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School of Social Work

Social Work, BSW

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.

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Students listen to lecture in classroom.

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.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the ÃØÉ«´«Ã½ Honors College. Two programs are offered: for first- and second-year students and for third- and fourth-year students.

The ÃØÉ«´«Ã½ Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

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

Over 92% of ÃØÉ«´«Ã½ freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

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Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

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.

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

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

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.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $77,030

Possible job titles include: Program Director, Program Manager, Social Services Director, Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator.

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Compliance Managers

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

Median Salary: $133,560

Possible job titles include: Compliance Coordinator, Compliance Manager, Compliance Officer, Director of Compliance.

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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.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $56,400

Possible job titles include: Research Analyst, Research Assistant, Research Associate, Research Specialist.

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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.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $58,510

Possible job titles include: Clinical Therapist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), Therapist.

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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.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $53,710

Possible job titles include: Clinician, Counselor, Mental Health Counselor, Therapist.

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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.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $62,940

Possible job titles include: Clinical Social Worker, Dialysis Social Worker, Medical Social Worker, Social Worker.

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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.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $55,960

Possible job titles include: Case Manager, Clinical Social Worker, Mental Health Therapist, Social Worker.

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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.

Median Salary: $61,800

Possible job titles include: Correctional Counselor, Juvenile Probation Officer, Probation and Parole Officer, Probation Officer.

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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.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $41,410

Possible job titles include: Caseworker, Community Coordinator, Family Support Worker, Social Services Assistant.

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Where Graduates are Working

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

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to ÃØÉ«´«Ã½'s Social Work major, first-time freshmen must meet ÃØÉ«´«Ã½'s . Interested in transferring? Review the .

Tuition and Aid

How much does Social Work at ÃØÉ«´«Ã½ cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at ÃØÉ«´«Ã½ Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any ÃØÉ«´«Ã½ System campus.

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ÃØÉ«´«Ã½ in addition to university scholarships.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Social Work major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to ÃØÉ«´«Ã½.

Review the to see if your institution is listed.

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the ÃØÉ«´«Ã½ family.

Want to know more about Social Work at ÃØÉ«´«Ã½? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

Visit

​​Experiencing campus is the best way to see if ÃØÉ«´«Ã½ is the right fit. Choose from in-person and virtual options.

Visit ÃØÉ«´«Ã½

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission using our convenient online application.