Seven social work degrees in Utah have been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) for preparing qualified social workers.
Lying in the western United States, Utah is the nation's 13th largest state withndi the second fastest-growing population. According to a 2012 Gallup Poll, Utah was crowned the overall "Best State to Live In." Perhaps that's in part to the award-winning work of Utah's Department of Human Services. More than 4,200 social workers are employed in the "Beehive State" to help Utahans live healthy, successful lives. In fact, the DHS serves 16,752 mental health clients every year.
Social work majors will benefit from a variety of practice opportunities from big cities like St. George to very small towns like New Harmony. Social work degree holders in Utah bring home an average yearly salary of $57,030. Start giving back your community by attending one of these bachelor's or master's programs in Utah.
Online Social Work Programs For You
Brigham Young University
School of Social Work
Initially founded in 1875, Brigham Young University is a Mormon private non-profit, sea-grant research institution enrolling more than 29,600 students each year on its mountainous 560-acre suburban campus along the Wasatch Front in Provo. Its parent organization, the Church Educational System (CES), also operates campuses in Hawaii, Idaho, and Jerusalem. The U.S. News has ranked BYU as the 66th best national university and 16th top value school nationwide. BYU's library is also consistently named among the country's top 10 in the Princeton Review. The School of Social Work is distinguished for hosting the 104th best graduate social work program in the United States.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Guided by the principles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Brigham Young delivers intensive learning to support graduate students advancing their career serving children and families of diverse cultures. The program uses a biopsychological approach to prepare generalist social workers who can advocate for social and economic justice. Many MSW students participate in AmeriCorps while completing the full-time, 20-month program. The CSWE-accredited curriculum consists of 67 credit hours and at least 1,100 clock hours of field internship experience. Completion of a practice-informed master's research project is also mandatory. Students can join BYU's active chapter for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
2198 Joseph F. Smith Building
Provo, UT 84602
(801) 422-3282
[email protected]
Program Website
University of Utah
College of Social Work
Enrolling more than 32,200 students annually, the University of Utah is a major public flagship space-grant institution with very high research activity on a sprawling 1,534-acre urban campus in downtown Salt Lake City near the Capitol. Noted for having the nation's 58th highest federal research expenditures, Utah is currently ranked as the 115th best university, 55th top public school, and 94th best college for military veterans in America by the USNWR. Fully backed by CSWE accreditation, the College of Social Work is also honored for delivering the 52nd best graduate social work degree nationwide.
Bachelor of Social Work
Fulfilling the state's requirements for licensing, the Bachelor of Social Work program has the mission of producing competent generalist social workers for engaging in professional mental health practice with Utah's diverse rural communities. Special emphasis is given to serving marginalized peoples, including LGBTQ, minorities, indigenous tribes, refugees, illegal immigrants, and the mentally ill.
Some courses in the 51-credit major are available online to maximize scheduling flexibility. All BSW students are required to complete field practicum in a community agency setting to further develop their practice skills and knowledge. Placement sites include nursing homes, substance abuse centers, hospices, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, or child welfare organizations.
Master of Social Work
Using the NASW's Code of Ethics, the Master of Social Work program at the University of Utah strives to prepare advanced social workers with the professional capacity to enhance human well-being and empower vulnerable, oppressed populations. Students can pursue the traditional 60-credit degree full-time or part-time in Salt Lake City. There's also an Advanced Standing program of just 45 credits available for BSW graduates in St. George. Based on their future career goals, students can specialize in Aging, Child Welfare, Forensic Social Work, Global Social Work, Mental Health Services, or Substance Use. Field internships are offered at more than 300 partnering off-campus social service organizations. Joint MSW/MPA and MSW/MPH programs are also offered.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
395 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
(801) 581-6192
[email protected]
Program Website
Utah State University
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
As a senior flagship public land-grant and space-grant research institution traditionally rooted in agriculture and mechanic arts, Utah State University educates more than 28,700 students annually from its main 500-acre suburban campus in Logan near the Idaho border. 84 percent of students live on-campus, which makes it Utah's largest residential college. Forbes magazine has ranked USU as the 65th best college in the West and 137th top research university nationwide. Within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, students can select from 18 undergraduate and nine graduate programs dedicated to solving today's societal issues.
