Social work schools in South Carolina offer programs to prepare future social workers for careers in urban and rural communities across the state. In South Carolina, you must have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to become licensed for generalist social work practice and a CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) to become licensed for independent clinical social work. Several social work programs in the state offer traditional on-campus courses. Distance social work programs, such as Limestone University’s online BSW degree, are also available.
Quick Facts
- 9 schools offering social work programs in South Carolina are in our database (see below)
- Of the social work schools in South Carolina, 2 offer associate’s degrees or certificates, 7 offer bachelor’s degrees, and 2 offer a master’s or advanced degree1
- 1 school 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 7 schools, 9 bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs in South Carolina 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 South Carolina
Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges
- University of South Carolina (#46 in-state, #50 out-of-state)
*Institution-wide ranking.
US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- University of South Carolina (#50 tie)
- Winthrop University (#174 tie)
Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs
- Winthrop University
Schools with Social Work Programs Accredited by the CSWE
- Benedict College
- Coker College
- Columbia College
- Limestone College
- South Carolina State University
- University of South Carolina
- Winthrop University
Schools in South Carolina with Social Work Degree Programs
BSW and Other Undergraduate Programs
Coker College
Coker College was ranked #20 among regional colleges in the South in 2016. The school’s CSWE-accredited BSW degree in the Department of Social Work can be completed in four years of full-time study; certain elective classes are also offered online. Students complete three different placements during the program. A concentration in gerontology is offered; students in the gerontology concentration must complete all their placements with adults aged 65 and up. Minors in many different subjects are also offered. There are many ways to become involved in student life, including clubs, leadership opportunities, sports, and student politics. Candidates who have been out of high school for more than five years may apply for the Adult Degree Program, which provides extra support during the transition to university life.
Limestone College
Limestone College is a small Christian institution offering a CSWE-accredited BSW degree that develops skills for generalist social work practice with individuals, groups, and communities. The program is offered through in-person and online instruction; the online program admits students from across the country. Evening classes are also available at select campus locations. Day, evening, and online class options can be blended to create an individualized educational experience and meet the needs of most students. All students complete 400 hours of field education and may select from placement opportunities in diverse areas of practice including school social work, substance abuse, and gerontology. Students may elect to join student clubs, athletics, and volunteer projects for additional learning opportunities. US News & World Report ranked Limestone College #73 among regional colleges in the South in 2016.
MSW and Other Graduate Programs
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina (USC) offers CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW degrees as well as a PhD in social work. The USC College of Social Work was established in 1969 and built on a foundation of social justice values, community development, and social work innovation. Students enrolled in the MSW program can choose from one of five specializations: Children, Youth and Families; Health and Mental Health; Military and Veteran Communities; Aging; and Community, Social, and Economic Development. The program can be completed either full-time or part-time. Evening and weekend classes make the MSW program flexible for mature and distance learners. Students have access to over 500 field education placement opportunities, including global placements for those interested in international social work careers. In 2016 the university was tied for 108th place among national universities by US News & World Report.
Winthrop University
Winthrop University is a public institution founded in 1886. The school’s Department of Social Work offers a CSWE-accredited generalist BSW program as well as a CSWE-accredited MSW program. The MSW program has an empowerment practice focus that helps students develop critical thinking and practice skills to work with individuals, groups, and communities in diverse practice contexts. Students can pursue the degree either through the full-time, two-year program or the three-year, weekend intensive program. Both programs begin in August and include two field education placements at organizations in the local area. Advanced standing, which reduces the required course load for students with a CSWE-accredited BSW degree, is available for both programs; students in the full-time advanced standing program begin the program in May. The university was ranked #26 among regional universities in the South by US News & World Report in 2016.
Accreditation Information for South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiken Technical College | 11% | 17% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $5,409 |
| Benedict College | 31% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $17,128 |
| Coker College | 49% | 43% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $15,378 |
| Columbia College | 47% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $15,787 |
| Greenville Technical College | 10% | 25% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $7,697 |
| Limestone College | 28% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $21,865 |
| South Carolina State University | 38% | 18% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $18,315 |
| Trident Technical College | 10% | 22% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $8,444 |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | 73% | 9% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #50 tie | $17,972 |
| Winthrop University | 51% | 26% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #174 tie | $15,856 |
*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 South Carolina 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).
Aiken Technical College
2276 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Graniteville, SC 29829
(803) 508-7263
http://www.atc.edu
Benedict College*
1600 Harden St
Columbia, SC 29204-1086
(803) 256-4220
http://www.benedict.edu
Coker College*
300 E College Ave
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 383-8000
http://www.coker.edu
Columbia College*
1301 Columbia College Dr
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 786-3012
http://www.columbiasc.edu
Greenville Technical College
506 S Pleasantburg Dr
Greenville, SC 29606
(864) 250-8000
http://www.gvltec.edu
Limestone College*
1115 College Dr
Gaffney, SC 29340-3799
(800) 795-7151
http://www.limestone.edu
South Carolina State University
300 College St NE
Orangeburg, SC 29117-0001
(803) 536-7000
http://www.scsu.edu
Trident Technical College
7000 Rivers Ave
Charleston, SC 29423-8067
(843) 574-6111
http://www.tridenttech.edu
University of South Carolina-Columbia
945 Bull St
Columbia, SC 29208
(803) 777-7000
http://www.sc.edu
Student Review: “My experience with the school of social work was one of great content. All of my teachers had backgrounds in social work and were committed to making it a positive experience. One thing I liked about my program was the hands-on experiences. One thing I disliked was that sometimes it seemed as if other students in the program forgot the main reason we were there, to give back, and became generally negative. If I could do it all over again, I would spend more time in the community rather than in the classroom.” – Student at University of South Carolina
Winthrop University*
701 Oakland Ave
Rock Hill, SC 29733
(803) 323-2211
https://www.winthrop.edu
Student Review: “The social work program at Winthrop University has been an amazing and enriching experience. We have been provided with knowledgeable professors that truly know the subject matter that they are teaching. They are incredibly encouraging and that made me excited for the program. The program includes theory as well hands-on experiences that have truly helped shape me into a competent social worker. We have been taught to see the strengths in everyone and use that to help uplift and empower the public. I find that we are graded fairly and we are encouraged to dig deep and really think and to tackle our biases head first. I thoroughly enjoy the program and feel as though I have been enriched through it.” – Student at Winthrop University
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