Bachelor of Social Work at West Virginia University

Department website: http://socialwork.wvu.edu/

Degree Offered

• Bachelor of Social Work

Nature of the Program

The School of Social Work provides students with a comprehensive program of professional education in social work, including degree programs at the baccalaureate and master's levels, and a range of part-time and continuing education opportunities.

The BSW and MSW programs at West Virginia University are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, which makes graduates eligible to seek licensure as social workers in West Virginia and other states, depending on individual state laws.  The degree programs offered by the School of Social Work allow students the opportunity to prepare for entry-level professional practice at the baccalaureate level and to specialize at the advanced (graduate) level of study.  The baccalaureate program prepares social workers for generalist practice and is a recognized national leader in the development of baccalaureate-level curriculum to support this educational goal.

B.S.W. Program Mission

The mission of the B.S.W. Social Work Program at West Virginia University is to educate students to become generalist social workers.  Generalist social work is grounded in the liberal arts, the person-in-environment framework, and competency-based education. Generalist social workers use a range of prevention and intervention methods in social work practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Generalist social workers identify with the profession and apply ethical principles and critical thinking at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice. Generalist practitioners are strengths-based, engage diversity in practice, and advocate for human rights and social and economic justice. They engage in research-informed practice and actively respond to the impact of context on professional practice.

The 2 + 2 Program

WVU and several colleges have entered into a joint commitment to increase the college-going rate within the state of WV and throughout the country, as well as the num­ber of social workers within the state, through a special 2+2 arrangement that will lead to a bachelor of social work degree from WVU.  Current affiliation agreements for the 2 + 2 program include Pierpont Community and Technical College, WV Northern Community College, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College, and Westmoreland County Community College.  For students from these colleges to enjoy the benefits of the 2+2 program they must be ready to enter the major when they matriculate to WVU.  Students in the 2+2 program must meet the admissions standards for WVU and the B.S.W. program and must follow the B.S.W. program's policies for transfer students.

Social Work

Upon successful completion of the B.S.W. degree, Social Work majors will demonstrate:

1. Competence for entry-level generalist practice, with an emphasis on rural and small town settings, gained through a curriculum including liberal arts and social work foundations, human behavior in the social environment (HBSE) practice, policy, assessment/research with individuals, families, groups, communities, and society.
2. Ability to engage in effective practice that is responsive to changing the social context, with an existing value base and ethical standards of the social work profession.
3. Skills for effective for practice with diverse, vulnerable, and oppressed populations and to further social and economic justice.
4. A foundational identity as a professional social worker and commitment to conduct oneself accordingly.
5. Sensitivity, knowledge, and understanding of human needs and rights, social welfare issues, and approaches toward resolving social problems.