For students and working adults who want to shift to a social work career, an Accelerated Social Work degree program offers several advantages over conventional degree programs. With an accelerated social work degree program, you are able to move through your classes at a much faster rate allowing you to earn your degree in as little as 18 months. If you choose an online accelerated Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, you have the option to continue working while you are completing your coursework. The hands-on experience you get while on the job will be invaluable as you begin to look for jobs after you graduate.
If you are already employed in the social services field when you re-enter college, you may continue to remain in your current position after you graduate. The advantage of that scenario is that you will already have developed specific skills you already need. The key is enhancing those skills and improving on them so you can continue to move up into management levels if that is something you would like to pursue. An accelerated degree program in Social Work allows you to get down to business and begin helping those people who need it the most without wasting any time.
Featured Schools
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Social Work Accelerated Degree Programs
For students who want an accelerated online social work degree – especially working adults – Bachelor’s Degree Center has put together a ranking of the best fast-track social work degree online programs available. Speed is important, of course, but for the sake of quality, programs are also ranked according to their cost, reputation, and salary potential.
1. Briar Cliff University
Briar Cliff University offers an online Social Work accelerated degree program for students who are ready to move ahead with their degree and don’t want to waste time taking a conventional program. Accelerated can reduce the amount of time it takes to get your Bachelor of Arts degree to as little as 18 months while still providing you with the highest possible quality education. With an accelerated online social work BA degree program, students can continue to work at their regular jobs and still earn their diplomas.
Briar Cliff University has been accredited to provide social work degree programs since 1974. The skills the graduates receive offer them the ability to handle a variety of situations. Faculty members teach courses that have been designed to provide each student with not only the skills they need but also the compassion and ethics they need to comfort their clients and make sure that they are not lost in a system that sometimes does not cover every base. Graduates of the online accelerated Bachelors degree in Social Work can work in either a management position or hand in hand with their clients.
Degree: Social Work, BA
Briar Cliff University Social Work, BA
2. Liberty University
Liberty University offers a Social Work accelerated BA degree program for students who are already employed as a social worker and need to advance their education. The accelerated degree program provides them with the classes they need at a much faster pace allowing them to complete their degree in a shorter amount of time. They still receive the quality education they deserve and access to instructors who can guide them through the learning process. With an accelerated degree program in Social Work, employees can take promotions they may have been overlooked for and receive the pay increases that go along with them.
Liberty University offers coursework that is designed to give employees the competitive edge they need to move ahead in their careers. The faculty members are seasoned professionals who have been employed in Social Work for several years. The accelerated program offered to students who take their classes online cuts back on the amount of time they need to complete their degrees. Liberty University offers some of the best online programs in the country for students who are looking to get ahead without wasting any time.
Degree: Social Work, BS
Liberty University Social Work, BS
3. University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks offers a social work accelerated BA degree program for students who are interested in helping others through a career in social work. By choosing a degree program that has been “accelerated”, students can finish their BA degree in 18 months instead of the traditional two-years. Many students who choose to enroll in a BA online program for Social Work are already employed full-time. Attending school online offers them the freedom they need to focus on their studies while still caring for their families. A Social Work accelerated degree program offers them everything they need plus the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is one of the most well-known universities in the area that offers the highest quality online degree programs. Students have the same accessibility to faculty members and school programs as other students who choose to attend school on campus. Faculty members and instructors offer guidance and support to every student they come in contact with. The advanced curriculum the school uses offers students the tools and skills they need to meet the needs of their clients on a day to day basis.
Degree: Social Work, BA
University of Alaska Fairbanks Social Work, BA
4. Northwestern State University of Louisana
The Northwestern State University of Louisiana offers a Bachelor of Social Work accelerated degree program that is designed to meet the ever-changing needs of students who are pursuing a career as a social worker. The curriculum offers the tools students will need to handle a variety of situations. They are taught both behavioral sciences as well as managerial skills they will rely on to remain organized in a highly stressful but very rewarding career. With a social work accelerated degree program, students are put on the fast track to success and given the boost they need to succeed.
The Northwestern State University of Louisiana has a reputation for offering in-depth courses and programs that push the students past their boundaries so they can learn to think outside of the box. The instructors take great pride in being able to provide these students with what they need to assist others through life’s many challenges. Students who attend the university’s online, accelerated social work degree programs graduate knowing they are fully prepared to help their clients in any way possible.
