Social work is an academic discipline and a practice profession. Social workers envision an economically, socially, and racially just world in which resources and opportunities are more equitably distributed. Social workers engage in critical analyses of power relations, aim to dismantle inequitable social structures, and work in solidarity with groups that experience poverty, oppression, and exploitation. Social workers assist individuals, families, groups, and communities to achieve their goals, while also working toward macro-level, policy, and institutional change.
If you want to assist others, serve your communities, and work toward social change, a bachelor's degree in Social Work at PSU could be your path to a meaningful career in social work, human services, and other health and education fields.
We Offer:
- A transformative experience that unlocks student potential by building self-confidence and honoring students' identities, experiences, life stages, and backgrounds.
- A field placement in a community agency that builds practical, hands-on skills for real-world impact.
- Classes that challenge students to learn new perspectives and to become effective agents of social change.
- A cohort model that promotes peer learning and mutual support.Post-baccalaureate paths to MSW Advanced Standing programs.
- A choice between fully online or in-person program delivery.
- Postbaccalaureate paths to graduate education.
- Job preparation for direct practice employment in a wide variety of federal, state, local, and non-profit organizations and agencies.
- Academic preparation for top social work and social science graduate programs nationally and internationally.
In addition to being admitted to PSU, students must apply separately to the Bachelor in Social Work (BSW) program. The BSW program only admits students once a year for fall term.
Learn about transferring to our BSW program.
We encourage you to start planning your application to the program in your sophomore year. Review the BSW admissions information and read about the BSW curriculum.