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.

CSWE logo

Proudly accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

120 Total credits
$395 Cost Per Credit Hour
TBA Next Start Date

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

  • Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
  • Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
  • Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
  • Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
  • Engage in Policy Practice
  • Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Hear What Our Students Are Saying

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.

Funding Your Future

We strive to make college affordable. Explore your financial aid & scholarship options. See what makes Union the smart choice.