Earning a social work degree will prepare you for a promising career in a growing industry. In Alabama you must have at least a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to be licensed and practice as a social worker. Advanced career opportunities may require a Master of Social Work (MSW). When completing your social work degree, you should consider whether you would like a career in clinical, advanced generalist, or macro level work and choose the right program accordingly. If you are interested in online programs, the University of Alabama social work program offers an online MSW.
Quick Facts
- 17 schools offering social work programs in Alabama are in our database (see below)
- Of the social work schools in Alabama, 1 offers associate’s degrees or certificates, 15 offer bachelor’s degrees, and 5 offer a master’s or advanced degree
- 2 schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges
- 2 schools ranked in US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- 1 school ranked in Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs4
- Across 15 schools, 23 bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs in Alabama are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)5
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Top-Ranked Schools with Social Work Programs in Alabama
Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges
- Auburn University (#69 in-state, #65 out-of-state)
- University of Alabama (#48 in-state, #59 out-of-state)
*Institution-wide ranking.
US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- University of Alabama (#50 tie)
- Alabama A & M University (#174 tie)
Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs
- University of Alabama
Schools with Social Work Programs Accredited by the CSWE
- Alabama A & M University
- Alabama State University
- Auburn University
- Jacksonville State University
- Miles College
- Oakwood University
- Samford University
- Talladega College
- Troy University
- Tuskegee University
- University of Alabama
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- University of Montevallo
- University of North Alabama
- University of South Alabama
Schools in Alabama with Social Work Degree Programs
BSW and Other Undergraduate Programs
Oakwood University
Oakwood University is affiliated with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and offers a CSWE-accredited BSW program in their School of Education & Social Sciences, which is based on Christian principles. Students learn the skills they will need to work in settings such as health, mental health, child welfare, and schools. The application process for the social work major is comprehensive. Students must submit a personal statement, resume, self-evaluation form, transcript, and references, and complete personality tests and an interview. The program includes 450 hours of supervised field education and a service learning component. Before graduating, each student must prepare for an exit examination that includes a portfolio of skills and experience, a field education review, and an oral interview with faculty. In 2016, the university was tied at #67 in the Regional Colleges (South) category by US News and World Report.
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee University is a private, rural institution located east of Montgomery. In 2016 the university was ranked #10 among regional colleges in the South by US News and World Report. The Department of Social Work offers a CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) built on a liberal arts foundation. The university’s liberal arts core curriculum includes humanities, natural science, social science, and statistics. The social work courses cover social welfare, research, and human behavior. Social work students put their classroom learning into practice in a required field education placement, which develops generalist skills that can be used in many practice settings after graduation. Previous placements have been in detention centers, child and family services, schools, and hospitals.
MSW and Other Graduate Programs
University of Alabama
Located in Tuscaloosa, the University of Alabama is a public university tied for 96th place among national universities by US News and World Report in 2016. The CSWE-accredited MSW program at UA’s School of Social Work offers concentrations in children and families social work or adults and families social work; students may apply to either the on-campus or online version of the program. The university also offers dual degrees in law and public health. Applicants must have at least an undergraduate degree with a 3.0 GPA and meet specific undergraduate liberal arts requirements. To apply for advanced standing, which reduces the number of courses necessary to complete the MSW, the applicant must have a CSWE-accredited BSW degree. Field education placements can be completed in Alabama, neighboring states, or Washington DC. The university has an active student body and more than 250 clubs, fraternities, and sororities.
Samford University
Samford University, a small, Christian private school located in Birmingham, was ranked #4 among regional universities in the South in 2016 by US News and World Report. The university’s School of Public Health’s Department of Social Work has a CSWE-accredited MSW degree that can be completed in two years of full-time study or in three years of part-time study. Students who have a CSWE-accredited BSW may apply for advanced standing to reduce the program length. The program has two possible concentrations: Clinical practice or Global Community Development practice. Students must complete two field education placements, one in each year of the program. In the final year of the program, students also complete a research seminar and project. The university also has a fast-track program that allows undergraduate students to complete a bachelor’s degree and an MSW in five years of full-time study. The school does not have a BSW program, but undergraduate students interested in social work careers can major in related subjects such as global studies or psychology.
Alabama A&M University
Alabama A&M University offers a Master of Social Work degree designed to prepare students for advanced careers as social work practitioners. The coursework for this degree is focused on the development of effective relationships and the commitment to lifelong education. Students may pursue the MSW under a nonthesis or a thesis option. While students from all backgrounds are welcome to apply, the program takes a special interest in training students from historically oppressed populations to become social work professionals. The program is housed within the College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences and is led by PhD faculty with expertise in various fields related to social work. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has fully accredited the MSW program at Alabama A&M.
