Bachelor's Degree in Social Work

The University of the Cumberlands Bachelors of Social Work Program was designed to align with the profession’s purpose and values as they each place an emphasis on preparing students to be ethical professionals and leaders who are equipped to advocate for social justice for all at local, national, and global levels. Trained in generalist, evidence-based practices, students will work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations while using the person-in-environment framework that promotes human and social well-being and enhances quality of life for all persons.  Students will be taught to serve diverse populations through a multi-cultural and global perspective with attention on advocacy to prevent conditions that limit human rights and to eliminate poverty. 

The program’s mission seeks to prepare students as evidence-based practitioners and emphasizes knowledge based on scientific inquiry.
 

Academic Resources:
Program Handbook
Clinical Handbook
Assessment Data
Accreditation Disclosure
 

• Mission and Goals
• What is a Bachelor of Social Work Degree?
• Is Social Work a Bachelor of Arts or Science?
• What can I do with a Bachelor of Social Work Degree?
• Degree Requirements for Bachelor of Social Work
• Admission Requirements for Bachelor of Social Work
• More Information on a Bachelor of Social Work Degree

 

Mission and Goals

The mission of the UC Bachelor of Social Work Program is to prepare all social work students to become ethical professionals and leaders through generalist, evidence-based practice grounded in liberal arts education. Students will receive evidence-based teaching of social work values, knowledge, and practice skills and will identify with the profession of social work through self-reflection using these components.

Students will strengthen critical thinking skills through scientific inquiry of the latest research methods and technologies and be prepared to continue using these skills as lifelong learners. Through rigorous learning and assessment of knowledge and practice skills, students will serve as ethical leaders and agents of change to advocate for social justice, dignity and worth of the person, and the importance of human relationships. Students will demonstrate the ability to value competence, integrity, and a global perspective that seeks to eliminate poverty and prevent conditions that limit human rights. Students will be prepared to be culturally engaged in practice with diverse individuals, groups, communities, and organizations through a person-in-environment framework that promotes human and social well-being and enhances quality of life for all persons.

A multicultural perspective on cultural competence will enable culturally sensitive practice. This includes a range of prevention and intervention methods such as strengths-based perspective, risk and protective factors of human development, and practice skills. The University of the Cumberlands Social Work Program will guide students to enhance critical thinking skills, professional preparedness, and commitment to human rights and social justice for all at a local, national, and global levels.

PROGRAM GOALS:  

1. The program will facilitate an appreciation of self-awareness and the diversity of humanity, especially as this relates to the variety of social work careers.
2. The program will provide students with a core knowledge base in human behavior theory, research methods, and social welfare policy in preparation for a career and/or graduate study.
3. The program will promote understanding of the social work perspective related to individuals, groups, and communities.
4. The program will integrate healthy professional boundaries and best ethical practices within the social work capacity.
5. The program will assist students to demonstrate professional helping skills within the classroom and apply the skills within a professional environment.

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What is a Bachelor of Social Work Degree?

We apply a “generalist” approach to our Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program. That means we believe social workers should share common knowledge, values, and skills that are generally transferable from one setting, population, geographical area, or problem situation to another. We work to ensure that, as a social work major, you will be prepared to integrate your knowledge, values, and skills to promote and enhance the social functioning of individuals, families, and communities.

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Is Social Work a Bachelor of Arts or Science? 

A Bachelor of Social Work is neither a bachelor of arts or sciences, but rather its own kind of degree program. In it, you will study with faculty members who are experienced professionals in the field. Each one is equipped to offer their expertise through a curriculum based on a Christian perspective and an attitude of servant leadership. Social work classes include, but are not limited to, Social Policy, Human Diversity in a Social Work, and Human Behavior in the Social Environment. After you complete your Bachelor of Social Work program, you’ll be able to consider a variety of possibilities for employment or advanced study.

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What Can I Do with a Bachelor of Social Work Degree?

