Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program, Distance Education (DE) Option
WELCOME
We are proud to offer the only Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Distance Education (DE) Option program in the state of Hawaiʻi. The DE Option provides increased access for students who would otherwise be unable to pursue a social work degree due to geographical or scheduling barriers.
Our BSW program is available on a part-time or full-time schedule to all state of Hawaiʻi students who have completed their General Education Core Requirements. Students complete the program while remaining in their home community (Hawaiʻi, Molokaʻi, Kauaʻi, Maui, Lanaʻi, or Oʻahu). Most classes are delivered asynchronously online and in a condensed 5-week format while the Field Education requirements are fulfilled in community agencies, under the supervision of certified social workers. Graduates through the DE Option are awarded a BSW degree from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa after meeting all program requirements, including field education.
BSW DE Curriculum
CLASSROOM
- All courses are asynchronous and adaptive to student schedules
- Courses are condensed, intensive, and taken sequentially rather than concurrently
- All social work courses are taught by department faculty
FIELD EDUCATION
- Field Education begins after completion of first semester requirements
- Students are matched with community agencies under the supervision of certified MSW-level Field Instructors
Technology Requirements
It is essential for students enrolled in the DE option to have an updated computer and reliable, high speed access to the internet. For more specific information about software and hardware requirements, please click on this link.
BSW Program, Distance Education Schedule Options
| Plan A | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Semester | Courses | Credits |
| Fall | Course 1: SW325 (3) Course 2: SW360 (3) Course 3: SW302 (3) SW200 (3) Only if needed – Full Semester |
9 |
| Spring | Course 1: SW303 (3) Course 2: SW326 (3) Course 3: SW361 (3) SW391 Field (3) – Full Semester |
12 |
| Summer | Course 1: Upper Division Elective (3) Course 2: Upper Division Elective (3) |
6 |
| Subtotal | 27 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester | Courses | Credits |
| Fall | Course 1: SW402 (3) Course 2: SW440 (3) Course 3: Upper Division Elective (3) SW490 Field (4) – Full Semester |
13 |
| Spring | Course 1: SW403 Course 2: Upper Division Elective (3) Course 3: Upper Division Elective (3) SW491 Field (4) – Full Semester |
13 |
| Summer | Course 1: Upper Division Elective (3) Course 2: Upper Division Elective (3) |
6 |
| Subtotal | 32 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 59 | |
| Plan B | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Semester | Courses | Credits |
| Fall | Course 1: SW325 (3) Course 2: SW360 (3) Course 3: SW302 (3) SW200 (3) Only if needed – Full Semester |
9 |
| Spring | Course 1: SW303 (3) Course 2: SW326 (3) Course 3: SW361 (3) |
9 |
| Summer | Upper Division Elective (3) AND SW391 Field (3) |
6 |
| Subtotal | 23 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | Course 1: SW402 (3) Course 2: SW440 (3) SW490 Field (4) – Full Semester |
10 |
| Spring | Course 1: 403 (3) Course 2: Upper Division Elective (3) SW491 Field (4) – Full Semester |
10 |
| Summer | Course 1: Upper Division Elective (3) Course 2: Upper Division Elective (3) |
6 |
| Subtotal | 26 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | Course 1: Upper Division Elective (3) Course 2: Upper Division Elective (3) Course 3: Upper Division Elective (3) |
9 |
| Subtotal | 9 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 59 | |
Questions?
For more information about the BSW Program and/or to make an appointment with a pre-BSW peer advisor, please click here: BSW Program Information
To apply, click here for BSW Application forms and instructions: BSW Application
For questions regarding the application and admissions process, please contact:
Department of Social Work, Admissions and Student Services Office
(808) 956-3833
For questions and more information regarding the Distance Education Option, please contact:
Department of Social Work, Distance Education Options
(808) 956-9470
Click here for our events page for a list of Upcoming Information Sessions
Licensure and State Authorization
Once the student has completed the Bachelor’s in Social Work program and has successfully completed the application paperwork with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, including passing the ASWB’s Bachelors examination, they will be eligible to obtain a state license as a Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) in the State of Hawaiʻi. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, Department of Social Work may not be able to confirm whether a particular program meets the professional licensure requirements outside of the State of Hawaiʻi and recommends that the student contact the respective professional licensing board to determine the licensure requirements in the state in which the student wishes to practice.
University of Hawaii at Manoa OVCAA Professional Licensure Disclosure