West Virginia · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in West Virginia
Where Can You Earn a BSW in West Virginia, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
7 schools in West Virginia offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Bethany College, Concord University and Marshall University. 2 options are online. In-state tuition and fees at West Virginia public universities start at $8,642 a year (2023-24). West Virginia licenses BSW graduates as the Provisional License to Practice as a Social Worker.
- 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: Provisional License to Practice as a Social Worker (ASWB Bachelors)Or an MSW in about a year with advanced standing
- CSWE BSW schools
- 7
- BSW options
- 9
- online options
- 2
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $8,642
- BSW license
- Yes
Does West Virginia License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Provisional License to Practice as a Social Worker
- License
- Provisional License to Practice as a Social Worker
- Degree required
- Bachelor's degree in a field related to social work (e.g., psychology, sociology, counseling, criminal justice, and others the board finds eligible), or a non-related degree with current MSW enrollment
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Supervision
- Four years of supervised employment with a board-approved employer under a degreed and licensed social worker, meeting the licensing supervisor every three months, while completing four core CSWE-accredited social work classes and sitting for the Bachelor's exam
- License
- Licensed Social Worker (Level A) (LSW)
- Degree required
- Bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
From West Virginia Board of Social Work, reviewed 2026-09-30. West Virginia board of social work · BSW license checker
West Virginia BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shepherd UniversityShepherdstown · Public | Campus | CSWE | $8,642$19,082 out-of-state | ||
| West Liberty UniversityWest Liberty · Public | Campus | CSWE | $8,732$17,116 out-of-state | ||
| Marshall UniversityHuntington · Public | Campus | CSWE | $8,942$20,294 out-of-state | Yes | |
| West Virginia State UniversityInstitute · Public | Campus | CSWE | $9,049$14,623 out-of-state | ||
| West Virginia UniversityMorgantown · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $9,648$27,360 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Concord UniversityAthens · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $9,700$20,600 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Bethany CollegeBethany · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $34,816 |
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 West Virginia
9 programs in West Virginia
On Campus Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at West Virginia University
West Virginia University school profile · MorgantownFormatOn campusTuition$9,648per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEOnline Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at West Virginia University
West Virginia University school profile · MorgantownFormatOnlineTuition$9,648per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) at Marshall University
Marshall University school profile · HuntingtonFormatOn campusTuition$8,942per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Shepherd University
Shepherd University school profile · ShepherdstownFormatOn campusTuition$8,642per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$9,700per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Online Bachelor of Social Work Program (Online BSW) at Concord University
Concord University school profile · AthensFormatOnlineTuition$9,700per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW) at West Virginia State University
West Virginia State University school profile · InstituteFormatOn campusTuition$9,049per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus550-hour practicumTuition$34,816per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at West Liberty University
West Liberty University school profile · West LibertyFormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$8,732per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · 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 West Virginia
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at West Virginia's BSW schools run from $8,642 at Shepherd University to $34,816 at Bethany College; the West Virginia median is $9,049, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 6 of 7 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Shepherd University tuitionPublic | $8,642 | $19,082 |
| West Liberty University tuitionPublic | $8,732 | $17,116 |
| Marshall University tuitionPublic | $8,942 | $20,294 |
| West Virginia State University tuitionPublic | $9,049 | $14,623 |
| West Virginia University tuitionPublic | $9,648 | $27,360 |
| Concord University tuitionPublic | $9,700 | $20,600 |
| Bethany College tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $34,816 | $34,816 |
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 West Virginia
3 West Virginia schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Concord University, Marshall University and West Virginia University. 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 West Virginia
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), West Virginia University has West Virginia's largest program, followed by Marshall University and Shepherd University. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for West Virginia Residents
Beyond West Virginia's own schools, 130 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll West Virginia residents and arrange your field practicum in West Virginia.
| 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 West Virginia
| Occupation | West Virginia median | U.S. median | Jobs in West Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $52,220 | $59,550 | 2,380 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $39,290 | $45,930 | 3,320 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $53,120 | $66,270 | 890 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $62,060 | $80,390 | 820 |
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 West Virginia Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in West Virginia?
7 schools in West Virginia run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 9 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in West Virginia?
Yes. West Virginia Board of Social Work issues the Provisional License to Practice as a Social Worker, which requires the ASWB Bachelors exam. It's a license for generalist practice; independent clinical practice needs an MSW, supervised experience and a clinical license.
Can West Virginia Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 2 West Virginia options are offered online, and 130 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll West Virginia residents and place you in a field practicum in West Virginia. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in West Virginia?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a West Virginia public university with a CSWE BSW are at Shepherd University ($8,642), West Liberty University ($8,732) and Marshall University ($8,942). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 7 West Virginia schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- West Virginia Board of Social Work
- 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