Bachelor's degree programs in social work usually require 120 credit hours of combined general education and major coursework. Most students studying full-time complete bachelor's degree programs in four years (or eight academic semesters). Graduate programs in social work demand that students complete approximately 30 hours of graduate-level coursework over a two-year span.
Bachelor's degree programs in social work demand that students complete approximately 60 credit hours in general education classes, and most programs require courses in disciplines such as English composition, communications, psychology, history, foreign language, mathematics, social sciences, physical sciences and humanities electives. Graduate programs do not require general education coursework, but they demand that students earn an undergraduate social work (or social science) degree that consists of 60 credit hours in general education courses.
Undergraduate social work programs require the completion of 60 credit hours in major social work courses, including those in social welfare policy, social services principles, social service practice, mental health care, child and family welfare, human behavior and social work practice. Graduate programs require 30 credit hours of completed coursework in advanced, upper-level classes, including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, social intervention, advanced social work practice and social services integrated study.
Both undergraduate and graduate social work programs require the completion of a clinical or practical internship in which students work in the social service sector under the supervision of a participating social worker and educator. These internships are completed in conjunction with a practicum course in which students demonstrate their mastery of practiced social work and psychology skills through papers and presentations.
Students should avoid social work programs in the United States offered by schools that are not accredited by a board recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This is particularly important for those students considering either online social work programs or programs that originate from outside of the United States, as such programs are often not accredited and are devalued by employers.