Bachelor's in Social Work

The Bachelor’s in Social Work degree at UNCG 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. Students will 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 Council on Social Work Education accredits the Bachelor’s in Social Work program (BSW), allowing our students to earn their Master’s in Social Work in one year instead of two. The program prepares students to become beginning-level generalist social workers. This professional program is strongly grounded in liberal arts for the first two years. The second two years focus on the professional curriculum.

bachelor’s in Social Work Program Distinctions

Our well-established Bachelor’s in Social Work program engages students and offers numerous hands-on opportunities for students.

• The program has been continuously accredited since 1973.
• Accreditations and affiliations include the Council on Social Work Education and the National Association of Social Workers.
• The number of hours students work in the community distinguishes our program, including a required two-semester internship at an approved social work agency. By the end of the undergraduate degree, students will have engaged in more than 500 hours of community-based service.
• Student leadership opportunities are available by participating in organizations for Social Work students such as the National Association of Social Workers Student Organization (NASW-SO) and the Phi Alpha Honor Society.

The bachelor’s in Social Work Student Experience

Students earning a Bachelor’s in Social Work will have a strong foundation in human rights and social justice through direct, community-based practice. Students must complete 120 semester hours, including 41 credit hours in their major and two community-based volunteer placements before their final year. In their final year, students will also complete a field internship program, in which they apply theoretical knowledge and skills with diverse client groups in community social welfare and educational agencies and organizations.

While earning their degrees Social Work students have other opportunities to enhance their learning. This can include:

• The chance to study abroad 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, which involves intensive language instruction, a 15-week field internship, and additional courses, including one web-based course. 
• Being involved with UNCG-led initiatives in the local community. This may be 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.
• Students in the Social Work program work closely with other programs through minors, such as Human Development and Family Studies, Peace & Conflict Studies, and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies.

Additional Schooling after earning a Bachelor’s in Social Work

Upon graduation, many alumni continue their studies. Many graduates continue their studies at top-tier graduate-level social work programs, such as UNCG, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Columbia University, and the University of Michigan. Students who want to become school social workers may apply to the School of Social Work Licensure Program.

After Graduating with a bachelor’s in Social Work

Within six months of graduation, the majority of graduates are employed as social workers. Our graduates are employed as case managers, counselors, advocates, and community educators. They work in:

• Community based human services agencies
• Government agencies, both at the state and federal level
• Schools
• Health care organizations
• Justice systems with an emphasis on restorative justice and human rights
• Military

Direct Admission and Progression Through Bachelor’s in Social Work

Students can declare social work as their major through direct admission. Students must meet progression requirements to remain in the BSW program. Details about the progression requirements can be found in the BSW Student Handbook (PDF).

Undergraduate Social Work Minor

UNCG also offers a Social Work minor for undergraduate students. More information can be found here: Social Work Undergraduate Minor.