Expand Your Impact – Specialize in Supporting Students, Families, and Schools
The Online Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BSW) with a School Social Work Concentration builds on TUW’s online BSW program by offering specialized coursework focused on school social work, youth services, and student support systems. This concentration prepares students to support academic achievement, mental health, and social-emotional well-being of children and adolescents in K–12 educational settings.
Why Choose the School Social Work Concentration?
As part of TUW’s mission to prepare career‑ready and culturally responsive professionals, the School Social Work Concentration equips students with in‑demand skills for working in schools, youth programs, and community agencies. Students gain practical knowledge in child welfare, trauma-informed practice, student advocacy, and family engagement.
The concentration is ideal for students who want to pursue careers in school social work, youth services, or child and family support, or who plan to continue their education in a Master of Social Work (MSW) program.
How the Concentration Fits Within the BSW Program
The School Social Work Concentration is an optional specialization within the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. To complete the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, the student must earn 120 credits.
- General Education (45 credits)
- Core Requirements (51 credits, includes one 3 credit Capstone)
- Electives (24 credits) or 12 credits if School Social Work concentration selected
- School Social Work Concentration (12 credits—if selected), effective Spring 2, 2026
This structure ensures graduates develop a strong generalist social work foundation while gaining targeted preparation for school and youth-serving environments.
School Social Work Concentration Curriculum (12 Semester Credit Hours)
*Effective Spring 2, 2026
BSW 305 – Youth‑at‑Risk (3 credits)
Examines risk and protective factors affecting children and adolescents, with an emphasis on prevention, resilience, and early intervention in school and community settings.
BSW 307 – Child Abuse (3 credits)
Focuses on the identification, assessment, reporting, and prevention of child abuse and neglect, including ethical and legal responsibilities of social workers.
BSW 321 – School Social Work (3 credits)
Introduces the role of the school social worker, including collaboration with educators, student mental health support, attendance interventions, and advocacy within educational systems.
Note: This online social work degree program does not lead to any form of licensure or certification.
Field Education and Practical Experience
Field education is a cornerstone of the BSW program. Students in the School Social Work Concentration typically complete field placements in K–12 schools, school districts, youth service organizations, or community-based agencies that provide support to children and families. These settings offer practical experience closely aligned with school social work practice.
This hands‑on experience allows students to apply social work theory, evidence‑based interventions, and ethical practice in real‑world school and youth‑focused environments.
Career Opportunities in School and Youth Services
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work with a School Social Work Concentration are prepared for entry‑level roles such as:
- School support specialist or paraprofessional
- Youth services or child welfare worker
- Student or family advocate
- Case manager
- Community or school based program coordinator
The concentration also strengthens preparation for graduate study in social work, including MSW programs, which are typically required for professional licensure as a school social worker in many states.
The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual salary for social workers is $61,330. The BLS also projects 6% job growth in the field over the next decade. The TUW BA in Social Work prepares graduates to excel in these rewarding, challenging fields.
FAQ section
Core Requirements
51 Semester Credits
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course describes the historical development, formation of social welfare policies, and the role of the social work professional.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course surveys the history of social welfare policy, services, and the social work profession.
