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Eberly College of Arts & Sciences School of Social Work
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Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Online or On Campus Program Delivery
B.S.W. Plan of Study B.S.W. Online

If you're a compassionate individual with an interest in human diversity and a desire to help others, then a Bachelor of Social Work can help you reach your goals.

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Program Overview

Program Delivery: On-campus

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? Social workers help people function the best they can in their environment and circumstance. They provide direct services to people in their homes or places of work and help people to help themselves.

Our curriculum prepares you for positions in the social work profession. We train students to work effectively with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations around the country.

Social workers are advocates for social change. A victim of an assault benefits not only from therapy, but also from efforts to curb neighborhood crime. The client who is under stress because illness has devastated the family finances benefits from efforts to reform the nation’s healthcare system. Social work is more than working with people on welfare. Social workers serve their communities in powerful ways that lead to lasting changes.

Opportunities

Explore the WVU Difference through this program's academic, research, and student life opportunities.

  • Accredited by Council on Social Work Education.
  • Earn academic credit through Eberly internship courses.
  • 500+ scholarships awarded annually by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
  • Academic Enrichment Program offers funding for activities that complement, extend and enhance your academic experience.

Living Learning Communities

Find a community where you can live with others who share your interests. You will have opportunities to connect with faculty, staff and professionals in areas aligned with your LLC's emphasis. Learn more about WVU Living Learning Communities.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Research and Opportunities

Outside of our classes, field education is an important part of the professional social work curriculum. Lessons learned outside the classroom complement the lessons taught inside the classroom. You will build a professional identity that will serve as a foundation for ongoing growth. Community service, volunteer work and field placements provide you with meaningful opportunities to explore life as a social worker.

Explore Career Paths

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

  1. Social and Human Service Assistants

    Assist in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation or dependent care.

    Also called: Caseworker, Community Coordinator, Family Support Worker, Social Services Assistant

  2. Mental Health Counselors

    Counsel with emphasis on prevention. Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. May help individuals deal with issues associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging.

    Also called: Clinician, Counselor, Mental Health Counselor, Therapist

  3. Marriage and Family Therapists

    Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.

    Also called: Clinical Therapist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), Therapist

  4. Compliance Managers

    Plan, direct or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

    Also called: Compliance Coordinator, Compliance Manager, Compliance Officer, Director of Compliance

  5. Healthcare Social Workers

    Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family care givers, providing patient education and counseling, and making referrals for other services. May also provide care and case management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.

    Also called: Clinical Social Worker, Dialysis Social Worker, Medical Social Worker, Social Worker

  6. Social and Community Service Managers

    Plan, direct or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors or probation officers.

    Also called: Program Director, Program Manager, Social Services Director, Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator

  7. Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

    Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.

    Also called: Correctional Counselor, Juvenile Probation Officer, Probation and Parole Officer, Probation Officer

  8. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

    Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention and education.

    Also called: Case Manager, Clinical Social Worker, Mental Health Therapist, Social Worker

  9. Social Science Research Assistants

    Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

    Also called: Research Analyst, Research Assistant, Research Associate, Research Specialist

  10. Where Graduates are Working

    • Child advocacy
    • Public relations
    • Human resources
    • Public health and wellness promotion
    • Law enforcement
    • Veterans affairs