Social Work BSW at University of Utah

Program Description

Social workers provide mental health services to individuals and communities across the United States. They work in family and child service agencies, hospitals, schools, criminal justice agencies, nursing homes, and other places, providing intervention, evaluation, and counseling services. If you want to enter this challenging but rewarding field, the U’s Social Work (B.S.W.) program will provide you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you need to professionally practice social work in a number of settings: a B.S.W. degree prepares students for immediate entry into human service positions across the country. Students in the program complete coursework in the following areas: human behavior and social environment, social work as a profession, social diversity and cultural understanding, research and evaluation, and welfare policy. In preparation for professional practice, students also complete a supervised internship in the field.

The Student Experience

Additional academic opportunities for students include undergraduate research projects or learning abroad programs, allowing you to explore an idea or culture. If you want to get involved in your community both on and off campus, the College of Social Work has several clubs and community service organizations. Consider joining the Bachelor of Social Work Student Association (a B.S.W. club), the Initiative for Transformative Social Work (ITSW, a group that diminishes power discrepancies and seeks to create equity in the College), or Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN, a program that provides services to older adults).

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the B.S.W. program are prepared to apply for a license to practice social work in the state of Utah or another area. Once licensed, students may follow a number of different career paths. Work in child welfare, public welfare, gerontology, or school social work as a case manager or advocate. Positions in healthcare are also possible, as counselors, program developers, hospice care providers, or rehabilitators. Students can additionally find work in criminal justice or corrections, providing therapy, rehabilitation, and counseling to juvenile offenders or prisoners seeking parole. If you decide to attend graduate school, you can become a clinical mental health social worker, licensed clinical social worker, professor, or administrator.