District of Columbia · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in District of Columbia
Where Can You Earn a BSW in District of Columbia, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
4 schools in District of Columbia offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Gallaudet University, The Catholic University of America and Trinity Washington University. In-state tuition and fees at District of Columbia public universities start at $6,152 a year (2023-24). District of Columbia licenses BSW graduates as the Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA).
- 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 level (17 DCMR 7004.6; D.C. Code 3-1208.01 requires the examination process at the associate level))Or an MSW in about a year with advanced standing
- CSWE BSW schools
- 4
- BSW options
- 4
- online options
- 0
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $6,152
- BSW license
- LSWA
Does District of Columbia License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA)
- License
- Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA)
- Degree required
- Baccalaureate degree (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited social work program
- Exam
- ASWB Associate level (17 DCMR 7004.6; D.C. Code 3-1208.01 requires the examination process at the associate level)
From District of Columbia Board of Social Work (DC Health), reviewed 2026-09-30. District of Columbia board of social work · BSW license checker
District of Columbia BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of the District of ColumbiaWashington · Public | CSWE | $6,152$13,004 out-of-state | |||
| Gallaudet UniversityWashington · Private nonprofit | CSWE | $18,382 | Yes | ||
| The Catholic University of AmericaWashington · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $55,834 | Yes | |
| Trinity Washington UniversityWashington · Private nonprofit | Campus | Candidacy | $26,110 | 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 District of Columbia
4 programs in District of Columbia
- Format–Tuition$324per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) at the Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America school profile · WashingtonFormatOn campusTuition$30,250per termAccreditationCSWEB.A. in Social Work (B.S.W.) at Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University school profile · WashingtonFormat–Tuition$18,382per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWESocial Work, B.S.W. at Trinity Washington University
Trinity Washington University school profile · WashingtonFormatOn campusTuition$27,420per yearAccreditationCandidacy
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 District of Columbia
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at District of Columbia's BSW schools run from $6,152 at University of the District of Columbia to $55,834 at The Catholic University of America; the District of Columbia median is $18,382, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 1 of 4 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| University of the District of Columbia tuitionPublic | $6,152 | $13,004 |
| Gallaudet University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $18,382 | $18,382 |
| Trinity Washington University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $26,110 | $26,110 |
| The Catholic University of America tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $55,834 | $55,834 |
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 District of Columbia
2 District of Columbia schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Gallaudet University and The Catholic University of America. 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 District of Columbia
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of the District of Columbia has District of Columbia's largest program, followed by The Catholic University of America. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | BSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| University of the District of Columbia social work | 12 |
| The Catholic University of America social work | 7 |
Online BSW Options for District of Columbia Residents
Beyond District of Columbia's own schools, 132 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll District of Columbia residents and arrange your field practicum in District of Columbia.
| 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 District of Columbia
| Occupation | District of Columbia median | U.S. median | Jobs in District of Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $73,550 | $59,550 | 2,430 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $59,460 | $45,930 | 2,080 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $106,700 | $80,390 | 640 |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in District of Columbia?
4 schools in District of Columbia run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 4 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in District of Columbia?
Yes. District of Columbia Board of Social Work (DC Health) issues the Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA), which requires the ASWB Associate level (17 DCMR 7004.6; D.C. Code 3-1208.01 requires the examination process at the associate level) exam. It's a license for generalist practice; independent clinical practice needs an MSW, supervised experience and a clinical license.
Can District of Columbia Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 132 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll District of Columbia residents and place you in a field practicum in District of Columbia. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in District of Columbia?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a District of Columbia public university with a CSWE BSW is at University of the District of Columbia ($6,152). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 4 District of Columbia schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- District of Columbia Board of Social Work (DC Health)
- 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