Top Christian Colleges for Social Work of 2025
Discover social work degree programs at Christian colleges. Explore how a Christian school can impact your learning experience and career path.
Why Psycholology.org?
The Psychology.org team includes writers, editors, and contributing psychology students and professionals dedicated to helping you navigate the field. We follow a strict editorial and review process to ensure our content is up-to-date, factual, and relevant. Learn more aboutour editorial process.
Discover accredited social work degree programs offered at Christian schools. Connect with programs that advance Christian community service principles while preparing you for a social work career.
Top Christian Colleges for Social Work
Dominican University
- River Forest, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
Dominican University ranks among the top Christian colleges for social work. Dominican's School of Social Work offers a master of social work (MSW) with local, national, and international field placement opportunities. We like the program's emphasis on individual support and mentorship. Small class sizes create multiple opportunities to collaborate with classmates and faculty, contribute to research, and expand social work skills.
Dominican will also begin offering a bachelor's in social work (BSW) in fall of 2025. The program incorporates practical experience, including a practicum placement in the greater Chicago area. Undergraduates also participate in a community-based learning program that emphasizes civic engagement. Dominican University holds accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Highlights:
- MSW program available online or on campus
- Offers a BSW and MSW
- Awards School of Social Work scholarships
Considerations:
- Launching a BSW program in Fall 2025
- BSW program in CSWE pre-accreditation candidacy status
- Graduate tuition of $850 per credit
73%
Yes
80%
N/A
$35,850
$35,850
79%
3,424
Private
St Olaf College
- Northfield, MN
- 4 year
- Campus
Why We Chose This School:
St. Olaf College is a liberal arts institution that meets 100% of the financial needs of undergraduates. St. Olaf's social work major prepares graduates for generalist practice or additional education at the graduate level.
Students complete a 400-hour practicum during their senior year to gain social work experience. Majors complete a block placement in the Twin Cities, rural communities, or other sites. Majors also can complete international study opportunities with a focus on international social welfare. St. Olaf College holds accreditation from the CSWE.
Highlights:
- Social work scholarship opportunities
- Average first-year need-based aid of $51,020
- Offers concentration in family studies
Considerations:
- Does not offer MSW
- Fewer electives than other colleges on the list
0%
Yes
52%
N/A
$54,650
$54,650
91%
3,046
Private
Calvin University
- Grand Rapids, MI
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
Calvin University is a Christian liberal arts university offering online and on-campus degrees. Calvin's social work programs include an on-campus BSW and an online MSW.
The BSW program incorporates a 400-hour placement in a social services agency to gain practical experience. Students can also participate in an off-campus semester in Washington, D.C., Chicago, or Uganda to gain experience. Calvin's BSW graduates report a 95% acceptance rate into MSW programs.
MSW students develop clinical assessment, advocacy, and intervention skills. The program uses flexible courses with optional in-person sessions. Calvin University holds accreditation from the CSWE.
Highlights:
- Offers a BSW and MSW
- MSW offered online
- Scholarship opportunities for social work students
Considerations:
- Undergraduate tuition of $39,350 per year
- Integrates a Reformed Christian perspective into coursework
9%
Yes
71%
N/A
$38,370
$38,370
89%
3,364
Private
Texas Christian University
- Fort Worth, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
The social work programs at TCU include a BSW, MSW, and a social work minor. In every program, learners develop the ethics and leadership skills to address social problems and advocate for social change.
We like the dual degree option with Brite Divinity School, which combines an MSW with a focus on Black church studies, biblical studies, military chaplaincy, sexual and gender justice, or pastoral care. TCU also stands out for its global emphasis, including international programs and cross-cultural opportunities. Texas Christian University holds accreditation from the CSWE.
Highlights:
- Offers a BSW and MSW
- Field education and seminars to gain experience
- 75% of students receive financial aid
Considerations:
- Graduate tuition rate of $2,145 per credit
- Some courses offered online
3%
Yes
43%
N/A
$53,890
$53,890
94%
12,785
Private
Fairfield University
- Fairfield, CT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
Fairfield University educates students as a Jesuit institution. Fairfield's bachelor of science in social work program stands out for its small class sizes and hands-on experience.
Students complete 450 hours of supervised fieldwork while taking courses in social policy, generalist practice, and research. The university's field education program collaborates with mental health agencies, housing programs, community outreach centers, hospitals, and other settings to provide experience supporting vulnerable individuals and communities.
Fairfield also offers an online MSW program that uses a low-residency format with two on-campus visits to prepare graduates for clinical roles. Fairfield University holds accreditation from the CSWE.
Highlights:
- Offers a BSW and MSW
- Awards scholarships and grants
- Online option for MSW
Considerations:
- BSW requires 125 credits
- Undergraduate tuition of $57,450
21%
Yes
45%
N/A
$53,630
$53,630
90%
6,289
Private
Boston College
- Chestnut Hill, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
The School of Social Work at Boston College offers a top-ranked MSW program. Learners either focus on clinical practice or macro social work, choosing a field of study to further focus their education. Students gain on-the-ground experience with more than 1,000 opportunities at agency partners.
We like the option to customize the MSW with six fields of practice, multiple certificates, and three dual degree graduate programs. For example, students can earn an MSW and a master's in theology and ministry at Boston College. The program also offers 50 electives each semester to individualize the course of study. Boston College holds accreditation from the CSWE.
