The 12 Best Associate’s Degree in Social Work in 2024

Community College of Allegheny offers a Social Work Foundations Applied Science Associate degree. This prepares students for entry-level positions in social work as paraprofessionals. They may work in group homes, drug and alcohol treatment facilities, and within other social services organizations.

The college has agreements with many 4 year universities that allow students to transfer and continue their education by pursuing a Bachelor’s of Social Work after getting their Associate’s degree.

Students will learn how to understand and use social work terminology, and the core concept of social work. Students will learn the theoretical perspectives of social work, and gain an understanding of diversity. They will learn how to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills in real-world situations, and how to use technology in the social work setting.

Western New Mexico University offers an Associate of Science degree. The 60-hour program is fully transferable to Eastern New Mexico University’s Bachelor of Social Work program. Western New Mexico University doesn’t offer a specialized degree in social work, but they do have behavioral science electives. This gives students some freedom in choosing which courses they wish to take and can help them specialize in a particular aspect of social work. Electives make up 28 of the program hours. The core curriculum also includes courses on social sciences.

Northampton Community College offers an Associate of Arts in Social Work. Courses can be taken completely online, or at either of their two Pennsylvania campuses. It’s a two-year program. It provides a strong foundation in liberal arts. Major courses including sociology, psychology, anthropology, and introduction to social work. In addition to classwork, the college offers hands-on social work experiences. The social work club provides real-world service learning. Students may also participate in conferences and international trips.

Northampton is a good choice if you want to continue your education and get your bachelor’s degree. It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). They have agreements with several local universities to ensure a smooth transition. If you intend to attend four of your college outside the local area, your academic advisor will help you navigate course requirements.

The Northeast Mississippi College Social Work Associate of Arts degree requires 62 credit hours. 32 credit hours are devoted to core studies, including English, Lab Science, History, and Humanities. The program’s focus is providing a solid introduction to behavioral science, and the needed coursework to transfer to a 4-year University. The college has agreements with nearby Universities that will accept all the credit hours earned at Northeast Mississippi College upon completion of an Associate’s degree.

Rogue Community College offers 3 Associate degree programs so students can choose the path that is right for them. Some programs are available online as well as on campus.

The Articulated Associate of Science degree prepares students to transfer to Southern Oregon University’s School of Social Sciences, Health, and Physical Education’s Human Services Program. This is an interdisciplinary Bachelor’s degree that prepares students for many careers in social work.  Students are required to complete 90-100 credit hours including 8 credit hours (264 hours) of practice or internship.

Students may also choose an Associate of Arts Transfer Degree. When you graduate from the program, credits are transferable to a 4-year University in Oregon, and you will be admitted as a Junior. The program is 90 credits, making it more extensive than most Associate’s degree programs.

For students who desire to enter the field after they obtain their Associate’s degree, the college also offers an Associate’s of Applied Science degree. This program focuses on career training. Students will gain the knowledge they need for entry-level positions in social work or human resources. There’s a focus on substance abuse counseling. Students who complete the program are eligible for Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC) Level 1 certification. This degree requires 100 credit hours.

The purpose of the Community College of Beaver County Social Work Associate Degree program is to prepare students to transfer to a four-year program. It is part of the Transfer and Articulation Center Program. This allows students to transfer seamlessly to a participating University in Pennsylvania. The program is only offered during the day on campus.

It is based on four key aspects. Students will learn the history of social work and how the field’s values were established. Students are introduced to social work concepts and their practical application. They will also learn about human development and the strengths of different life stages, and develop cultural understanding and awareness. The program is 60 credits.

Ivy Tech Community College is the second-largest community college in Indiana. They offer associate’s degree programs that can be transferred to four-year colleges to pursue a bachelor’s degree. They also offer programs designed to prepare students for a career upon graduation.

Ivy Tech takes a unique approach with its Human Services Associate of Science degree. Most colleges focus on preparing students to transfer to a four-year university or hands-on work and career preparation. Ivy Tech does both. The Transfer as a Junior program allows you to easily transfer to a University as a Junior after getting your Associate’s degree. However, the program also focuses on hands-on learning. It requires at least two internships. Course work includes case studies and problem-solving activities.

An Associate degree in Social Work from Mesa Community College can prepare you for many rewarding careers.  Career opportunities include mental health and substance abuse counseling, child/family and social service worker, community health worker, and correctional treatment specialist.

The MCC Social Work Program offers a comprehensive social work education with over thirty classes offered each semester of both required and elective social work courses.  You can receive your degree with online, face-to-face, and hybrid class options taught by licensed social work faculty with years of experience in the field.

The college also has transfer agreements with many other Arizona colleges, enabling students to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work once they have completed the program. They work closely with Arizona State University, but students may transfer to Universities across the country.

Perimeter College at Georgia State offers a Social Work Associate of Science degree. The focus of the program is prepared to continue to a bachelor’s degree. 42 of the credit hours are devoted to the core curriculum, and 18 are pathway courses for social work. Perimeter College is part of Georgia State, so students can transfer to Georgia State to pursue their Bachelor’s degree easily. Students may study on campus or complete the associate’s degree program completely online.

Austin Community College’s Social Work Associate of Arts degree prepares students for an entry-level career in social work or pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in social work. They take a balanced approach, providing core general education and a concentration in social work. Students will gain 15 credit hours in general education and 45 hours in the Social Work major.

The college places an emphasis on hands-on experience and education. The faculty has real-world field experience. The program provides field experience that helps students learn and prepares them for a career.

City of Colleges of Chicago offers a Social Work Associate of Arts degree. Most of the program comprises general education requirements which make up 45 hours of the 60-hour program. It is designed to meet the general education requirements needed to transfer to a 4-year university upon completion. Elective pathway courses include Sociology, Psychology, and Introduction to Social Work. Classes are available online or on campus. However, students must follow the class syllabus and complete assignments on time if they choose to utilize online learning.

San Diego City College offers a Social Work Associate of Arts degree. The program has a dual focus. It is designed to prepare students to pursue an entry-level career in social work or move on to a Bachelor’s degree program after obtaining an Associate degree. The second focus is to provide a basic knowledge of behavioral science to give students a wider knowledge base.

Social work is an applied behavioral science. It requires critical thinking, logic, and knowledge of behavioral science theories. Students will learn how to apply these theories to specific problems, and understand the roles that cultural, economic, and other factors impact individuals and communities.