Key Information:
- Briar Cliff University has the #1 fast-track social work degree online program.
- Fastest online social work bachelor’s degrees are designed to be completed quickly, typically in less time than traditional programs, and are delivered online to provide flexibility for working adults.
- Students can advance in their social work careers by providing faster access to necessary qualifications and potentially higher positions in the field.
- Despite the accelerated pace, these programs offer a comprehensive curriculum covering essential social work topics and skills.
An accelerated degree program in Social Work allows you to get down to business and begin helping those people who need it the most without wasting any time. Bachelor’s Degree Center has ranked the 10 best accelerated social work degrees.
Our editors first ranked accelerated social work degree programs in September 2022. This ranking was updated in November 2024.
You can start a social work career with just a high school diploma or associate’s degree. But if you want to move up into higher positions, you’ll need a bachelor’s in social work eventually. Fortunately, accelerated online social work bachelor’s programs allow working adults to get their degrees quickly.
Related Rankings:
- Top Bachelor’s in Social Work
- Best Online Bachelor’s in Social Work
- Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Social Work
- What Can I Do With a Social Work Degree?
- Should I Get a Certificate in Social Work?
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Social Work Accelerated Degree Programs
For students who want an accelerated online social work degree – especially working adults – Bachelor’s Degree Center has put together a ranking of the best fast-track social work degree online programs available. Speed is important, of course, but for the sake of quality, programs are also ranked according to their cost, reputation, and salary potential.
1. Briar Cliff University
Briar Cliff University offers an online Social Work accelerated degree program for students who are ready to move ahead with their degree and don’t want to waste time taking a conventional program.
Accelerated can reduce the amount of time it takes to get your Bachelor of Arts degree to as little as 18 months while still providing you with the highest possible quality education. With an accelerated online social work BA degree program, students can continue to work at their regular jobs and still earn their diplomas.
Briar Cliff University has been accredited to provide social work degree programs since 1974. The skills the graduates receive offer them the ability to handle a variety of situations.
Faculty members teach courses that have been designed to provide each student with not only the skills they need but also the compassion and ethics they need to comfort their clients and make sure that they are not lost in a system that sometimes does not cover every base.
Graduates of the online accelerated Bachelor’s degree in Social Work can work in either a management position or hand in hand with their clients.
Degree: Social Work, BA
2. Liberty University
Liberty University offers an accelerated BSSW degree program for students who are already employed as a social worker and need to advance their education.
The accelerated degree program provides them with the classes they need at a much faster pace allowing them to complete their degree in a shorter amount of time. They still receive the quality education they deserve and access to instructors who can guide them through the learning process.
With an accelerated degree program in Social Work, employees can take promotions they may have been overlooked for and receive the pay increases that go along with them.
Liberty University offers coursework that is designed to give employees the competitive edge they need to move ahead in their careers. The faculty members are seasoned professionals who have been employed in Social Work for several years.
The accelerated program offered to students who take their classes online cuts back on the amount of time they need to complete their degrees. Liberty University offers some of the best online programs in the country for students who are looking to get ahead without wasting any time.
Degree: Social Work, BS
3. University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks offers a social work accelerated BA degree program for students who are interested in helping others through a career in social work. By choosing a degree program that has been “accelerated”, students can finish their BA degree in 18 months instead of the traditional two years.
Many students who choose to enroll in a BA online program for Social Work are already employed full-time. Attending school online offers them the freedom they need to focus on their studies while still caring for their families. A Social Work accelerated degree program offers them everything they need plus the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is one of the most well-known universities in the area that offers the highest quality online degree programs. Students have the same accessibility to faculty members and school programs as other students who choose to attend school on campus.
Faculty members and instructors offer guidance and support to every student they come in contact with. The advanced curriculum the school uses offers students the tools and skills they need to meet the needs of their clients on a day-to-day basis.
Degree: Social Work, BA
4. Northwestern State University of Louisana
The Northwestern State University of Louisiana offers a Bachelor of Social Work accelerated degree program that is designed to meet the ever-changing needs of students who are pursuing a career as a social worker. The curriculum offers the tools students will need to handle a variety of situations.
They are taught both behavioral sciences as well as managerial skills they will rely on to remain organized in a highly stressful but very rewarding career. With a social work accelerated degree program, students are put on the fast track to success and given the boost they need to succeed.
The Northwestern State University of Louisiana has a reputation for offering in-depth courses and programs that push students past their boundaries so they can learn to think outside of the box. The instructors take great pride in being able to provide these students with what they need to assist others through life’s many challenges.
Students who attend the university’s online, accelerated social work degree programs graduate knowing they are fully prepared to help their clients in any way possible.
Degree: Bachelor of Social Work
5. University of North Dakota
UND’s Bachelor of Science in Social Work provides a fast-track online option for students looking to complete their degree quickly. The CSWE-accredited program supports strong career prospects and includes practical field placements for hands-on experience.
