Verified October 2026

HBCU Social Work Programs

Which HBCUs Have Social Work Programs?

HBCU social work programs are offered at 51 historically Black colleges and universities in 18 states, with 54 BSW options in all; 52 are CSWE-accredited and 2 are in candidacy or pre-candidacy. The lowest federal tuition and fees belong to Elizabeth City State University and Fayetteville State University in North Carolina, and 22 of these schools also run an MSW with advanced standing for BSW graduates.

Researched and edited by · Updated

programs
54
schools
51
CSWE-accredited
52
offered online
4
median tuition and fees, 2023-24
$9,755
schools with their own advanced standing MSW
22
  1. First years: general education and intro coursesPsychology, sociology, human biology, intro to social work
  2. Apply to the social work majorUsually in the second year, with a GPA minimum
  3. Senior field practicumAt least 400 supervised hours in an agency
  4. BSW license or a one-year MSWThe bachelor's license where states issue one, or MSW advanced standing
College students studying at reading-lamp desks in a university library, one taking notes from a textbook
Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko / Pexels

Where HBCU Social Work Programs Are

HBCU social work programs are Bachelor of Social Work degrees offered at historically Black colleges and universities, the schools carrying the federal HBCU designation in the U.S. Department of Education’s IPEDS data. This page covers every one: 54 BSW options at 51 HBCUs in 18 states, each checked on the school’s own site in October 2026.

52 of the 54 options are CSWE-accredited. Le Moyne-Owen College in Memphis is in CSWE candidacy, and Edward Waters University in Jacksonville is in pre-candidacy. CSWE recognizes students who start in or after a program’s candidacy year as graduates of an accredited program once it earns initial accreditation.

The programs cluster where HBCUs do. North Carolina alone has seven: Elizabeth City State, Fayetteville State, North Carolina Central, Winston-Salem State, North Carolina A&T, Bennett College and Johnson C. Smith. Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi each have at least four, and Louisiana and Maryland three each, including Morgan State, Coppin State and Bowie State in Maryland.

Who an HBCU BSW Suits

An HBCU social work program is worth a close look if:

  • You want a low-cost public option. 33 of the 51 schools are public, and their median federal tuition and fees figure is $8,549 for a full-time year (2023-24, NCES College Navigator).
  • You want a clear path to the MSW. 22 of these HBCUs run their own MSW, and several offer a one-year advanced standing year for BSW graduates.
  • You’re a transfer student. 10 programs describe a transfer route, and Rust College runs a weekend BSW designed for students with associate or bachelor’s degrees in other fields.
  • You want to study and practice in a community you know. Field placements are local, so where you study shapes where you train.

Most HBCU BSWs are campus programs: 41 list campus delivery, 4 online and 2 hybrid. If you need a fully online degree, your choices are fewer, so start with the online section below.

What HBCU Social Work Programs Cost

HBCUs are some of the most affordable places to earn a BSW. The median federal tuition and fees figure across all 51 schools is $9,755, and the private HBCU median is $15,650. Across all BSW schools on this site, the private-college median is $35,910, so private HBCUs such as Rust College, Miles College and Jarvis Christian University are priced well below most private colleges.

At the low end, Elizabeth City State University reports $3,412 in-state and $7,412 out-of-state, and Fayetteville State University reports $3,969 in-state and $7,969 out-of-state. At the high end, Clark Atlanta University reports $26,446.

15 Lowest-Cost HBCUs With a CSWE BSW

How this list is ranked: lowest federal undergraduate tuition and required fees first, 2023-24, full time, in-state where the school charges residents less (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS, the same figures as NCES College Navigator). One program per school. It's the one cost figure every school reports the same way; your price after grants is usually lower.

  1. Elizabeth City State University: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

    $3,412tuition and fees, 2023-24

    Elizabeth City State University (Elizabeth City, NC, public) offers this on campus and online BSW. Out-of-state students pay $7,412. Admission to the major: formal admission in spring or summer of the sophomore year after completing all six 200-level social work courses and program requirements. Transfer pathway: eligible transfer coursework accepted to avoid repeating equivalent 200-level courses; no credit for courses from non-accredited social work programs. Field practicum: field education placement. CSWE-accredited.

