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Bachelor of Social Work

Welcome to the BSW Program

The Southern Adventist University social work program offers students a Bachelor of Social Work degree (a major in social work) as professional preparation for social work employment. On the undergraduate level, social work prepares students for beginning professional social work practice. Based on a broad liberal arts foundation, the social work major is a combination of academic and experiential courses leading to a bachelor of social work degree.

Reach out to us with your general inquiries or questions about the BSW program.

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What Can you Look Forward to in the BSW Program?

A Christ-centered community where students can explore social work theories and values.

Our professors and instructors carry years of real-world experience in social work practice, research, and service. They are passionate about inspiring students to find a purpose.

Internships in our local communities and study tours to cities like Washington D.C. and New York City open new perspectives and bring learning to life.

Our programs offer leadership, service, and social connection to engage students with one another and the wider community through various clubs and experiences.

Southern's online Master of Social Work (MSW) program offers a chance for BSW graduates to earn their MSW in just twelve months!

Our network of social work professionals help foster an environment of mentorship for our students throughout their academic journey and beyond.

BSW Handbook

For even more information about the BSW program, please visit our 2025-26 BSW Handbook.

Career Pathway Fun Facts

Did you know that in Social Work you can work in...

Administration, Child Welfare, Clinical Counseling, Community Development, Criminal Justice/Corrections, Developmental Disabilities, Elderly Care, Healthcare, International Programs, Military, Occupational, Policy & Advocacy, Public Welfare, Research, Education, Schools, Substance Use & Addictions, and so much more!

Did you know that job growth in Social Work looks like...

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, social work employment growth is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than the average with about 74,000 openings projected annually. Mental health and substance use social work has the fastest projected growth rate at about 10%. Fun fact: Within the U.S. mental health workforce, clinical social workers make up roughly 60% of providers.

Learn More About the BSW Program

Student and Field Instructor at Pinning CeremonyField Education

Students are involved in field opportunities as early as their sophomore year, gaining hands-on experience in real-world settings that help build practical skills, professional confidence, and connections within the social work field.

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Students on SWIP trip Study Tour

There are many out-of-class educational experiences, such as the New York Study Tour, European Study Tour (as available) and the Social Work Issues and Policies trip to Washington, D.C. Students involved in these experiences may be eligible to receive course credit.

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BSW studentsTransfer Students

Students transferring to Southern Adventist University’s social work program must complete the standard application process. Transcripts are reviewed by a social work adviser and Records and Advisement. Credit is granted for comparable courses with a grade of C or higher.

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Program Assessment

Bachelor's of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). Accreditation of a social work program by the BOA indicates that it meets or exceeds standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals, and the BOA has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all accreditation standards. Accreditation applies to all program options, which include locations and delivery methods. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program. Review our program’s accredited status in CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs. For more information about social work accreditation, contact CSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation.

Southern Adventist University’s BSW program utilizes multiple measures to assess student competency in generalist social work practice. Below reports the last several years of assessment outcome data for BSW graduates.

Latest Program Outcomes