B.A./B.S. in Social Work
Leading to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, the B.A./B.S. in Social Work program is granted for USU undergraduate students who display a sincere interest in pursuing entry-level professional generalist practice as social workers. Students build the knowledge, skills, and values requisite for passing the National Basic Social Work Exam. The upper-division major starts in the junior year at the Logan, Brigham City, Tooele, or Southeast campus. For a total of 120 credits, the curriculum will delve into courses on social welfare, public policy, gerontology, mental health, anthropology, statistics, human behavior, cultural diversity, and lifespan development. Seniors complete two semesters of fieldwork practicum at an approved community service agency.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Since 2008, the CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) program has been offered for graduate students at Utah State University who seek the knowledge and skills to practice as advanced generalist social workers with systems of all sizes. In addition to the full-time, two-year program in Logan, there's a three-year, part-time program available at select regional campuses. Graduates with an accredited BSW degree within the last five years could qualify for the accelerated one-year Advanced Standing track. A cohort group of around 70 students is accepted every two years into the 60-credit program. Using the Land-Grant University Heritage, the MSW places importance on serving those limited by poverty, racism, injustice, and oppression.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
0730 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322
(435) 797-1286
[email protected]
Program Website
Utah Valley University
Behavioral Science Department
Since opening its doors in 1941, Utah Valley University has evolved into the state's largest publicly funded higher learning institution enrolling more than 31,500 students annually on its scenic 537-acre suburban campus in Orem and satellite location in Heber City. Featuring a student-faculty ratio of 23:1, UVU is currently ranked as the 105th best college in the West and 602nd overall top university nationwide in Forbes magazine. UVU students consistently place in the top five for the national SkillsUSA competition. The Behavioral Science Department houses the university's bachelor's degrees in anthropology, family studies, psychology, sociology, and social work.
Bachelor of Social Work
UVU's Bachelor of Social Work program meets the standards of the CSWE for preparing qualified undergraduate students to serve individuals, groups, and communities suffering from unjust or oppressed societal conditions. Students are trained in an overarching ecological theoretical framework to promote a healthy global community in generalist practice. The competitive program admits no more than 50 students each March. All BSW students must pursue the 120-credit degree full-time with face-to-face classes. Seniors are placed in a field practicum placement to complete 450 clock hours during the fall and spring semester. Graduates can receive the Social Service Worker (SSW) licensing credential in Utah.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
800 West University Parkway
Orem, UT 84058
(801) 863-8083
[email protected]
Program Website
Weber State University
College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Named in honor of fur trader John Henry Weber in 1889, Weber State University is a senior public co-educational teaching institution rooted in the liberal arts to serve more than 26,600 students from its lush 526-acre suburban campus in Ogden near the Great Salt Lake. Boasting more than 250 degree programs across seven accredited academic divisions, Weber State is ranked as the 77th best regional college, 29th top public school, and 49th best college for veterans in the West by the USNWR. The College of Social & Behavioral Sciences has the mission of allowing students to examine the reasons behind human behavior.
Social Work Major (BS or BA)
Consisting of 120 total credits, the Social Work Major (BS or BA) grants a bachelor's degree for four-year undergraduate students at Weber State who are dedicated to creating more favorable societal conditions for marginalized individuals, groups, and communities. The major core will include coursework on family welfare, human behavior, diversity issues, social work research, statistics, policy development, ethics, and at-risk population intervention. Aligned with CSWE regulations, the program requires a minimum of 400 hours of supervised field practicum in micro, mezzo, and macro practice settings. Social work majors interested in working with aging populations can add a Gerontology Minor. Graduates can pursue beginning generalist practice or attend graduate school with advanced standing.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
3848 Harrison Blvd.
Ogden, UT 84408
(801) 626-7809
[email protected]
Program Website
Social work is a broad profession that shares the common goal of fighting for human rights and societal justice to improve people's well-being. It's a great time to pursue a social work degree because jobs in healthcare and social services are in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social work jobs will continue growing much faster than average by 19 percent through 2022. Hiring will be especially high for mental health and substance abuse social workers as more individuals are diagnosed with mental illness. Unlocking these career opportunities will require you have at least a bachelor's degree though. Weigh the pros and cons of these accredited social work degrees in Utah to find your ideal program match.