    Elizabeth City State University BSW admission, practicum and tuition · Compare Elizabeth City State University's cost with other schools

  2. Fayetteville State University: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

    $3,969tuition and fees, 2023-24

    Fayetteville State University (Fayetteville, NC, public) offers this on campus BSW. Out-of-state students pay $7,969. Admission to the major: formal application after 63 semester hours of core curriculum (end of sophomore year); students with fewer hours file a Pre-Social Work application; deadlines April 15, June 15, July 15 and November 15. Field practicum: supervised field placement in the senior year. Graduates can continue into Fayetteville State University's own MSW with advanced standing. CSWE-accredited.

    How to get into Fayetteville State University's social work major · Fayetteville State University tuition in-state vs out-of-state

  3. Fort Valley State University: Bachelor of Social WorkBachelor of Social Work

    $5,392tuition and fees, 2023-24

    Fort Valley State University (Fort Valley, GA, public) offers this on campus BSW. Out-of-state students pay $16,114. Admission to the major: formal application after passing SOWK 2001 and 2002, with a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or better; applications reviewed in fall and spring. Graduates can continue into Fort Valley State University's own MSW with advanced standing. CSWE-accredited.

    What the Fort Valley State University BSW requires · What federal aid covers at Fort Valley State University

  4. Savannah State University: Bachelor of Social WorkBachelor of Social Work

    $5,498tuition and fees, 2023-24

    Savannah State University (Savannah, GA, public) offers this on campus BSW. Out-of-state students pay $16,218. Graduates can continue into Savannah State University's own MSW with advanced standing. CSWE-accredited.

    Savannah State University BSW format and field placement · Savannah State University cost beside other BSWs

  5. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University: Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W)Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W)

    $5,785tuition and fees, 2023-24

    Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (Tallahassee, FL, public) offers this on campus BSW in 120 credits. Out-of-state students pay $17,725. Admission to the major: BSW application process after at least 60 hours of lower-division coursework; 2.0 overall GPA. Transfer pathway: transfer students with an AA from a Florida state college or university enter the upper-division phase. Field practicum: field practicum of a full-time work week for one semester (Field Practicum and Integrative Seminar, 15 credit hours). CSWE-accredited.

    Inside the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University social work program · Price check: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and similar schools

  6. Albany State University: Social Work, Bachelor of Arts Degree (BSW)Social Work, Bachelor of Arts Degree (BSW)

    $5,934tuition and fees, 2023-24

    Albany State University (Albany, GA, public) offers this BSW in 123 credits. Out-of-state students pay $16,656. Admission to the major: apply by the deadline in the second semester of the sophomore year: Core IMPACTS and Field of Study complete, minimum 2.50 GPA and the online BSW application. Transfer pathway: associate of Arts in Core Curriculum with a Social Services Transfer Pathway. Graduates can continue into Albany State University's own MSW with advanced standing. CSWE-accredited.

    Albany State University BSW admission, practicum and tuition · Compare Albany State University's cost with other schools

  7. University of the District of Columbia: Bachelor of Social WorkBachelor of Social Work

    $6,152tuition and fees, 2023-24

    University of the District of Columbia (Washington, DC, public) offers this BSW in 120 credits. Out-of-state students pay $13,004. Admission to the major: formal application to the program during the first half of the junior year after SOWK-205, SOWK-310 and SOWK-320; overall GPA of at least 2.0 and 2.5 in social work foundation courses; statement of interest, two references and a beginning-level competence assessment. CSWE-accredited.

