The Bachelor of Social Work degree is designed to prepare students for service to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities as social work practitioners. Each student in the program will complete coursework, skills training, and supervised field experience. Students will receive support designed to prepare them for ethical and competent practice as professional social workers who employ evidence-based practice. Walden anticipates that graduates will be prepared to design culturally and contextually relevant generalist social services in their practice, and to provide mentoring and supervision, advocacy, and collaboration activities with their varied client populations.
Accreditation Statement
Walden’s Bachelor of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
Note on Licensure
The Walden University Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is designed to prepare graduates to practice as licensed social workers in states that offer licensure at the bachelor’s level. However, each state board responsible for the regulation of social work has its own requirements for licensure, including appropriate accreditation of academic programs.
Walden’s Bachelor of Social Work has received accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation. Accreditation by the CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that it has met all criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. A program that has attained accreditation status has demonstrated a commitment to meeting the compliance standards set by the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
Prospective students enrolling in licensure-leading programs are advised that relocation to another state may impact the student’s ability to complete field experiences and/or to obtain professional licensure, certification, or other credential in another state. Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Social Work program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of what is needed to develop a professional orientation and identify as a generalist social work.
- Apply ethical standards and values to generalist social work practice.
- Advocate for social change through promoting social, economic, and environmental justice.
- Utilize evidence-based research to inform the practice of serving traditionally oppressed and disenfranchised populations.
- Apply theories of human growth and development to social work practice.
- Apply culturally competent generalist intervention skills as a generalist social worker.
Degree Requirements
- 182 total quarter credits (including 45 credits completed at Walden)
- General education courses (51 credits)
- Core courses (60 credits)
- Elective courses (50 credits)
- Field Experience courses (20 credits)
- Social Work Skills Lab Course (1 credits)
General Education (51 credits)
See the General Education section of this Walden University Catalog.
Core Courses (60 credits)
The following courses are required as part of Bachelor of Social Work core:
Elective Courses (50 credits)
Students are to select 10 additional courses to fulfill the elective requirement. Students may choose courses from either General Education courses or courses from any of Walden’s bachelor’s degree programs. These 50 credits of electives are in addition to the 9-credit general education electives.
Field Experience (20 credits)
Social Work Skills Lab (1 credits)
Complete Social Work Skills Lab after you have completed SOCW 3004 and SOCW 4003. SOCW 4004 is recommended before Skills Lab; however, it can be taken concurrently with Skills Lab. This lab includes online course content integrated with a 3-day, face-to-face or virtual synchronous requirement: 3 weeks online; 3 days face-to-face or virtual synchronous sessions; 2 weeks online.