Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Social Work

Social Work, Bachelor of Social Work


Academic Information

The social work profession is dedicated to enhancing human well-being and to help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. The intent of this program is to educate competent generalist social workers for practice with diverse populations and multi-level social systems, while developing skills for facilitating the planned change process.
 
This program at Northern Arizona University is focused on practice with rural and Indigenous populations of the Southwest; addressing poverty, structural racism, and oppression; providing leadership in promoting human rights and social and economic justice; and service with vulnerable and underserved populations.

This program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Social Work

Social Work, Bachelor of Social Work


Careers

What Can I Do with a Bachelor of Social Work?

Are you passionate about social justice and social change? Do you want a rewarding career working with the disenfranchised, vulnerable, and oppressed? Are you interested in providing assistance and support to diverse individuals, groups, and communities?  A social work degree will help you accomplish these academic and professional goals. Our accredited BSW degree enables you to become a licensed generalist social worker in many states.
 
The social work degree will provide you with opportunities to learn the professional knowledge, values, and skills needed to help people experiencing overwhelming life challenges such as substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, homelessness, and death, as well as mental, behavioral, and physical illness or disability. Social workers approach their work with people from the strengths perspective, while also looking at the individual within their environment. 

Career opportunities that might be pursued:
  • Child and youth services
  • Disability services
  • Family support services
  • Health care services
  • Elder care services
  • Military/veterans services
  • Community advocacy
  • Case management services
  • Victim advocacy

With further education, one of these paths is possible:
  • Therapist
  • Hospital care coodinator
  • Employee assistance counselor
  • School-based interventionist
  • Expert witness
  • College or university faculty
  • Lawyer

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Social Work

Social Work, Bachelor of Social Work


University Requirements

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Social Work

Social Work, Bachelor of Social Work


Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Students may transfer up to 75 units of credit from an accredited community college. 

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 114
Additional Admission Requirements Required
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Required
Research Optional
University Honors Program Optional
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A Recommended
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan
Licensure

This program may lead to licensure.

Purpose Statement

The mission of Northern Arizona University's Social Work Program, grounded in the history, purpose, and values of the profession, is to educate competent generalist social workers for practice with diverse populations and multi-level social systems in local, regional and global contexts.

The generalist practice for which we educate is based on social work knowledge, values, and skills; geared to practice with rural and Indigenous populations of the Southwest; and, focused on addressing poverty, structural racism, and oppression; providing leadership in promoting human rights and social and economic justice; and service with vulnerable and underserved populations locally, regionally, and globally.

The mission is expressed in the following goals:


Student Learning Outcomes 

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Social Work

Social Work, Bachelor of Social Work


Details

Additional Admission Requirements
Transfer Block
Major Requirements
General Electives
Additional Information
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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Social Work

Social Work, Bachelor of Social Work


Campus Availability

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