Delivery
Online
Social Work, B.S.W. – Online
Program Overview
The UNC Charlotte Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Online is a two-year degree completion program designed for candidates who have met all the prerequisite and general education requirements. This program equips you for a career in generalist social work practice and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Students who don’t qualify for the Upper Division can still apply for Lower Division acceptance. Once the Lower Division criteria are met, students can apply for admission to the Upper Division. Admission to Upper Division must be granted before students are permitted to take Upper Division courses in the BSW major. Please visit BSW Upper Division Admission to learn more about the admission process.
Program Contact
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If you already have a bachelor’s degree in any subject area, you may be eligible to apply directly to the Master of Social Work online degree program.
Courses
Learn more about our flexible online classes, requirements, the curriculum and which technology we use for virtual learning.
Curriculum
Total upper division credits: 60
Total credits in major: 80
Total credits to graduate: 120
Upper Division Curriculum
- SOWK 2184 – Writing for the Social Work Profession
- SOWK 3120 – Diversity and Populations-at-Risk
- SOWK 3180 – Case Management
- SOWK 3199 – Professional Behaviors, Ethics, and Communication
- SOWK 3201 – Foundations of Social Welfare
- SOWK 3202 – Social Welfare Policy
- SOWK 3133 – Community Engagement and Outreach
- SOWK 3181 – Practice Methods I
- PSYC 2151 – Psychology Distress, Dysfunction, and Disorders
- SOWK 3182 – Practice Methods II
- SOWK 3482 – Social Work Practicum I
- SOWK 3900 – Social Work Research I
- SOWK 3184 – Practice Methods III
- SOWK 3484 – Social Work Practicum II
- SOWK 3988 – Social Work Research II
Population Courses: Students are required to complete 12 hours in populations courses.
Please note: Students in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program are required to complete an in-person practicum of 225 hours per semester during their final year.
Course Format & Scheduling
Our online program is thoughtfully designed specifically for virtual learning. Students receive the same rigorous curriculum, expert faculty, and engaging content as our in-person offerings. The difference lies in the flexible and accessible delivery. Through live sessions and self-paced modules, our program ensures a rich and supportive educational experience that prepares students for meaningful careers in social work.
Course Format & Scheduling
Our online social work program offers a flexible and engaging learning experience through a blend of asynchronous and synchronous formats. Together, these formats ensure a comprehensive, interactive, and accessible education that prepares students for impactful careers in social work. Students should be comfortable navigating online platforms such as Canvas and Zoom.
Asynchronous courses allow students to access lectures, readings, and assignments on their own schedule, making it easier to balance studies with personal and professional commitments. Although there are no live sessions, faculty are more than willing to connect virtually as needed to support student development. About 60% of our Upper Division Classes are asynchronous and primarily occur in the fall and spring semesters of junior year. Successful students thrive by managing their time well, staying organized, and engaging actively with course materials and discussions. They take initiative in their learning, seek out resources when needed, and maintain motivation without the structure of scheduled class meetings.
Synchronous courses provide real-time interaction with professors and peers through live discussions, case studies, and collaborative activities fostering a strong sense of community and support. About 40% of Upper Division Classes are Synchronous. Live class sessions that occur via Zoom are typically scheduled to meet once a week; either Monday – Thursday evenings and/or Saturday mornings. Successful students come prepared and able to participate in live discussions in a quiet distraction free environment. Synchronous courses are still online; they just occur at a set time each week.
Practicum Education
As the signature pedagogy, practicum education ensures that students gain real-world, in-person practice before entering the workforce. Our hands-on practicum allows future social workers to apply classroom knowledge in authentic settings, develop essential skills, and build confidence through supervised experience. We believe that meaningful, face-to-face engagement with individuals, families, and communities is vital to shaping competent, compassionate practitioners ready to make a difference. Our practicum education program takes place in the fall and spring of senior year and requires 225 in-person hours per semester, which is typically about 16 hours per week in addition to other required courses. Preparations for practicum begin during junior year.
Course Technology (Canvas)
Our online classes are offered through Canvas, a digital platform that will allow students to engage with interactive course content, submit assignments, track grades, and collaborate with their instructors and peers seamlessly from any location.
Canvas offers 24/7 support for students who have questions, and UNC Charlotte wants to empower students to succeed in their online coursework. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work program should be prepared to:
- Navigate Canvas and other web materials
- Copy and paste
- Send emails and add email attachments
- Post and reply in discussion forums
- Use presentation software, such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides
- Write and save essays in word processing software, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs
- Navigate online library databases
Application & Admissions
GPA, prerequisites, tuition rates and more – find all important information here.
