Bachelor of Social Work

CSWE Accredited

$475 Cost per Credit

LSW Examination Preparation

100% Online

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Gain Knowledge and Experience to Serve Diverse Populations

Transform Your Career with a Faith-Based Education Built on Purpose

The social work field is growing, and so is the diversity of our communities. You can learn to lead with compassion to serve in schools, government agencies, hospitals, mental health facilities, and more with Our Lady of the Lake University’s Bachelor of Social Work online degree, a CSWE-accredited program focused on caring for the expanding Hispanic community. We are one of only three programs in the country to offer this emphasis. Lower your out-of-pocket costs with affordable tuition at a small southwestern institution that was founded on the core values of community, integrity, trust, and service beginning in 1895.

Start your educational journey at Our Lady of the Lake University where you’ll become part of a close-knit community that fosters your academic, spiritual, personal, and professional growth to prepare you for success and service. Become part of the next generation of leaders with a convenient online format that presents unique, hands-on learning experiences.

Prepare to address emerging needs and trends in social work with engaging coursework and direct-practice experiences that will ready you for the LSW to launch a promising career.

Three Certificates available at no additional cost

Nearly 100,000 projected new jobs from 2019-20291

The top 10% of social workers earn more than $85,8201

Social and community service manager jobs are growing at a rate of 17%2

An Accredited Online BSW Offered by Texas’ First Social Work School

OLLU is synonymous with great coursework. Our awards, such as “Best in the West” by U.S. News and World Report, and the Presidential Award for Excellence from the Council on Social Work Education prove that you’ll receive a high-quality education and gain the skills and experience you need for making a difference in social work practice. You will benefit from an online format that provides you with the convenience of studying whenever and wherever you like while still connecting with peers through a supportive and enriching learning community. The BSW degree consists of 120 credit hours and offers well-rounded foundational coursework with small class sizes, personalized attention, and an emphasis on serving the Hispanic community. Through your fieldwork practicum, you’ll gain real-world experience in social work settings. Our field placement specialist will help you find a practicum location near you that suits your unique interests. You will also work directly with outstanding faculty who have decades of social work experience and are committed to your success, from day one to graduation and beyond. Beyond preparing you for social work licensure*, the BSW curriculum allows you to pursue certificates in Violence Prevention and Intervention (VPI), Dismantling Oppression (DOC), and Administration and Leadership (ALC) at no additional cost. Each certificate allows you to choose electives to align with your professional aspirations.

Council on Social Work Education

Here are some of our CSWE-accredited courses:

Principles of Generalist Social Work Practice

Introduction to general social work practice with micro, mezzo, and macro systems. Emphasis on basic skill building, the need for culturally sensitive practice, and theory-driven intervention.

Social Welfare Policy: Analysis and Practice

Study of social welfare policy, the processes that influence social policy, and on developing conceptual tools for social policy analysis.

Social Work Research Methods

Introduction to quantitative and qualitative social work research methods and ethics including the political and cultural context impacting research studies and findings. Attention to the assessment of social work practice and evaluation of social programs.

Social Work Field Education

Field placement in a human service organization under the instruction and supervision of a licensed master-level social worker. Emphasis on effective application of general social work practice, values, skills, and knowledge in an agency setting.

Enjoy a Purpose-Driven Career

Those who wish to enter the field of social work are responding to an innate desire to help others improve their lives. There are myriad choices of what that looks like for you. It may be a rewarding career that involves helping individuals with their mental health, serving in a group home, working in a non-profit agency, or setting up a private practice. If you know you want to build your social work career because you want to engage in a purpose-driven career pathway, a BSW is a great way to kick it off.3 A BSW at OLLU prepares you for your LSW examination and puts you on an upward trajectory toward your MSW to earn higher wages and serve in higher-level roles. For instance, the highest 10% of social service managers earn $115,800 per year.4

Top Careers for Social Workers

  1. School Social Worker
  2. Victim Service Advocate
  3. Crisis Intervention Specialist
  4. Case Manager
  5. Community Organizer
  6. Life Skills Counselor
  7. Mental Health Assistant

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Sources and Disclaimer

  1. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social Workers.” BLS. Retrieved on June 28, 2021 from https://www.bls.gov/.
  2. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social and Community Service Managers.” BLS. Retrieved on June 28, 2021 from https://www.bls.gov/.
  3. “Is a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work Worth It?” Noodle. Retrieved on June 28, 2021 from https://www.noodle.com/.
  4. “Social and Community Service Managers: Occupational Outlook Handbook.” BLS. Retrieved on June 28, 2021 from https://www.bls.gov/.

*Licensure requirements vary by state. Students are responsible for understanding the requirements for social work licensure in their resident state. Applicants seeking licensure are encouraged to review all applicable eligibility requirements related to the respective occupational license per the Texas occupations code HB 1508.