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Social WorkMajor

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? Social workers help people function the best they can in their environment and circumstance. They provide direct services to people in their homes or places of work and help people to help themselves.

Overview

What is Social Work at WVU like?

Description

If you are a compassionate individual with an interest in human diversity and a desire to help others, then a Bachelor of Social Work can help you reach your goals. Our curriculum prepares you for positions in the social work profession. We train students to work effectively with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations around the country.

Social workers are advocates for social change. A victim of an assault benefits not only from therapy, but also from efforts to curb neighborhood crime. The client who is under stress because illness has devastated the family finances benefits from efforts to reform the nation’s healthcare system. Social work is more than working with people on welfare. Social workers serve their communities in powerful ways that lead to lasting changes.

Social Work program highlights:

Living-Learning Communities
Research/Academic Opportunities

At a Glance

Admission Requirements
Careers and Employers
Cost and Aid
Courses and Plan of Study
Fast Facts
Related Majors and Minors
Related Pathways

College/School:
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Division:
School of Social Work
Department:
Degree Designation:
BSW
Degree Program:
Social Work
Program:
Social Work

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Fast Facts

What makes Social Work at WVU unique?

Academic
Accreditation
Financial Support

Earn academic credit through Eberly internship courses.
Accredited by Council on Social Work Education.
500+ scholarships awarded annually by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
Academic Enrichment Program offers funding for activities that complement, extend and enhance your academic experience.

Research and Academic Opportunities

Outside of our classes, field education is an important part of the professional social work curriculum. Lessons learned outside the classroom complement the lessons taught inside the classroom. You will build a professional identity that will serve as a foundation for ongoing growth. Community service, volunteer work and field placements provide you with meaningful opportunities to explore life as a social worker.

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Completing a BSW degree allows for immediate access to employment opportunities in child advocacy, public relations, human resources, public health and wellness promotion, law enforcement and veterans affairs.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Social Work major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Bright Outlook
Green Occupation
Requires a Graduate Degree

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.
Possible job titles for this career include: Compliance Coordinator.
$128,620Median Salary

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Healthcare Social Workers

Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family care givers, providing patient education and counseling, and making referrals for other services. May also provide care and case management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.
Possible job titles for this career include: Clinical Social Worker.
$60,280Median Salary

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Marriage and Family Therapists

Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.
Possible job titles for this career include: Clinical Therapist.
$56,570Median Salary

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Mental Health Counselors

Counsel with emphasis on prevention. Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. May help individuals deal with issues associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging.
Possible job titles for this career include: Clinician.
$49,710Median Salary

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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention and education.
Possible job titles for this career include: Case Manager.
$51,240Median Salary

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Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.
Possible job titles for this career include: Correctional Counselor.
$59,860Median Salary

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Social Science Research Assistants

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.
Possible job titles for this career include: Research Analyst.
$50,470Median Salary

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Social and Community Service Managers

Plan, direct or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors or probation officers.
Possible job titles for this career include: Program Director.
$74,240Median Salary

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Social and Human Service Assistants

Assist in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation or dependent care.
Possible job titles for this career include: Caseworker.
$38,520Median Salary

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This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Social Work at WVU?

SOWK 147:
Human Diversity

(Must be completed before applying to the major.) Covers a range of diverse populations especially those historically subjected to oppression and social and economic injustice. Addresses the causes and effects of institutionalized forms of oppression.

SOWK 300:
Social Welfare Policy and Services 1

Review of current and historical perspectives on the social welfare institution. Includes philosophical and ideological factors that influence U.S. social welfare policy and services.

SOWK 320:
Social Work Methods 1

Presents a broad range of generalist practice knowledge, values and skills. Focuses on theories and interventions with individuals, and introduces evaluation of practice effectiveness. (30-hour service learning requirement.)

SOWK 380:
Child Welfare

Introduction to issues in the field of child welfare. Includes policies, practice, protective services, family centered services, prevention, out of home placement, and in-home placement.

SOWK 401:
Social Work Practice and Human Sexuality

Focus on issues of sexuality that impact direct/micro and mezzo practice, and indirect/macro social work practice.

SOWK 491:
Professional Field Experience

(May be repeated up to a maximum of 12 hours.) Prearranged experiential learning program, to be planned, supervised, and evaluated for credit by faculty and field supervisors. Involves temporary placement with public or private enterprise for professional competence development.

Cost and Aid

How much does Social Work at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here is a way for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Social Work at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Social Work major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2024-25 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

Communication Studies
We prepare skillful communicators at both the theoretical and applied levels. Choose from four areas of emphasis (health, interpersonal or strategic/organization communication and social media and communication technology) — or complete the integrated communication track for a more general focus.

Learn More
Political Science
Studying political science will help you understand why courts make the decisions they do, why legislatures pass the laws they do and why countries make the choices they make in the international arena.

Learn More
Psychology
Psychology is the science of behavior. This major allows you to increase your intrapersonal and interpersonal understanding and develop problem-solving, project management and information literacy skills.

Learn More
Sociology
Sociology opens your mind to the hidden structures of social power that affect our everyday life and the major events that are happening around the world.

Learn More
Women's and Gender Studies
Don’t let the name mislead you. Women’s and Gender Studies is not just about women, nor is it about male-bashing or gender wars. Rather, our courses cover a broad range of subjects with sensitivity to gender, race, sexual orientation and class.

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What minors could I consider?

Arabic Studies
Minor
Chinese Studies
Minor
Communication Studies
Minor
French
Minor
Gerontology
Minor
Political Science (General)
Minor
Psychology
Minor
Religious Studies
Minor
Sociology
Minor
Spanish
Minor
Women and Gender Studies
Minor

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Behavioral and Social Sciences
Studying human behavior and interactions will help you understand and change society – and pursue careers that help people improve their lives.

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Education
Choose from general education programs or majors that focus on teaching specific populations or subjects.

Learn More
Healthcare
Learn to prevent, diagnose and treat medical conditions – or work in research, technology and other roles in health and wellness organizations.

Learn More
Law and Public Policy
If you’re passionate about serving the greater good, these majors will prepare you for government, law, criminal justice and related fields.

Learn More

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

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