Program Overview
Develop the skills and knowledge needed to begin social work practice with the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) online degree program from the George Williams School of Social Work at Aurora University. With the option to earn a generalist degree or tailor your studies by choosing a track, you’ll establish the groundwork for success in the field of social work and graduate prepared to work with diverse communities, groups, families, and individuals in a variety of settings.
Instructors in this program use freely available open educational resources (OER) in place of traditional textbooks when possible, helping to lower the total cost of earning your degree.
This CSWE-accredited social work program accepts transfer credits from other four-year institutions, so you can continue your educational journey and build upon your previously earned credits to graduate in less time. After completing the online social work bachelor’s degree, you will also be eligible to apply for advanced standing in the Aurora University Master of Social Work program.
Curriculum Overview
Aurora University’s online social work bachelor’s degree provides you with a broad academic background and field instruction in social work. Each class is taught by faculty members who have real-world experience and can support you with valuable mentorship as you prepare for your career. Social work courses at AU Online leverage technology through simulation-based education with Simucase, which prepares students for post-graduation success by emphasizing the development of clinical competency. In this convenient and flexible learning format, students apply their classroom knowledge to diverse real-world scenarios and receive immediate feedback in a safe, controlled, and accessible learning environment.
Students will also have the unique opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom to real-life situations through an internship. You’ll be paired with a faculty mentor in your field who will provide feedback on various internship-related assignments. You can complete your internship at an approved agency. In some cases, it is possible to complete your internship at your place of work.
Skills Gained in the Online BSW Degree
Complete 120 credit hours led by expert faculty members to earn your online social work bachelor’s degree from Aurora University. Choose from two available tracks, and gain experiential learning through hands-on fieldwork to graduate in as little as four years with new skills and expertise in:
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Group dynamics
- Human behavior
- Leadership
- Policy analysis
- Problem solving
- Psychology
- Research methods
- Social welfare policy
Why Choose Aurora?
At Aurora University, you’ll learn from practitioner-based faculty members who are focused on teaching an industry-aligned curriculum. Our online programs are designed for working professionals and built with maximum flexibility in mind, so you’ll have the support you need to balance your studies with your busy schedule. Imagine what you can accomplish at a university that offers:
- A full suite of Career Services and Resources.
- A student-first educational experience.
- Programs accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
- The personal attention and support you expect from a small college.
Looking for more information about careers in social work? Here is an article that might interest you. We have many great articles and guides on our resource pages.
Get StartedAvailable Specialization
Addictions
Effect positive change in your community and improve lives with the online Bachelor of Social Work track in addiction. This track equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a fulfilling and successful career supporting individuals and families experiencing substance abuse disorders. You'll receive guidance from expert faculty with experience in the social work field in addition to real-world applied practice through field work. Upon graduation, you'll be qualified to take the Illinois Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC) examination for addiction treatment certification in the state of Illinois. You may also complete additional credits to prepare for the Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders certificate.
Child Welfare
Complete the Bachelor of Social Work in Child Welfare track to gain Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) certification and Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol (CERAP). This track is taught by experienced faculty members who prepare students to support vulnerable children and families. After completing your degree, you’ll be eligible to obtain a Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL) upon employment at a child welfare agency.
Program Details
- Next Start Date:August 25, 2025
- Est. Program Length:2-4 Years
- Credit Hours:120 (40 in major)
- Course Length:8 Weeks
- Cost Per Credit:$480
General Education Required Courses for Admission
- PSY1100 General Psychology – 4 hours
- PSC1300 Introduction to US Government – 4 hours
- SOC1100 Introduction to Society – 4 hours
Core Courses
- SWK2500 Survey of Contemporary Social Work – 4 hours
- SWK3140 Social Work with Groups – 4 hours
- SWK3150 Social Welfare: Institutions and Policies – 4 hours
- SWK3160 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I: Building Professional Social Work Competence – 4 hours
- SWK3170 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II: Life Course Development – 4 hours
- SWK4010 Social Work with Communities and Organizations – 4 hours
- SWK4110 Social Work Practice with Individuals – 4 hours
- SWK4140 Social Work Practice with Families – 4 hours
- SWK4200 Research Methods in Social Work – 4 hours
Addictions Track Courses
- SWK2050 Drugs and Human Behavior: Substance Abuse Evaluation and Treatment – 4 hours
- SWK3750 Addictions Counseling I – 4 hours
- SWK4700 Addictions Counseling II – 4 hours
- SWK5600 Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorder (COPD1) – 4 hours (Optional)
Child Welfare Track Courses
- SWK3760 Effects of Trauma on Children – 4 hours
- SWK4720 Social Work with Vulnerable Children and Families – 4 hours
- SWK4725 Child Welfare Services – 4 hours
Field Instruction Courses
- SWK4210 Field Instruction I – 4 hours
- SWK4220 Field Instruction II – 4 hours
Course details are based on information available at the time of publication. Specific program requirements are subject to change.
Note: Tuition and fees are subject to change without prior notice. Please contact the Office of Student Accounts for questions or information on current tuition, fees, room, board and other rates.
- A completed undergraduate application.
- Transcripts (official, sealed) from all previously attended colleges and universities.
- For applicants without an earned associate degree and/or 60 hours of transfer credit: Proof of high school graduation or completed GED.
- For applicants with fewer than 15 hours of transfer credit: an official high school transcript with a GPA of 2.5 and above and ACT/SAT scores.
- Test-Optional Admission: Applicants with fewer than 15 hours of transfer credit who do not have ACT/SAT scores may choose to be reviewed as test-optional. Admission will be based on your high school academic record.
Students admitted to Aurora University are also required to apply to the School of Social Work and meet the following requirements.
- A grade point average of 2.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale)
- 60 semester hours of general education coursework
- Completion of these prerequisite courses or an equivalent transfer course: U.S. Government; General Psychology; and Principles of Sociology
- A completed background check
- Career goals consistent with the BSW program’s philosophy and curriculum
- Commitment to high standards of personal and professional conduct, as reflected in the NASW Code of Ethics
- Completed BSW application and Statement of Purpose
Information About State Licensure
All AU Online students must have unrestricted access to a computer or mobile device with high-speed internet to participate in online courses. AU Online uses Brightspace to host its online classes. All students will be charged an $80 Technology Fee per semester, regardless of the number of credits taken. A $50 Field Fee is applied per credit hour for field courses.
Students can transfer more than half the credits they need to successfully earn a four-year degree. Aurora University will accept up to 68 credits from a two-year institution and 90 credits from a four-year institution.
Online BSW Career Outcomes
Completing Aurora University’s online social work bachelor’s degree program is your first step to a rewarding career in this impactful field. Jobs in social work are growing, especially for professionals who choose to pursue work in substance abuse and mental health counseling. Between 2022 and 2032, a 17.4% increase in openings for substance abuse counselors is projected in the state of Illinois, providing ample opportunity for social workers to enter this career path.1
While many social workers choose to attend graduate school and earn an MSW, you will also have many career options available after completing your BSW online degree. Depending on your track and which credentials you earn following graduation, you may choose to pursue positions such as:
- Correctional treatment specialist ($72,600/year in Illinois2)
- General social worker ($67,390/year in Illinois2)
- Probation officer ($72,600/year in Illinois2)
- Substance abuse counselor ($63,450/year in Illinois2)
Sources
- Projections Central. “Long-Term Occupational Projections (2022-2032).” Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://projectionscentral.org/longterm. .
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