Best Online Associate in Social Work
Updated October 26, 2023
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An online associate in social work degree helps students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the social work field, and to eventually earn a bachelor’s in social work degree.
Earning a degree in the traditional, on-campus format can be tough, but earning a degree online provides plenty of flexibility, even for the busiest students. Individuals earning online degrees in social work prepare for careers helping others in a variety of settings, all on their own schedule. This article ranks the best online associate in social work degree programs available today.
The Best Associate in Social Work Programs Online
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data and
the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
#1 Best Online Associate in Social Work
Brescia University
Owensboro, KY - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Looking for a flexible associate degree program in social work? Consider Brescia University's online associate of arts in human services. The program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a social work-specific career. Graduates seeking to advance in further studies can apply their credits toward a bachelor's degree.
Throughout the program, students can access career services, academic advising, and other institutional resources. Distance learners can access other resources such as virtual library services and academic tutoring.
According to the school, 100% of all degree-seekers receive financial aid, with 68% receiving loans.
Brescia University at a Glance:
Type of School: Private, nonprofit, four-year
Location: Owensboro, Kentucky
Admission Rate: 42%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 13-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $22,900
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $22,900
#2 Best Online Associate in Social Work
Georgia Military College
Milledgeville, GA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Distance learners seeking flexible study in social work should consider Georgia Military College's online associate degree in social work. Students in the social work program gain knowledge and industry-relevant skills through coursework and experiential learning opportunities. Students seeking further education can apply their social work credits toward a bachelor's degree.
While enrolled, social work students benefit from institutional resources, such as career services and academic advising. The online learning community connects students with virtual library resources and academic tutoring.
The institution reports the average financial aid award as $5,742. Typically, 92% of all degree-seekers receive financial aid, with 33% receiving loans.
Georgia Military College at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, four-year
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Student-Faculty Ratio: 19-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $6,165
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $6,165
#3 Best Online Associate in Social Work
Northampton Community College
Bethlehem, PA - 2 years
- Online + Campus
Northampton Community College supports 10 online associate degree programs from its main campus in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, including an associate in social work program. Enrollees gain foundational knowledge and skills relevant to the social work field through coursework and experiential learning opportunities. Students can also transfer their credits toward a bachelor's degree at a four-year college.
Students can access career services, academic advising, and other support services during their program. The online learning community connects students with virtual library resources and academic tutoring.
Online learners can access scholarships, fellowships, and other funding opportunities, receiving an average of $5,819 in aid. Of its enrollees, the college reports that 77% receive financial aid and 26% receive loans.
Northampton Community College at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, two-year
Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Student-Faculty Ratio: 19-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $6,420
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $9,630
#4 Best Online Associate in Social Work
Georgia State University-Perimeter College
Atlanta, GA - 2 years
- Online + Campus
Georgia State University-Perimeter College's AS in social work is offered remotely. The program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a social work-specific career. Enrollees seeking to advance their education can apply their course credits toward a bachelor's degree.
While enrolled, students can access college resources geared towards student success. The institution also provides online enrollees with virtual library services and academic tutoring resources, including writing tutoring.
Attendees benefit from financial aid opportunities, receiving an average of $5,300 in awards. Students often qualify for financial aid, with 80% of enrollees receiving some form of funding.
Georgia State University-Perimeter College at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, two-year
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Admission Rate: 69%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 20-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $2,280
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $8,632
#5 Best Online Associate in Social Work
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of North Georgia supports online learners from its main campus in Dahlonega. Enrollees in the sociology and human services program benefit from a robust course curriculum, preparing them for the demands of the social work field. Students can apply their course credits toward future educational opportunities, such as a bachelor's degree.
While enrolled, learners can access college resources geared towards student success. Distance learners can further benefit from virtual services such as library access, writing workshops, and academic tutoring.
Online students receive an average of $5,859 in financial aid awards. The institution reports that 88% of all enrollees receive financial aid and 31% take out student loans.
University of North Georgia at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, four-year
Location: Dahlonega, Georgia
Admission Rate: 81%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 18-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $3,898
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $13,851
What’s the difference between human services and social work?
Human services and social work are closely related fields, and many people often confuse the two. Social work professionals tend to focus on solving problems at the individual level, through things like therapy, counseling, and connecting clients with resources and services. Human services professionals tend to focus on the bigger picture, planning and organizing programs, organizing community services, and performing administrative roles. Both help populations of people in related yet different ways, and the fields compliment each other.
Moreover, associate degrees in social work are not particularly common; many students earn an associate degree in human services before transferring into a bachelor’s in social work degree program.
How long does it take to complete an associate degree in social work?
Like most associate degree programs, associate in social work can be completed in 18-24 months and typically require around 60 hours of required and elective coursework.
Social Work Careers
Earning an associate in social work degree sets you on the path to pursue a variety of careers in the field or purse an advanced degree in social work. In fact,most students interested in social work don’t stop with an associate degree; they continue their education, earning a bachelor’s or master's in social work. The following information, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reflects the median annual earnings of individuals in these positions.
- Child and Family Social Worker – $56,680
- Healthcare Social Worker – $62,760
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker – $60,130
- Social Worker – $55,350
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