Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions

Developed by community leaders and top-tier faculty, this curriculum aligns with industry trends to prepare you for the nonprofit workforce. You’ll gain the expertise to address society’s most pressing challenges, from environmental sustainability and public health to community development and international relief. This program also examines the future of the nonprofit sector, including emerging technologies, social entrepreneurship and data-driven decision-making.

Whether you want to contribute talent to a local nonprofit or lead global advocacy efforts, you’ll graduate prepared for the next step in your career. Your knowledge will enable you to oversee fundraising initiatives, recruit and train volunteers, build community partnerships, lead corporate social responsibility programs and advocate for policy change. As you gain experience, you can advance into leadership roles, including executive director positions.

The skills you’ll develop

This program builds versatile skills, equipping you to support causes that matter most to you. You’ll develop expertise in organizational management to set mission-focused goals, create strategic plans and navigate governance structures. Strong marketing and communication skills will allow you to craft compelling messages, engage donors and enhance nonprofit branding. Through practical learning opportunities, you’ll also gain abilities in:

• Advocating for public awareness on key issues
• Applying ethical research methods to support community-based initiatives
• Designing outreach programs that create a lasting impact
• Managing budgets with ethical financial stewardship

Who’s a good candidate for this program?

This program is ideal for individuals committed to making a difference, regardless of their nonprofit experience. Compatible backgrounds include work or volunteer experience in human services, education and youth development, government and public service, corporate social responsibility and related fields. A passion for service and a willingness to learn leadership and management skills are also essential. Completing this program can support your transition into nonprofit leadership or expand the impact of your current role.

With a focus on mission-driven leadership, this degree prepares you to guide nonprofit and public-sector organizations dedicated to social impact. If you’re more interested in corporate management and generating profit, one of ASU’s online business degrees may be a better fit. You could also pair this program with a business minor.

Earning this BSW will prepare you to become a social work generalist who provides services to people across the lifespan. Social workers interact with a range of people from individuals and groups to communities and larger societal systems. As a social worker, you’ll engage in direct practice with those affected by issues related to mental health, aging, child maltreatment, criminal sentencing, disability policy, human rights and more.

This program is open to those with a variety of backgrounds. Whether you work or volunteer in direct services environments or broad areas of social service, you may be a good fit for this social work degree. Standout candidates have a passion for working with people and want to address complex social issues that impact vulnerable communities.

The skills you’ll develop in this online BSW

In this program, you’ll take courses sequentially, allowing you to build a foundation in social work concepts and apply them in practice. The curriculum is designed to build your abilities as a social work generalist. Key areas of learning include advocacy, consultation and education, as well as providing direct services. Career-focused skills you’ll build center around:

• Assessment.
• Engagement.
• Evaluation.
• Intervention.
• Intake.
• Research.

This online BSW is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). Upon graduating, you may be eligible for licensure through your state's licensing agency.

Gain hands-on experience close to home

As part of this BSW program, you’ll build tangible skills when you complete a supervised 480-hour practicum. You’ll work with the School of Social Work’s Practicum Education Office to identify a site. Because your site will be located in your geographic region, you’ll be able to immediately make an impact in your community.

The practicum will solidify your competencies as a practitioner. You’ll have the opportunity to explore your professional identity, enhance your social work skills and practice working in a professional environment. You can tailor your practicum to your interests and choose from settings including schools, hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities and more.

Additionally, if you want to pursue advanced positions in social work, you can earn an advanced standing Master of Social Work in as little as one year after graduating with your BSW. Note: you must meet all admission requirements to be admitted.