Bachelor of Science Social Work
Union Institute & University’s Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). This program reflects Union’s core value of social justice. It provides students with the knowledge, values, and skills they need to be generalist social work practitioners who are culturally competent and who serve as advocates for diverse, vulnerable, and marginalized populations. The program transforms learners into social work professionals who embody a commitment to service, social justice, dignity, and worth of individuals.
This degree program applies a real-world approach through online classes coupled with on-the-job training experience. Our innovative and accelerated program design is tailored to support adult learners’ busy schedules, and the small class size promotes a positive professional rapport among faculty and students.
Union Institute & University’s Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). This program reflects Union’s core value of social justice. It provides students with the knowledge, values, and skills they need to be generalist social work practitioners who are culturally competent and who serve as advocates for diverse, vulnerable, and marginalized populations. The program transforms learners into social work professionals who embody a commitment to service, social justice, dignity, and worth of individuals.
This degree program applies a real-world approach through online classes coupled with on-the-job training experience. Our innovative and accelerated program design is tailored to support adult learners’ busy schedules, and the small class size promotes a positive professional rapport among faculty and students.
WHY UNION FOR YOUR SOCIAL WORK STUDIES
Union empowers students in our social work program to apply professional knowledge, skills, ethics, and values for generalist social work practice, with an emphasis on social justice and social change. A social work education emphasizes core competencies related to human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, multicultural social work, human diversity, social and economic justice, social work ethical standards, strengths-based practice, and research.
- After graduation, 100% of our BSSW students secure social work positions, pursue graduate studies, or return to military duty.
- Course textbooks are less than $250 for your entire core social work program courses.
- 45% of students are offered job opportunities during their field placement internship.
- Classes are 100% online – attend part-time or full-time. Learn by your schedule.
- The course format is interactive with experiential learning activities such as role-playing, helper studio videos, and tailored assignments to include interactions to equip you to be a change agent within your community.
PREPARE FOR PRACTICE IN A VARIETY OF ORGANIZATIONS
Union’s Social Work program prepares students for social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. Students benefit from the close mentoring relationships they will form with Union’s social work faculty. They will have hands-on experiences and supervision from social work practitioners with real-world direct practice, clinical, policy, and administrative experiences.
Upon graduation, you will confidently have an in-depth understanding of social work generalist knowledge, skills, and values and be prepared to work within non-profit and for-profit organizations such as:
- Public Welfare
- Mental Health
- Child Welfare
- Policy Practice
- Substance Abuse
- Rural Social Work
- School Social Work
- Military Social Work
- Community Organization
- International Social Work
- Management/Administration
- Crisis, Trauma, and Disasters
- Health Care/Medical Social Work
- Violence, Victims, and Criminal Justice
- 120 credit hour program (minimum)
- Full & part-time options
- Classes start every eight weeks
- Transfer up to 64 credit hours
Benefits of CSWE Accreditation
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation (COA) is the sole accrediting body for social work programs in the United States and its territories. Accreditation is a system for recognizing educational institutions, and the professional programs affiliated with those institutions, for a level of performance and quality that entitles them to the confidence of the educational community and the public they serve.
Upon completion of the major in Social Work, students will be able to demonstrate the integration and application of the following CSWE competencies:
Competency 1: Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
Competency 2: Engage diversity and difference in practice.
Competency 3: Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
Competency 4: Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
Competency 5: Engage in policy practice.
Competency 6: Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Competency 7: Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Competency 8: Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Competency 9: Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
View Full Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
FIELD PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE
One of the most exciting aspects of Union’s BSSW program is the field practicum experience. The purpose of social work field practicum is to bridge the gap between classroom and practice. Students will work closely with a social work agency supervisor to gain hands-on learning to become an effective generalist social work practitioner.
Skills & Benefits Union Students Gain
Hear What Our Students Are Saying
"I am an adult student who has to juggle a full-time job, parental responsibilities and some challenging health issues. I could not have achieved my goal without the advice, encouragement and guidance of my professors. At Union each professor sets an example to follow, so you will not only learn in theory what a social worker is, but you will learn it in practice. The professors are determined to help each student achieve their full potential. They are here to teach, but they also inspire you. All the schools I have attended in the past have not had professors who were as compassionate, reasonable, fair, wise, knowledgeable and caring as those at Union Institute & University."
Milena S.
2022 graduate
"Union Institute & University’s social work program has been the doorway to the completion of my goals. The faculty was very supportive and flexible throughout the program. I could not have gotten through the program without their compassion and support. I had an excellent internship within a school district where I was afforded many opportunities for professional growth and development. I worked hands-on with students and learned many evidence-based practices used within the school district. With its comprehensive curriculum, Union has prepared me for the next steps in my professional life. I was able to pass my LSW exam one week after completing my degree. I was accepted to the advanced standing MSW program at multiple universities. I would recommend this program to anyone who wants a quality education online with a supportive faculty. I am a proud Union graduate!"
Ashley S.
2021 Graduate
"The social work program at Union was amazing. The program was both an educational and a journey of self-discovery. I am humbled to have experienced this course of study alongside such passionate and supportive influential professors. I am active duty military and my schedule was already busy. The professors at Union understood and acknowledged the sacrifices that I made and provided me with every opportunity to stay ahead of my course work. The program highlighted social injustices that were current and challenged me to look at problems from different perspectives. Having smaller classes gave us a chance to respond positively to one another without judgment. We were always encouraged to share our opinions which created a safe environment. Thank you, Union, for being Military friendly."
Jakerea S.
2021 Graduate
Licensure Disclosure
Social Work Licensure: To qualify for licensure, students must pass the Association of Social Worker Boards (ASWB) bachelor’s social work licensing exam. Students must apply to their respective State Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for pre-approval to sit for the bachelor exam. For information about preparing to take the social work licensing examination contact the Association of Social Work Boards.
For additional information, including a breakdown by state, click here.
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