This online BSW is designed to meet the needs of working adults and those who want to switch to a social work career quickly. Students in this program will study core topics in social work, such as:
- human behavior
- social policy
- case management
Field experience is a major part of UND’s program, allowing students to gain practical skills and apply what they’ve learned in real-life social work settings. The program includes a 450-hour field internship, which helps students develop hands-on experience under the supervision of experienced social workers. UND’s program is affordable compared to many other BSW programs. Graduates are prepared to either enter a master’s program or to work in roles like:
- case management
- advocacy
- counseling
The program’s flexibility also allows students to study from any location, making it ideal for those who need to balance school with other responsibilities. UND offers support services, including academic advising and career guidance, to help students succeed in their studies and career paths. For students interested in quick entry into social work with a solid academic foundation, UND’s second-degree BSW program provides a direct pathway. The university’s reputation for quality education and its connections in the social work field can also support students’ job placement efforts after graduation.
Degree: Social Work, BS
6. Washburn University
Washburn University offers an accelerated Bachelor of Social Work online degree program for students who want to continue their education. By moving forward with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, students can strive to make a difference in the lives of the many clients they touch over the course of their careers.
Specific skills are required when dealing with sensitive issues involving children and seniors. With an online accelerated Social Work degree, these students can get the education they need while continuing to work in their chosen field.
Washburn University offers some of the best degree programs in the Central United States in terms of Social Work and Behavioral Sciences. Combine the quality curriculum with instructors who are leaders in their fields and you have award-winning degree programs that allow students to excel within their chosen career paths.
They provide students with the best accelerated degree programs in Social Work and they will be making positive changes for years to come.
Degree: Bachelor of Social Work
7. University of Utah
The University of Utah offers an online accelerated Bachelor of Social Work degree programs that provide students with all of the skills and training they need to work with clients in various environments. The skills they learn allow them to work with clients of all ages and in a variety of different situations.
Students who pursue a career in social work must exhibit exceptional organizational and management skills. With a Social Work accelerated degree program, students can earn their degree in as little as 18 months and get a head start on their careers.
The University of Utah offers students a wide selection of Bachelor of Social Work degree programs that focus on providing the necessary training that is needed for the graduate to succeed. Faculty members and instructors are always on hand to offer advice based on their years of experience.
Whether students choose to attend school on campus or through an online program, the education offered by the university is second to none.
Degree: Bachelor of Social Work
8. Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University offers a Bachelor of Social Work accelerated degree program that will help students interested in becoming social workers get the edge they need to succeed.
Every class within the degree program is designed to provide a specific set of skills that the student will need in terms of organization and the management of their cases. By completing an online accelerated Bachelor of Social Work degree program, the student can maintain their existing work schedule and also attend classes to earn their diploma.
Campbellsville University takes great pride in offering a Bachelor of Social Work degree program that is known for academic excellence. The students receive opportunities for both personal and professional growth. Faculty members and instructors work hand in hand to provide students with the perfect environment to establish themselves and boost their confidence.
Degree: Bachelor of Social Work
9. Malone University
Malone University offers an online accelerated BA in Social Work. Students who attend the university are offered courses in how to manage their cases, social work theory, and research techniques that allow them to uncover new ways to assist their clients no matter what their age.
The degree programs are created so that students can study when they need to and maintain their full-time jobs. For those who already work as a social worker, the BA in Social Work that they earn from the university can give them the leverage they need to advance into a managerial position.
Malone University offers students a learning environment that is second to none when it comes to academic excellence and seasoned instructors who teach from experience. The university prides itself on instilling the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in each of its students.
When the student eventually graduates, they have all the skills they will need to be successful in their field and make a difference in the world around them.
Degree: Social Work, BA
10. Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University offers a Bachelor of Social Work degree program that is both accelerated and online. The online format allows students from almost any location to learn from one of the most well-rounded degree programs in the country.
Students who choose an online, accelerated class format receive the same education as those who attend the classroom but with a couple of major differences. First, they can continue to work while they earn their degree and second, they can finish their degree program in as few as 18 months. The Bachelor of Social Work degree program is just what they need to get an edge in this fast-paced career environment.
Eastern New Mexico University is one of the top schools in the South West United States when it comes to quality degree programs and professional faculty and instructors. The university offers its students the best possible learning environment so they can continue to thrive throughout their entire educational experience.
The skills provided to them in addition to the support they receive from their instructors are the keys that will open up potential opportunities for them for many years to come.
Degree: Bachelor of Social Work
Frequently Asked Questions
You will benefit from time efficiency and cost savings with an accelerated bachelor’s degree in social work. It is also ideal if you’re on the fast-track career advancement route. Your bachelor’s degree will open opportunities for social worker positions, among the most in-demand occupations, with a 7% projected growth rate.
You can earn a bachelor’s degree in social work in 1.5 to 2 years in an accelerated program.
You must enroll only in an accredited social work program for guaranteed academic excellence by meeting industry standards. Your bachelor’s degree will be recognized by the social work industry and its professionals, as well as prospective employers. This recognition translates into eligibility for licensure as a social worker in addition to other requirements, such as clinical experience and certification exams. You can also apply for federal and state aid.
No, it isn’t, and thus, you must carefully consider whether it’s the right fit for you or not. You must consider the accelerated pace of the coursework and the hands-on training requirements that will push your physical and mental capacity to the limit. You must possess effective time and stress management skills, establish a strong support system, and adopt healthy lifestyle habits to maintain a good work-life balance.
Social workers earn a median of $55,350 annually. Positions include Activities director, caseworker, substance abuse counselor, social services assistant, and mental health technician. With work experience and professional certifications, particularly in leadership positions, social workers can earn as much as $87,300. However, your actual annual salary will depend on your work experience, location, and organization.
