Social Work (BSW)
Affect change in your community
You know that changing the world begins with improving the lives of those around you. You know that stronger communities are made by those who put their best intentions into practice. The social work major at Mary Baldwin focuses on teaching the best methods to help empower, aid, and improve people and communities. Through partnerships with local and state-wide organizations, the social work program puts you right where you can do the most good.
- Format
- In Person, Online with synchronous component
- Degree(s)
- Bachelor of Social Work
Next steps
Why Study Social Work at Mary Baldwin?
Social workers are the people with boots on the ground in fields like mental health, health advocacy, social justice, economic aid, and criminal justice. The social work program at Mary Baldwin focuses on doing the best work in communities with the most need. We pair learning and practice, with a large component of the major’s requirements fulfilled through field experience in partnership with various organizations.
The social work major is designed with the option to earn your degree while you work. Fast-track your degree by transferring up to 84 credits and completing coursework online with just a few in-person sessions per semester, available in Staunton and at locations throughout Virginia, to collaborate with classmates. Working on your schedule, you can complete your degree without interrupting your current job.
Faculty Who Know the Ropes
MBU social work professors are experts in diverse fields with experience helping communities around the world. Many are actively involved in social work in addition to their teaching. Our professors have deep knowledge in their fields and know what employers are looking for. Connections, expertise, and experience come together in MBU’s social work program.
Next steps
The skills that I learned through MBU’s social work program are a perfect collision of evidence-based theory and compassion for a society that desperately needs it.
Deangela AlexanderFamily Services Specialist, Madison Department of Social Services
Courses and Curriculum
You’ll take courses like:
Acquire the knowledge and communication skills you need to help individuals and families effectively plan for change. Emphasizes the development of interviewing skills through classroom theory and real-world activities like roleplaying and interviews.
Analyze how the policies and services of local, state, regional, national, and international agencies affect social work practice. Prepares you to advocate for social policy changes aimed at improving social conditions, promoting social justice, and empowering at-risk populations.
An incubator for developing the knowledge and skills you need to work with individuals in a social work context. Learn essential theories and techniques, and practice putting them to work in simulated field conditions. Features a module of exercises, case studies, and roleplaying focused on the implications of cultural diversity and vulnerable populations.
Outcomes
Recent graduates from MBU with a bachelor’s in social work have gone on to promising careers with:
- Valley Children’s Advocacy Center, dedicated to serving survivors of child abuse
- Beatrice Loving Heart, coordinating services that move people from institutions, nursing facilities, and hospitals to homes in the community of their choice
- Love, Inc., a network of donation centers and thrift stores dedicated to serving people in need through community service
Next steps
Cost & Financial Aid
A great education is worth it. Here’s how Mary Baldwin helps you pay for it: Generous financial aid packages, a broad range of scholarships, transferring maximum credit hours from previous coursework or relevant work and life experiences — the list goes on. Our mission is to help you level up and bring your aspirations to life.
MBU helps you fast-track your path to a political science degree with the opportunity to transfer up to 18 credits (6 courses) through direct course equivalents from the Virginia Community Colleges System.
A bachelor’s degree requires 120 credit hours of study.
Nationally Recognized and Accredited
The Susan Warfield Caples Social Work Program at MBU meets rigorous academic standards to gain and maintain national accreditation from the Counsel on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Key Resources
APPLICATION FOR SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM
ACCREDITATION ASSESSMENT RESULTS
FIELD PRACTICUM CHECKLIST AND TIMELINE
APPLICATION FOR FIELD PRACTICUM