Highlights:
- Offers unique concentrations in Black leadership and Latinx communities
- Provides scholarships to 100% of MSW students
- Part-time and full-time options
Considerations:
- Costs $1,408 per credit
- Does not offer a BSW
17%
Yes
17%
N/A
$62,950
$62,950
93%
14,734
Private
DePaul University
- Chicago, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
DePaul University ranks as the country's largest Catholic university. DePaul's Department of Social Work offers an MSW program from its Loop Campus in the heart of downtown Chicago. Learners take classes on weekday afternoons and evenings, with field placements across the greater Chicago area.
We like DePaul's connections with urban community partners and its focus on serving marginalized communities. Students enter the program as part of a cohort and choose from concentrations in community practice or forensic social work. The MSW program incorporates 11 foundation courses, nine concentration courses, field placements, and two electives. DePaul University holds accreditation from the CSWE.
Highlights:
- Offers forensic social work and community practice concentrations
- Offers MSW graduate assistantships
- Full-time and part-time options
Considerations:
- Tuition rate of $788 per credit
- Does not offer a BSW
60%
Yes
74%
N/A
$42,449
$42,449
87%
21,348
Private
Elizabethtown College
- Elizabethtown, PA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
The social work program at Elizabethtown College stands out for its commitment to hands-on learning. In the bachelor's program, social work majors complete a senior internship and field experience to gain real-world social work skills. Introductory classes also incorporate service learning to gain practical experience immediately.
We like how Etown prepares BSW graduates with over 700 hours of fieldwork experience, going far beyond the minimum 400 hours required for accreditation. Every social work major in the Class of 2021 either received graduate school acceptance or began working within one month after graduation. Elizabethtown College holds accreditation from the CSWE.
Highlights:
- Extensive professional experience
- Offers accelerated three-year BSW
- International social work internship options
Considerations:
- Does not offer graduate degrees
- Tuition is $37,250 per year
25%
Yes
77%
N/A
$35,050
$35,050
84%
2,152
Private
Samford University
- Birmingham, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Why We Chose This School:
Samford University's social work programs integrate a Christian mission while preparing graduates for clinical roles. In addition to the traditional MSW program, students can enroll in a fast-track MSW or choose a dual-degree MSW option.
We like Samford for its focus on experiential learning and mentorship. Social work students work closely with faculty to develop clinical practice skills, and the integrative field internship offers valuable experience at a site that matches each student's interests. Samford University holds accreditation from the CSWE.
Highlights:
- Offers dual-degree options for a master's in public health, divinity, or theological studies
- Electives in community practice, social engagement, addictions, and disaster response
- Emphasis on clinical social work practice
Considerations:
- Does not offer a bachelor's in social work
- Costs $957 per credit
18%
Yes
82%
N/A
$35,750
$35,750
88%
5,790
Private
What to Consider When Choosing a Christian College for Social Work
Seeking out a Christian college may be a good starting point if you’re searching for a Biblically aligned learning experience. However, you should also consider other important school and program factors that can impact your academic and professional outcomes, including accreditation, career relevance, and cost and financial aid.
Accreditation
Accredited schools meet rigorous academic quality standards determined by third-party agencies. You should only consider degree programs hosted at schools with institutional accreditations from agencies recognized by the Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Social work is a regulated profession requiring state-level licensure. States mandate that social work licensure candidates hold a degree accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
CSWE accredits programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. You can use this directory of accredited programs to guide your research. Pay close attention to the program’s current status, as CSWE accreditations can be conditional or in the process of withdrawal.
Career Relevance
CSWE accreditation is not a guarantee that a program will be a perfect fit for you. Be sure to review the program’s curriculum, professors, and experiential learning opportunities to ensure they align with your objectives.
Consider these questions:
- Do the core and elective courses in the program’s curriculum directly reflect your learning interests?
- Do your state’s social work licensing requirements include a minimum number of practical training hours or fieldwork experiences? If so, does the program offer opportunities that meet those standards?
- Are you interested in a specific subfield like child welfare, gerontology, or medical social work? If so, does the school offer relevant coursework or concentrations?
Finally, it’s also wise to research faculty members’ academic and professional backgrounds to ensure they match your interests.
Cost and Financial Aid
Christian colleges are always private schools since public institutions cannot have explicit religious affiliations. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that private schools tend to have significantly higher tuition costs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Yet, private schools — including Christian colleges — often have generous in-house financial aid programs that can dramatically reduce the net cost of attendance.
Look into both institutional and federal aid programs to estimate your actual out-of-pocket costs, and prioritize schools you can afford without taking on excessive debt.
Religious Affiliation
Some Christian colleges are non-denominational, while others have informal or formal affiliations with specific branches of Christianity. In either case, consider your personal values and your faith community membership to assess whether the school is a good fit for you.
Also, look at whether the curriculum includes optional or required theology courses, and whether your social work courses engage a Christian worldview. These aspects can have a profound influence on your overall learning experience, and you’ll want to ensure they align with your expectations before you enroll.
Applying to a Christian College for Social Work
In many ways, the application process at Christian colleges is similar to nonreligious institutions. This means you may be asked to provide:
Academic transcripts- A personal essay or statement of purpose
- Letters of recommendation
Some schools also prefer or require one or more years of relevant work experience or other evidence of your commitment to the social work profession. GPA cutoffs vary, but they typically start at about 2.0-2.5 on the 4.0 scale.
Christian colleges sometimes ask for written endorsements from a church or faith community leader, such as a priest or minister. As an adjunct or alternative, you may need to submit or accept a statement of faith as a precondition for entry.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christian College Social Work Programs
Christian colleges emphasize the Christian faith through their mission statement and curricula, while regular colleges remain fully secular. Furthermore, some Christian colleges include theology components in most or all of their academic programs. Non-religious colleges do not include faith-based elements in their coursework.
