Can You Get a Social Work Degree in 1 Year?

Social work degrees are mostly earned with undergraduate and graduate degree programs. These programs take anywhere from four to six years to complete; however, some students want to complete their degrees on a quicker timeline.

Some universities offer social work degree programs that can be completed in a year, but there are several factors that will affect the timeline of a degree program. Continue reading to learn more about these accelerated programs and tips for success.

Is It Possible To Earn a Social Work Degree in One Year?

It's possible to complete a social work degree in one year, provided certain criteria are met. In most cases, these degrees will be Master of Social Work degree programs that can be accelerated differently than a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree due to the lack of elective courses.

Most MSW degrees require a bachelor's degree to complete. However, there are multiple programs that you can complete without completing a BSW program first.

Receiving a social work degree in under a year can be a great goal, especially for students who want to start on their career path quickly. However, you need to make sure that your degree will hold value.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) provides accreditation standards through the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) department. Without completing a proper CSWE-accredited program, your degree won't hold the same value.

Tips for Earning a Social Work Degree Faster

If you're looking to complete an MSW program in a single year, there are several best practices you should employ. Earning the competencies to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or to pursue additional social work licensure can be accelerated if done properly.

In addition to general steps for your degree program, you should make sure you plan accordingly for your field of work. For example, consider the different concentrations available in clinical social work. If you want to work with people affected by substance abuse, homelessness, or mental health conditions, you should take specialized courses to gain these skills.

Enroll in an Accelerated Degree Program

First, you should look for accelerated program options. Although you might be able to complete traditional programs on an accelerated timeline, these programs will reduce the additional planning time.

These accelerated courses will be full-time coursework to ensure you learn all the skills needed to begin a social work career. If you prefer a part-time schedule, you probably won't be able to complete a degree program within a single year.

Take Advantage of Transfer Credits

If you have already started another degree program somewhere else or earned general education credits, work with an academic advisor to apply as many credits as you can toward your new degree plan. Taking advantage of previously earned credit hours is a great way to speed up a degree plan without cutting corners or taking on larger course loads.

Test Out of Courses Through CLEP Exams

In addition to using credits earned in previous schooling, you might be able to test out of some courses entirely. Many entry-level college courses can be circumvented with qualifying scores on College-Level Examination Program exams (CLEP exams). There are CLEP exams provided for 34 different subjects, including various social sciences.

Each college can set different standards for CLEP acceptance, including which courses you can earn credit for and how many credit hours a CLEP exam is worth. Check your school's standards before signing up for a CLEP exam.

CLEP exams aren't always covered by financial aid packages, meaning you might need to pay the $95 examination fee out of pocket.

Get Good Grades

Although it might be obvious to earn good grades, a high GPA is crucial when you're trying to complete a degree program in a single year. If you don't pass any of your courses, you'll need to retake them to qualify for graduation. In a standard degree program, this would delay your progress possibly by a semester or two, but in an accelerated program, this can cause major disruptions.

Speak to an Academic Advisor

All accelerated degree programs require proper planning to make sure you satisfy all credit requirements for your degree program. It's easier to plan out courses for students pursuing a master's degree over two years or an undergraduate degree over four since these are the common timeframes for full-time enrollment.

Accelerated programs, on the other hand, often involve detailed scheduling. Your school's academic advisors can help you plan your schedule to include all your required classes and can also help you select the right electives for your chosen specialization.

Accelerated Online Social Work Degree Programs

Students can choose from many online master's and bachelor's in social work programs to prepare for a career in social work practice. To make sure that your degree program has the right credentials, check for CSWE accreditation.

Before selecting a degree program, consider which state you will be working in. Not all programs will satisfy the state licensure requirements for other states.

Some of the best accelerated and accredited online master's degree programs are listed below.

University of Hawaii at Manoa

The master's program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa includes a fieldwork requirement that could extend your time in school, but it can be completed quickly through the Distance Education (DE) program. If you qualify for the advanced standing program, you will only need to complete 30 credit hours, as opposed to the 57 standard and 30 advanced standing credit hours required in a traditional, in-person master's degree.

Misericordia University

Misericordia offers multiple accelerated social work degrees including online MSW programs and BSW programs. Because the accelerated courses offered at MU work on different timelines, there are six different ''semester'' starting points throughout the year, as opposed to the traditional spring or fall enrollment windows.

This program is CSWE accredited and is designed to prepare students for licensure in Pennsylvania, where MU is located, as well as several other states, making this program a good option for students from multiple states.

Simmons University

Simmons University has traditional full-time and part-time MSW programs, but they also feature an accelerated program. Their accelerated track can be completed in as little as nine months (on the advanced standing track), making it an attractive choice for students looking to complete their degree quickly. Even without advanced standing, the accelerated program can be completed in as few as 16 months.

Temple University

At Temple University, students can complete a 4+1 program where they complete a four-year degree program with a single year of a master's degree in social services and behavioral health. Although the bachelor's portion takes the standard of four years, the advanced social work degree can be completed within a year.

Touro University-Worldwide

Touro University Worldwide allows students to transfer up to 90 credit hours, given that they complete 30 credits through TUW. With enough qualifying transfer credit hours, the actual social work portion of your degree can be completed in about a year. If you don't have enough credit hours, you can still complete a full-time degree in under four years.