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. 

Admission Requirements

• 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 Justice and Social Welfare
• Submit the Social Work admissions application

Transfer Admissions Policy

Students applying to transfer from a CSWE accredited BSW program must complete an application for admission to the social work program. Students meeting the admission criteria will initially be conditionally accepted into the social work program, pending the completion of a 1-hour BSW Bridge Course.  Students must complete the BSW Bridge Course with a grade of Satisfactory to be fully accepted into the social work program.  Students who do not receive a grade of Satisfactory will be required to retake the BSW Bridge Course and will be unable to enroll in further social work courses until a grade of Satisfactory is obtained.  Students cannot transfer in more than 50% of their social work courses from another CSWE accredited bachelor of social work program.  At least 75% of the course description related to the transfer course must match the University of the Cumberlands course description in order to be considered for transfer credit.

Transfer Admission Requirements

• Obtain sophomore status and a 2.5 cumulative GPA
• Submit the Social Work admissions application
• Complete the 1-hour Bridge Course with a grade of Satisfactory and sign a statement of understanding of the NASW Code of Ethics. 

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 is currently in Pre-Candidacy for Accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation.

Pre-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 submitted an application to be reviewed for Candidacy and had its Benchmark I approved in draft form to move forward with Candidacy review within one year.  A program that has attained Pre-Candidacy has not yet been reviewed by the Commission on Accreditation or been verified to be in compliance with the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Students who enter programs in Pre-Candidacy that attain Candidacy in 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.  The Candidacy Process is typically a three-year process and there is no guarantee that a program in Pre-Candidacy will eventually attain Candidacy or Initial 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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