Wondering what kind of social work degree jobs you can pursue upon graduation? When you earn your Bachelor of Social Work from University of the Cumberlands, you’ll be well prepared for a wide range of careers, including:

• Child Welfare Worker
• Social and Human Services Assistant
• Health Educator
• Social Science Research Assistant
• Social Work Case Manager

These are just a few of the careers in the field for social work degree holders. Each career centers on helping people in a structured, meaningful way.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of social work is expected to fill more than 89,200 jobs by 2030, and the average salary for a social worker is $51,760 per year. When you complete one of the best social services degree programs available, you can be sure you’re ready to fill a leadership role in the industry.

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Degree Requirements for Bachelor's in Social Work

Students must complete all of the following coursework. All coursework requirements are the same regardless if the student is completing the program in-seat or online.

Social Work Major (60 hours):

• SOWK 131 Introduction to Social Work and Social Justice
• SOWK 132 Social Welfare
• SOWK 234 Social Work Practice Skills
• SOWK 236 Field Practice I and Service Learning
• SOWK 237 Human Behavior in a Social Environment
• SOWK 331 Individual and Family Assessment
• SOWK 333 Human Diversity in Social Work Practice
• SOWK 332 Groups and Organizations In Social Work Practice
• SOWK 335 Social Work Research
• SOWK 338 Case Management
• SOWK 432 Addiction and Recovery
• SOWK 434 Professional Ethics
• SOWK 436 Human Diversity in a Global Society
• SOWK 404 Understanding Child Maltreatment
• SOWK 433 Social Work Policy and Practice
• SOWK 445 Grief and Crisis Intervention
• SOWK 437 Mental Health Perspective in Social Work
• SOWK 460 Field Practice II
• SOWK 461 Field Practice III 

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Admission Requirements for Bachelor's in Social Work

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants with a high school or GED diploma may apply for admission to the University of the Cumberlands and complete the lower division courses in the Bachelor of Social Work Program. 

New Students:

Students interested in pursuing the Bachelor of Social Work program must meet the below criteria:

• Obtain sophomore status and a 2.5 cumulative GPA
• Complete and earn the grade of “C” or above in Introduction to Social Work
• Complete and earn the grade of “B” or above in Social Welfare
• Submit the BSW Supplemental Application

To begin this process, your application to the university will start out as a Bachelor of Science in Human Services Pre-Social Work option. Once you have met the pre-requisites for the program you will be provided the BSW Supplemental Application to be reviewed by the BSW faculty to gain admittance into the full Bachelor of Social Work program.  

Transfer Students:

Students interested in transferring from another BSW program to the Bachelor of Social Work program at University of the Cumberlands must complete the below criteria:

• Obtain sophomore status and a 2.5 cumulative GPA
• Complete and earn the grade of “Satisfactory” in UC’s 1-hour BSW Bridge Course
• Submit a BSW Supplemental Application

To begin this process, your application to the university will start out as a Bachelor of Science in Human Services Pre-Social Work option. Once you have met the pre-requisites for the program you will be provided the BSW Supplemental Application to be reviewed by the BSW faculty to gain admittance into the full Bachelor of Social Work program.  

 

More Information on a Bachelor of Social Work Degree

TUITION

Costs for programs of study at University of the Cumberlands are competitive and affordable. Click here to view tuition rates and fees. 

ACCREDITATION 

University of the Cumberlands has achieved Candidacy for Accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation.

Candidacy for a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that it has made progress toward meeting criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process.  A program that has attained Candidacy has demonstrated a commitment to meeting the compliance standards set by the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, but has not yet demonstrated full compliance. 

Students who enter programs that attain Candidacy in or before the academic year in which they begin their program of study will be retroactively recognized as having graduated from a CSWE-accredited program once the program attains Initial Accreditation.  Candidacy is typically a three-year process and attaining Candidacy does not guarantee that a program will eventually attain Initial Accreditation.  Candidacy applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program.  Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

For more information about social work accreditation, you may contact Accreditation.

Click here to view more regarding University of the Cumberlands' accreditation information. 

FACULTY

We want you to be guided by the absolute best. Learn more about the Social Work Faculty. 

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