Social work is an important field. Through social work, charitable organizations can provide their resources to needful individuals. Social workers and their skills also allow nonprofit organizations to accomplish their goals. But not just anyone can become a social worker. Most social workers must have an associate degree before earning entry-level positions. This article will explain the best social work associate degrees online and what you should look for in a social work associate degree in det
Article Navigation: What is Social Work? | Social Work Associate Degree Online Program Overview | What Can You Do with a Social Work Associate Degree Online? | How To Choose an Online Social Work Associate’s Degree | Social Work Associate Degree Online | Social and Human Services Skills | Apply to a Social Work Associate Degree Online Program Today! | FAQs
What is Social Work?
Social work is the act of promoting or enacting positive social change in individuals or groups. In brief, the job means working with specific people or communities to promote physical health, social wellness, or cultural healing. It is performed by government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other helpful groups. For example, charities are good examples of social work organizations. BLM or Black Lives Matter is also an example of a social work organization.
Who is a Social Worker and What Do They Do?
A social worker is a trained professional who operates in nonprofit charities or other helpful organizations. They carry out the tasks and responsibilities of these groups and companies. In addition, they have many different responsibilities. Depending on their skills and specializations, social workers may:
- Hold educational seminars or classes for the public on things like health, mental wellness, and more
- Host therapy groups for organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous
- Manage charity drives or donation intake
- Create community growth plans
- Fundraise for building new playgrounds or other public facilities
In conclusion, social workers try to do good in their communities. They may help entire groups of people, try to enact nationwide changes and policies or focus on helping individual people.
Social Worker Education Requirements
Social workers have a lot of responsibilities and can have major impacts on many people’s lives. Because of this, they have strict education requirements. Social organizations and charities don’t hire just anyone to take care of their needs. They usually only hire established social workers, who almost always hold bachelor’s degrees in the field. Therefore, social workers typically need a bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, or a related subject.
What Degree Do You Need to Be a Social Worker?
Most social work degrees are called “human services” degrees. However, there are also applicable degrees in social work, human administration, education, and more. To become a social worker, one needs a bachelor’s degree in one of these subjects. An associates in social work can prepare a student for bachelor’s degree programs by knocking out some bachelor’s social worker degree requirements.
Social Work Associate Degree Online Program Overview
Most social work associate degrees online have a few core similarities regardless of which university provides them.
Application Requirements
As associate-level degrees, social work online associates do not have rigorous application requirements. Standard application requirements include:
- A high school diploma or GED
- A minimum GPA of 2.0 or above
Some schools may require a letter of recommendation from a teacher or supervisor or some level of experience in social work or charitable work. However, these requirements are not standard.
Coursework
Social work associate degrees generally offer common courses that cover core topics in the human services field. These core topics include but are not limited to:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Culture
- Racial identity
- Communication
- Media Relations
- Finance
- Physical and mental wellness
What Can You Do with a Social Work Associate Degree Online?
An online associate degree in social work doesn’t qualify graduates for many competitive positions. But it’s a stepping stone on the way to a bachelor’s in social work or a full social worker position.
However, those with an associate degree in social work may still qualify for social work associate degree jobs such as:
- Assistant or entry-level social work positions at nonprofits
- Receptionist or administrative assistant positions
- Social and human service assistant positions
The last position is the most common path chosen by graduates from social work associate programs. It’s a similar position to that of a social worker, but it doesn’t require a degree. At the same time, it can prepare associate program graduates for the responsibilities and skills necessary for full social workers.
How Much Can I Make with an Associate’s in Social Work?
Graduates can become social and human service assistants with an associate’s in social work. These individuals usually make $37,610 per year. Similar occupations, like receptionists, managerial assistants, and so on, earn comparable salaries. An associates degree in social work salary is not high. Instead, this degree is necessary on the path to a higher-paying credential. Full social workers, for example, make an average of at least $50,000 annually. Some of the highest-paid social workers earn over $82,000 per year. But these individuals must have a minimum bachelor’s degree in social work.
How To Choose an Online Social Work Associate’s Degree
There are many different social worker associate degree online programs to choose from. Students should consider several key factors carefully before choosing a program to attend.
Program Length
Most associate degrees are two years long, no matter their subject. This is also true of online social work associates. That said, some online associate degrees in social work can be one year or three years in length. Specific degree programs may only be one year long if they lead immediately to a bachelor’s program.
Tuition Cost and Financial Aid
All associate programs cost tuition, even if attended online. Students should try to find the associate program with the cheapest tuition in most cases. If they wish to attend an expensive school, they can look at financial aid opportunities like scholarships, grants, and more.
