Arizona social work programs help students begin and develop their professional careers. A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is necessary to be licensed as a social worker in Arizona, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is necessary if you wish to practice as a clinical social worker. There are two social work schools in Arizona offering CSWE-accredited social work degrees. Traditional face-to-face programs are available, as well as an online BSW program at Northern Arizona University and an online MSW at Arizona State University.
Quick Facts
- 7 schools offering social work programs in Arizona are in our database (see below)
- Of the social work schools in Arizona, 4 offer associate’s degrees or certificates, 3 offer bachelor’s degrees, and 2 offer a master’s or advanced degree1
- 2 schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- 2 schools ranked in Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs4
- Across 3 schools, 4 bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs in Arizona 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 Arizona
Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges
- Arizona State University-Tempe (#88 in-state, #72 out-of-state)
- Arizona State University-West (#84 in-state, #90 out-of-state)
*Institution-wide ranking.
US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- Arizona State University (#30 tie)
Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs
- Arizona State University
- Northern Arizona University
Schools with Social Work Programs Accredited by the CSWE
- Arizona State University
- Northern Arizona University
- Northern Arizona University-Yuma
Schools in Arizona with Social Work Degree Programs
BSW and Other Undergraduate Programs
Arizona State University
Arizona State University’s School of Social Work offers CSWE-accredited BSW programs at the west campus in Phoenix and through a hybrid online program in Tucson. Students can complete the entire degree at the Phoenix campus, or complete the social work requirements at the Tucson campus and the liberal arts courses at partner community colleges in the southern area of the state. The program can be completed either full-time or part-time and prepares students for generalist social work practice, such as case management and advocacy. Students attend liberal arts courses and social work courses in values, ethics, and theory. All students complete a field education placement in a social service agency. Placements are available throughout Arizona in a variety of practice settings. For students interested in a career in child welfare social work, the university has a Child Welfare Education Program offering further training opportunities, tuition assistance, and potential employment with the Arizona Department of Child Safety upon graduation.
Northern Arizona University
Founded in 1899, Northern Arizona University is a public institution located in Flagstaff. The Department of Sociology and Social Work’s CSWE-accredited BSW program prepares students for generalist social work practice in a wide range of settings including child welfare, substance abuse, and mental health. Both face-to-face and online study options are available. The program focuses on regional and local issues, such as the unique service needs of southwest indigenous peoples. All students complete a field education placement, which can be done either concurrently with coursework or after coursework is completed. Previous placements have been with state, non-profit, private, and indigenous social service agencies. Candidates considering careers in child welfare practice may be interested in the school’s Child Welfare Training Project, which provides additional learning opportunities in this area of practice. The university also offers a minor in social work, although the minor alone does not meet the state’s licensure requirements.
MSW and Other Graduate Programs
Arizona State University
The School of Social Work at the Arizona State University offers the only CSWE-accredited MSW program in the state, which can be completed in two years of full-time study or three years of part-time study through either classroom or online learning methods. The program specifically focuses on the needs and issues faced by southwest communities. Dual MSW degrees with law or public administration are also offered. Individuals with an accredited BSW completed in the last six years may be eligible for advanced standing to begin courses with the second year curriculum. All MSW students must declare a specialization in either children, youth, and families; health/behavioral health with adults; public child welfare; or policy, administration, and community practice. The university also has a Child Welfare Education Program as well as a PhD program in social work. The social work graduate school at Arizona State University was ranked #44 in the country in 2016 by US News and World Report.
Accreditation Information for Arizona Social Work Schools
| School | Graduation Rate1 | Transfer-Out Rate1 | Associate’s SW Program | Bachelor’s SW Program | Graduate SW Program | CSWE Accredited5 | US News Best Social Work Grad Schools Ranking3 | Net Price*1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | 58% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #30 tie | $12,358 |
| Cochise College | 23% | 22% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $5,764 |
| Dine College | 15% | 27% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $8,595 |
| Northern Arizona University | 52% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Ranked | $12,946 |
| Pima Community College | 11% | 17% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $2,935 |
*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 Arizona 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).
Arizona State University-Downtown Phoenix*
411 N Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602)
496-4636
http://www.asu.edu
Student Review: “I really enjoyed my experience getting my master’s in social work at Arizona State University. All of my classes were challenging and taught by people who either had extensive experience in the field, or were currently working in the field, so we got relevant, real world information. The program allows you to pick different tracks to specialize in, such as adult behavioral health or family and children studies. If you are interested in working in child protection, you can apply for a special program/scholarship where your school is paid for if you agree to work for DCS for a certain period of time after graduation. If you’re unsure what track you want to specialize in, you can always choose electives from the other track to give yourself a more well-rounded experience. My only warning is the field office. It’s a mess. They constantly lose paperwork and are unhelpful in finding field placements. Don’t wait for them to find you a placement or even use their computerized system. Start asking around early, network, make connections and find your own placement on your own. Professors are great to ask for what placements they’ve heard are good.” – Student at Arizona State University
Student Review: “The Social Work courses at Arizona State University were challenging and exhilarating. The professors taught the material and made it come to life with real life stories of cases they experienced. What made the courses exhilarating was the case studies and how relevant they were to real life experiences. The case studies, professors’ professional testimonies and the material all helped prepare me for my experience in the field. My own professional experience is one of ups and downs but I was academically and emotionally prepared for this type of work. I am an excellent social worker because of the preparedness I received as a Social Work student at Arizona State University.” – Student at Arizona State University
Cochise County Community College District
4190 W Highway 80
Douglas, AZ 85607-6190
(520)
515-0500
http://www.cochise.edu
Dine College
One Circle Drive, Rte 12
Tsaile, AZ 86556
(928) 724-6600
http://www.dinecollege.edu
Northern Arizona University*
1900 S Knoles Dr
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4092
(928) 523-9011
http://www.nau.edu
Pima Community College
4905C E Broadway Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85709-1275
(520) 206-4500
http://www.pima.edu
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