    How to get into University of the District of Columbia's social work major · University of the District of Columbia tuition in-state vs out-of-state

  8. North Carolina Central University: Social Work, B.S.W.Social Work, B.S.W.

    $6,542tuition and fees, 2023-24

    North Carolina Central University (Durham, NC, public) offers this on campus BSW. Out-of-state students pay $19,578. Admission to the major: SOCW 2500 and SOCW 3410 with a combined GPA of at least 2.5; overall GPA of 2.5 or higher. Field practicum: 400+ hour internship (10 weeks full time in summer, or 16 hours a week over fall and spring). Graduates can continue into North Carolina Central University's own MSW with advanced standing. CSWE-accredited.

    What the North Carolina Central University BSW requires · What federal aid covers at North Carolina Central University

  9. Winston-Salem State University: Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)

    $6,735tuition and fees, 2023-24

    Winston-Salem State University (Winston-Salem, NC, public) offers this on campus BSW. Out-of-state students pay $17,391. CSWE-accredited.

    Winston-Salem State University BSW format and field placement · Winston-Salem State University cost beside other BSWs

  10. North Carolina a &Amp; T State University: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

    $6,748tuition and fees, 2023-24

    North Carolina A & T State University (Greensboro, NC, public) offers this on campus BSW. Out-of-state students pay $20,408. Field practicum: joint field education experience. Graduates can continue into North Carolina A & T State University's own MSW with advanced standing. CSWE-accredited.

    Inside the North Carolina A & T State University social work program · Price check: North Carolina A & T State University and similar schools

  11. Coppin State University: Bachelor of Social WorkBachelor of Social Work

    $7,001tuition and fees, 2023-24

    Coppin State University (Baltimore, MD, public) offers this on campus BSW in 120 credits. Out-of-state students pay $13,789. Admission to the major: apply to the major while enrolled in SOWK 210 (with SOWK 205 and 260); 2.5 cumulative GPA; application, one letter of recommendation and personal statement; March 31 deadline for fall admission. Field practicum: 14-16 hours a week over two semesters for a minimum of 400 hours. CSWE-accredited.

    Coppin State University BSW admission, practicum and tuition · Compare Coppin State University's cost with other schools

  12. Southern University at New Orleans: Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)

    $7,490tuition and fees, 2023-24

    Southern University at New Orleans (New Orleans, LA, public) offers this BSW. Out-of-state students pay $16,390. Graduates can continue into Southern University at New Orleans's own MSW with advanced standing. CSWE-accredited.

    How to get into Southern University at New Orleans's social work major · Southern University at New Orleans tuition in-state vs out-of-state

  13. Grambling State University: Bachelor of Arts in Social WorkBachelor of Arts in Social Work

    $7,683tuition and fees, 2023-24

    Grambling State University (Grambling, LA, public) offers this BASW. Out-of-state students pay $16,706. Graduates can continue into Grambling State University's own MSW with advanced standing. CSWE-accredited.

    What the Grambling State University BSW requires · What federal aid covers at Grambling State University

  14. Central State University: Bachelor of Arts in Social Work; Bachelor of Science in Social WorkBachelor of Arts in Social Work; Bachelor of Science in Social Work

    $7,824tuition and fees, 2023-24

    Central State University (Wilberforce, OH, public) offers this on campus Social work bachelor's with 49 credits in the major. Out-of-state students pay $9,824. Admission to the major: formal application at the end of the freshman year with 30 semester hours, a 2.0 cumulative GPA, and C or above in SWK 1100, SWK 2200, ENG 1102 and MTH 1550. Transfer pathway: transfer students meet with a social work advisor to determine acceptable transfer courses. Field practicum: senior-year practicum (SWK 4595/4596) four days a week in the field. CSWE-accredited.

    Central State University BSW format and field placement · Central State University cost beside other BSWs

  15. Mississippi Valley State University: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

    $7,912tuition and fees, 2023-24

    Mississippi Valley State University (Itta Bena, MS, public) offers this on campus BSW. Admission to the major: apply in the sophomore year after 60 semester hours of general core and SW 210, with application, reference letters, personal statement and an admission interview; junior/senior transfers apply in their first semester. Graduates can continue into Mississippi Valley State University's own MSW with advanced standing. CSWE-accredited.

