5 Best Online BSW Programs in NC

Interested in online BSW programs in NC? You could save almost $10,000 yearly compared to traditional campus-based options. Recent data shows online bachelor’s degrees in social services cost $9,992 annually, while campus programs run around $19,427.

The state’s educational system includes 25 schools with social work degree programs, with 23 offering BSW options. Students who choose an online BSW program in North Carolina enter a thriving job market that projects 9% growth through 2031. These CSWE-accredited online BSW programs require at least 400 hours of field education, which combines hands-on experience with classroom learning.

Appalachian State University stands out among online BSW programs in NC with its steadfast dedication to developing skilled social work professionals. The program gives you foundational knowledge and emphasizes social justice and community involvement.

Program Overview

App State’s Bachelor of Social Work program gets you ready for entry-level professional practice and graduate-level academic work. This CSWE-accredited online BSW program helps you develop vital skills to serve diverse clients and communities in various human service agencies.

The program’s mission connects Appalachian and global communities to advance health and well-being while challenging systems of oppression. You’ll develop a critical understanding of complex social problems and learn to support social, economic, and environmental justice through this curriculum.

Online students receive the same quality education as on-campus students. The program combines synchronous (scheduled online meetings) and asynchronous (self-paced) coursework, making it available to you whatever your location. You’ll also gain practical experience through field placement that ensures workforce readiness upon graduation.

Key Elements

App State’s BSW program offers several unique advantages:

• Job Growth Potential: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job growth for social workers to exceed 7% through 2032
• Professional Versatility: Social work professionals enjoy a diverse range of opportunities
• Detailed Curriculum: The program has foundation-level social work courses and professional sequence courses
• Online Flexibility: Working professionals can access the program fully online

App State creates a learning environment that promotes personal development, scientific inquiry, and professional values. Students can balance their education with other commitments while receiving quality instruction similar to traditional students.

Admission Requirements

Success in the App State BSW program requires meeting specific criteria:

• 5 overall GPA and 2.5 social work GPA
• Minimum grade of “C” in all foundation courses
• Completion of foundation-level social work courses
• Application to the professional sequence with a personal statement

Students must complete a Criminal Background Check (CBC) before field placement starts. The Beaver College of Health Sciences policy requires annual completion of this check, and students pay a minimal fee.

The program’s core team evaluates your academic performance and personal aptitude for social work practice. These requirements ensure proper preparation for advanced coursework since the professional sequence builds on foundation knowledge.

Tuition and Fees

App State Online provides competitive tuition rates and waives most on-campus fees, offering excellent value for your education. The 2025-26 academic year estimates show:

*These figures apply to undergraduate full-time, 12-hour course loads.

App State Online students can access financial aid like their on-campus peers. The university distributes about $25 million yearly based on need, academic and athletic achievement. You might qualify for federal, state, or institutional aid by completing the FAFSA.

Students should budget for a reliable computer, high-speed internet, and possible software or hardware needs. In spite of that, App State Online provides some software access with university credentials.

Field Placement

Field education is the “signature pedagogy” of the social work program and provides significant hands-on experience. BSW students complete block placements in their final senior semester, totaling 440 required hours. This intensive experience connects classroom learning with real-life practice.

Students submit field placement applications to the Field Director by February 1 for fall semester or June 1 for spring semester placement. The Field Director meets with each student to discuss interests and placement options.

Experienced social work Field Instructors at human services agencies supervise your placement as you refine skills and begin your professional experience. This vital education component bridges theoretical knowledge with ground application.

Best For

App State’s online BSW program perfectly suits:

• Career changers moving into social work
• Working professionals needing flexible education
• Students drawn to mental health clinics, schools, child welfare agencies, hospitals, community development, or private practice
• People passionate about human rights and social justice

The program lets you balance education with life commitments. You’ll gain valuable practical experience through community field placement despite being fully online. Graduates leave ready for compassionate careers in various settings or immediate transition to graduate studies.

2. UNC Charlotte

UNC Charlotte is among North Carolina’s best online BSW programs and offers a clear path to your social work career. Students get rigorous academic training combined with real-life field experience that prepares them for professional roles across the state and beyond.

Program Overview

The online Bachelor of Social Work at UNC Charlotte is a two-year degree completion program for students who have finished their prerequisite and general education requirements. This CSWE-accredited program gives you the tools for generalist social work practice. You’ll learn intervention methods that work with different social systems and client groups.

The program teaches you to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities while following professional social work values and ethics. You’ll develop these essential skills:

• Building therapeutic relationships with clients
• Assessing client systems from a diversity-affirming view
• Setting appropriate problem definitions and intervention goals
• Using different intervention approaches for diverse client needs
• Connecting clients with available resources
• Giving clients the ability to enhance their problem-solving skills

The program requires 60 upper division credits and 120 total credits to graduate. Students must complete an in-person practicum during their final year to gain hands-on experience.