Accreditation Information for Alabama Social Work Schools
| School | Graduation Rate1 | Transfer-Out Rate1 | Associate’s SW Program | Bachelor’s SW Program | Graduate SW Program | CSWE Accred.5 | US News Best Social Work Grad Schools Ranking3 | Net Price*1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | 35% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #174 tie | $14,746 |
| Alabama State University | 26% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Ranked | $10,905 |
| Auburn University | 71% | 21% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $18,500 |
| Jacksonville State University | 30% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $13,304 |
| Judson College | 43% | 37% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $14,289 |
| Lawson State Community College-Birmingham | 10% | 31% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $7,051 |
| Miles College | 20% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $16,629 |
| Oakwood University | 44% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Ranked | $26,979 |
| Talladega College | 44% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $9,332 |
| Troy University | 35% | 34% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Ranked | $10,112 |
| Tuskegee University | 47% | 6% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $28,414 |
| University of Alabama | 66% | 24% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #88 tie | $18,935 |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | 56% | 24% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $13,982 |
| University of Montevallo | 44% | 31% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Ranked | $16,147 |
| University of North Alabama | 39% | 35% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $10,118 |
| University of South Alabama | 38% | 32% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $12,066 |
*The net price is calculated by the National Center for Education Statistics by subtracting the average amount of aid (including grants and scholarships) from the total published cost of attendance for in-state/in-district students, which includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses. To gain a better understanding of how to interpret the statistics discussed in this table, see our list of important definitions.
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Directory of Alabama Social Work School Programs
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Alabama A&M University*
4900 Meridian St
Normal, AL 35762
(256) 372-5000
http://www.aamu.edu
Student Review: “Alabama A&M University has a wonderful social work program. I entered into this program as someone who has been out of college for quite a while. During my time as a graduate student I was offered many opportunities that allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. The professors challenged me and encouraged me to do my best. They care about you as a person, student, and professional. The department was super supportive of individual student needs. I would highly recommend the Social Work program at AAMU to anyone interested. It is definitely worth the hassle of dealing with the overall administration of the university.” – Student at Alabama A&M University
Alabama State University*
915 S Jackson St
Montgomery, AL 36104-0271
(334) 229-4100
http://www.alasu.edu
Auburn University*
350 Duncan Dr
Auburn, AL 36849
(334) 844-4000
http://www.auburn.edu
Jacksonville State University*
700 Pelham Rd N
Jacksonville, AL 36265
(256) 782-5781
http://www.jsu.edu
Judson College*
302 Bibb St
Marion, AL 36756
(334) 683-5100
http://www.judson.edu
Lawson State Community College-Birmingham Campus
3060 Wilson Rd SW
Birmingham, AL 35221-1717
(205)
925-2515
http://www.lawsonstate.edu
Miles College*
5500 Myron Massey Blvd
Fairfield, AL 35064-2621
(205) 929-1000
http://www.miles.edu
Oakwood University*
7000 Adventist Blvd NW
Huntsville, AL 35896
(256) 726-7000
http://www.oakwood.edu
Talladega College*
627 W Battle St
Talladega, AL 35160
(256) 761-6100
http://www.talladega.edu
Troy University*
600 University Ave
Troy, AL 36082-0001
(334) 670-3100
http://www.troy.edu
Tuskegee University*
1200 W Montgomery Rd
Tuskegee, AL 36088-1920
(334) 727-8011
http://www.tuskegee.edu
University of Alabama*
739 University Blvd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0166
(205) 348-6010
http://www.ua.edu
Student Review: “My experience with the social program at the University of Alabama has been wonderful and exciting. From the very first day the professors went out of their way to make sure that every student felt welcomed and accepted. The program is very diverse in terms of the students that make up the student body. It was a very welcoming environment. What I liked about the program was that the professors had real world experience in the field of social work. They served as advocates for the poor, for minorities, and for children (among other things). Thus, we were able to not only get social work theory, but see the practical application of social work and the pursuit of social justice too. I also liked that as part of the program students are required to intern with a social services organization. That part made it real to me just how much we can impact people’s lives in a positive way. I highly recommend the University of Alabama to anyone considering social work or any of the helping professions.” – Student at the University of Alabama
University of Alabama at Birmingham*
1720 2nd Ave S
Birmingham, AL 35294-0110
(205) 934-4011
http://www.uab.edu
University of Montevallo*
75 College Dr
Montevallo, AL 35115-6000
(205) 665-6155
http://www.montevallo.edu
University of North Alabama*
One Harrison Plz
Florence, AL 35632-0001
(256) 765-4100
http://www.una.edu
University of South Alabama*
307 N University Blvd
Mobile, AL 36688-0002
(251) 460-6101
https://www.southalabama.edu
Student Review: “I really enjoyed my time while in the Social Work Program at University of South Alabama. I really feel like my classmates and I were more family than classmates, we started out together and went through our classes together and were each other’s support systems. I feel that this program left me more than ready to be a wonderful social worker. This program does have some cons though, I do wish that there were more options for someone who wants to finish school from a distance or online. I wish you could somehow do the entire BSW online as well. Other than that overall great faculty and wonderful staff as well.” – Student at University of South Alabama
Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=all
3. US News & World Report Social Work Best Grad Schools Rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings
4.
Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs: /degrees/masters/online/
5. Council on Social Work Education: https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Directory-of-Accredited-Programs.aspx