Online Bachelor of Social Work
Begin Your Social Work Path at a Top-Ranked HBCU
100% Online Coursework
2 – 4 Years
120 Credit Hours
Cost per Credit Varies
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Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition and more.
Fulfill Your Calling To Help Others With a License-Aligned Degree
- Apply By: 08/14/2026
- Start Class: 08/25/2026
Earn your Bachelor of Social Work online and prepare to sit for the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) bachelor’s exam — your pathway to entry-level licensure and careers such as Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW). As Delaware’s only CSWE-accredited bachelor’s, this degree provides the skills, credentials and the 400 hours of field experience required for generalist social work practice, including case management. Upon graduation, you will qualify for the Advanced Standing program for Delaware State’s MSW, which greatly reduces your graduate credit hour requirements.
Program Details
- Prepare to sit for the ASWB bachelor’s exam
- Only CSWE-accredited BSW in Delaware
- Apply what you learn during a field experience
- Delaware’s #1 supplier of social workers of color1
More Information About This Program
Click on each tab below to learn additional details regarding the program requirements and features.
Curriculum
Collaborate With Faculty Eager to Support You
120 Credit Hours
8-Week Courses
At Delaware State University Online, you’re not just another student — you’re part of the family. Our rigorous, CSWE-accredited curriculum is delivered by caring instructors who welcome opportunities for collaboration and mentorship. Join a tight-knit learning community as you deepen your understanding of social work frameworks, policy and analysis, research-informed practice and professionalism.
Advantages of Joining the DSU Online Community
Use Your New Social Work Knowledge During a Field Experience
In your final two semesters, you will complete 400 hours of field experience (200 per semester) where you will apply what you’ve learned.
Learn From Research-Backed Curriculum at an R2 University
Delaware State is one of the few R2-level universities designated by the Carnegie Institute, demonstrating the high value we place on academic research.
Immerse Yourself in Culturally Grounded Coursework That Prioritizes Social Issues
As the nation’s #10 HBCU,2 we don’t simply cover race, gender and cultural heritage. They’re central to our curriculum.
Admission Requirements
How Do I Get Admitted to DSU Online Programs?
Application Deadline 08/14/26
Start Date 08/25/26
Delaware State’s admission process is streamlined to save you time and stress. Review the table below and submit the relevant documents to take the next step toward earning your career-ready BSW degree online.
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
|---|---|
| Degree and Minimum GPA | Minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale |
| Transcripts |
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| Transfer Credits | You may apply up to 15 applicable credits to your bachelor’s degree program from a four-year college and up to 60 applicable credits from a two-year community or junior college |
| Official Test Scores | No test scores required |
International Students
DSU offers an empowering community to students from around the world. In addition to the basic admission requirements, you’ll submit the following items with your application. Be sure to apply at least 90 days before classes start so that you have ample time to fulfill these requirements.
| Visa | Only F-1 visas are accepted for international admission to degree programs. If you’re an F-1 transfer student, we require a copy of your I-20 form upon admission |
|---|---|
| Financial Documentation | International applicants must submit proof of funds to cover at least their first year of study. If living with a friend or relative in the U.S., students must submit additional documentation such as an affidavit of free room and board with supporting documents. For financial documentation, international students must forward the required financial evidence to the Office of International Affairs |
| Transcript Evaluation | Transcripts must be evaluated by a recognized credential evaluation agency (such as WES or ECE) and sent to DSU |
| Standardized Test Scores | Acceptable tests include TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT or ELI |
Begin Your Journey to Delaware State University
Each student follows a unique path to DSU, and we’re here to make your journey a success. Visit our Admissions Hub to explore the steps you’ll complete when applying for an online program. You can also learn about transferring credits, using military benefits and taking the next step as an international student.
AdmissionsTuition & Aid
Earning Your Social Work Degree Online is Affordable
Invest in your social work career with an online Bachelor of Social Work that puts you on the path toward success. With Delaware State, the cost per credit hour adjusts based on your course load, making our dynamic, pay-as-you-go tuition more flexible for your budget.
| Cost per Credit Hour |
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|---|---|
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 120 |
| Total Estimated Tuition | Varies |
| Additional Fees |
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| Other Costs to Budget For | The estimated tuition does not include expenses incurred during the online program |
Supporting the Ambitions of Military Students
DSU is proud to support the educational goals of active-duty and veteran service members. Here, you’ll receive guidance for your mission to continue your education, and you can make the most of the benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Plus, learn how you can receive credit for the knowledge and skills gained through your military service.
Tuition & Financial Aid
When you succeed professionally, your entire community rises with you. Knowing that education plays a central role in that success, DSU offers cost-effective tuition so that financial barriers don’t stand between you and your goals. Visit our Tuition and Aid page to learn how to make online education fit your budget.
Tuition Details
Benefit From Long-Term Career Stability With an In-Demand Degree
As a graduate of the online BSW program from Forbes’ #2 online HBCU,3 you will be prepared to pursue a broad range of people-centered careers. From social work to adjacent fields like corrections, you will have the soft skills and social science expertise to thrive in a myriad of social work roles.
Plus, the demand for social work experts is increasing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts social work careers will grow by 6% over the next decade,4 which is faster than the average job growth rate.
Explore New Career Pathways With an Online Social Work Degree
Social and Human Service Assistant $45,120 per year5
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialist $64,520 per year6
What You’ll Learn
In this CSWE-aligned curriculum, you will learn about the core competencies and associated practice behaviors required of all licensed social workers. Gain the expertise needed to help others when you master these key areas:
- Ethical and professional behavior
- Diversity and difference in practice
- Advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
- Policy practice
- Engagement with clients
- Assessment, intervention and evaluation
- Professional identity and application
Program Outcomes
- Practice in a manner consistent with social work values and ethical standards
- Engage and work effectively with diverse populations
- Apply frameworks that promote equity and justice
- Use evidence to inform interventions and evaluate outcomes
- Understand and influence social policies affecting client systems
- Build relationships and communicate respectfully with diverse systems
- Collect and interpret assessment data to inform practice
- Select and apply appropriate intervention strategies
Learn From Faculty Who Believe in Your Potential
Our faculty will welcome you like family and provide personalized mentorship to bring your goals to life. They understand your perspective and experiences — after all, many of our instructors walked similar paths before becoming leaders in their fields. Rely on their professional expertise as you prepare to advance in the career that interests you.
Dr. Frann K. Franklin, Associate Professor and Director of BSW
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Frann K. Franklin
Dr. Franklin serves as an associate professor and director of the Bachelor of Social Work program. The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) has also earned her Master of Social Work and a PhD in Organizational Social Work, grounding her work in both clinical practice and organizational theory.
Sources
- State of Delaware. Office of Management and Budget, Budget Development and Planning. “FY27 Governor’s Recommended Operating Budget – Higher Education.” Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://budget.delaware.gov/budget/fy2026/documents/narratives/dsu.pdf.
- U.S. News & World Report. “Delaware State University Rankings.” Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/delaware-state-university-1428.
- Forbes. “Best HBCUs With Online Degrees of 2026.” Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/online-colleges/best-hbcu/.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Social Workers.” Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Social and Human Service Assistants.” Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-and-human-service-assistants.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists.” Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/probation-officers-and-correctional-treatment-specialists.htm.