One of the main reasons you may choose to major in social work is that it is widely offered as both an undergraduate major and graduate program. Additionally, your degree in social work can lead to career opportunities across many fields, such as education, research, and government.
This guide provides information on popular online social work programs at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels. Review each option to make an informed choice about your academic future!
Online Social Work Degrees in Georgia
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online social work degrees in Georgia:
Georgia State University
As a social worker, you fight for justice and support children and families, improving relationships in communities and enriching lives. This profession provides you with opportunities for a fulfilling career. Numerous job positions await you in hospitals, community health centers, schools, homeless shelters, nursing homes, and nonprofit organizations. Through the online Bachelor of Social Work program atGeorgia State University, you will gain the preparation necessary for entry-level positions and become ready for future advanced social work studies.
The program meets Georgia’s accreditation and licensure standards. You will acquire an understanding of human behavior in various contexts and social environments. You will also practice intervention methods to help individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations, and systems.
This program is designed to strengthen your ability in the following areas:
The BSW program is entirely online, with a field placement in your local community, regardless of whether you reside in or outside Georgia. Courses fill on a first-come, first-serve basis. To complete the program, you must finish at least 120 credit hours, with a full-time student taking approximately four years to graduate.
The required coursework is structured as follows:
Some of the core courses that you will take include:
Field education plays an important role in your B.S.W. education, placing you in educationally supervised agency settings. This part of your education enables you to apply the knowledge, values, and skills gained in the classroom to real social work situations.
You must complete a minimum of 400 supervised hours of field education over two consecutive semesters. During this time, you are also required to attend an online synchronous field integrative seminar. This seminar allows you to combine what you learn in the classroom with your field-based experiences.
You may apply for field education only once all lower-division and specific social work courses are completed. Field education takes place in the fall and spring semesters.
To qualify for B.S.W. status, you must meet the following criteria:
Admission to the B.S.W. program is selective, with entry based on space availability. Meeting the minimum GPA or other criteria does not guarantee acceptance. Qualified applicants who are denied will be placed on a competitive waiting list in order of denial to await potential entry at a later time.
University of Georgia
At theUniversity of Georgia School of Social Work, you will find a program designed to support Georgia residents who seek a social work career. By completing the Master of Social Work online program, you will meet all the education requirements needed for licensing as a social worker, a path that applies to Georgia and other states nationwide.
This online master’s program prepares you to be a leader in social work, with the flexibility to pursue your goals wherever you are located in Georgia or beyond. The program is designed to meet the educational requirements licensing specifically in Georgia and may not provide licensing eligibility outside the state.
In the Master of Social Work program, you will select from one of three specializations
The Micro specialization will equip you with the skills needed roles like school social worker, counselor, substance abuse specialist, geriatric worker, and medical social worker. This path also positions you toward establishing a private practice as an Independent Licensed Social Worker.
Your program journey will start with the Generalist curriculum, which provides the foundation generalist practice. You will engage in coursework along with Generalist and Specialization field practicums. The program options include a two-year full-time track, a three-or-four-year extended track, and a one-year+ Advanced Standing option.
In the cohort model, you will advance through the program with other students, allowing you to share experiences and insights. Field education will be a major component, involving placement within 60 miles of the Georgia state. Through supervised practice, you will gain hands-on experience to build your skills. Background checks and drug testing are often required field placements.
You will complete four semesters of supervised practice during field placements in approved settings, which may include youth programs, hospitals, mental health clinics, or schools, among others. This field experience includes a total of 912 hours under professional supervision, along with a field-integrating seminar designed to introduce you to the practical aspects of social work.
Graduating from this program means you are prepared to serve the needs of Georgia and beyond, with the skills to be a culturally competent leader and advocate social justice and ethical practice. You will be trained to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Additionally, you will learn to incorporate biological, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural knowledge into your practice.
Your ability to engage in research and policy will support your role in shaping policies that promote social justice and address poverty. No particular undergraduate major or GRE score is required. Your application will be reviewed based on your overall qualifications, including experience in diverse settings.
To apply:
Georgia Military College
In the online social work associate degree program atGeorgia Military College, you gain essential skills to enter the workforce in both public and private social service agencies. This program also equips you with a solid understanding of the social work profession, allowing you to assess early in your studies whether this career path aligns with your goals. With this degree, you could qualify for roles such as a mental health technician or eligibility determination specialist.
Through this program, you explore the history of social services in the United States, recognize key indicators for treatment, and identify available services while gaining an appreciation for inter-agency cooperation. You will also understand the role of social work today, learn theNational Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, and experience CSWE’s commitment to high educational standards.
By developing a sense of self-awareness, you can work effectively with people from different backgrounds, reducing the impact of personal biases. You will also, as a general social worker practitioner, appreciate the variety of settings, levels, and fields.
Concentration courses of the program include:
To join the program, you need a high school diploma or GED. This background provides the basics for succeeding in college-level courses. With Georgia Military College’s transfer agreements, you can apply your credits to other colleges and universities.
Grand Canyon University
To qualify for an advanced standing MSW program, you must already hold a CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work. This background enables you to enter the program at an advanced stage, making the path to your degree shorter and more intensive.
In this program, you will acquire specialized skills and knowledge in areas such as social work theory, practice, and ethics. You will learn to work effectively with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities to address various social and behavioral health issues.
To complete GCU’s online advanced standing MSW program, you will need to earn 33 credits. You may choose to study at your own pace or enroll in back-to-back courses. Additionally, the program includes 250 hours of supervised field experience, allowing you to apply your skills in approved community agencies under professional supervision.
Core courses of the program include:
GCU is committed to providing quality social work education, with a focus on key areas, including:
Graduates of this program have career options across various settings, such as schools, healthcare organizations, and agencies supporting families. You could specialize in fields, including gerontology, criminal justice, or healthcare. With an advanced standing MSW, potential career options include:
You could alsobecome clinical licensed social worker, which requires licensure and supervised postgraduate practice.
To be considered for GCU’s advanced standing MSW online program, you need a Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program and to meet specific GPA requirements.
How Much Does a Licensed Social Worker Make in Georgia?
As of October 2024, the average annual salary for a licensed social worker working in Georgiais $82,848 or $40 per hour. More experienced and top earning social workers in Georgia make over $130,000 per year.