Key Elements

The program’s detailed approach to social work education makes it unique. Here are its main advantages:

CSWE Accreditation: The program meets the highest standards of academic quality and professional preparation set by the Council on Social Work Education.

Hands-On Experience: Students gain practical experience through field placements where they apply classroom knowledge in real-life settings.

Strong Alumni Network: A resilient alumni network supports and guides students throughout their studies and beyond. UNC Charlotte BSW alumni work in child protective services, healthcare, substance abuse treatment, and youth services.

Nationally Ranked Education: U.S. News & World Report ranks UNC Charlotte #3 in the nation for online bachelor’s degrees.

Admission Requirements

The online BSW program has specific steps and requirements for admission:

Upper Division admission requires:

• A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
• 60 completed credits before Upper Division
• Prerequisite courses completed with a grade of C or better:
  • BIOL 1110 and BIOL 1110L
  • POLS 1110 or 1511
  • PSYC 1101
  • STAT 1222
  • SOCY 1101
  • SOWK 1101 or 1511
  • SOWK 2182 and SOWK 2183
• Completion of all general education requirements before Upper Division

Application materials include:

• A completed application form
• Resume
• Personal essay (4-5 double-spaced pages in APA format) covering:
  • Reasons to join the BSW Program
  • Career goals
  • Discussion of social problems social workers might address
  • Plan to balance the BSW program with other responsibilities

The program accepts applications from December 15 to July 15, with March 1 as the priority deadline. Decisions roll out until August 1.

Tuition and Fees

The online BSW program offers competitive tuition rates based on residency:

Students should also budget for:

• College of Health & Human Services student fees
• Technology costs (reliable computer and high-speed internet)
• Required textbooks and materials

The North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) determines tuition classifications in three categories:

1. Resident: Someone who has lived in North Carolina legally for at least 12 months
2. Non-Resident: Someone living in North Carolina but without 12 months of legal residence
3. Out of NC Non-Resident: A non-resident living outside North Carolina and enrolled in an approved 100% online program

Field Placement

Field education forms the core of BSW education at UNC Charlotte. Students apply classroom knowledge directly in community agencies.

BSW students complete:

• 450 total practicum hours (225 hours each semester during senior year)
• About 16 hours weekly at their placement site
• Classes alongside their placement work

The field placement follows these steps:

1. Pre-Placement: Information meetings
2. Application: Online application submission
3. Interview: Agency interviews
4. Compliance: Background checks and requirements
5. Clearance: Official approval
6. Practicum Experience: Year-long field placement

Most BSW students work at their practicum on Thursdays and Fridays. The program tries to accommodate evening or weekend hours when possible.

Best For

The program works especially well for:

• Transfer students: A degree completion program for those with finished prerequisites
• Career-focused individuals: Graduates work in child protective services, substance abuse treatment, hospitals, youth services, criminal justice, and hospice care
• Future MSW students: The BSW creates a strong foundation for Master of Social Work studies
• Social justice promoters: The program promotes human rights and supports historically oppressed populations
• Students needing flexibility: Online format makes education available while managing work and family

Graduates can start their careers right away or continue to graduate studies. Either way, they’ll have the knowledge and skills to make a real difference in people’s lives as professional social workers.

3. Methodist University

Methodist University has a online BSW program in NC that gives you unique chances to specialize. The program blends core social work education with paths in school social work licensure and child welfare. This creates a strong base for your career growth.

Program Overview

Methodist University’s online Bachelor of Social Work program shapes you into a social work generalist. You’ll learn to be a change-maker who makes human well-being easier in a variety of practice settings. This 100% online program is 124 total credit hours, with 63 hours for major coursework. The detailed curriculum teaches you key skills in interviewing, assessment, planning, intervention, and practice evaluation.

The program shines with its optional paths. You can get North Carolina licensure through the NC Department of Public Instruction with nine extra credit hours in the School Social Work Licensure path. The Child Welfare Collaborative elective (SWK 3750) trains you for jobs in public child welfare and child-serving organizations.

Methodist University runs the program in eight-week terms. This helps you move through courses quickly while you keep your work-life balance. The curriculum builds on psychology, sociology, American government, and applied statistics. This creates a multi-sided approach to understanding social issues.

