BSW
Bachelor of Social Work

Discover ways to harness your passion to help individuals, families and communities thrive. Capella’s Bachelor of Social Work degree examines the foundations of generalist social work practice, preparing you to work directly with individuals and families in need, helping them navigate challenges and find appropriate resources. You’ll learn to apply a strengths-based perspective – focusing on assets rather than deficits – to foster growth at individual, community and organizational levels. Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the program provides a strong foundation in human behavior and development. You’ll be able to apply research-informed practices and help advocate for social services policies.

It is important to understand all educational and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state.

Pursue your passion and build in-demand skills

Our professionally aligned curriculum gives you the flexibility to take a wide range of social work courses and develop essential career skills that can be applied in many helping professions.

Hands-on learning experiences with expert guidance

Under the guidance of scholar-practitioner faculty who are professionals in the social work field, you’ll apply evidence-based practices learned in the courseroom as you interact directly with clients in social work settings.

No-cost general education courses

Take self-paced online courses from our affiliate, Sophia Learning, to help fulfill your gen ed requirements for a Bachelor of Social Work – and tuition’s on us.

Classes start August 4

Apply today with no application fee.

At a glance

Online
GuidedPath
11 Core Courses
2 Practicum courses
180 Total credits
120 Max transfer credits

With Capella Tuition Cap, you won’t pay more than $30,000* in tuition costs for your degree.

*Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.

See details

Explore Bachelor of Social Work courses

This degree requires a total of 180 program credits, which includes 54 upper-division credits
You’ll need to complete 11 core courses and two practicum courses

Show all descriptions

SWK2002 Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare 6 quarter credits Learners in this course develop professional foundations of social work. Learners gain the knowledge, skills, and understanding of ethics involved in generalist social work practice. Learners analyze the economic, political, social, and theoretical contexts of social work practice. Throughout the course, learners familiarize themselves with the varied settings, roles, and client groups associated with social work. For BSW learners only. Must be taken during the learner's first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning. 6 quarter credits

SWK2200 History, Policy, and Practice of Social Welfare 6 quarter credits Learners in this course gain an understanding of the history of social work. Learners investigate theoretical frameworks and generalist practice to understand domestic social policies and social welfare programs. Learners build an understanding and competence in advocating, leading, and planning concerning issues of economic, and human rights for children, youth, adults, families, communities, and organizations. For BSW learners only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer except by coursework from a CSWE-accredited program. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in SWK2002. 6 quarter credits

SWK2208 Introduction to Human Behavior and the Social Environment 6 quarter credits Learners identify how generalist practitioners utilize systems approaches to analyze the impact of social forces on the dynamics of individuals and families. Using theories, social work best practices, and research findings, learners cultivate the ability to assess the ways in which individuals and families function within the context of their social environments. For BSW learners only. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in SWK2002. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer except by coursework from a CSWE-accredited program. 6 quarter credits

SWK2400 Introduction to Research in Social Work Practice 6 quarter credits Learners in this course develop the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to engage in generalist practice that is rooted in the duality of research-formed practice and practice-informed research. Learners cultivate competence related to evaluating best practices and critically assessing the research of others, as well as planning and conducting research. Through analysis of the relationship between social work and research, learners acquire the skills necessary to effectively serve individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Learners demonstrate their knowledge and skills through building their own research plans and leveraging technology throughout the design and proposal processes. For BSW learners only. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in SWK2002. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer except by coursework from a CSWE-accredited program. 6 quarter credits

SWK3200 BSW Practice- Micro 6 quarter credits Learners in this course engage in a dynamic synchronous and asynchronous online hybrid experience integrating live video generalist practice experiences with faculty and learners in a virtual learning community to guide them as they gain the skills necessary to integrate social work best practices, methods, and theories into their work as generalist practitioners. Learners build the knowledge, values, and best practice skills required for generalist social work practice. Learners demonstrate their ability to utilize technology, leadership, and evaluation-of-practice techniques by leveraging a strengths-based perspective and problem solving processes. Finally, learners identify how to appropriately and effectively improve the well-being of others while mitigating adverse environmental conditions. For BSW learners only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning. Prerequisite: SWK2002, SWK2200, SWK2208, SWK2400 6 quarter credits

What you’ll learn

The Bachelor of Social Work degree program introduces the foundations of generalist social work practice.

