7 Affordable Online Social Work Degrees in California

California employs the most social workers out of any state in the country, and the Los Angeles metropolitan area has the second-highest number of social workers behind the New York City metro. As a result, social workers are in high demand in California. Many students now look to online bachelor's degree in social work to work in the field.

Numerous colleges and universities offer affordable online social work programs so students can study while working or taking care of family, without going into heavy debt. Keep reading to discover low-cost online social work programs in California.

Affordable Online Social Work Programs in California

A few affordable online colleges in California offer bachelor's and master's degrees in social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). We've highlighted several of these programs below.

1. California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt

California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt is a public institution in Arcata, CA. It offers an online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) through what it calls ''distributed learning.'' These programs include a mix of synchronous and asynchronous online courses.

The bachelor's degree program includes coursework on human behavior and social work practices, as well as practicum experiences. Full-time, in-state students pay $8,250 per year.

The online MSW program is an advanced generalist program focusing on working with rural and indigenous communities. Various financial aid options are available specifically for social work students.

2. California State University, Chico

Students at California State University, Chico, can also earn online BSW and MSW programs through distributed learning. Chico State is a public university in Chico, CA.

The bachelor's degree program covers social justice, social welfare, and research methods in social work. It costs roughly $8,472 per year for full-time, in-state students.

The online Master of Social Work program offers two options: a one-year, accelerated, advanced standing track, and a three-year, part-time track. The advanced standing program costs $10,000 per semester, while the part-time program costs $6,808 per year.

3. California State University, San Marcos

Through the Department of Social Work at California State University, San Marcos, students can earn a Master of Social Work through online classes. This is a part-time, three-year program focused on advanced generalist social work with courses on clinical social work and social welfare policy.

Cal State San Marcos is a public university in San Marcos. This program costs $530 per credit hour, and it does not charge an additional fee to out-of-state students.

4. Pacific Oaks College

Pacific Oaks College is a private, nonprofit school in Pasadena, CA. It offers both a BSW and an MSW online.

The bachelor's degree includes courses on mental health and social welfare, as well as fieldwork. It costs $400 per credit hour for lower-level credits and $816 per credit hour for upper-level credits.

The college's master's program can be earned online on a two-year full-time or three-year part-time schedule, and a three-semester advanced standing MSW is also available for students with a BSW. All programs cost $1,210 per credit.

5. San Jose State University

Through San Jose State University's School of Social Work, online students can earn a Master of Social Work Degree. SJSU is a public institution in San Jose, CA.

This program is offered as a two-year standard option and a one-year advanced standing option. Both programs include online courses, with a few synchronous sessions and in-person field education internships scattered throughout. Both standard and advanced standing students pay $630 per credit hour.

6. Touro University Worldwide

At Touro University Worldwide, students can earn an online Bachelor of Social Work degree. This distance learning program includes core social work practice courses, as well as courses that cover topics like child welfare, children, youth, and family advocacy, and addiction and substance abuse.

Touro University is a private, nonprofit university headquartered in New York City, but its online worldwide campus is based in Los Alamitos, CA. The program includes field placements and costs $500 per credit hour.

7. UMass Global

UMass Global is a private, online university based in Aliso Viejo, CA, and is affiliated with the public University of Massachusetts system. It offers a distance education BA in social work and an MSW.

The bachelor's degree program prepares students for social work careers in generalist practice, with courses on behavioral science, clinical social work, and social services. It costs $500 per credit.

The master's program is geared toward working professionals and includes fieldwork experiences at a service agency within your own community; this one costs $730 per credit hour.

FAQs About Online Social Work Degree Programs

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about online social work degree programs in California.

What Can I Do With a Master's in Social Work?

There are several roles you can take on with a master's degree in social work. These include:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• healthcare social worker
• school social worker
• child welfare advocate
• mental health counselor
• substance abuse counselor

Note that some of these careers require social work licensure from the state.

How Much Does an Online Social Work Degree Cost?

The cost of an online social work degree depends on many different factors, including:

• whether you're earning a BSW or an MSW
• what school you choose, and if that school is public or private
• whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student
• whether you choose a full-time, part-time, or advanced standing program
• what financial aid you qualify for

Of the programs above, BSW tuition rates usually range between $350 and $500 per credit hour. Master's programs have a larger variation but range between $500 and $1,210.

What Degree Do You Need To Be a Social Worker in California?

To become a clinical social worker in California, you must complete a Master of Social Work degree through a CSWE-accredited program. It doesn't matter whether you choose an on-campus or online program, as long as you complete the specific courses required by the state.

With an MSW, you can take the California Law & Ethics Exam and become an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW). After this, you'll need to accrue 3,000 hours of supervised social work experience and pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exams to become an LCSW.

Explore Online BSW and MSW Degrees Today

If you're ready to reach your career goals in the field of social work, check out the online learning programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools today for more information about admissions, enrollment, and affordability.