Social Work (BSW)

What is A Social Work (BSW) Degree?

With a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) you will be able to work in entry-level positions in the social services, positions that involve interviewing clients to determine where they might best be helped, keeping records of interventions that have occurred with clients, and assessing priorities for patients with social, emotional, economic and environmental problems. BSW level social workers maintain contact and foster relationships with community health and welfare agencies to know the full range of services available to clients.  They may also work with hospitals to help coordinate outside services when patients are discharged.

Courses in human behavior, child welfare, social welfare policy, research methods, ethics and treatment/interventions will probably be included in most BSW programs.  Also included will be 500 hours or more of field experience in a social service agency.  A BSW in Social Work is often seen as a stepping stone to an MSW degree and will shorten the time to complete the Master’s degree by as much as a year.  It will also allow you to do meaningful work in the field while completing the MSW.