Accreditation
The best online social work associate programs will be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education: the most crucial accreditation organization for this industry. CSWE accreditation is vital for associate-level programs and bachelor’s programs.
Location
Lastly, students should consider where their chosen program is based. Out-of-state tuition costs are usually more than tuition for in-state students, even if those students are online.
Social Work Associate Degree Online
Aspiring social workers can pursue a wide range of online associate degrees. Below is a breakdown of 10 top social work associate degrees online.
1. Purdue University Global
Accreditation: CSWE
Program Offered: AAS in Human Services
Duration: 2 years
Purdue University’s Global Campus offers some of the best online programs. In this case, it provides an AAS in Human Services, which should suffice for most open social work programs. The online associate degree trains students in the skills and knowledge they need to succeed when assessing vulnerable human populations. It also teaches the basics of human services, offering courses in everyday practices, general theory, and trends in social work. Students may choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree from the same university because this increases their chances of becoming social worker administrators. This associate degree is perfect for students who want to become social service specialists, family support workers, or adult services workers.
2. Thomas Edison State University
Accreditation: CSWE
Program Offered: AA in Human Services
Duration: 2 years
Likewise, Thomas Edison State University offers an AA in Human Services. This 60-credit degree program is intended for applicants who already work in the human services field. To be accepted, applicants must have 800 hours of work experience or six months of work experience in the social or human services field. The program’s robust and comprehensive program covers topics such as professional social work practices, understanding cultural diversity, and social work practices. It’s an ideal program for future human services professionals who want a flexible online pathway to social work.
3. Penn State University
Accreditation: CSWE
Program Offered: AS in Human Development and Family Studies
Duration: 2 years
Penn State University’s online world campus also offers an AS in Human Development and Family Studies. This online associate degree program is 60 credits long. In short, it provides the entry-level skills to fulfill job responsibilities in human services and social service positions. All students have the opportunity to pick between two different areas of focus. These include Adult Development and Aging Services or Children, Youth, and Family Services. Both pathways are suitable for graduation but prepare students for different positions or career specialties. More importantly, this online associate program for social workers includes many additional financial aid opportunities and scholarships. Therefore, budget-minded students may wish to apply here to see if they can earn their associate degree while saving some money.
4. Minot State University
Accreditation: HLC, CSWE
Program Offered: AS in Human Services: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Duration: 2 years
Minot State University’s online associate program is in Human Services. It’s available with a concentration in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. This online degree program, therefore, prepares graduates to work in the social work field while helping at-risk or needful individuals with disabilities. Students who complete this degree program can pursue a bachelor’s degree or certificate program in the same area. Even better, Minot State provides all students with ample job placement resources to find employment shortly after graduation. The Higher Learning Commission accredits Minot State University overall.
5. Community College of Denver
Accreditation: CSHSE, CSWE
Program Offered: AAS in Human Services
Duration: 2 years
The Community College of Denver is a public college offering an AAS in Human Services. While it is not a 100% online degree but a hybrid degree program, students must attend some classes in person. This could be beneficial, however, because graduates are equipped to pursue entry-level jobs in nonprofit or social work organizations immediately. The in-person credits are required because students must work in settings like food banks, permit-sponsored living facilities, and halfway houses.
This college includes career placement resources for future graduates. Students may find it easier than average to get employment in social work organizations if they choose this degree program. In addition, the Community College of Denver is accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Services Education. It offers many forms of financial aid and scholarships.
6. Columbia College of Missouri
Accreditation: HLC, CSWE
Program Offered: AS in Human Services
Duration: 2 years
The Columbia College of Missouri offers an online AS in Human Services. This online degree program is clinically focused rather than theory focused. It also emphasizes health services, so it could be a great online degree for social workers who want to provide medical care or attention to needful individuals. All students can tailor their degree program to their interests by focusing on different areas. Courses like social justice, ethics, and psychology are required for all students. They may then choose from available focus areas, including human behavior, demographic changes, theories of addiction, psychotropic medications, and more. This online program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, marking it as competitive for future social workers.
7. Brescia University
Accreditation: CSWE
Program Offered: AA in Human Services
Duration: 2 years
Brescia University’s online associate degree is in Human Services. This degree program is ideal for aspiring social workers who want to change the overall human services field. That’s because it offers courses covering essential topics like crisis counseling, social work theory, case management, and more. It also provides opportunities to concentrate the degree in areas like information systems, how to work with racially or culturally diverse communities, and more. The program is 100% online and includes course materials to teach students how to work with individuals.
Students can transfer up to 42 into this program if they have credits from regionally accredited schools. Thus, it’s very flexible and suitable for students who want to complete their associate-level education on an accelerated timetable.
