Georgia Social Work Programs and Degrees Guide
Are you interested in helping people overcome problems? If so, social work may be for you. Social workers help people of all ages, working in settings like schools and hospitals.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects social work jobs nationwide to increase by 11% and lists the Atlanta metropolitan area among the top 10 U.S. cities for child, family, and school social work employment levels. The Albany area ranks sixth for the highest concentration of jobs.
Featured Online Social Work Programs
Employment Outlook for Social Workers in Georgia
| Social Work Career | Job Growth (2016-26) | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 11.2% | $39,600 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | 17.6% | $53,110 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 14.1% | $41,040 |
| Social Workers, All Other | 11.8% | $67,630 |
| Bachelor of Social Work | $49,000 |
|---|---|
| Master of Social Work | $52,000 |
| Doctor of Social Work | $68,000 |
Social Work Licensure in Georgia
The Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists offers two types of Georgia social work licenses: licensed master's social worker (LMSW) and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). The difference between them centers on the types of services they can offer. LMSWs cannot practice psychotherapy or counseling.
Both licenses require master's degrees from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
LCSW candidates also need to log 3,000 hours of supervised and verified work experience over 3-9 years.
Once the licensing board approves your application, you'll register for an exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). The exam costs $230-$260, takes four hours to complete, and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. The ASWB sells exam preparation materials online to registered applicants.
For more social work licensing information in your state, check out this social work guide.
Should You Earn an Online Social Work Degree in Georgia?
Online classes provide an efficient and affordable mechanism for completing coursework while working and meeting family or other obligations. Most online programs require in-person experiential learning, such as internships which provide networking opportunities, practical work experience, and career insight.
Social workers can practice with a bachelor's degree, but employment options and the types of services they can offer are limited. Bachelor's in social work (BSW) holders can find entry-level jobs, such as caseworker, but a master's in social work (MSW) can make you a more competitive candidate and allow you to work in clinical settings, private practice, and administration. Having an MSW generally commands a higher salary than a BSW. For those reasons, a BSW often functions as a stepping stone to obtaining an MSW, which you need if you want to obtain a Georgia social work license.
BSW core courses typically cover biology, sociology, psychology, and introductory social work. They may touch on specialty areas studied at the MSW degree level, including child welfare, mental health, and substance abuse.
In general, Georgia schools offer online bachelor's degree programs at a comparable cost to in-state tuition. Online social work programs often consist of fully online courses, while internships and other experiential learning takes place on campus or at a clinic, government agency, health care facility, hospital, or school.
The BLS lists the largest number of social work jobs in Georgia in child, family, and school social work, followed by health care and substance abuse. According to a recent report, 52 Georgia counties lack licensed social workers.
Featured Online Social Work Programs
Online Social Work Programs by Degree Level
Online Bachelor'sOnline Bachelor's Social Work Programs in Georgia
Albany State University
ASU is a public historically black university located in Albany, Georgia. Established in 1903, the school serves approximately 6,400 students today. ASU holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and offers a hybrid, Council of Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited bachelor's degree in social work.
This partially online Georgia social work program provides students the opportunity to complete general education requirements for the degree before attending major-specific classes on campus. Core classes available online include general education courses such as English composition, college algebra, calculus, and quantitative skills and reasoning. Additionally, hybrid learners at ASU may pursue an optional child welfare certificate by completing two extra courses in family and child welfare and social work with families. Social work bachelor's degree-seekers also complete a series of research methods courses and a field practicum for graduation.
Social work majors at ASU can take advantage of the student social work association. Eligible undergraduate students possess at least 12 semester hours of completed social work classes with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The student social work association promotes professional growth and development for students in the ASU social work community at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The department and student association affords learners the opportunity to participate in public activities in support of social, environmental, and economic justice throughout the Southwest region of the state.
Accreditation
- Albany State University is regionally accredited by SACSCOC.
- Albany State University's bachelor of social work is accredited by the CSWE.
Admissions
- Minimum GPA: 2.0 minimum high school GPA.
- Prerequisites: Four units of high school English, math, natural science; three units of high school social science; two units of the same foreign language.
- Other Admission Requirements: ACT or SAT scores.
Tuition
- Average Undergraduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $188
- Average Graduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $300
Academics
- Online Social Work Programs: BSW
- Program Length: Four years.
- Information Relevant for Transfer Students: Incoming students may transfer up to 90 credits toward a bachelor's degree.
Social Work Coursework
- Tracks/Concentrations: Generalist.
- Field Education/Practicum Required?: Yes. 540 clock hours.
- Capstone/Thesis Required?: No.
- Core Courses: Introduction to sociology; introduction to social problems; general psychology; careers in social work; social welfare policy and services; social work practice; research methods; field integrative seminar; field practicum; self-awareness; human behavior and social environments; interviewing and recording.
- In-Person Requirements: All non general education classes take place on-campus.
Student Support
- Technical Support: Yes.
- Special Services Provided to Online Students: Online writing center, dedicated financial aid resources, online orientation materials, 24/7 online tutoring through the smarthinking program.
