Social Work major
Social Work: courses, careers, and where to study
Social Work prepares graduates for licensed direct practice with individuals, families, and communities — combining behavioral sciences with field placements and an explicit ethical framework.
A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is a CSWE-accredited professional degree that prepares graduates for entry-level licensed social-work practice (LSW or LBSW depending on state). Programs combine social-work theory, human behavior, social policy, research, and practice methods with at least 400 hours of supervised field placement. A BSW is the standard prerequisite for an Advanced Standing MSW program (about 1 year vs the standard 2-year MSW), which then qualifies graduates for clinical practice (LCSW after supervised hours).
Social Work is one of the most direct-entry social-service majors and is consistently in high demand across child welfare, healthcare, mental health, schools, and community organizations.
What you'll study
- Generalist social-work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities
- Human behavior and the social environment
- Social welfare policy and history
- Social-work research methods
- Diversity, equity, and ethics
- Field placements (400+ supervised hours)
- Crisis intervention and case management
- Trauma-informed practice
Typical careers
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- Child Welfare Caseworker
- School Social Worker (with MSW)
- Medical Social Worker
- Mental Health Therapist (with LCSW)
- Nonprofit Program Manager
Starting salary range: $48,000–$65,000 starting (BLS social worker median $58,380)
Find a Social Work program
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