Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)

Overview

Our Bachelor of Social Work degree prepares students to make a real impact in their communities. Students learn to engage with others at the intersection of culture, race, age, gender, sexual orientation, and class, to promote healthy functioning for individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Practical field education experiences are at the core of this program. Students form an intentional, collaborative community that respects and embraces diversity and promotes inclusion, social justice, and human rights.

The B.S.W. undergraduate program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The program prepares students to become beginning-level generalist social workers. This is a professional program of study, which is strongly grounded for the first two years in liberal arts; the second two years focus on the professional curriculum. Although students may declare social work as their major, students will still need to apply and be admitted to the program their junior year.

The Student Experience

• Students will receive a grounding in human rights and social justice through direct, community-based practice.
• Students must complete 120 semester hours, including 41 credit hours in the major and two community-based volunteer placements before their final year.
• During their final year, students complete a two-semester Field Internship Program, in which they apply theoretical knowledge and skills with diverse client groups in community social welfare and educational agencies and organizations.
• Social Work seniors at UNCG have the opportunity to study abroad in Denmark, Belgium, or Spain through The Global Work with Immigrant Kids Project. This project is designed to educate new social work practitioners for work with immigrant and refugee children and families. Social work students participate in semester-long exchanges, which involves intensive language instruction, a 15-week field internship, and additional courses, including one web-based course. 
• Students can get involved with UNCG-led initiatives in the local community including a mental health and substance abuse program for homeless individuals and refugee and immigrant individuals, and a program that works to solve the opioid crisis.
• Eighty percent of all graduates gain employment in the social work field within one year of graduation.
• Many graduates continue their studies at top-tier graduate-level social work programs, such as The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Columbia University, and the University of Michigan.
• Students interested in becoming school social workers may apply to the School of Social Work Licensure Program.
• Students can work towards a simultaneous degree in Peace & Conflict Studies.
• Students in the Social Work program work closely with other programs through minors, such as Human Development and Family Studies, Peace & Conflict Studies, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, etc.

Undergraduate Minor

A Minor in Social Work is an excellent addition for students interested in combining a primary major (such as nursing, political science, or psychology) with social welfare.

After Graduation

Our research indicates that the majority of our graduates are employed as social workers within 6 months of graduation. Our graduates land employment as case managers, counselors, advocates, and community educators. They work in:

• Community based human services agencies
• Government agencies, at both state and federal level
• Schools
• Health care organizations
• Justice systems with an emphasis on Restorative Justice and Human Rights
• Military

Apply to Program

To be considered for admission to the Social Work Program at UNCG, you must be a student at the University and have:

• Completed SWK 215 with a minimum grade of C.*
• A minimum University GPA of 2.5 and completion of 51 semester hours.
• Must be currently enrolled in BOTH SWK 310 and SWK 311 OR have completed SWK 215, 310 and 311 with a C or higher (if either SWK 310 or SWK 311 is full, contact the B.S.W. Director).
• Submitted a complete application package. 

*Transfer students who have completed the equivalent of SWK 215 at another CSWE-accredited B.S.W. program will still need to complete the essay in order to apply for admission. Contact the B.S.W. Director for essay guidelines.

Example course description:

• SWK 315: Social Work, Diversity, and Vulnerable Populations
  Examination and understanding of cultural and human diversity with focus on oppressed groups. Students will have the opportunity to learn about broad differences and likenesses among diverse populations and cultures.