8. Monroe College
Accreditation: CSWE
Program Offered: AS in Human Services
Duration: 2 years
Monroe College is a private university based in New York. It’s one of the most flexible social work associate online degrees a student can earn while also being 100% asynchronous. It may be perfect for those who need to achieve a degree on a part-time basis or those who have to juggle multiple responsibilities. All students learn the skills they need to work with children and adults undergoing crises. The program can be completed in four semesters from start to finish and offers various networking opportunities.
Suppose students want to meet professors and peers in person. In that case, the program is available on-campus or in a hybrid format. Because Monroe College is part of the National Organization of Human Services, it offers yearly networking conferences and various scholarships for social work students.
9. Western New Mexico University
Accreditation: CHL, CSWE
Program Offered: AS in Human Services
Duration: 2 years
Western New Mexico University’s AA in Human Services is 100% online. Therefore, students can enjoy an asynchronous work delivery schedule without worrying about completing any in-person components. It is a technically advanced program emphasizing research-based practices and procedures for social work students. This online degree is specifically for students who want to pursue human services careers in social work, criminal justice, chemical dependency, and more. In addition, its course work emphasizes how technological advancement can impact and improve the efforts of human services workers. Because the program is offered via the School of Social Work, it is accredited by the Council for Higher Learning.
10. Madison Area Technical College
Accreditation: WDSPS, CSHSE, CSWE
Program Offered: Associate’s in Human Services
Duration: 2 years
The Human Services Associate degree from Madison Area Technical College is available 100% online, 100% in person, or in a hybrid format. Students can choose the degree form and schedule according to what works for their needs. Regardless, all students will learn how to provide support, information, and care to needful individuals in social work contexts. The program emphasizes social problems on a global scale. Furthermore, all students have the opportunity to start social fieldwork by earning placement in a local social work or nonprofit agency. The overall program gears students to work in high-level or managerial positions at social work organizations. Lastly, this online program is accredited by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services and the Council for Standards in Human Service Education.
Social and Human Services Skills
While education is crucial for social workers, these talented professionals also require other skills. Some of the most important soft skills to work in social and human services include:
- Good communication skills. More than anything, social workers need to be able to empathize with and understand the people they work with. They also must always work with large teams of other professionals. Therefore, strong communicators will see more success in the social work industry
- Empathy. The best social workers can empathize with their clients, patients, and others. This allows them to better understand the challenges people face and develop workable solutions for everyone involved.
- Good time management. Social workers often lead busy lives and must juggle many responsibilities. Strong time management skills are necessary for future social workers who want to thrive.
- Attention to detail. In some cases, social workers are in charge of people in life or death situations. They need to be detail-oriented, so they don’t put others in danger and accomplish their tasks correctly.
- Strong organization skills. Because social workers have to do many different things, they need to be able to organize their time and resources, especially if they are supervisors or managers.
Apply to a Social Work Associate Degree Online Program Today!
Social work associate degrees online are perfect for those looking to become social workers or enter the social work field for the first time. Furthermore, many of the best social work associate degrees are available 100% remotely. Check out the programs above, or browse GetEducated’s online school database for more information!
FAQs
Can you become a social worker without going to university?
Not usually. Most social work positions require a bachelor’s degree to meet the social worker qualifications for most open positions. Graduate or master’s-level degrees are even more beneficial as they mark a candidate as more competitive for high-responsibility jobs.
Can I become a social worker with a 2+2 degree? What is a 2+2 degree?
A 2+2 degree is a program pathway that has a student attend a community college for two years to earn an associate degree. Next, the student attends a four-year university to complete the last two years of a bachelor’s degree. You can become a social worker with a 2+2 degree – the associate and bachelor’s degrees do not need to be from the same university.
Can I do a social work degree if I already have a degree?
Yes. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject, you can still earn a social work degree regardless. Suppose you already have an associate degree in something other than social work. In that case, you may still be able to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work in just two years. It depends on which classes you have already completed.
What is an ASW degree?
An ASW degree is an Associate of Social Work degree. This dedicated associate degree prepares graduates to enter and complete bachelor’s programs in social work.
How long does it take to become a social worker?
It usually takes four years to become a social worker from start to finish, presuming that a student progresses from an associate degree in social work straight to a bachelor’s program.
What degree do you need to be a social worker?
You need at least a Bachelor of Arts/Science in Social Work to become a social worker. However, some advanced or administrative positions may require a master’s degree in a subject.
Can I get a social work degree online?
Yes. Many of the best social work degrees can be completed 100% online or asynchronously. But many top degrees are also available at in-person universities or in hybrid formats.