5 Affordable Online Social Work Degrees in Virginia

If you're planning to pursue a bachelor's or master's degree in social work, you may want to look into available options. Many affordable online schools in Virginia offer these programs at low rates. In particular, you might want to find affordable online social work degrees to reduce the cost of your education. Many of these programs are available to Virginia students.

Keep reading as we look at some of the top affordable online social work degrees in Virginia. We'll also consider some great out-of-state options and answer some common questions you may have.

Affordable Online Social Work Degree Programs in Virginia

When looking for a top social work program, you'll want to consider programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Below, we'll discuss some top in-state accredited programs that offer online bachelor's degrees in social work, as well as master's degrees, which you can complete anywhere at an affordable price.

1. Liberty University

Liberty University is a private Christian school enrolling around 100,000 students. Its main campus is located in Lynchburg, though many of its students study online.

The college's School of Social Work provides bachelor's and master's degrees for online social work students. The master's degree is available as a traditional and advanced standing program. Both offer concentrations so students can personalize their degrees. Concentrations include:

• healthcare, aging, and medical social work
• child and family
• general social work

Full-time students can expect to pay $390 per credit hour for the bachelor's degree program and $565 per credit hour for the master's. A generous transfer policy and various financial aid options can make it easier for students to afford their education.

2. Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University is a public school located in Richmond. It is a large school with nearly 29,000 students.

This school offers both online and on-campus social work degrees. Online students can pursue a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work. The bachelor's program prepares them for advanced studies and entry-level job opportunities. The master's program offers advanced standing and traditional programs; this program allows students to complete practicum requirements at a location that's convenient for them.

The bachelor's degree costs $455 per credit hour for part-time students and $13,200 per year for full-time students. Master's degree students pay $765 per credit hour part-time or $13,766 full-time. Scholarships and financial aid can help students pay for their degrees.

3. Norfolk State University

Norfolk State University is a public historically black school located in Norfolk. It enrolls around 5,600 students.

Those attending this school can pursue a master's degree in social work online or in person. The program features flexible online coursework and field placements along with options to pursue an advanced standing or traditional pathway. You can expect to take courses on topics such as:

• human behavior
• social welfare policy
• diversity, inclusion, and oppression
• social work with individuals
• military policy and services

Full-time students pay a block tuition rate of $4,654 for 9 to 15 credits per semester; part-time students pay $789 per credit hour. Most students attending this school receive some form of financial aid, such as scholarships, grants, or loans.

4. George Mason University

George Mason University is a public school located in Fairfax County, VA, not far from Washington D.C. It enrolls more than 40,000 students in various online and on-campus programs.

The school offers an online Master of Social Work that provides advanced standing and accelerated options. The program features specializations in adults and healthy aging and children, youth, and families. Asynchronous courses focus on equity and human rights when working with diverse populations.

This online MSW program costs $589 per credit hour. Two stipend programs are available to grant students funds toward their education. Additional scholarships and financial aid options are also available.

Other Affordable Online Social Work Programs in the U.S.

Online students have the benefit of being able to study from home at any online school in the country. Let's look at some of the top affordable out-of-state programs for learners pursuing online higher education.

1. King University

King University is a private school enrolling fewer than 1,400 students. Located in Bristol, TN, the school offers a variety of online degree programs available to students throughout the country.

The school offers CSWE-accredited bachelor's and master's programs in social work. These online programs are designed with flexibility in mind. They help prepare students with the necessary competencies for generalist social work practice and many other careers. Those in the master's program complete 900 hours of field experience and receive qualifications to pursue clinical social work careers.

The bachelor's degree program costs $305 per credit hour, and the master's program costs $610. Scholarships and financial aid options make these programs more affordable for many students.

2. Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University is a public school with around 15,000 students. It is located in Hays, KS, but provides a wealth of online degrees for remote students.

Online MSW and BSW programs are both available in a convenient online format. The bachelor's program helps students pursue career goals in generalist practice, while the graduate school program helps students pursue doctoral-level studies or clinical practice. Courses cover topics such as:

• social policy practice
• child and family systems
• social justice
• wellbeing in social service
• human behavior

These programs feature highly affordable tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students; the bachelor's program costs $257 per credit hour and the master's program costs $338 per credit hour. Financial aid and scholarship opportunities are available to help cover expenses.

3. Murray State University

Murray State University is a public school located in Murray, KY. It has an enrollment of around 9,500 students.

The school provides an online Bachelor of Social Work that prepares students for generalist practice in numerous fields. Upon completion, students can also pursue graduate-level studies.

Students in Virginia are charged a regional tuition rate of $435 per credit hour; those taking 12 to 15 hours are charged a flat tuition rate of $5,226. Financial aid and scholarships can help students reduce their costs even further.

FAQs About Online Social Work Programs

If you still have questions about completing your social work degree online, you're not alone. Keep reading as we answer some frequently asked questions you may have.

How Much Does an Online Social Work Degree Cost?

The affordability of online programs varies from school to school. Among the universities outlined above, tuition rates for bachelor's degree programs range from around $257 to $455 per credit hour. Tuition rates for the listed master's degree programs range from $338 to $789 per credit hour.

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Social Worker in Virginia?

Virginia licenses three levels of social workers; Licensed Baccalaureate Social Workers (LBSW), Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW). You can pursue licensure as an LBSW with a bachelor's degree; LMSWs and LCSWs must have at least a master's degree.

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

Those who pursue an MSW degree have access to a variety of career paths in the field of social work. Some of the potential job titles you could have with a social work master's degree include:

• school social worker
• medical and healthcare social worker
• mental health case manager
• child welfare specialist
• substance abuse counselor

Explore Online BSW and MSW Programs Today

If you're ready to start the journey to become a social work professional, explore the colleges and universities featured on Learn.org. Reach out to the admissions office at any of these schools to learn more about the programs available and discover which one is the best fit for you.