Degree: Bachelor of Social Work
Northwestern State University of Louisiana Bachelor of Social Work
5. Western New Mexico University
Western New Mexico University offers an online accelerated Social Work BS degree program for students who want to advance to the next level of their education. Social Work is a career in which an individual can make a difference. With the right tools and abilities, the graduate can find powerful solutions to help families, children, and seniors, receive the assistance they need. With an online accelerated Social Work degree program, students can begin to offer their services much sooner than later.
Western New Mexico University has created a positive learning environment where students can begin to cultivate and develop the skills they will use throughout their careers as social workers. The instructors at the university are able to use their years of experience to assist students in overcoming obstacles so they can better identify potential issues and create viable solutions for both themselves and the clients they work with. The school’s online accelerated Social Work BS degree program offers each one unique several advantages they wouldn’t have otherwise had.
Degree: Social Work, BS
Western New Mexico University Social Work BS
6. Washburn University
Washburn University offers an accelerated Bachelor of Social Work online degree program for students who want to continue their education. By moving forward with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, students can strive to make a difference in the lives of the many clients they touch over the course of their careers. Specific skills are required when dealing with sensitive issues involving children and seniors. With an online accelerated Social Work degree, these students can get the education they need while continuing to work in their chosen field.
Washburn University offers some of the best degree programs in the Central United States in terms of Social Work and Behavioral Sciences. Combine the quality curriculum with instructors who are leaders in their fields and you have award-winning degree programs that allow students to excel within their chosen career paths. Provide students with the best accelerated degree programs in Social Work and they will be making positive changes for years to come.
Degree: Bachelor of Social Work
Washburn University Bachelor of Social Work
7. University of Utah
The University of Utah offers an online accelerated Bachelor of Social Work degree programs that provide students with all of the skills and training they need to work with clients in various environments. The skills they learn allow them to work with clients of all ages and in a variety of different situations. Students who pursue a career in social work must exhibit exceptional organizational and management skills. With a Social Work accelerated degree program, students can earn their degree in as little as 18 months and get a head start on their career.
The University of Utah offers students a wide selection of Bachelor of Social Work degree programs that focus on providing the necessary training that is needed for the graduate to succeed. Faculty members and instructors are always on hand to offer advice based on their years of experience. Whether students choose to attend school on campus or through an online program, the education offered by the university is second to none.
Degree: Bachelor of Social Work
University of Utah Bachelor of Social Work
8. Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University offers a Bachelor of Social Work accelerated degree program that will help students interested in becoming a social worker get the edge they need to succeed. Every class within the degree program is designed to provide a specific set of skills that the student will need in terms of organization and the management of their cases. By completing an online accelerated Bachelor of Social Work degree program, the student can maintain their existing work schedule and also attend classes to earn their diploma.
Campbellsville University takes great pride in offering a Bachelor of Social Work degree program that is known for academic excellence. The students receive opportunities for both personal and professional growth. Faculty members and instructors work hand in hand to provide students with the perfect environment to establish themselves and boost their confidence.
Degree: Bachelor of Social Work
Campbellsville University Bachelor of Social Work
9. Malone University
Malone University offers an online accelerated BA in Social Work. Students who attend the university are offered courses in how to manage their cases, social work theory, and research techniques that allow them to uncover new ways to assist their clients no matter what their age. The degree programs are created so that students can study when they need to and maintain their full-time job. For those who already work as a social worker, the BA in Social Work that they earn from the university can give the leverage they need to advance into a managerial position.
Malone University offers students a learning environment that is second to none when it comes to academic excellence and seasoned instructors who teach from experience. The university prides itself on instilling the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in each of its students. When the student eventually graduates, they have all the skills they will need to be a success in their field and make a difference in the world around them.
Degree: Social Work, BA
Malone University BA in Social Work
10. Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University offers a Bachelor of Social Work degree program that is both accelerated and online. The online format allows students from almost any location to learn from one of the most well-rounded degree programs in the country. Students who choose an online, accelerated class format receive the same education as those who attend the classroom but with a couple of major differences. First, they can continue to work while they earn their degree and second, they can finish their degree program in as few as 18 months. The Bachelor of Social Work degree program is just what they need to get an edge in this fast-paced career environment.