It explores current social welfare issues in the context of their history and the underlying rationale and values that support different approaches. Topics include major fields of social work service such as: income maintenance, healthcare, mental health, child welfare, corrections, and services to the elderly.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides students with professional interviewing skills, and enhanced understanding of verbal and non-verbal communication listening skills, and an awareness and understanding of diverse issues related to the interviewing process. The person-in-environment perspective will be utilized throughout this course. Students will develop beginning proficiency as generalist social work practitioners when interviewing clients and other professionals who may work in an interdisciplinary setting. Students will begin to develop knowledge and proficiency in how to translate interview information into a bio-psycho-social assessment. Students will also learn introductory skills relating to the problem-solving model, particularly engagement and problem identification. Students are expected to demonstrate increased insight into their own behaviors, values, beliefs, and attitudes as they relate to professional social work practice.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course explores various aspects of human heterogeneity. Students will utilize the CSWE 9 Core Competencies and associated behaviors to develop skills, practice cultural sensitivity, and learn to advocate for individuals, fairness, groups, communities, and organizations.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course examines the relationship of social policy, ethics, and the social work field. Students will address ethical dilemmas, particularly as they relate to current and needed social policies on local, state, and national levels. A basic understanding of social welfare theories will assist the student in evaluating, assessing, and advocating for change in both a micro/macro perspective. The Ethical Standards of Social Worker Professionals will serve as a backbone for students to use in decision-making, assessment of clients and client groups, and promotion of change in a diverse setting.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course explores a select set of theories that help us understand how individuals and communities develop and interact. Because empathic and skillful interventions with individuals, groups, and communities require understanding ourselves as well as others, the course provides an opportunity for increased self-awareness. At the beginning of the course, we focus on the key theories that help us understand the dimensions and expression of human behavior in the social environment. This discussion is followed by an examination of how dimensions of culture and cultural contexts can shape individual values, beliefs, worldviews, and identities and, therefore, play a role in the helping process. Through discussion and analysis, we will explore areas of universality and difference in the context of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, spiritual beliefs, and socioeconomic class, as well as the realities and influence of multiple forms of oppression.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this second course in the human behavior and the social environment sequence, students will examine human development, considering the theoretical underpinnings regarding opportunities, vulnerabilities and cultural factors that can influence individual development within communities and organizations. With particular attention on how systems impact the health and well-being of marginalized populations, the ability to analyze human behavior in the social environment and the impact within communities and organizations is essential for all methods of social work practice, whether the primary focus is clinical or community based.
Prerequisite: BSW 310
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will provide students with an introduction to research methods used in social work. Topics include research paradigms, introduction to quantitative and qualitative analysis and how they relate to social work research. This course will guide students through the steps required to understand research and conducting a research project in social work.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course emphasizes the comparative analysis of respective national approaches to social policy provision in a variety of developed and developing nations. It examines different societies and a number of dimensions of the social welfare system: Social Security, social services, and health care policy. Particular attention is paid to the nature of governmental involvement in social policy, the nature of public/private sector relations, and the assessment of social policy with regard to such analytical concepts as adequacy, equity, and efficiency.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course prepares students to demonstrate ethical and professional behavior in the field of social work. Students learn about the CSWE 9 core competencies and associated practice behaviors. Students will hone interviewing and assessment skills as well as develop self-advocacy skills. Special topics include self-care and safety in social work.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course Theories, models and perspectives for practice with Individuals and families discussed.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course theories, models and perspectives for practice with groups are discussed.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course theories, models and perspectives for practice with Communities and Organizations are discussed.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Practicum I include theory and traineeship of 150 hours and must be taken concurrent with BSW 320 Social Work Practice I (Individuals and Families). The prior arrangement for the agency for the Practicum/Traineeship must be arranged at least 6-7 months prior to the beginning date desired. This requirement is done by prior arrangement through the BASW Program Director and Coordinator of the Practicum.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Practicum I include theory and traineeship of 150 hours and must be taken concurrent with BSW 322 Social Work Practice II (Groups). The prior arrangement for the agency for the Practicum/Traineeship must be arranged at least 6-7 months prior to the beginning date desired. This requirement is done by prior arrangement through the BASW Program Director and Coordinator of the Practicum.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Practicum I include theory and traineeship of 150 hours and must be taken concurrent with BSW 324 Social Work Practice III (Communities and Organizations). The prior arrangement for the agency for the Practicum/ Traineeship must be arranged at least 6-7 months prior to the beginning date desired. This requirement is done by prior arrangement through the BASW Program Director and Coordinator of the Practicum.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Capstone Course is the final culminating course in the BASW degree program. In this course, the student work on a comprehensive social work portfolio. Students will demonstrate skills in research, synthesis of information, and critical thinking. The Capstone course is used to assess the student achievement of all 9 core competencies of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the BASW Program Learning Outcomes.
