Online Social Work Degree at UMPI

Welcome to Online Social Work

An online bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) at the University of Maine at Presque Isle is perfect for those who want to create positive changes in the lives of individuals, families, groups and communities. Our generalist, Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), accredited program prepares students for a wide range of job opportunities or taking the next step in obtaining a master’s in social work (MSW) as an advanced standing student. Whether you’re just beginning your exploration of social work or already working in a social work-related job, there is no better degree to prepare you for career advancement in the helping professions.

Courses include instruction in the following areas:

• Human Behavior in the Social Environment
• Social Work Practice and Methods with Families
• Social Work Practice I, II, and III
• Connecting with People: Helping Skills
• Social Welfare Policy

Why Online Social Work at UMPI?

Our online program is taught by the same professors who teach our live courses. Thus, you’ll be doing coursework that develops your ability to interpret, analyze, and communicate in a wide variety professional and academic settings.

Our flexible, online program offers our courses in a combination of synchronous (zoom) and distance (asynchronous). This provides you with opportunities to develop social work communication and interaction skills in practice courses and the convenience of remote learning in others.  You will find a detailed description of our program and its courses here.

You will be assigned a full-time advisor who both teaches your classes and ensures your ability to complete the BSW degree within four years (as a full-time student)—just like students who take our classes on campus.  Furthermore, your advisor can assist you with any questions of credit transferability.

An added benefit of UMPI’s online programs is that you experience the same student to faculty ratio as on-campus students. Expect to work closely with your professor and other students, just as you would in a live class.

Program Requirements

You must complete a total of 120 credit hours, of which 60 hours are within the Social Work program, and 40 hours in General Education.  A minor is optional.  And all of these credits can be completed online at UMPI.  You can click here to start the process.

Career Opportunities After Graduation

The social work program provides you with knowledge, skills, ethics and values you need to succeed in your future social work career. Common jobs that employ students with a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) include the following:

• Case Management
• Mental Health Technician
• Family Advocate
• Community Service Manager
• Medical Social Worker
• School Social Worker
• Crisis Intervention Specialist
• Geriatric Social Worker
• Community Outreach Specialist

The Social Work program also prepares you for advanced degrees in social work: the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Many social work graduate programs give advanced-standing credit toward MSW degree requirements to students graduating from accredited BSW programs. Advanced standing reduces the number of courses required to graduate with a Master of Social Work.