Eastern New Mexico University is one of the top schools in the South West United States when it comes to quality degree programs and professional faculty and instructors. The university offers its students the best possible learning environment so they can continue to thrive throughout their entire educational experience. The skills provided to them in addition to the support they receive from their instructors are the keys that will open up potential opportunities for them for many years to come.
Degree: Bachelor of Social Work
Eastern New Mexico University Bachelor of Social Work
Should I Choose an Accredited Social Work Program?
If you’re looking at accelerated social work programs and you want your degree to be recognized, you must earn it from a learning institution that is accredited by the industry you plan on working in. Most universities and colleges are accredited. This means that the coursework they provide meets, and sometimes, exceeds, the requirements of the governing bodies of education both within the government and within specific industries.
Fast track social work programs are great, and by earning your degree from an accredited college or university, it shows that you have been taught the skills and knowledge that are required to be a professional in your chosen field. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) can point students to a reputable CSWE-accredited program.
Before choosing any Bachelor’s degree program in Social Work or any other field, check to find out if the school of social work you want to attend has been accredited. This guarantees that the degree you earn will carry the weight you want it to when you apply for your licensure or as an applicant for a new position. You want to prove to those you are working with that you have what you need to succeed in whatever job you choose to accept. Your degree is supposed to be the benchmark that sets the standard for your level of knowledge. Make sure the standard for accelerated BSW programs online is high. Choose an accredited degree program.
Bachelor’s social work students should develop competencies that will allow them to work in any social environment, from human service to healthcare.
What if I Don’t Need a Bachelor’s Degree?
There are times when you don’t need to complete an accelerated social work degree online to get the skills you need. Instead, many accredited colleges and universities offer certification classes that allow you to attend only a few hours and earn a certification that will allow you to achieve your goal. One example of this is fulfilling the continuing education requirements to maintain your current licensing. Many licenses require several continuing education classes per year. A certification will allow you to remain in compliance with your state’s requirements and keep your license current and up to date.
Certifications are also used when an employee must stay up to date on new processes and techniques that are used as part of their duties or responsibilities. Taking the time to earn your certification allows you to show your employer that you are serious about your job and are willing to do whatever it takes to continue to produce the highest quality of work possible. Certain certifications must be renewed every two or three years as new information is released or the old information becomes outdated.
You may also get a certification after a generalist bachelor degree, if you want to specialize in areas like
- mental health
- social welfare
- social justice
- clinical social work
- child advocacy
- child welfare
- substance abuse and addictions
- social work practice
- gerontology
- social policy
- human behavior
- human rights
Often these certification programs can be done part-time while you work and will use your field experience to add credit hours.
However, if you ever intend on getting a master’s in social work, even the easiest online MSW program will require you to have a bachelor’s first. Higher education doesn’t have to be intimidating; your GPA is less important than your field education. Social workers with advanced standing can get through their fieldwork or practicum more conveniently. You can get field placement in your current workplace.
Going on from your BSW degree to an MSW degree is an important step. A clinical social worker may not think they need to know research methods, but it’s an important prerequisite for a master of social work program. Admission requirements are less stringent for working professionals, and many online MSW programs don’t require the GRE exam. Online students can choose concentrations like public health or choose a generalist practice. Online or in-person, you can complete the process in as little as one year.
How Much Do Social Workers Make?
The amount of money a social worker makes will depend primarily on two things. The first is their level of experience. Social workers who have several years of experience and are ready for a managerial position will make more than those who are just starting out. When it comes to experience, the more opportunity a worker has had to assist their clients, the better they will become at their job. There are no college classes that will provide you the same abilities that hands-on experience offers.
The second key factor in how much you will make is your degree. The higher, more specialized your degree, the more money you will make. At the lowest end of the scale in terms of both experience and degree, you can earn between $33,000 and $50,000 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). At the highest end, you can make anywhere from $67,000 to $75,000 per year. This averages out to approximately $17 to $37 per hour. The more years you have under your belt, the more you will be able to make on a yearly basis. If you have both experience and a Masters’ degree or higher, you can expect to earn more than you would if you only had one or the other.
Related Rankings:
25 Best Bachelor’s in Social Work
15 Best Online Bachelor’s in Social Work
10 Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Social Work
