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Are you known for your compassion and service? Are you passionate about social justice and making the world a better place? Are you curious about diversity, where it comes from, and how it impacts people? Social work can combine your passion for people with your desire to serve, and help you meet the emotional, physical, economic, and social needs of others.

A Bachelor of Arts in Social Work prepares professionals who are motivated to gracefully serve others as an expression of their faith. A unique blend of theory and action-oriented classes will help you develop skills to promote social and economic justice, empower diverse populations, and understand human interactions in social and cultural environments. From sociology, psychology, biology, and economic theory to specialized knowledge in child welfare, policy, race and ethnicity, or human behavior, you’ll be equipped to implement social work practices within systems of all sizes.

Student Profile

Lindsay (Harlin) Gumm

Lindsay Gumm is a clinical social worker at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego. Her work changes daily, depending on patients’ needs. She works with patients and their families to coordinate access to resources and programs, facilitate safe hospital discharges and provide supportive counseling.

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As a ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ social work major, you will complete 400 internship hours of hands-on practice in the community. Each internship practicum is tailored to your interests and passions and serves as a bridge between classroom learning and professional life. Internships provide the opportunity to apply skills and test theories and principles under the care and supervision of an experienced social worker. As you learn, you will create a professional portfolio, resume, and credentials that demonstrate what you believe and how you want to serve. This combination of professional development alongside personalized and intentional learning opportunities will equip you to confidently step into employment or graduate school.

¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ's social work program is accredited by the (CSWE), which emphasizes service-oriented, evidence-based learning that prepares students for professional practice. CSWE accreditation gives you the opportunity for advanced standing in master of social work (MSW) programs. Having advanced standing leverages your bachelor’s degree in social work, and allows you to earn an MSW in about one year. To view ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ's CSWE annual report, .

Students in the Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences apply their passions in unique and deeper contexts by engaging in student ministries, networking events, and the Center for Justice & Reconciliation. 

For information about the courses required for the Social Work, B.A. program, view the ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ Catalog. 

Social Work Field Resources
 

The vocation of social work is about caring for, curing, or changing the world to make it a better place. ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ social work graduates are people who serve a variety of social structures, function competently in their professions, bring innovative thoughts into great cultural dilemmas, and possess an inner drive to discover truth and permeate everything they do with compassion and hope.

Depending on your specific interests, you may pursue a social work career in:

• Child, youth, and family services (including adoption and foster care)
• Education
• Counseling 
• Medical and public health
• Drug rehabilitation
• Organizational and community development
• Human trafficking and domestic violence intervention
• Legislation and politics
• Human rights and international affairs

What can you do with a social work degree?

¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ alumni have gone on to work as social and community service managers, community and social service specialists, office managers and administrative supervisors, and mental health and substance abuse social workers. Examples of organizations where social work alumni hold positions would be: New Alternatives Incorporated, Alpha Project for the Homeless, Arizona Public Service Company, and Autism Tree Project Foundation, among others.

The following are examples of positions that ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ social work alumni currently hold:

Healthcare Social Workers

2020 Median annual salary $71,000

Healthcare social workers primarily work with individuals and families to provide them with psychosocial support for illnesses, diseases, healthcare barriers, and other health related issues. Healthcare social workers often organize and refer caregivers, education opportunities, and counseling to clients and their families.

What it takes to be a healthcare social worker: 

• Decision making
• Empathy 
• Active listening 
• Communication
• Social perceptiveness and open-mindedness

Social and Human Service Assistants

2020 Median annual salary $35,960

Social and human service assistants work with clients to determine what type of aid (psychological, medical, financial, addiction recovery, etc.) they need and then help acquire said aid through research and finding services and benefits that can provide your client with said assistance. Social and human service assistants often work alongside social workers to develop and coordinate programs and treatment plans to provide clients with what they need.

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

2020 Median annual salary $47,660

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors work with, treat, and advise, people who struggle with alcoholism, drug addiction, or other mental and behavioral problems.

Their primary responsibilities are developing and recommending treatment plans to clients and helping clients with creating routines that facilitate positive lifestyles to recover from their addiction. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors also work with clients' families to inform them about addiction or behavior disorders so they’re better equipped to help aid in the recovery journey. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors also sometimes refer clients to other services and resources like support groups and employment assistance services. 

What it takes to be a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor:

• Compassion
• Interpersonal skills
• Listening skills
• Patience
• Speaking skills

Alumni listed the following skills as the top strengths they acquired as a social work student at ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ: 

• Mentorship
• Case management
• Fundraising
• Mental health awareness 
• Program development
• Crisis intervention
• Event planning

Social Work as a Meaningful, Lifelong Skill: 

With a versatile skill set, altruistic hearts, and a love of doing good, those who dedicate themselves to a social work degree at ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ are thoroughly prepared to enter the workforce and make a positive impression anywhere they go. 

Many positions relating to social work are listed in the . Majoring in social work at ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ is an excellent choice for anyone who desires to make a positive impact on others and hopes to spread the love of Christ.

Apply to ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ today or for additional support and answers to any questions you may have.