As part of the School of Social Work’s professional-level expectations, all BSW students are required to complete 50 hours of human service experience (paid or volunteer).
Find Out if a Career in Social Work is Right for You
This requirement provides experience that allows you to determine if a career in social work is right for you. In addition, it allows you to gain some insight into and experience with working as a helper. If you have questions about whether or not a volunteer experience will count toward the 50 hours, see the BSW Advising & Recruitment Coordinator who will render a decision and record it in your student file. Pre-approval of your activity is always a good idea to ensure that you meet the requirements.
In order to gain a variety of experiences and to help you eventually make a decision about the type of agency in which you would like to do your field practicum, we encourage you to seek out several opportunities for completing your human service activity.
Service Completion Deadline
This experience supports readiness for junior-year coursework and field placement planning. The official deadline for completing and documenting these hours is April 1 of the semester prior to beginning field placement, based on enrollment type:
- On campus - April 1 of your junior year
- Online full-time students – April 1 of your first year
- Online part-time students – April 1 your second year
However, because the online BSW program is a structured program, we strongly recommend that online students complete their 50 service hours prior to August 15 of the start of their first year, whenever possible.
Completing hours earlier allows students to focus fully on coursework during the academic year and supports timely progression through the program. Volunteer hours are documented through iServe, while paid human service hours are verified using the School of Social Work’s Hours Verification Form.
Attend 1 Service Reflection Session
- May only attend if at least 25 service hours are complete.
- Held once per semester, in Fall: mid-November and Spring: late-February/early-March.
- You will get a Certificate of Completion when you have completed the session.
How do I find service and volunteer work?
The iServe platform lists social service agencies that may use volunteers. To find out general information on local services and resources in the Morgantown area, you can call The Connecting Link at 304-296-3300.
Additionally, you may wish to consult with the WVU Center for Community Engagement for additional opportunities.
Do I have to complete the work in Morgantown?
No! The requirement for 50 hours of volunteer experience does not need to be completed in Morgantown, and you may split the 50 hours among different agencies or experiences. You may complete the hours in your hometown or as part of a seasonal camp experience. WVU’s Career Services Center has information about summer employment as camp counselors.