
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Degree
journey today.
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at Grand Canyon University can equip you with the skills to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities. You will be taught to work effectively with diverse groups in various settings. Developed by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the program offers a range of courses aimed at deepening your understanding of human behavior.

In this Bachelor of Social Work program, you can explore how individuals respond to various factors, which significantly influences a social worker’s practice approach. Throughout the program, you can develop skills in cultural competency and advocacy while gaining deeper self-awareness through the lens of a Christian worldview.

Flexible Learning Formats to Fit Your Lifestyle
This bachelor’s program is offered online1 and on campus so you can choose the best learning environment for you and your schedule. Whether you select the on-campus program or the Bachelor of Social Work online,1 you will complete in-person, supervised field experiences in a professional setting.
GCU’s mission is to provide a quality education while giving you the flexibility you need to get ahead in today’s complex world. As an online1 BSW student, you will have access to our digital learning platform, knowledgeable faculty members, networking opportunities with peers in the program, the online library and more.
This Bachelor of Social Work is also available as an on-campus degree for those who prefer a traditional college experience. You will attend classes at GCU’s Phoenix campus and have access to campus events, academic and career services, learning resources, spiritual life and much more.
In the BSW online degree1 and on-campus courses, you will be taught how to analyze human behavior within the social environment. Using an integrative and multidimensional perspective, you will analyze biophysical development from conception through late adulthood. The classes provide opportunities to learn, practice and reflect on essential skills throughout the entire intake, assessment, treatment, evaluation and termination process.
This undergraduate social work program can equip you with essential competencies in the field, including:

Develop and Demonstrate Key Skills
As a student in this program, you will leverage insights from your academic and field experiences to develop a capstone project and presentation that demonstrate your knowledge.
The Bachelor of Social Work capstone project provides students an opportunity to showcase their skills in the following areas:
Assessment
Application of theory
Practice skills
Ethics
Cultural sensitivity
Advocacy and policy analysis
Social workers can expect faster than expected job growth over the next decade. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an estimated 44,700 new jobs are expected to open for social workers from 2024 to 2034.2
This program can prepare graduates to become social workers. You may also choose to further your education and obtain your Master of Social Work.
Graduates may go on to work in:
Hospitals
Outpatient facilities
Integrated healthcare facilities
Private practices
Residential facilities
Schools
Child welfare agencies
Community service agencies
Policy or program development
Estimated growth for social workers expected from 2024 to 20342
Median annual wage for social workers in May 20243

This BSW program adheres to the social work standards and competencies established by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). GCU’s Bachelor of Social Work program is fully accredited by the CSWE. The BSW program was fully accredited in February 2024 and will be up for reaccreditation in February 2032. This accreditation status allows for all BSW students who successfully complete their BSW at GCU to apply for licensure at the BSW level and to apply to an MSW graduate program with Advanced Standing.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are interested in pursuing a BSW degree, we invite you to learn more by reading through our answers to these commonly asked questions.
Social work degree programs are designed to be demanding to help prepare you for the mental and emotional rigors of a career in this field. If you hope to become a social worker who has an impact on the diverse lives of those you serve, earning a degree in social work can help you position yourself to potentially reach your career goals.
A bachelor’s degree in social work can be valuable for individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families and contribute to their communities. This degree can equip students with essential knowledge, practical skills and an ethical foundation for a career in social work or for pursuing further studies. A BSW can lead to careers in healthcare, education, child welfare and mental health services.
To be a social worker, you typically need to hold a degree in social work from an accredited college or university program.4 The undergraduate degree is the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). With this degree, you have the opportunity to position yourself for entry-level jobs in areas such as child and family services, mental health, substance use, healthcare and correctional treatment.4
Graduate degrees include the Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) or PhD in Social Work. To become a licensed clinical social worker, or to position yourself for a potential program management or leadership position in social work, you will need to earn a Master of Social Work.4
Pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work can be a worthwhile investment for those passionate about positively impacting communities. This degree offers a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, particularly through field placements. These field settings can include mental health clinics, child and family service agencies and policy organizations.5 These hands-on opportunities allow students to apply their skills under supervision, which can prepare them for the workforce or further graduate studies. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, social workers had a median annual wage of $61,330.3

If you are passionate about making a difference in people’s lives, consider a career in social work. Explore the on-campus and online1 Bachelor of Social Work degree program at GCU today!
Excludes programs with residencies and practicums.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social Workers, retrieved Sept. 4, 2025.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Social Workers as of May 2024, retrieved Aug. 18, 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as social workers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). How To Become a Social Worker. Retrieved Sept. 26, 2023.
- National Association of Social Workers. (n.d.). Types of Social Work Degrees. Retrieved July 2022.