Department of Social Work
The Bachelor's in Social Work
The Department of Social Work provides an undergraduate program in social work which prepares students for beginning generalist social work practice. Completion of 122 semester hours is required for graduation. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
The undergraduate social work program is a 41-hour major with two community-based volunteer placements and a 440-hour internship during which students apply theoretical knowledge and skills with diverse client groups in over 50 community social welfare and educational agencies and organizations. International study opportunities are available through our relationship with Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Department, in cooperation with the UNCG School of Education and the NC Department of Public Instruction, also offers a school social work licensure program for students interested in school social work practice. Contact Professor Susan Dennison, School Social Work Licensure Program Coordinator, for more information about this program.
The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that social work will be one of the fastest growing professions in the 21st century. Our undergraduate program prepares students to become beginning level generalist social workers. Our graduates work with people to improve their interaction with their environments. They work in government agencies and not-for-profit social service agencies, schools, health care organizations, the court systems, and the military. They work as case managers, counselors, advocates, and community educators. Students learn to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Our research, conducted annually, indicates that the great majority of our graduates are employed as social workers within 6 months of graduation.
Program Highlights
- 80 percent of all graduates gain employment in the Social Work field within one year of graduation
- The degree program has been continuously accredited since 1974
- Student leadership opportunities are available in National Association of Social Workers Student Organization (NASW-SO) and Phi Alpha Honor Society
Features of special interest:
- The Department is interested in all aspects of social work but has a special focus on issues of cultural diversity, including services to immigrants.
- Some undergraduate students are selected each year to work with faculty on social work research. All students conduct research as part of their course work.
- Graduates can apply, under North Carolina law, to be Licensed Baccalaureate Social Workers.
The social work faculty are committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service to the public. All students are taught by professors and receive careful advising. All social work faculty have master's degrees in social work and most have Ph.D.'s. Faculty have expertise in a variety of social work areas including services to children and families, aging, welfare reform, services from faith communities, mental health, domestic violence, cultural diversity, school social work, and homelessness. Faculty provide service to over 150 social service organizations in North Carolina and their scholarship has been recognized nationally and internationally.