Social Work (Online) Northern Kentucky University

Overview

The Social Work (Online) programme at Northern Kentucky University is a professionally accredited graduate degree designed to empower future leaders in the field of social justice. This clinical programme provides students with the advanced therapeutic skills required to diagnose and treat patients effectively within diverse community settings.

Students can choose between two distinct pathways based on their academic background. The standard track consists of a 60-credit hour curriculum including 900 hours of supervised field education, while the advanced standing track offers a 30-credit hour route for those who already hold a relevant undergraduate degree.

The curriculum is deeply rooted in the NASW Code of Ethics, ensuring that graduates are prepared to advocate for vulnerable populations.

Why Social Work (Online) at Northern Kentucky University?

This programme is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), ensuring that the teaching meets the highest professional standards. Students benefit from a faculty of experts with extensive research experience in areas such as trauma, interpersonal violence, and forensic social work.

The learning experience is enhanced by the opportunity to gain micro-credentials in specialised fields. These include trauma-informed care, gerontology, and forensic social work, allowing students to tailor their education to specific career goals while studying in a flexible, fully online environment.

The institution provides a supportive digital campus atmosphere where students can connect with a passionate community of advocates. The programme’s emphasis on clinical behavioural health ensures that graduates are eligible to pursue master’s level social work licensure upon completion of their studies.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 38045 per full
• National fee: USD 38045 per full
• Local fee: USD 38045 per full

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

• Trauma-informed Care
• Forensic Social Work
• Gerontology
• Clinical Behavioural Health
• Community Practice
• Assessment and Treatment Models
• Social Work Values
• Human Behavior and Development
• Social Policy
• Multiculturalism
• Psychiatric Disorders
• Research and Theory

Careers with Social Work (Online)

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of professional roles within the healthcare and social services sectors. Many pursue careers as clinical social workers or mental health counsellors, providing essential therapeutic support to individuals and groups in need of psychological assistance.

The programme also opens doors to specialised roles in substance abuse treatment and medical social work within hospital settings. Those interested in the legal system can find opportunities in forensic social work, working alongside police departments or within the broader criminal justice framework.

Beyond direct practice, the degree supports careers in community-based advocacy and policy development. Graduates often work for child welfare agencies, residential treatment facilities, and non-profit organisations, where they focus on programme evaluation and the advancement of social and economic justice.