Key Elements

Methodist University’s online BSW program stands out with these features:

• Small Student-to-Faculty Ratio: The program feels like family, and professors care about your success personally
• Transfer-Friendly Policies: You can bring up to 93 credit hours, which saves time and money
• Military-Friendly Institution: G.I. Jobs magazine named it a 2025 Military Friendly® School, and Military Times gave it the Best for Vets title
• Optional Specialization Paths: Pick focused training in school social work or child welfare
• Career Preparation: Social workers earn an average salary of $61,330, and job growth looks strong at 7% through 2033

The program lets you blend classroom learning with ground practice. You’ll learn about today’s social issues and be ready to work in child services, mental health facilities, schools, hospitals, and correctional institutions.

Admission Requirements

Methodist University’s online BSW program has two stages of admission:

University Admission:

• High school diploma or GED
• Submission of unofficial transcripts (official transcripts needed later for full acceptance)

Social Work Program Admission (usually sophomore year):

• About 50% of general core requirements done with a minimum 2.25 GPA
• English 1010 and 1040 finished with a C or above
• Social Work 2310, 2400, and 3150 completed with a C or better and a 2.75 GPA in Social Work courses
• Three recommendations from faculty members/employers who know your work
• A narrative about why you chose Social Work as your career
• Background check through Castle Branch ($40)
• Approval from the Admissions Committee after a virtual interview

Program admission deadlines are the first Friday in September or February. You can only take practice courses after the program accepts you, so timing matters.

Methodist University keeps tuition competitive and offers lots of financial aid:

Most students pay less than full price. About 97% of Methodist University’s students get some financial aid. The university gives out more than $24 million in scholarships yearly. Active military, veterans, and their families get great benefits through the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Military students and their families save $185 per credit hour compared to regular tuition. This focus on affordability helped Methodist University earn recognition as a Military Spouse Friendly® School (2021-22).

Field Placement

Field practicum is important in Methodist University’s BSW program. You’ll need at least 400 hours of supervised field work in your senior year. This experience teaches you more than just job skills.

Your placement includes:

• Managing client cases under field instructors’ supervision
• Looking at client systems from micro, mezzo, and macro points of view
• Working with different client system sizes using various intervention approaches
• Using theoretical models in practice settings
• Growing more sensitive to human diversity by helping clients from different backgrounds
• Doing a research project that fits your practicum and agency

Field education runs through the whole semester, whatever your 400-hour completion time. Weekly seminar classes let you think about your experiences and get faculty guidance. Your grade comes from field work, written assignments, and seminar participation.

Students in the School Social Work licensure path must work in a school setting. This special experience builds skills for educational environments and meets licensure rules.

Best For

Methodist University’s online BSW program fits perfectly for:

• Military Personnel and Veterans: Service members get big tuition discounts at this military-friendly school
• Working Professionals: Eight-week terms and online format work with busy lives
• Transfer Students: Bringing up to 93 credits makes this great for those with college experience
• Aspiring School Social Workers: The licensure path trains you specially for educational settings
• Child Welfare Specialists: The Child Welfare Collaborative gets you ready for child welfare jobs without extra training after graduation

The program’s setup and flexible paths let you shape your education to match your career goals. When you graduate, you’ll be ready for various social work roles or advanced standing in an MSW program. You’ll have the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation needed for professional practice.

4. Barton College

Barton College’s online BSW program in NC brings students together in cohorts to progress through their studies. Students benefit from a hybrid model that blends online flexibility with collaborative learning to create a supportive environment for future social workers.

Program Overview

Barton College’s Bachelor of Social Work comes in two tracks. The Traditional Program has day classes for regular students. The Professional Studies Program gives working adults an online option. Students can learn through live sessions or at their own pace with self-paced materials that fit different learning styles.

The curriculum gets you ready for entry-level work in social work settings of all sizes. You’ll build a strong base for graduate studies too. Core courses cover values, ethics, diversity, social justice, human behavior, social welfare policy, research, and field education. The program focuses on cultural competence, evidence-based practice, and advocacy skills to tackle systemic injustices.

Students from community colleges like Pamlico Community College with an AAS in Human Services Technology can transfer smoothly into the program. This creates several ways to join based on your education background.

Key Elements

The program stands out with these unique qualities:

• Full accreditation by the Council on Social Work Accreditation (CSWE)
• Small classes with a 1:11 faculty-to-student ratio
• Start dates in Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters
• Students move through courses together in cohorts
• Strong emphasis on diversity, cultural humility, and anti-racism

The program aims to give students knowledge, skills, and values for culturally competent practice with different client groups. The curriculum builds commitment to advocacy and helps you tackle systemic injustices through policy change.

Admission Requirements

Getting into Barton’s Social Work program involves several steps:

You need to meet general college admission requirements with a minimum 2.0 transfer GPA and 12 transferable credit hours. New students should have an unweighted GPA of 2.30 and a 900 combined SAT or 19 ACT score. The college now has a test-optional format.

