Salem, Massachusetts
Salem State University BSW Programs
What BSW Options Does Salem State University Offer?
Salem State University offers 2 BSW options, 1 of them online. It is CSWE-accredited. Federal tuition and fees: $11,978 a year in-state (2023-24). Graduates can continue into Salem State University's own MSW with advanced standing.
2 BSW Options at Salem State University
- FormatOn campusTuition$13,090per year · resident rate · with feesAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineTuition$11,978per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Admission, Practicum and Cost at Salem State University
| Program | Getting into the major | Field practicum | Published tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) | Transfer: Up to 34 credits may be accepted through the MassTransfer program | 16 hours of fieldwork per week in both fall and spring of the senior year | $13,089.60 tuition and fees per year in-state; $20,719.20 out-of-state; $15,034.20 NEBHE Tuition Break, 2026-27 |
| Online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) | Massachusetts residency, minimum of 60 transferable college credits and a GPA of 2.7 or higher from the most recent institutionTransfer: Built for students with an associate degree or completed general education at a Massachusetts community college | 425-hour in-person practicum in the senior year, placed across Massachusetts |
From Salem State 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 Salem State University Compares
Salem State University's undergraduate tuition and fees, $11,978 a year for residents (2023-24), are below the median of $13,212 across schools with a CSWE BSW (249th lowest of 565). Out-of-state students pay $18,961. It awarded 31 social work bachelor's degrees in 2022-23 (IPEDS), 3rd of 8 in Massachusetts and 230th of 527 nationally among schools on this site.
| Salem State University | Massachusetts median | U.S. median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | $11,978 | $42,061 | $13,212 |
Medians across schools on this site with a CSWE BSW (federal figures, NCES College Navigator). The BSW cost comparison puts Salem State University beside other schools.
From Salem State University's BSW to an MSW
Salem State University runs Master of Social Work (In-Person Fall Start Program), which admits BSW graduates with advanced standing: 38 credits, Full-time or extended time. Advanced standing is open to graduates of any CSWE-accredited BSW, at Salem State University or elsewhere.
Salem State University MSW details on mswdegree.com · How BSW-to-MSW advanced standing works
Is Salem State University's BSW CSWE Accredited?
Salem State 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 Salem State University awarded 31 social work bachelor's degrees in 2022-23.
From Salem State University's BSW to a Massachusetts 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
- License: LSWA (ASWB Associate)Or an MSW in about a year with advanced standing
Massachusetts licenses BSW graduates as the Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA) after the ASWB Associate exam.
Massachusetts BSW license from its social work board · BSW license checker
Similar BSW Programs to Compare With Salem State University
Online BSW programs at other CSWE-accredited schools, lowest published per-credit rate first:
- FormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$207per creditAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work at Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University school profile · Hays, KSFormatOn campus, Online400-hour practicumTuition$216per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW), Online at University of the Cumberlands
University of the Cumberlands school profile · Williamsburg, KYFormatOnlineTuition$220per creditAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock
University of Arkansas at Little Rock school profile · Little Rock, ARFormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$234per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWESocial Work Comprehensive, Bachelor of Science at University of Nebraska at Kearney
University of Nebraska at Kearney school profile · Kearney, NEFormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$244per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Salem State University BSW: Common Questions
Is Salem State University's BSW CSWE Accredited?
Salem State 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 Salem State University Offer an Online BSW?
Yes. Online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is offered online.
How Do You Get Into Salem State University's Social Work Major?
Online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW): Massachusetts residency, minimum of 60 transferable college credits and a GPA of 2.7 or higher from the most recent institution.
Can You Transfer Into Salem State University's BSW?
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW): Up to 34 credits may be accepted through the MassTransfer program. Online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW): Built for students with an associate degree or completed general education at a Massachusetts community college.
How Much Does Salem State University's BSW Cost?
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW): $13,089.60 tuition and fees per year in-state; $20,719.20 out-of-state; $15,034.20 NEBHE Tuition Break, 2026-27 (2026-27). Federal undergraduate tuition and fees for 2023-24: $11,978 in-state, $18,961 out-of-state. Grants and scholarships lower most students' price.
How Many Field Practicum Hours Does Salem State University's BSW Require?
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW): 16 hours of fieldwork per week in both fall and spring of the senior year. Online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW): 425-hour in-person practicum in the senior year, placed across Massachusetts.
Can Salem State University BSW Graduates Get Advanced Standing in an MSW?
Yes. Salem State University runs Master of Social Work (In-Person Fall Start Program), which admits BSW graduates with advanced standing (38 credits, Full-time or extended time). Any CSWE BSW qualifies you for advanced standing at other schools too.
More BSW Programs in Massachusetts
Sources
- salemstate.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
- Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers, Bureau of Health Professions Licensure