    Inside the Mississippi Valley State University social work program · Price check: Mississippi Valley State University and similar schools

All 54 HBCU Social Work Programs

Filter by format, transfer and degree completion, part time, child welfare, the school's own MSW route and state; tick up to three programs to compare them side by side.

54 programs

Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed October 2026. Tuition is the program's own published rate where the school states one; otherwise it's the school's federal undergraduate tuition and fees for a full-time year, 2023-24 (in-state at public universities), from NCES College Navigator. "Resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.

Comparing Public HBCU Social Work Programs

The federal figure is one view of cost. Several schools also publish their own current rates, and some out-of-state rates are unusually low:

Program Published rate (school’s site) Federal tuition and fees, 2023-24 Same-school MSW, advanced standing
Fort Valley State University BSW $176 per credit in-state, $680 out-of-state, plus $700 mandatory fees per semester (2026-27) $5,392 in-state Online MSW, 30 credit hours, 1 year
Savannah State University BSW $2,640 per semester in-state, $10,200 out-of-state (2026-27) $5,498 in-state MSW, 33 credit hours, 12 months
University of the District of Columbia BSW $324 per credit DC residents, $374 metro rate, $680 nonresidents, plus $430 fees per semester $6,152 in-state
Coppin State University BSW $3,762 per semester resident, $7,363 nonresident, full time with mandatory fees (2026-27) $7,001 in-state
Central State University BSW $2,991 per semester Ohio resident; nonresident surcharge $3,000 per semester (Fall 2026) $7,824 in-state
Morgan State University BSW $2,967.50 per semester Maryland resident, $8,632.50 nonresident (2026-27) $8,118 in-state Campus MSW, 30 credits
Lincoln University BSSW $282 per credit Missouri resident, $572 nonresident; flat $4,226 per semester resident (2026-27) $9,290 in-state

UDC’s metro rate is worth knowing if you live in the DC area outside the District. Mississippi Valley State and Alcorn State report the same federal figure for in-state and out-of-state students ($7,912 and $8,549).

Online and Flexible HBCU BSW Options

Four HBCU programs list online delivery:

Tennessee State University’s BSSW is hybrid. CSWE states that delivery method doesn’t affect educational quality at an accredited program, and every format includes an in-person practicum. For more online programs beyond HBCUs, see online BSW programs.

Getting Into the Social Work Major

At most HBCUs you enter the university first and apply to the social work major later, usually in your sophomore year. Requirements are specific:

  • Clark Atlanta University: apply in spring of the sophomore year with a 2.5 GPA, C or better in five named courses, 20 community service hours and a personal statement. Conditional admission is possible below 2.5.
  • Tuskegee University: a 2.3 GPA after 45 or more credit hours, a professional statement, two references, orientation and an interview.
  • Fayetteville State admission to the BSW: formal application after 63 semester hours of core curriculum, with deadlines on April 15, June 15, July 15 and November 15.
  • Oakwood University: a formal application with a background check, NASW membership and liability insurance, a resume, graded papers and peer references.
  • Central State University: apply at the end of the freshman year with 30 semester hours and a 2.0 GPA.

Plan your first two years around these course and GPA requirements so you’re ready when the application opens.

Field Practicum at HBCU Programs

Every accredited BSW requires at least 400 hours of field education, and HBCU programs build them in different ways. Tuskegee requires 100 clock hours of junior practicum plus 400 hours of senior internship. Oakwood requires 450 internship hours (225 per semester). North Carolina Central offers a 400-plus-hour internship either as 10 full-time weeks in summer or 16 hours a week over fall and spring. Florida A&M uses a full-time work week for one semester. Benedict College uses a four-day-a-week block placement in the final semester and lists child welfare, Title IV-E and aging tracks.

If a program offers both a block and a two-semester placement, compare how each would fit your work and family schedule.

