Tacoma, Washington
Pacific Lutheran University BSW Program
What BSW Options Does Pacific Lutheran University Offer?
Pacific Lutheran University offers a BSW, offered on campus. It is CSWE-accredited. Federal tuition and fees: $50,964 a year (2023-24). Graduates can continue into Pacific Lutheran University's own MSW with advanced standing.
The Pacific Lutheran University BSW
- FormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$50,964per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Admission, Practicum and Cost at Pacific Lutheran University
| Program | Getting into the major | Field practicum | Published tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) | Application in the fall of the junior year with a background check; 2.75 GPA in social work courses and 2.50 overall | Minimum of 400 hours of field practicum in the senior year |
From Pacific Lutheran University's own program, admissions and tuition pages, reviewed October 1, 2026. Blank cells: the school's pages don't state that detail. Tuition changes each year; confirm fees with the school.
How Pacific Lutheran University Compares
Pacific Lutheran University's undergraduate tuition and fees, $50,964 a year (2023-24), are above the median of $13,212 across schools with a CSWE BSW (542nd lowest of 565). It awarded 15 social work bachelor's degrees in 2022-23 (IPEDS), 5th of 8 in Washington and 359th of 527 nationally among schools on this site.
| Pacific Lutheran University | Washington median | U.S. median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | $50,964 | $19,920 | $13,212 |
Medians across schools on this site with a CSWE BSW (federal figures, NCES College Navigator). The BSW cost comparison puts Pacific Lutheran University beside other schools.
From Pacific Lutheran University's BSW to an MSW
Pacific Lutheran University runs Master of Social Work (MSW), which admits BSW graduates with advanced standing: 36 credits, 14 months, starting in summer. Advanced standing is open to graduates of any CSWE-accredited BSW, at Pacific Lutheran University or elsewhere.
Pacific Lutheran University MSW details on mswdegree.com · How BSW-to-MSW advanced standing works
Is Pacific Lutheran University's BSW CSWE Accredited?
Pacific Lutheran University's BSW is listed as accredited in the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) directory (September 2026). CSWE accredits the program, which covers every format the school offers it in. All CSWE-accredited BSW programs
Federal data (IPEDS) show Pacific Lutheran University awarded 15 social work bachelor's degrees in 2022-23.
From Pacific Lutheran University's BSW to a Washington License
- First years: general education and intro coursesPsychology, sociology, human biology, intro to social work
- Apply to the social work majorUsually in the second year, with a GPA minimum
- Senior field practicumAt least 400 supervised hours in an agency
- MSW to be licensed hereWashington licenses social workers from the master's level
Washington licenses social workers from the master's level, so licensure there follows an MSW.
Washington BSW license from its social work board · BSW license checker
Similar BSW Programs to Compare With Pacific Lutheran University
Campus BSW programs at the nearest other CSWE-accredited schools:
- FormatHybridTuition$12,817per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work at Saint Martin's University
Saint Martin's University school profile · Lacey, WAFormatOn campus600-hour practicumTuition$44,210per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus450-hour practicumTuition$54,285per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare (BASW) at University of Washington
University of Washington school profile · Seattle, WAFormatOn campus480-hour practicumTuition$12,643per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$54,900per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Pacific Lutheran University BSW: Common Questions
Is Pacific Lutheran University's BSW CSWE Accredited?
Pacific Lutheran University's BSW is listed as accredited in the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) directory (September 2026). CSWE accredits the program, which covers every format the school offers it in.
Does Pacific Lutheran University Offer an Online BSW?
No. Pacific Lutheran University's BSW is offered on campus, according to its own pages.
How Do You Get Into Pacific Lutheran University's Social Work Major?
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW): Application in the fall of the junior year with a background check; 2.75 GPA in social work courses and 2.50 overall.
How Much Does Pacific Lutheran University's BSW Cost?
Federal undergraduate tuition and fees for 2023-24: $50,964. Grants and scholarships lower most students' price.
How Many Field Practicum Hours Does Pacific Lutheran University's BSW Require?
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW): Minimum of 400 hours of field practicum in the senior year.
Can Pacific Lutheran University BSW Graduates Get Advanced Standing in an MSW?
Yes. Pacific Lutheran University runs Master of Social Work (MSW), which admits BSW graduates with advanced standing (36 credits, 14 months, starting in summer). Any CSWE BSW qualifies you for advanced standing at other schools too.
More BSW Programs in Washington
Sources
- plu.edu: program, admissions and tuition pages, reviewed October 1, 2026
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs (September 2026)
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS: 2022-23 completions and 2023-24 tuition and fees
- Washington State Department of Health - Social Worker and Social Worker Associate credentials