The Social Work program needs:

• 5 GPA or higher
• 6 hours of 200-level (or higher) Social Work courses with C- or better
• Two recommendation letters (one from a Social Work professor)
• Personal essay and resume
• Program director interview (if needed)

Students must complete this process before taking Practice Sequence courses (SWK 328, SWK 428, and SWK 429).

Tuition and Fees

Here’s a clear breakdown of Barton College’s costs:

Other costs include $650 for books and supplies, $1,500 for miscellaneous expenses, and $1,350 for transportation.

The college helps with costs through financial aid. About 83% of first-year students get need-based aid, with average scholarships of $27,878. Merit-based aid averages $14,006. Students typically receive 74% of their financial aid needs.

Field Placement

Field education is paramount to Barton’s BSW program. Senior year students complete 400 hours of supervised hands-on experience. This intensive part lets you use classroom knowledge in real-life settings with professional guidance.

You’ll work with clients under supervision and manage your own cases while getting support from experienced field instructors. Barton works with many agencies for placements:

• Departments of Social Services
• Public schools
• Domestic violence shelters
• Correctional facilities
• Assisted living facilities
• Hospice centers
• Hospital settings

The field experience happens in spring semester of senior year. It focuses on learning rather than just job training. This helps you build practical skills while learning from your experiences.

Best For

This program works great for:

• Working adults who need flexible hybrid and online options
• Students who like learning in groups
• Community college transfers with human services background
• People interested in working in different settings
• Those who want personal attention in small classes

Graduates can work as generalist practitioners in hospitals, domestic violence programs, criminal justice agencies, mental health centers, and many other places. On top of that, it gives you a great foundation for advanced standing in graduate social work programs.

5. UNC Wilmington

UNC Wilmington’s online BSW program in NC is a chance to earn your degree in as few as five semesters through their Human Services to Social Work (HS2SW) program. Students seeking quick entry into social work will find this accelerated pathway perfect for their needs.

Program Overview

UNCW’s BSW curriculum teaches core social work knowledge, values, and skills by exploring human behavior, generalist practice models, research, and social policy. Students learn about cultural differences in social and racial backgrounds, gender, socioeconomic status, abilities, age, and sexual orientation. UNCW started modestly in 1947 and grew into a top doctoral and research institution that serves nearly 19,000 students.

Key Elements

UNCW’s program stands out with:

• Field practicum during senior year that applies classroom knowledge
• Students can study abroad and work on faculty research
• Students can join organizations and the National Association of Social Workers
• Social worker jobs will grow to more than 800,000 by 2030

Admission Requirements

Students must complete two steps for admission:

1. Declare as a pre-social work major
2. Apply to the BSW program after meeting requirements:
   • Complete 45 university credit hours
   • Take required collateral courses (human biology, sociology, psychology, government)
   • Maintain minimum 2.5 GPA (both UNCW and transfer students)

Tuition and Fees

Distance education students follow these rates for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Field Placement

Senior-year field practicum comes with a weekly integrative, strengths-based seminar that helps students transition from academics to professional work. Students discuss their field experiences and complete written and oral assignments that enhance their social work skills. The seminar addresses common challenges students face during placement.

Best For

UNCW’s program suits students who want to:

• Finish their degree quickly through the HS2SW program
• Participate in social justice and human rights advocacy
• Develop skills useful in a variety of settings
• Learn through supervised field work

Pick Your NC Online BSW

Your social work career starts with picking the right online BSW program. North Carolina’s five accredited programs offer exceptional educational pathways, each with distinct strengths for different student needs. The financial advantages make these programs attractive – you can save nearly $10,000 annually compared to on-campus options while getting the same quality education and hands-on experience.

These programs have key features in common despite their unique approaches. Note that all programs require extensive field placement hours, so you’ll graduate with both theoretical knowledge and real-life practice experience. Each program holds CSWE accreditation, which employers recognize nationwide as the gold standard for social work education.

Online learning works great especially when you have existing commitments as a working professional, parent, or career-changer. The job market in North Carolina continues to grow, particularly in healthcare-rich areas like Charlotte and the Research Triangle. This growth suggests strong employment prospects after graduation.

A BSW creates a direct path to Advanced Standing MSW programs, which could save you a full year of graduate education. You can progress faster toward clinical licensure and specialized practice areas through this accelerated route.

Your choice ended up depending on your specific needs. Appalachian State might be right if you want a program that emphasizes social justice. UNC Charlotte’s nationally ranked online education stands out. Methodist University specializes in school social work and child welfare pathways. Barton College takes a supportive cohort-based approach. UNC Wilmington offers quick completion through their Human Services to Social Work program.

Your chosen path will prepare you to join a growing profession that improves lives in a variety of communities and practice settings. This journey to create meaningful change starts when you select a program that matches your personal goals, schedule, and professional dream