Bachelor's Degree in Social Work
Bachelor of Arts
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Social Work Degree Program Overview
The field of social work is growing. Purdue University Northwest’s Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program combines a competency-based curriculum with internship opportunities in the field. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to obtain licensure as a Licensed Bachelor of Social Work (LBSW), apply to graduate school or pursue employment as a generalist social worker.
Department of Behavioral Sciences
Accredited by CSWE, the organization that ensures excellence in social work education, our program positions you for meaningful work in a rewarding field.
PNW graduates have a high success rate and a robust regional network. Our faculty maintains strong relationships with the community, including 40 local agencies that host internships for Social Work majors.
The mission of the program is to prepare competent, professional and ethical generalist social workers who are committed to anti-oppressive social work practice by advocating for social, economic and environmental justice for all vulnerable populations.
Social Work Major Curriculum
You’ll take a balance of general education courses, College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences core courses and social work courses.
Our curriculum is based on the nine competencies identified by the Council on Social Work Education: Ethical and professional behavior; diversity and difference; human rights: social, economic, and environmental justice; research; policy practice; engagement with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities; assessment; intervention; and evaluation.
Students can complete their BASW and MSW here at PNW. Contact socialwork@pnw.edu to learn more!
Begin with introductory level courses in social work, sociology and psychology.
Sample Courses
- SWRK 20100 – Introduction To Social Work
- SOC 10000 – Introductory Sociology
- PSY 12000 – Elementary Psychology
- SW 24000 – Introduction To Social Policy And Programs
Complete the human behavior and social work practice course sequences.
Sample Courses
- SWRK 32100 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
- SWRK 32200 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
- SWRK 36200 – Social Work Practice I
- SWRK 36300 – Social Work Practice II
Engage in research, learn about social work practice, study social welfare as it pertains to institutions and complete a social work elective of your choice.
Sample Courses
- SWRK 30100 – Social Work Research
- SWRK 36100 – Institutional Social Welfare
- SWRK 35100 – Junior Practicum
- SWRK 36700 – Macro Practice
- SW 36501 – Diversity and Social Justice
Explore group practice and complete two fieldwork experiences in your final year.
Sample Courses
- SWRK 46100 – Field Practicum in Social Work I
- SWRK 46400 – Field Practicum in Social Work II
- Social Work Elective
Social Work Degree Program Highlights
This is an applied, license-eligible, professional degree program. Faculty share real-world social work experience, model ethical behavior and engage in service alongside their students.
You’ll have of opportunities to learn and engage with the community through practicums, field trips, service learning and student clubs.
Social Work Degree Program Outcomes
The Social Work program has an outstanding reputation in the community. Each facet of the degree builds the knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive and affective processes that comprise the nine social work competencies. Upon graduation, you’ll be ready to work as a generalist, apply for licensure or pursue graduate study.
Social Work Degree Program Career Paths
Graduates of PNW’s Social Work program go on to pursue:
- Employment in social services at schools, non-profits, and governmental agencies
- Graduate school
- Licensure as an LCSW
Social Work Degree Program Beyond the Classroom
We encourage you to get involved in activities like:
- Social Work Club
- Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Workers
- National Association of Social Workers
Social Work Degree Program Employers
Graduates of this program are employed in organizations and agencies like:
- Housing Opportunities, Inc.
- Porter-Starke Services
- Franciscan Health
Social Work Degree Program Scholarships
In addition to the scholarships available to all PNW applicants, students seeking a social work major may also apply for program-specific scholarship awards, such as:
- Michael and Geraldine Macenski Behavioral Scholarship
Social Work Degree Program Accreditation
Our Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
CSWE accreditation ensures that our program meets or exceeds peer-reviewed quality standards and has sufficient resources to meet its goals. It also provides reasonable assurance that our graduates are ready to practice in the field.
Social Work Degree Program Licensure
Our program fulfills the educational requirements for a license as a bachelor’s degree social worker as required by the State of Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IC 25-23.6-5-1.5). Social work license requirements differ from state-to-state, students should contact their home state’s licensing board for additional information regarding licensure requirements.
The professors in my major not only cared about the students’ academic success, but also about us as individuals. When classes became difficult, they would remind us of all the people we are going to help and the lives we are going to change.
The dedicated, experienced professors at PNW have allowed me to understand Social Work on a personal and professional level. With their guidance, I have been able to create my own path to benefit our local communities.
I was a student at PNW and in the social work program from 2013-2017. I loved my time there, and the biggest factor was the professors that taught me the foundation of my knowledge. Joining the social work club and learning from faculty and peers helped me feel like I was a part of a community that I loved.
Meet the Faculty
Clinical Assistant Professor | BASW Director
Pamela Saylor is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences. With a history of program development in social services, she is the founding director of the social work program. Pamela serves on Faculty Senate, the Experiential Learning Committee, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging (DEIJB) Committee.
Director of Practicum Education and Clinical Assistant Professor
Robin Miller is responsible to guide the internship sequence of the social work program in an educationally sound manner, while helping to develop future social workers in their readiness for ethical work.
Professor of Social Work | MSW Director
Shreya Bhandari is a social work educator, practitioner and researcher. In addition to serving as a faculty member, she also leads the MSW program.
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Chun Liu is an Assistant Professor of Social Work in the Department of Behavioral Sciences. He currently teaches Social Work Research and Institutional Social Welfare.
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Professor I-Hsuan Lin is an Assistant Professor of Social Work in the Department of Behavioral Sciences at Purdue University Northwest. Professor Lin has many years of direct and indirect social work practice experience working with women and their families in government and NPO settings.
Brittney Autry Cole, DSW, LCSW
Assistant Professor, Social Work
Brittney Autry Cole is a professor in the Social Work Program at Purdue University Northwest, where she is dedicated to advancing the field of social work through teaching, research and community engagement. With a Doctorate in Social Work from The University of Pennsylvania, Professor Cole’s expertise encompasses trauma in Black women, holistic healing modalities for Black women and early intervention wellness practices in Black girls.
Earn a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work at PNW
Purdue University Northwest’s social work degree program is designed to provide you with skills that are transferable to different settings, population groups and problem areas.
To see how a bachelor’s degree in social work from PNW opens doors, from nonprofits to health care, take the next step today!
