Why Major in Social Work?

To be a social worker, one must have a degree in social work from a college or university program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), which involves classroom study as well as practical field experience, prepares generalist professional social work practitioners who are committed to social justice and human well-being. BSW students are given the opportunity to learn to work collaboratively in a variety of settings using a systems perspective; to recognize the relationships between client needs and public issues; to work toward the development of social policies, resources, and programs that meet basic human needs and empower at-risk groups; and to be sensitive to the diversity among individuals, including ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, and ability. Students are trained in a number of areas including, but not limited to, assessment, interviewing, intake/referral, service planning, case management, crisis intervention, problem solving, program evaluation, community outreach, community organization, advocacy, research, and networking.