Bachelor of
Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work

Earn Your Online Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work | Program Details

Northern Michigan University’s Bachelor of Social Work program offers a CSWE-accredited curriculum that prepares students to enter social work in various settings. Students are also well prepared to continue their education to pursue more advanced social work positions.

The program is built for your life so you can earn your degree with maximum flexibility without sacrificing quality. Students take part in both synchronous and asynchronous courses, allowing them to balance the coursework on their own time with the benefit of networking with fellow students and professors.

Graduates of this program learn skills based on widely applicable theory and go on to work in settings like schools, hospitals, nonprofit agencies, local, state and federal government offices and anywhere there are people in need. Social workers are trained to help their clients tap into their individual potential and connect to external resources in an effort to bring about lasting positive change.

Flexible, Rigorous
Online Curriculum

Transfer up to
90 Credits

Industry-Relevant
Internships

Learn From
Experts in the Field

Learn More About NMU’s Bachelor of Social Work

What Will You Learn in NMU’s Bachelor of Social Work Program?

As a student in NMU’s Bachelor of Social Work program, you’ll be prepared as a generalist for careers in mental health, health care, the court system, substance abuse and spouse abuse programs, among others.

  • Human Behavior

  • Social Welfare

  • Generalist Methods

  • Policy Analysis

  • Research

  • Practice with Diverse Populations

You’ll also take part in two semester-long seminars and two semester-long senior field placements.

How Much Does an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work Cost at NMU?

Total tuition costs can vary depending on a student’s level of experience.  Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, and scholarships based on eligibility. A financial aid representative can help you make decisions about how to pay for college.

Contact: Financial Aid Office: fao@nmu.edu or 906-227-2327

Social Work Careers

Graduates of Northern’s Bachelor of Social Work program are qualified to pursue vibrant, rewarding careers within a growing job market. Social workers have the opportunity to perform work they are passionate about in a wide variety of settings. Many careers in Social Work require advanced education and NMU’s social work undergrad degree prepares students to continue their education with a solid foundation, if they choose.

Social Worker

$0
median pay

Social and Community
Service Manager

$0
median pay

Substance Abuse Counselor

$0
median pay

Source: bls.gov

Online BS in Social Work Admission Requirements

General BSW Admissions Requirements: 

Students must meet the university’s general admission requirements.  

The social work curriculum culminates in a BSW degree with an inherent human behavior cluster minor. There are two divisions within the social work curriculum, the lower division and the advanced division.  

The lower division contains two social work courses that must be completed prior to being admitted to the advanced division. 

Requirements for admittance into the advanced division include: 

  • A 2.50 grade point average in the lower division courses 
  • Completion of designated human behavior cluster minor courses 

Transfer Credits 

Transfer credit for practice method and field placement courses at the 300 level and above will be granted only for course work completed at other Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited schools. As stipulated by the Council on Social Work Education, NMU’s program does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience. 

Bachelor of Social Work Curriculum

Total Credits Required for Graduation: 120 credits

Total Credits Required for Degree120 credits
General Education30-40 credits
Credits Required for Major48 credits
SW 100Exploring Social Work4 credits
SW 230Human Behavior in the Social Environment I4 credits
SW 308Methods of Social Research II [SCII]4 credits
SW 331Human Behavior in the Social Environment II4 credits
SW 341Social Welfare Policy4 credits
SW 370Generalist Practice Methods I4 credits
SW 372Generalist Practice Methods II4 credits
SW 440Social Work Policy Analysis4 credits
SW 472Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations4 credits
SW 473Integrative Seminar I2 credits
SW 474Integrative Seminar II2 credits
SW 480Senior Field Placement I4 credits
SW 481Senior Field Placement II4 credits
Human Behavior Cluster Minor**28 credits
AN 100
NAS 204
HS 233
HS 273
HS 283		Introduction to Socio-Cultural Anthropology [SOCR] or
Native American Experience [SOCR] or
Native American History [SOCR] or
LGBT History or
American Women’s History [PERS]		4 credits
BI 100
BI 104
BI 207
BI 208		Biological Science [SCII] or
Human Anatomy and Physiology or
Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 or
Human Anatomy and Physiology 2		4 credits
EC 101
EC 201
EC 202
EC 337		Introduction to Economics [PERS] or
Microeconomic Principles or
Macroeconomic Principles or
American Economic History [INTT]		4 credits
PSY 100Introduction to Psychological Science [SCII]4 credits
SO 101Introductory Sociology [PERS]4 credits
SO 372
SO 322
SO 362		Minority Groups [SOCR] or
Social Class, Power and Mobility [SOCR] or
Gender and Society [PERS]		4 credits

**Transfer courses must be at least two-credit equivalents for each course. Transfer students can use electives from any discipline in the cluster to satisfy the 28 credit hour minimum.

Get the support you need. Connect with an enrollment counselor.