From an HBCU BSW to an MSW

A CSWE-accredited BSW qualifies you to apply for advanced standing in an MSW, which lets you skip the generalist content you already covered. 22 HBCUs on this page run their own MSW route:

School MSW Advanced standing, as the school states it
Fayetteville State University profile Full-time, weekend part-time and advanced standing 35 credit hours, one year full time (summer, fall, spring)
North Carolina A&T State University Joint MSW with UNC Greensboro 42 credit hours, one calendar year from the first summer session
Grambling State University Master of Social Work 30 semester hours, one year starting in summer
Tuskegee University Online MSW 44 total track credit hours, one year starting in summer
Alabama State University Master of Social Work 36 semester hours, 12 months
Clark Atlanta University Master of Social Work 38 semester credit hours, summer, fall and spring

The BSW to MSW guide covers advanced standing in detail, and the route finder matches your BSW to MSW options. Full MSW profiles are on mswdegree.com, such as Fayetteville State’s MSW.

How to Choose an HBCU Social Work Program

  • Confirm CSWE status. 52 options are accredited. Le Moyne-Owen is in candidacy and Edward Waters in pre-candidacy, so check their timelines before you enroll.
  • Compare your real rate. If you’re out of state, look at the nonresident line: Fort Valley State’s is $680 per credit, Savannah State’s is $10,200 per semester.
  • Check the major’s application timing. Fayetteville State has four deadlines a year; Central State asks you to apply after your freshman year.
  • Ask how the practicum is scheduled. Summer, block and concurrent options suit different lives.
  • Look at the MSW next door. A same-school advanced standing MSW, like North Carolina Central’s 35-credit-hour year, keeps your path simple.
  • Check your state’s license. The LBSW license guide shows whether your state licenses BSW graduates.

For more on what a BSW costs at every type of school, see the BSW cost guide. If you’re in North Carolina, compare all seven HBCU options alongside other schools on the North Carolina page, and in Georgia on the Georgia page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many HBCUs Offer a BSW?

51 HBCUs offer a BSW, with 54 program options between them. 52 of the options are CSWE-accredited, Le Moyne-Owen College is in CSWE candidacy and Edward Waters University is in pre-candidacy.

Can I Earn a BSW Online From an HBCU?

Yes. Kentucky State University and Delaware State University each run an online BSW, at $437 and $449 per credit respectively, and Elizabeth City State University and Johnson C. Smith University list online delivery. The field practicum is still in person.

What Is the Most Affordable HBCU for Social Work?

By federal tuition and fees for a full-time year (2023-24), Elizabeth City State University ($3,412 in-state) and Fayetteville State University ($3,969 in-state) are the lowest. Fort Valley State University publishes the lowest per-credit rate among HBCU BSW programs, $176 per credit hour in-state (2026-27).

Which HBCUs Offer Both a BSW and an MSW?

22 HBCUs with a BSW also offer an MSW route. Examples include Fayetteville State, North Carolina Central, Savannah State, Grambling State, Morgan State and Fort Valley State, whose online MSW takes 30 credit hours in one year with advanced standing.

When Do You Apply to the Social Work Major at an HBCU?

Usually in the sophomore year, after admission to the university. Coppin State University asks you to apply while enrolled in SOWK 210, with a 2.5 cumulative GPA, a letter of recommendation and a personal statement, by March 31 for fall admission.

Are HBCU Social Work Programs Accredited the Same Way as Others?

Yes. CSWE accredits HBCU programs under the same 2022 standards as every other BSW, including a minimum of 400 field education hours.

Related Program Lists

Sources

  1. Official program, tuition and admissions pages of each school listed, reviewed October 2026
  2. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs, captured September 30, 2026
  3. U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS: 2022-23 completions and 2023-24 tuition and fees (NCES College Navigator)
  4. CSWE: 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards
  5. CSWE: accreditation FAQs
  6. NCES College Navigator: HBCU status and tuition

Every program on this site was checked against the school's own website. Accreditation status comes only from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) directory, license rules from each state's social work board, and tuition and graduate counts from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES/IPEDS). Sponsored listings are labeled and never change which programs we list or how we rank them. How we verify programs