BSW: DE Option

Let's Talk Social Work!

Virtual Information Sessions about Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) options at UH Mānoa

Whether you're just starting your educational journey or curious about what social workers do, we invite you to join us for an engaging discussion! Find out about our BSW program, including the flexible class formats that fit your schedule and learning style.

Powerpoint Presentation Slides Coming Soon! Please check back after the first session.

For more information on HOW TO APPLY see our BSW Program Admissions website.

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
Semester	Courses	Credits
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?

General BSW Program 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

Phone: (808) 956-3833

E-mail: sswadmit@hawaii.edu

BSW Distance Education Option

For questions and more information regarding the Distance Education Option, please contact:

Department of Social Work, Distance Education Options

Phone: (808) 956-9470

E-mail: sswde@hawaii.edu

Click here for a list of BSW Application Process Sessions on Zoom

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