Bachelor's in Social Work - School Licensure

The Bachelor of Social Work, School Licensure program at UNCG is for students interested in pursuing a career in school social work. School social work is an exciting and rewarding field of practice for those interested in working with elementary, middle, or high school level students and their families.

Much of the work in this field involves preventive or early intervention work, which often increases the success of social work services. All social workers hired for School Social Work positions in North Carolina are required by the NC Department of Public Instruction to be licensed or be eligible to sign a provisional contract for School Social Work Licensure. Enrolled students may apply for Licensure in School Social Work.

Bachelor’s in Social Work, School Licensure Program Distinctions

The UNCG Bachelor’s in Social Work School Licensure program is approved by NC Department of Public Instruction to provide licensure to current UNCG Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students in the program. Alumni or BSW graduates from other programs are ineligible to return and seek this license in school social work. 

• The BSW program has been continuously accredited since 1973.
• It is accredited and affiliated with the Council on Social Work Education and the National Association of Social Workers.

Bachelor’s in Social Work, School Licensure Student Experience

The Bachelor’s in Social Work, School Licensure program is a 41-hour major. It has two community-based volunteer placements and a 440-hour internship, during which students apply theoretical knowledge and skill to social work practice. Students also have opportunities to network with peers at a neighboring university and participate in national social work organizations. This includes:

• Leadership opportunities in the National Association of Social Workers Student Organization and Phi Alpha Honor Society.
• A joint BSW field education program with NC A&T State University. Students are placed in a variety of practice settings to complete their internships.
• Study abroad opportunities in Denmark, Belgium, or Spain through The Global Work with Immigrant Kids Project. This project educates new social work practitioners for work with immigrant and refugee children and families. Social work students participate in semester-long exchanges. They involve intensive language instruction, a 15-week field internship, and additional courses, including one web-based course.
• Students engage in UNCG initiatives in the community. This includes 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.
• Student leadership opportunities by participating in the National Association of Social Workers Student Organization (NASW-SO) and the Phi Alpha Honor Society.
• The Council on Social Work Education assesses students on their mastery of competencies.

After Graduating with a bachelor’s in Social Work, School Licensure

Graduates of the Bachelor’s in Social Work, School Licensure program enjoy successful careers. Graduates have been admitted to nationally recognized graduate schools, including UNCG, Columbia University, Case Western University, the University of South Carolina, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Apply to Bachelor’s in Social Work, School Licensure Program

Students interested in this program must follow a few steps first:

• Apply to UNCG as an undergraduate and enroll in the University
• Meet with Professor Elizabeth Webb, Coordinator of the School Social Work Licensure Program, fall semester of junior year of college to review application procedures and answer questions.
• Students accepted will have their paperwork forwarded to the UNCG Teacher Education Program and the co-directors of field.
• The co-directors of field arrange placements in school settings for the senior year internship.