Alabama · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Alabama
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Alabama, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
15 schools in Alabama offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Alabama A & M University, Alabama State University and Auburn University. 3 options are online. In-state tuition and fees at Alabama public universities start at $8,832 a year (2023-24). Alabama licenses BSW graduates as the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW).
- 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: LBSWOr an MSW in about a year with advanced standing
- CSWE BSW schools
- 15
- BSW options
- 16
- online options
- 3
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $8,832
- BSW license
- LBSW
Does Alabama License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
- License
- Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)
- Degree required
- Baccalaureate degree in social work from an accredited college or university whose social work program is approved or accredited by CSWE
- Supervision
- After licensure, at least 96 hours of supervision: a minimum of 4 hours per month for 24 months within a 36-month period, concurrent with employment of at least 10 hours per week of social work practice. After completing supervision, an LBSW may practice without further supervision.
From Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners, reviewed 2026-09-30. Alabama board of social work · BSW license checker
Alabama BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham · Public | Campus | CSWE | $8,832$21,864 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Auburn University at MontgomeryMontgomery · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $9,436$20,092 out-of-state | ||
| University of South AlabamaMobile · Public | Campus | CSWE | $9,676$18,652 out-of-state | ||
| Troy UniversityTroy · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $9,792$19,584 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Alabama A & M UniversityNormal · Public | Campus | CSWE | $10,024$18,634 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Alabama State UniversityMontgomery · Public | Campus | CSWE | $11,248$19,576 out-of-state | Yes | |
| University of AlabamaTuscaloosa · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $11,900$33,200 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| University of North AlabamaFlorence · Public | Campus | CSWE | $11,990$22,190 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville · Public | Campus | CSWE | $12,426$22,716 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Auburn UniversityAuburn · Public | Campus | CSWE | $12,536$33,944 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Miles CollegeFairfield · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $12,714 | ||
| University of MontevalloMontevallo · Public | Campus | CSWE | $13,710$26,730 out-of-state | ||
| Talladega CollegeTalladega · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $15,650 | ||
| Oakwood UniversityHuntsville · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $21,838 | Yes | |
| Tuskegee UniversityTuskegee · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $23,440 | Yes |
Programs from each school's own pages, reviewed October 2026; CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Tuition and fees are the federal figures for a full-time undergraduate year, 2023-24 (NCES College Navigator).
Every BSW Program in Alabama
16 programs in Alabama
- FormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$9,792per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at University of Alabama
University of Alabama school profile · TuscaloosaFormatOn campus450-hour practicumTuition$11,900per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW), Online at University of Alabama
University of Alabama school profile · TuscaloosaFormatOnlineTuition$399per creditAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville State University school profile · JacksonvilleFormatOn campusTuition$12,426per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at University of North Alabama
University of North Alabama school profile · FlorenceFormatOn campusTuition$5,250per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) at University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama at Birmingham school profile · BirminghamFormatOn campusTuition$8,832per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work at Alabama State University
Alabama State University school profile · MontgomeryFormatOn campusTuition$11,248per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$10,024per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus436-hour practicumTuition$9,676per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$12,536per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$12,714per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Auburn University at Montgomery
Auburn University at Montgomery school profile · MontgomeryFormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$394per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWESocial Work (B.A./B.S.) at University of Montevallo
University of Montevallo school profile · MontevalloFormatOn campusTuition$13,710per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$21,838per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$23,440per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$15,650per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
No programs match these filters.
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.
What a BSW Costs in Alabama
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Alabama's BSW schools run from $8,832 at University of Alabama at Birmingham to $23,440 at Tuskegee University; the Alabama median is $11,990, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 11 of 15 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham tuitionPublic | $8,832 | $21,864 |
| Auburn University at Montgomery tuitionPublic | $9,436 | $20,092 |
| University of South Alabama tuitionPublic | $9,676 | $18,652 |
| Troy University tuitionPublic | $9,792 | $19,584 |
| Alabama A & M University tuitionPublic | $10,024 | $18,634 |
| Alabama State University tuitionPublic | $11,248 | $19,576 |
| University of Alabama tuitionPublic | $11,900 | $33,200 |
| University of North Alabama tuitionPublic | $11,990 | $22,190 |
| Jacksonville State University tuitionPublic | $12,426 | $22,716 |
| Auburn University tuitionPublic | $12,536 | $33,944 |
Full-time undergraduate tuition and required fees, 2023-24 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS). Compare schools side by side with the BSW cost comparison.
From a BSW to an MSW in Alabama
10 Alabama schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Alabama A & M University, Alabama State University, Auburn University, Jacksonville State University, Oakwood University and University of Alabama and 4 more. Advanced standing is open to graduates of any CSWE BSW, so you can also move to another school.
How BSW-to-MSW advanced standing works · Find a same-school MSW route
Largest BSW Programs in Alabama
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Troy University has Alabama's largest program, followed by University of Alabama and Jacksonville State University. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for Alabama Residents
Beyond Alabama's own schools, 129 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Alabama residents and arrange your field practicum in Alabama.
| Lowest published per-credit rates, same for every state | Per credit |
|---|---|
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Bachillerato en Artes con Concentración en Trabajo Social (BATS)Bachillerato en Artes con Concentración en Trabajo Social (BATS) · Puerto Rico | $207 |
| University of the Cumberlands: Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW), OnlineBachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW), Online · Kentucky | $220 |
| Avila University: Bachelor of Social Work OnlineBachelor of Social Work Online · Missouri | $300 |
| Charter Oak State College: Bachelor of Science in Social WorkBachelor of Science in Social Work · Connecticut | $329 |
| Briar Cliff University: Bachelor of Social Work (online degree completion)Bachelor of Social Work (online degree completion) · Iowa | $340 |
| Capella University: Bachelor of Social WorkBachelor of Social Work · Minnesota | $350 |
Compare every option on the online BSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Pay for BSW Jobs in Alabama
| Occupation | Alabama median | U.S. median | Jobs in Alabama |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $46,660 | $59,550 | 4,220 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $35,830 | $45,930 | 3,370 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $61,050 | $66,270 | 1,080 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $72,310 | $80,390 | 2,350 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with a BSW.
Social Work Programs Near Alabama Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in Alabama?
15 schools in Alabama run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 16 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in Alabama?
Yes. Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners issues the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW). It's a license for generalist practice; independent clinical practice needs an MSW, supervised experience and a clinical license.
Can Alabama Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 3 Alabama options are offered online, and 129 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Alabama residents and place you in a field practicum in Alabama. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Alabama?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Alabama public university with a CSWE BSW are at University of Alabama at Birmingham ($8,832), Auburn University at Montgomery ($9,436) and University of South Alabama ($9,676). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 15 Alabama schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS: 2022-23 completions and 2023-24 tuition and fees
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025