A Focus On Social Work In Action
The UA School of Social Work undergraduate program offers a close-knit and diverse community of students, faculty, and staff within UA’s large, vibrant campus.
Our rigorous academic program prepares graduates for generalist social work practice, graduate study in social work, and careers that require skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and inter-professional collaboration. The program emphasizes the value of diversity and the importance of promoting social and economic justice.
Why Our BSW degree?
Our BSW graduates are prepared to assist people of all ages, from all walks of life, in a variety of settings. Students learn valuable professional skills while improving the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities. A BSW degree also provides an excellent foundation in problem-solving, communication, and inter-professional collaboration, skills which are valued by many professions and graduate degree programs. Some of the unique opportunities we offer our students include:
- Field internship in Washington, D.C or choose from more than 250 social service agencies
- A social work honor’s program
- Research experiences with faculty and graduate students
- Opportunities for service learning
- Community-engaged student organizations
BSW FAQs
Learn more about our BSW Program in our Frequently Asked Questions! (pdf)Students begin our BSW Program as pre-social work majors and spend their first two years in the program completing their core curriculum requirements. Students, however, can declare a major in social work when they are freshmen, sophomores, or juniors.
And many of our students enjoy the ability to earn their BSW degree through a combination of on-campus classes, distance learning and night classes. Learn about BSW degree requirements in our BSW Handbook (pdf).
Goals
Graduates of the BSW program will be able to:
- Demonstrate skills in generalist social work practice informed by the best available evidence
- Engage in culturally sensitive and culturally effective social work practice with diverse groups
- Apply social work values and ethics
- Advocate for vulnerable and oppressed populations
- Create sustainable local and global change that improves societal wellbeing
Mission
The BSW Program prepares practitioners committed to promoting social justice and improving the well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities.
Career Opportunities With A BSW degree
Social work is one of the fastest growing careers in the U.S. and one of few professions that you can find meaning, action, diversity, and versatility. If you’re devoted to helping others and improving social conditions, find out about the many careers fields that you can apply your social work skills.
Social Welfare Minor
Students who are majoring in another UA college may declare a minor in social welfare. A minor in social welfare provides students with an understanding of the social welfare system in the U.S. and abroad. Social Welfare minors may not take social work practice courses and are subject to the requirements of his or her college.
BSW Professional Program
The BSW Professional Program is for currently enrolled students majoring in social work who are ready to begin taking 400-level professional social work courses.
Who can apply?
Social Work majors who have earned 54 hours in core requirements (this does not include electives) with the required overall and social work GPAs. Students must seek admission to the BSW Professional Program through the School of Social Work.
BSW Honors Professional Program
Our BSW Honors Program is available to our best and brightest undergraduate students who have distinguished themselves by superior academic achievements. As in the social work profession, the honors social work curriculum emphasizes the value of diversity and the importance of the promotion of social and economic justice.
| When Should You Apply? | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Admission to the fall semester (Missing the deadline may delay your admission into the program for one year.) |
February 15 |
| Admission to the spring semester (Missing the deadline may delay your admission into the program for one year.) |
September 15 |
Who can apply?
Students who have declared social work as a major and who are enrolled in the UA Honors College are eligible to apply for admission. Students must seek admission to the BSW Honors Professional Program through the School of Social Work.
Start the Application to a Professional ProgramAre You Ready For A Career In Social Work?
Interested in pursuing your undergraduate degree in social work at The University of Alabama? Learn about UA’s admission requirements for new incoming freshmen, transfer students and international students and then apply.
BSW Information Sessions
Would you like more information about our BSW Program or to visit us? Please reach out to our recruiter at ssw_undergraduate@ua.edu or call at (205) 348-5272 to make your request.
The University of Alabama School of Social Work is committed to making its web resources accessible to all users, and welcomes comments or suggestions on access improvements. If you are unable to access the contents of these documents, please contact (205) 348-7027 or ssw@ua.edu.