Online BS in Social Work | Child and Family

120

Credit Hours

Online* with 1 virtual intensive

Transfer in up to 75% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026

Bring Hope and Healing to At-Risk Youth and Their Families with a Bachelor’s in Social Work – Child and Family

Do you have a passion for working with children and adolescents? With Liberty’s online Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) – Child and Family, you can learn how to offer hope and healing to hurting families. Through this program, you can explore ways to address challenges in areas such as grief, family stress, neglect, substance abuse, bullying, poverty, and immigration.

The skills taught in this program may be applicable to a variety of settings, including adoption and foster care agencies, group homes, residential treatment facilities, schools, community centers, counseling practices, international work, and missions. As you dive into your BSSW courses, you’ll explore cutting-edge social work research and practices – allowing you to deepen your understanding of the issues facing many of today’s youth and their families.

We’re excited to partner with you as you take this important next step in your education. Pursue your online BSSW and see how you can make an impact in your community and beyond!

*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.

Your officially conferred degree name will be Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) – Child and Family.

Liberty maintains strict compliance with all licensure requirements for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Not a Virginia resident? We want to help find the best program for you! To view educational requirements and whether a specific program aligns with the licensure requirements for your state, please review our licensure/certification requirements webpage.

Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026

Private Nonprofit University
600+ Online Degrees
No Standardized Testing for Admission
Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Liberty

Why Choose Liberty’s Online Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work – Child and Family?

Liberty has been a pioneer in distance education since 1985, so we know how to design programs that blend accessibility and high-quality academics. Explore the benefits of choosing Liberty University for your social work education:

Flexible Courses | Are you worried that going back to school means putting your life on hold? One of the unique advantages of Liberty University’s social work program is its flexibility. We offer a rigorous online curriculum that allows you to balance your education with your other commitments. Whether you’re a working professional, a parent, or have other important responsibilities outside of school, our courses are designed to fit around your schedule.
In-Person Training | Our online BSSW degree emphasizes the importance of practical experience. In addition to completing online coursework, you will participate in 2 field placements! These hands-on opportunities enable you to apply your knowledge in real-world situations and put your skills to the test.
Accreditation | Liberty University holds institutional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Additionally, our online bachelor’s in social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). You can trust that your degree from Liberty University aligns with industry standards.
Experienced Professors | Our faculty members bring a wealth of experience to the classroom. Our professors have worked extensively in the field of social work, allowing them to share real-world insights and practical knowledge with you. Their expertise goes beyond theory, providing you with a valuable perspective on the challenges and opportunities you may encounter in your career.

What Will You Study in Our BSSW – Child and Family Social Work Degree?

Liberty University’s bachelor’s in social work program offers a comprehensive journey that can help strengthen your understanding of this vital field. Our core curriculum covers essential topics, including research, statistics, chemical dependency, and mental health, with the goal of providing a strong foundation to help you make a meaningful impact.

Our online BSSW also emphasizes ethical practice so you can learn to navigate complex ethical dilemmas as you serve your clients. Understanding social welfare and policy is crucial, which is why this social work bachelor’s program provides insight into the systems and policies impacting society. Additionally, your courses are designed to cover many of the skills needed to work effectively with diverse populations, from individuals to families and groups.

Within the child and family cognate, you will dive into topics such as:

Evolving changes in approaches to child protective services, kinship/foster care, adoption, group/residential care, reunification, prevention, and church/community engagement
Major areas of developmental psychopathology from infancy through adolescence
Methods for addressing challenges related to grief and loss, bullying and school issues, trauma, poverty, substance use, mental health, family issues, and immigration
Services, practices, and laws that are in place to ensure child and adolescent well-being, safety, and permanency
Theory, empirical research, and interventions related to behavioral, emotional, and cognitive disorders
Trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions for children

Field experiences are at the heart of our program, giving you the opportunity for hands-on practice in real-world settings. These field placements can help you see your coursework applied to real-life scenarios. Partner with us and train to make a positive difference in the lives of others!

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

This program falls under the School of Behavioral Sciences.
View the Undergraduate Behavioral Sciences Course Guides (login required).
Our online BSSW degree requires one virtual intensive course with set login times and 2 full-semester field placements.
Students will pursue the Gate process to move throughout this program. Please see the Social Work Gates page for more information.
Please review our CSWE program evaluation for more information.

Degree Completion Plan

State Licensure Requirements

Individual state licensure requirements may vary and are subject to change without notice. View your state’s requirements here: licensure/certification requirements.

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for all undergraduate courses at no additional cost to you. As a full-time student, this could save you an estimated $800-2,000 per year on textbooks!

Undergraduate Full Time	$390/Credit
Undergraduate Part Time	$455/Credit
Military Undergraduate	$250/Credit

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Requirements for Our Online Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work

Admission Requirements

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9595.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official high school transcripts or official GED test scores.*
- Students may be allowed to enroll in up to 12 credit hours with Liberty with the submission of our High School Self-Certification Form (login required – you will first need to claim your Liberty Account).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system).
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

*Official high school transcript requirement may be waived with college transcripts from an accredited college/university showing at least 12 earned credit hours with an acceptable GPA.

Note: A 2.0 or above cumulative GPA is required for admission in good standing.

Transcript Policies

High School Transcript Policy

Applicants may submit a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of a final official high school transcript in order to enroll in up to 12 credit hours at Liberty University.

Applicants may submit a college transcript showing 12 or more credits from an accredited institution and a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of high school transcripts.

Students must submit official high school transcripts, or official college transcripts showing at least 12 credit hours earned with an acceptable grade point average (GPA) from an accredited institution, in order to register for additional courses.

The official high school transcript, GED requirement, and High School Self-Certification Form can be waived if the applicant has earned an associate degree or higher.

Final transcripts must reflect all coursework and final grades received for grades 9-12, a graduation date, and an overall GPA. (Mailed transcripts must be in a sealed and unopened envelope.)

Unofficial College Transcript Policy

Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:

Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
Cumulative GPA
A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
Degree and date conferred (if applicable)

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Military Transfers

International Applicants

If you are an international applicant, you may be required to have your international transcripts reviewed. Information regarding the transcript evaluation process for international students can be found by visiting NACES.

Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Start Online Application

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

Active Duty
Reserve/National Guard
Veterans/Retirees
Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

Tuition discounts – $250 per credit hour for undergraduate courses
Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $565 per course)*
8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
Potential college credit for military training

*Not applicable to certificates.

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

View Military Benefits

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App Fee Waived This Week*

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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Online BS in Social Work – Child and Family Learn to Help Families Heal

Bring Hope and Healing to At-Risk Youth and Their Families with a Bachelor’s in Social Work – Child and Family

What Sets Us Apart?

Why Choose Liberty’s Online Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work – Child and Family?

What Will You Study in Our BSSW – Child and Family Social Work Degree?

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

State Licensure Requirements

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Requirements for Our Online Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work

Admission Requirements

Transcript Policies

Military Transfers

International Applicants

Admissions Office Contact Information

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