The comprehensive curriculum provides ongoing opportunities to develop and enhance critical thinking, technological and leadership skills with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

On successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

Demonstrate how to conduct themselves as entry-level professional social workers.
Apply leadership, critical thinking and generalist practice skills to help individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
Explain the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination to advocate for client populations.
Apply knowledge of human development and behavior in the social environment using their research findings.
Act as leaders and change agents who engage in generalist practice and advocacy for human rights.
Develop and apply technology skills to promote innovative leadership and practice and the advancement of the social work profession.

How much does the BSW cost?

The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.

A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.

Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or quarter

Learn more about the resource kit »

$350 per credit
$2,500 quarterly tuition max
$125 resource kit
180 total quarter credits
120 max transfer credits

$17,985 MAX TRANSFER CREDITS 24 months

$30,270 AVERAGE TRANSFER CREDITS 39 months

$55,199 NO TRANSFER CREDITS 69 months

*This is only an estimate, effective July 7, 2025, and is subject to change.

Capella is committed to transparency in tuition and pricing. You will be responsible for costs in addition to tuition, which may include your resource kit, travel expenses and practicum costs.

Your tuition amount will vary depending on your unique circumstances such as your program specialization, transfer credits and any applicable tuition discounts. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses are not included. Tuition estimates shown for the GuidedPath learning format depend on the number of credits accepted for transfer.

New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs. Review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.

Get the details

Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education.

Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.

Questions about cost?

Contact an enrollment counselor.

How can I save on my bachelor's degree?

Your education is an investment in your future. There are more ways to save than you might think.

Gen ed courses included

Capella students have a great way to complete gen ed requirements with access to ACE®-recommended courses from our affiliate, Sophia.

15% military discount

Capella offers a tuition discount to active-duty service members, guard and reserve members, veterans, their spouses and dependents.

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

Accreditations and recognitions provide evidence that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.

Capella University’s Bachelor of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation. For information about social work accreditation, visit: https://www.cswe.org/. In compliance with the CSWE public disclosure policy, Capella University reports this program's student learning outcomes.

Get licensure details or contact an enrollment counselor for more information.

What are the Bachelor of Social Work admission requirements?

Admission requirements

Applicants to the Bachelor of Social Work must provide the following information for admission:

Admission application – no application fee required
High school diploma or equivalent
A transcript of any reported GED
4.5 credits eligible for transfer. See Sophia Admissions Pathways as an option to obtain credits.
Applicants under age 24, as well as those over age 24 who have no transfer credits, may be required to submit a high school transcript verifying graduation
A valid, government-issued form of photo identification

SAT and ACT are not required for admission.

All admissions decisions are final.

International student requirements

If you live outside the U.S. or aren’t a U.S. citizen, you may be considered an international student.

To meet the requirements for Capella admission, you must:

Earn the minimum score on an acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
Attend an internationally recognized institution
Provide transcripts for evaluation

Learn more about international student admissions.

What support does Capella offer online students?

Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a bachelor’s student. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces to help you earn your degree with support from faculty, staff and online resources.

Faculty

Our courses are taught by distinguished faculty members who hold top credentials and have hands-on expertise in their fields.

Enrollment counselors

These experts will set you up for success. They’ll help you find the right degree program and answer all your questions about Capella.

Academic coaches

Once you enroll, these specialists can help tailor a program to your goals and experiences and help you stay on track to meet program requirements.

Learn more about support from Capella

What can you do with a BSW degree?

Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work.

Job titles to explore*

Care coordinator
Case manager
Caseworker
Child welfare specialist
Family advocate
Family services specialist
Family support specialist
Outreach specialist
Probation officer
Social services specialist

Employment settings to explore*

Child and youth services
Child care services
Employment placement agencies
Home health care services
Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities)
Parole offices and probation offices
Residential intellectual and developmental disability facilities
Services for the elderly and persons with disabilities
Vocational rehabilitation services

*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals. It is important to understand all educational and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the requirements for your state. Review Capella’s professional licensure page for more information.

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Financing your future

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Review the financing guide »

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BSW Bachelor of Social Work