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Social Work (BSW)

About

The National Association of Social Workers defines social workers as "people who care about people, who want to make things better, who want to relieve suffering, who want their work to make a difference.” This is a growing and dynamic field, and the U.S. Department of Labor projects faster than average employment growth.

With App State's accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree, you will be prepared for social work careers helping individuals, families, groups and communities; providing services; and advocating for human rights and social and economic justice in a variety of human service agencies, as well as other public and non-profit organizations and institutions.

Employment sites include hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, health departments, mental health centers, child and family service agencies, substance abuse programs, group homes and residential education programs, schools, correctional facilities, departments of social services, housing programs and shelters, domestic violence programs, advocacy agencies and legislative offices, community development and planning organizations, non-governmental/community-based organizations, non-profit/grassroots organizations and international programs.

After Graduation

Employment: Social work employment is available in a variety of practice settings for professional social workers who have earned the BSW. However, some social work practice areas require a graduate degree in social work and/or licensure.

Graduate School: For some careers in social work, a Master of Social Work degree is required. Students often choose to pursue a MSW after graduation, including App State’s Master of Social Work degree.

Students who have earned an undergraduate degree in social work who meet certain requirements may apply for “Advanced Standing” MSW programs and complete the MSW curriculum in just one year. App State's MSW Program offers a direct practice/clinical concentration (preparation for working with children and adults, individuals, couples, families and small groups) and a macro practice/community concentration (preparation for working with communities and organizations; agency administration and supervision; policy practice and advocacy; community development and planning; and systemic change).

Career Exploration website

Professional Licensure

This is a program that can lead to licensure or certification in North Carolina. Appalachian State University cannot confirm whether this program will meet the requirements for professional licensure in other states or territories.

If this applies to you, check the Professional Licensure webpage for information on licensure requirements and licensing agencies in other states. Or, you may address questions to State Authorization at App State at stateauthorization@appstate.edu or 828-262-7559.

People

  • Alumnus Profile: Liam Waller '20 '21
    Alumnus Profile: Liam Waller '20 '21

    A veteran, Liam Waller is passionate about social justice for all marginalized people. He eventually wants to pursue a doctoral degree because he believes he can make a positive difference through research and policy change. Read about Waller’s experience as an App State student.

  • Alumna Profile: Heather Canipe ’08 ’10
    Alumna Profile: Heather Canipe ’08 ’10

    Volunteering as a tutor at Western Youth Network (WYN) Inc. while enrolled at Appalachian sparked a career path for Heather Canipe ’08 ’10. She is director of student programs at WYN, a Boone-based nonprofit organization that invests in the lives of children and adolescents.

  • Alumna Profile: Crystal Kelly ’00 ’09
    Alumna Profile: Crystal Kelly ’00 ’09

    Recently named a Pritzker Fellow by the National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers, Kelly is leading efforts to build a coordinated and improved early childhood system in Watauga County.

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. Michael Howell
    Faculty Profile: Dr. Michael Howell

    “Social workers help change the world every day, with every helpful and positive thing they do, in whatever kind of work they do.”

    – Dr. Michael Howell, associate professor

    Meet more faculty

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide

    Click on the pdf for your major

  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Minors

A minor is optional. Minors that complement the Social Work curriculum include:

  • Child Development
  • Sustainable Development
  • Health Care Management
  • Public Health
  • Leadership Studies
  • Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies
  • LGBT studies
  • Non-Profit Management
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Recreation Management
  • Sociology
  • Spanish

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

Student Association of Social Workers (SASW) – Social Work majors and interested students interact, exchange ideas and participate in campus and community service projects. Organizational members work closely with faculty members and other professionals to facilitate greater understanding of the social work field. Open to any App State student.

Global Learning

App State is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society. Social Work students have opportunities to participate in study abroad programs that may count for required course credit. The department has facilitated trips to Costa Rica, Germany, India and Uganda.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.

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Why Appalachian?

  • App State's BSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. It is a professional program designed to prepare students for generalist social work practice.
  • Students integrate their curriculum knowledge with real-life experiences in a variety of field practice settings, supervised by experienced social work field instructors.
  • BSW majors develop knowledge and skills to work with diverse clients and communities in a variety of human service agencies, providing direct services and advocating for human rights and social and economic justice.
  • App State offers both a major and minor in social work. The minor in social work does not prepare students for practice but complements the curriculum in other disciplines.
  • This program is housed in the Department of Social Work in the Beaver College of Health Sciences.

Location

Boone and Hickory* and online

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Careers

BSW graduates have employment opportunities working as a:

  • Social worker
  • Case manager
  • Family social worker
  • Medical social worker
  • School social worker
  • Youth worker
  • Prison social worker
  • Policy advocate and analyst

View more career possibilities

*For some advance practice jobs in social work and to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is required.

Contacts

Beaver College of Health Sciences

Department of Social Work

Dr. Rachel Wright
wrightrl@appstate.edu
828-262-8208

  • Department of Social Work

    The Department of Social Work in Appalachian State University’s Beaver College of Health Sciences offers both undergraduate and graduate programs, and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The undergraduate social work program prepares students for generalist social work practice, and graduates can be found in social service agencies, hospitals, schools, hospices, criminal justice systems and mental health facilities. The graduate program teaches students advanced clinical skills for their work as social service managers and leaders, or clinicians who provide services to individuals, families and communities. Learn more at https://socialwork.appstate.edu.

  • Beaver College of Health Sciences

    The Beaver College of Health Sciences opened in 2010 as the result of an Appalachian commitment to significantly enhance the health and quality of life for individuals, families and communities in North Carolina and beyond.

    Exciting, Growing Career Fields

    • Nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs are in fields recognized as growing “faster than average for all occupations” by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
    • Currently over 3,700 students pursue degrees in 16 undergraduate and graduate programs
    • Students who graduate are successfully prepared for a variety of general and advanced careers in health care

    Real-World Training and Experience

    • Programs emphasize coursework, research and clinical outreach with a dedication to cultivating life-long learners and practical skills for the field
    • Internships, field experiences and clinical placements in real-world settings in the community and surrounding areas ensure students are prepared to meet existing and future health-related workforce needs, particularly in rural areas
    • Interprofessional and collaborative research between students and faculty gives students unparalleled experience in working together with other health and wellness professionals
    • Research opportunities alongside over 150 nationally and internationally trained faculty mean students have opportunities to contribute to finding innovative solutions to regional and national problems in their field

    Advanced Laboratories and Facilities

    • Over 20 laboratories and additional locations for simulated research and applied laboratory training experience
    • Partnerships and opportunities with the Wake Forest Physician Assistant Program
    • The new Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences that opened in the fall 2018 with innovative classrooms and state-of-the-art labs
    • Continued main campus connection through the Holmes Convocation Center, which houses the RMPE Department and the Advising Satellite Office

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