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Job postings for social workers increased by 11 percent in the Midwest in 2020 (Source: Lightcast™ – economicmodeling.com). The need for social workers will continue to rise, as the U.S. Department of Labor predicts an increase of nearly 13 percent in social work jobs within the next 10 years. Ball State University’s bachelor of social work (BSW) will prepare you for this growth with high-demand skills that you can immediately apply to your current and future career.
What Skills Will I Gain?
Social workers are called to have a vast skillset. The skills you learn in your courses are relevant to a number of careers and can be immediately applied to your line of work. A sample of those skills includes:
- Interpersonal skills and relationship building
- Individual, family, and group assessments
- Intervention skills
- Policy evaluation
Career Outcomes
Your social work degree will translate to several employment sectors including child welfare services, health care, mental health and addictions, disability services, housing and food programs, nonprofit leadership, schools, juvenile and adult corrections, domestic violence shelters, just to name a few. Social workers also work in private and public organizations. Below are examples of job titles you may hold:
- Case Manager
- Social Worker
- Property Manager
- Social Services Coordinator/Director
- Program Manager
- Care Coordinator
- Leasing Manager
What Sets Our Graduates Apart
You’ll learn from
skilled faculty from the oldest accredited undergraduate social work program in Indiana. Your professors are experienced professionals in social work. They take the time to get to know you and your career goals, and help you achieve them.
During your final semester, you will apply the skills you’ve learned in the classroom to your
practicum at a social-services agency in your community. You’ll work closely with Ball State’s Department of Social Work to find a placement that will help you start your career path.
The BSW curriculum prepares you to sit for entry-level Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensing exams; however, each state has its own license regulating body. The level and/or type of license required in your state of employment depends on that state’s licensing law. You can find out about your state’s licensing requirements and examinations by visiting
Ball State’s Office of State Authorizations.
Newman Works to Launch Online Delivery of Bachelor of Social Work
With the Ball State University bachelor of social work (BSW) now online, students at laptops world-wide can thank Adrienne Newman, among many others.
READ HER STORY!
Courses You Will Take
Ball State focuses on the student experience, placing emphasis on smaller class sizes, personal attention from faculty, and immersive learning. The commitment to student experience is the same whether you’re on campus or online. Curriculum for the bachelor of social work combines liberal arts and professional social work course work to help you develop the knowledge, values, and skills you need for this demanding but rewarding career.
Pair your BSW with our online certificate in apartment management or one of our many minors—including a minor in gerontology which you can earn with just two or three additional courses—to tailor your bachelor’s degree and career even further.
View All Courses
Transfer Credits
Many adult students already have some college credit completed when they begin their studies with Ball State Online. In fact, more than 90 percent of bachelor’s degree seekers transfer some or all of their previous credits. If you fall under this category, contact your student success specialist to learn more about transferring your credits to Ball State.
Ivy Tech and Vincennes Graduates
If you have an associate of science degree in social work from Ivy Tech Community College or Vincennes University, you can begin earning your Ball State bachelor of social work entirely online, and with a Junior status.
Meet Your Advisor
The role of your academic advisor is more than telling you which courses to take. For starters, they are student success specialists, and they are dedicated to your academic success. You’ll work with the same specialist from application to graduation.
Contact your Student Success Specialist, who can answer questions you have about our program.
Online Learning at a Glance
The 100 percent online bachelor’s in social work is designed with the working adult in mind. Courses are asynchronous, meaning you can complete them at a pace that fits into your daily routine without worrying about being late to class. Many students take one or two courses at a time until they find the right balance between work, classes, and other responsibilities.
You’ll still earn a reputable Ball State degree whether you’re taking classes in a physical or online classroom.
More about Online Learning
Ready to Apply?
An application and all required application materials must be received two weeks prior to the start of classes for a given term in order to be considered for admission to Ball State. Our semester start dates can be found in Ball State’s academic calendar.
Whether you are transferring credits in from another university or have never taken college courses before now, we invite you to learn about Ball State's admission requirements and how to apply to this program.
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Want to Learn More?
Do you have questions about this program or online learning? We’re here to help! You may request more information using our online form, or feel free to reach out directly to one of our staff.