CREDITS
3
Elective Requirements
12 Semester Credits (Choose 4 elective courses)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will provide a systemic perspective on Family Violence (FV) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) (IPV is formerly and is still referred to as domestic violence). Included in the course is an overview of associated theories and research FV and IPV, various types of abuse, the legal systems response, assessment and intervention techniques and community support services for batterer intervention programs. Special topics will also include socioeconomic status, gender and religion relevant to domestic violence.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces victim advocacy and victimization in the United States relative to social work. Students examine the impact of crime from the victims’ perspective. Special emphasis in the course addresses interventions for victims as well as victim’s rights and services. Students engage victim advocacy topics in both current events and local resources.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides an overview of the social worker’s role with service members, veterans and their families. Students explore services and resources in a variety of settings to include community, government, education, health and mental health. Special topics include military culture, educating stakeholders, advocacy through the social worker’s knowledge of legislative, regulatory, and other associated policies that ensure optimal care for the military population.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces students to international social work and the theoretical underpinnings for social work practice in contemporary settings. Students examine the history, environment, culture, socioeconomic factors and social welfare policies in various geographic locations around the world. Special topics include but are not limited to global poverty, health disparities, treatment of women, population growth and migration. Students will analyze and employ critical thinking skills in a variety of models that demonstrate prevention and or intervention of international social work practice.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces students to social work intervention aimed at addiction prevention and treatment of drug and alcohol abuse. Students receive an overview of a variety of addiction theories used in social work practice. Special topics include psychosocial factors affecting both the identification and treatment of substance abusers, the impact of substance abuse on the user, families, and society.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides an overview of the biological, psychological, and social aspects facing older adults in our society. Students learn underling theories and skill sets for direct practice in social work with older adults. The course focuses on social agencies and other service resources for the elderly, and the associated policies and legal issues that most affect the lives of older adults. Special topics include challenges and opportunities in late life and the associated impact on caregivers’ family members of older adults.
CREDITS
3
School Social Work Concentration Requirements
12 Semester Credit Hours
Credit Hours
120
Class Type
100% online, 8-week courses*
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 90 credits
Accreditation
WSCUC
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Tuition Information
TUW’s tuition is $500 per semester credit. A range of tuition assistance programs are available to prospective students to help reduce the out-of-pocket expenses associated with continued education, including scholarships and students loans.
Many employers offer tuition assistance programs, so make sure to check to find out if additional financial support is available to you. TUW tuition assistance counselors are available to determine your eligibility for financial aid and other tuition assistance programs.
Touro University Worldwide’s online Bachelor of Arts in Social Work requires a total of 120 credit hours for completion. The social work curriculum combines online courses with a field internship.
*Combines online courses and field internship
- General education (45 credits)
- Major and core requirements (51 credits)
- Electives (12 credits)
- Concentration (12 credits)
Students must meet the prerequisite requirements before taking any of the major program requirements. For this program, students may transfer 45 semester credits of General Education and may also transfer identical course credits from other social work programs (on a case by case basis).
The duration of the program will vary by student. Factors affecting your completion time include the number of transfer credits and time off between courses. Based on the program requirement of 120 semester credits, students may transfer 45 semester credits of General Education and may also transfer identical course credits from other social work programs (on a case by case basis).
Students seeking enrollment in the online Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program must meet one of the following criteria to be considered for admission:
- High school graduate
- Successful completion of the General Education Development (GED) test
- Transfer student from an accredited college or university in good academic standing
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation.
Accreditation of a baccalaureate social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’ Commission on Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
For more information about social work accreditation, you may contact Accreditation.
Explore more detailed information related to the online bachelor’s degree in Social Work.
The time it will take to complete the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BSW) degree online can vary. The duration of the program depends on several factors, including the number of credits accepted for transfer and whether or not students take time off between semesters.
The typical length of time for the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BSW) is four years.
Disclaimer:
Students who enroll full-time (12 credits per semester for three semesters each academic year) can complete the degree in three and a half years. Students who enroll part-time (six credits per semester for three semesters each academic year) will complete the BSW program in seven years.