Criteria for Admissions
Criteria for Admissions to Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Upper Division
- Minimum cumulative GPA 2.5 or higher
- Course Credits and prerequisites
- 60 earned credits or will have completed 60 credits by the start of Upper Division
- Completed and earned a C or better in the following courses: BIOL 1110, BIOL 1110L, POLS 1511, PSYC 1101, STAT 1222, SOCY 1101, SOWK 1511, SOWK 2182, and SOWK 2183
- Completion of all general education requirements by the start of upper division
- Resume
- Essay
- 4-5 double-spaced pages; APA 7th ed format
- Discuss reason for seeking BSW and career goals
- Describe a social problem social workers might address through their work. Include research that helps readers understand the problem.
- Discuss what a social worker might do to ensure they help and do not cause harm to those they serve.
- Students in the BSW program must complete coursework along with a practicum during the final year of the program. The practicum will be 16-hours per week in both fall and spring. Share your plan for being able to fit the BSW program, including the practicum into your life. Be specific in your plan of how you will accomplish your practicum placement, classes, and other responsibilities (e.g., working, family).
Admission offers are conditional until verification of the satisfactory completion of prerequisites, general education requirements, and GPA. Occasionally, in an effort to help students stay on track for a timely graduation, students may be admitted who are missing a prerequisite. If an exception is made, the student must be able to outline a plan for completing the requirement.
Students who don’t immediately qualify for the Upper Division can still apply for admission to the Social Work Lower Division provided they have a minimum 2.0 gpa and minimum of 24 transferable credits. The application can be found on the Future 49er portal. Once the Lower Division criteria is satisfied, students can apply for the Upper Division. Please visit the Social Work website or contact an Enrollment Specialist for more information.
Application
Application Submission Timeline
Applications for upper division are accepted December 15 – July 15. Priority deadline March 1. Decisions are released on a rolling basis until August 1.
Lower Division application deadlines mirror the general undergraduate admissions timelines.
Overview of Selection Process
The application process for upper division is competitive and not all applicants who meet the minimum criteria will be accepted. Applications are reviewed by the BSW Admissions Committee which is composed of full-time social work faculty members who regularly teach in the BSW program. Application elements (academic preparation, experience, and essay prompts) are scored using a BSW rating rubric which is based on a point system. Competitive applicants (those with highest scores) are selected until all seats are filled. Applicants are notified of the decision of admission or denial on a rolling basis, but no later than August 1st. There is not a waitlist for Upper Division. Applicants who have been offered admission to the BSW Program and who wish to accept the offer will need to submit their electronic enrollment form by the deadline identified in the acceptance letter. If the form is not returned by the deadline, it will be assumed that the student has declined the offer.
For additional questions, contact sswadmissions@charlotte.edu.
Tuition
NC Resident: $189.48 per credit hour
Outside of NC Non-Resident: $348.32 per credit hour
Non-Resident: $864.73 per credit hour
Major Fees Per Term: College of Health & Human Services Student Fee
- 1-5 Credit Hour: $62.50
- 6+ Credit Hour: $125.00
Please note: Rates are subject to change.
Outlook
What can you do with a BSW degree?
Charlotte BSW alumni are employed in a variety of areas such as child protective services, substance abuse treatment, hospitals, youth and children services, criminal justice, adoptions/foster care, hospice, and long-term care.
Other BSW graduates choose to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Many apply to the UNC Charlotte MSW program or MSW programs at other universities.
Generally, alumni from the Bachelor of Social Work program are working in the Charlotte region. UNC Charlotte BSW graduates have job titles such as:
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Social and Human Service Specialists
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Registered Nurses
- Medical Social Workers
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
UNC Charlotte BSW graduates go on to work for companies and organizations such as:
- Mecklenburg County
- Atrium Health
- Novant Health
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
- US Department of Veterans Affairs
- Thompson Child & Family Focus
- Cone Health
Lightcast research indicates that the average of the estimated wage for selected alumni of the BSW program, based on the median wage for their occupation in their county, adjusted for age and degree level, is $64,000 (Source: Lightcast- lightcast.io).
Why UNC Charlotte?
Why earn your Online BSW at UNC Charlotte?
Accredited by CSWE: The UNC Charlotte BSW Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national accrediting body for social work education programs. This means that the program meets the highest standards of academic quality and professional preparation.
Faculty: UNC Charlotte’s School of Social Work faculty bring a wealth of knowledge to the classroom, with diverse research interests and extensive real-world practice experience. Their expertise spans a variety of social work disciplines, ensuring students receive a well-rounded education grounded in both cutting-edge research and practical application.
Opportunities for hands-on experience: The UNC Charlotte BSW Program requires students to gain hands-on experience through practicum placements. Practicums allow students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-world settings.
Strong alumni network: The UNC Charlotte BSW Program has a strong alumni network that can provide support and guidance to students throughout their studies and beyond.
Stand out with a respected, top-tier degree. UNC Charlotte is ranked #3 in the nation for online bachelor’s degrees by U.S. News & World Report.
Explore Official University Catalog
Check out the official catalog for information on specific degree requirements, course progressions, curriculum and more.