Accreditation Information for Georgia Social Work Schools
| School | Graduation Rate1 | Transfer-Out Rate1 | Associate’s SW Program | Bachelor’s SW Program | Graduate SW Program | CSWE Accred.5 | US News Best Social Work Grad Schools Ranking3 | Net Price*1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany State University | 40% | 23% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Ranked | $12,303 |
| Andrew College | 17% | 54% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $18,520 |
| Athens Technical College | 27% | N/A | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $7,118 |
| Augusta University | N/A | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | N/A |
| Clark Atlanta University | 41% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #88 tie | $25,376 |
| Dalton State College | 16% | 10% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $6,256 |
| Darton State College | 14% | 40% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $6,973 |
| Fort Valley State University | 32% | 22% | No | Yes | No | No | Not Ranked | $14,122 |
| Georgia Military College | 25% | 32% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $6,233 |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College | 21% | N/A | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $5,819 |
| Georgia Regents University | 30% | 15% | No | Yes | No | No | Not Ranked | $7,667 |
| Georgia State University | 53% | 17% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #59 tie | $15,609 |
| Kennesaw State University | 43% | 21% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #174 tie | $16,232 |
| Savannah State University | 28% | 26% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #201 tie | $9,894 |
| Southwest Georgia Technical College | 32% | N/A | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $2,864 |
| Thomas University | 19% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $20,535 |
| University of Georgia | 85% | 6% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #24 tie | $13,287 |
| Valdosta State University | 39% | 31% | No | No | Yes | Yes | #174 tie | $13,701 |
*The net price is calculated by the National Center for Education Statistics by subtracting the average amount of aid (including grants and scholarships) from the total published cost of attendance for in-state/in-district students, which includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses. To gain a better understanding of how to interpret the statistics discussed in this table, see our list of important definitions.
Directory of Georgia Social Work School Programs
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Albany State University*
504 College Dr
Albany, GA 31705
(229) 430-4600
Andrew College
501 College St
Cuthbert, GA 39840-5550
(229) 732-2171
http://www.andrewcollege.edu
Athens Technical College
800 US Hwy 29 N
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 355-5000
http://www.athenstech.edu
Augusta University*
1120 15th St
Augusta, GA 30912
(706)737-1735
http://www.gru.edu
Clark Atlanta University*
223 James P Brawley Dr SW
Atlanta, GA 30314-4391
(404) 880-8000
http://www.cau.edu
Dalton State College*
650 College Dr
Dalton, GA 30720-3797
(706) 272-4436
https://www.daltonstate.edu
Darton State College
2400 Gillionville Rd
Albany, GA 31707-3098
(229) 317-6000
http://www.darton.edu
Fort Valley State University
1005 State University Dr
Fort Valley, GA 31030-4313
(478) 825-6211
http://www.fvsu.edu
Georgia Military College
201 E Greene St
Milledgeville, Georgia 31061
(478) 387-4900
http://www.gmc.edu/
Georgia Northwestern Technical College
One Maurice Culberson Dr
Rome, GA 30161
(706) 295-6963
http://www.gntc.edu
Georgia Regents University
1120 Fifteenth St
Augusta, GA 30912
(706) 721-0211
http://www.gru.edu
Georgia State University*
33 Gilmer St
Atlanta, GA 30303-3083
(404) 413-2000
http://www.gsu.edu
Kennesaw State University*
1000 Chastain Rd
Kennesaw, GA 30144-5591
(770) 423-6000
http://www.kennesaw.edu
Savannah State University*
3219 College St
Savannah, GA 31404-5310
(912) 358-4778
http://www.savannahstate.edu
Southwest Georgia Technical College
15689 US Hwy 19 N
Thomasville, GA 31792-9960
(912) 358-4778
http://www.savannahstate.edu
Thomas University*
1501 Millpond Rd
Thomasville, GA 31792
(800) 538-9784
http://www.thomasu.edu
University of Georgia*
220 S Jackson St
Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-3000
http://www.uga.edu
Student Review: “I really enjoyed the University of Georgia’s School of Social Work because the courses have prepared me to positively impact society’s most vulnerable populations. I liked how the professors would incorporate real-world examples of the challenges we will face in trying to implement change in our community, as well as working individually with clients. They were always quick to respond to emails, and really helped us find an ideal placement for our field experience. I think that the field experience was the most valuable part of earning my social work degree because it took the theories outside of the classroom. The only issue I had was that it would be beneficial for the college to communicate to agencies more clearly that undergrad social work students should be engaging in a majority of social work, rather than being used as additional volunteer support.” – Student at University of Georgia
Student Review: “The UGA social work program was well executed in my opinion. The work load could be fairly heavy and a lot to process at times but it moved at a pace that was manageable with hard work. Many people seemed to care about their dedication to the program both on a student and professor level. There were of course a few people who did not seem to be invested in the field of social work fully, but there were many who wanted to do good things in the world through their learning and work in the program. Many students found good employment opportunities after. There were places and resources to turn to in the program in case a student was feeling unsure of the direction to go within the world of social work. With work and dedication, the UGA social work program can be a good experience.” – Student at University of Georgia
Valdosta State University*
1500 N Patterson St
Valdosta, GA 31698
(229) 333-5800
http://www.valdosta.edu
Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=all
3. US News & World Report Social Work Best Grad Schools Rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings
4. Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs 2018: /degrees/masters/online/
5. Council on Social Work Education: https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Directory-of-Accredited-Programs.aspx