinquency, behavioral health, child welfare, developmental disabilities, mental health, marriage and family therapy, international social work, and many more. Our dedicated and caring faculty provide you with the most up-to-date, evidence-based curriculum to prepare you for being a professional licensed social worker.
Career Outcomes
Join a strong network of social work professionals who are making a difference in their communities. With a BSW degree from Cleveland State University, you can:
- Be a mental health/behavioral health practitioner (under supervision)
- Work in private, public, and non-profit sector positions
- Choose to help children and families, young adults, adults, and/or older adults across whatever life barriers and problems they encounter
- This includes work in addictions, mental health, gerontology, schools, behavioral health, developmental disabilities, and the juvenile and adult justice systems, among many other areas
- Lead policy making and advocacy efforts
Career Outcomes
Join a strong network of social work professionals who are making a difference in their communities. With a BSW degree from Cleveland State University, you can:
- Be a mental health/behavioral health practitioner (under supervision)
- Work in private, public, and non-profit sector positions
- Choose to help children and families, young adults, adults, and/or older adults across whatever life barriers and problems they encounter
- This includes work in addictions, mental health, gerontology, schools, behavioral health, developmental disabilities, and the juvenile and adult justice systems, among many other areas
- Lead policy making and advocacy efforts
The best things about my social work program are the organization of the classes, the professor's ongoing input and support, and how helpful the administration staff has been throughout the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I get my BSW degree, can I find work that I want?
Definitely yes! The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 12 to 15 percent increase in social work jobs through 2030 across all professional sectors.
Aren't social workers underpaid?
Nope, that is a misperception. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the 2021 median pay for social workers was $50,390, with significantly higher salaries for those living in higher cost of living areas and for those who are independently licensed. Being independently licensed requires the MSW, so you can check out our CSU online MSW Program next.
When are the BSW online classes offered?
You may take classes over the 15-week semester format during the Fall and Spring semesters, as well during 8- and 12-week summer terms.