Social work is a swiftly growing area of the healthcare community, and there are a great many social work degree programs in Virginia offered at well-regarded colleges and universities.
The schools that offer bachelor's and master's degrees in social work run the gamut from small private institutions to large public schools. There are also opportunities available to study in rural areas, as well as some of the largest towns in Virginia. Students interested in social work must be dedicated to their studies and understand that serving others in the capacity of a social worker is a challenging yet rewarding type of employment.
Presented here is the list of CSWE-accredited social work degree programs in Virginia.
Featured Social Work Programs
Christopher Newport University
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work
The university describes social workers as individuals who spend their careers helping other people in many areas like criminal justice, mental health, and public welfare. After graduation, students who earn a B.A in Social Work will be prepared to begin work as social workers helping everyone from individuals and couples to groups and communities. The major's primary objective is in making sure graduates are prepared to undertake "generalist social work practice." Coursework involves study of topics like social and economic justice, as well as the ethics and values that practicing social workers must cultivate. Some of the jobs open to graduates include those in child welfare, drug and alcohol treatment, and correctional facilities. Students who want to major in social work must apply to Christopher Newport University and gain acceptance and then apply secondarily to the social work program. To graduate, students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.75 in all social work classes.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE)
Contact
Christopher Newport University
1 Avenue of the Arts
Newport News, VA 23606
Phone: (757) 594-7872
Email: [email protected]
Program Website
Eastern Mennonite University
Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW)
EMU describes its social work program as offering a broad liberal arts education, which the school believes is necessary for social workers who must rely on many diverse skills during practice. The program is designed to provide a wide variety of experiences from projects and extensive reading to specialized electives and time spent in a practicum. Students who receive their degree may expect to work in environments that range from working with individuals to entire community groups. A few of the places a social worker may find employment include refugee programs, half-way houses, mental health agencies, and youth support groups. Entry into the social work program requires that students apply and gain acceptance during their second year at Eastern Mennonite University. The curriculum is divided into several integrated themes like social work research, community learning, and human behavior. Building on these various themes, students will complete 12 credit hours for their senior practicum in social work.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE)
Contact
Applied and Social Sciences Department
Eastern Mennonite University
1200 College Ave
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Phone: (540) 432-4270
Email: [email protected]
Program Website
Ferrum College
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Graduates of the B.S.W. program at Ferrum College will be prepared to enter the workforce as social workers, as well as continue on to graduate school if they wish. The program is designed to offer a combination of theoretical foundations and generalist social work practice. Some of the classes students should expect to take include Abnormal Psychology, Social Problems, and Social Welfare Policy. While at school, students may participate in two school clubs including Alpha Delta Mu, which is the social work honor society and the Social Work Club, which features a variety of activities for students during the year. In addition to classroom learning, students will also participate in two internships. One will take place during the student's sophomore year, and the other will occur during the senior year. Some of the jobs open to graduates include hospital social worker, child protective service worker, mental health social worker, and parole officer.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE)
Contact
Ferrum College
Main Administration Building
John Wesley Hall
215 Ferrum Mountain Road
Ferrum, Virginia 24088
Phone: (800) 868-9797
Email: [email protected]
Program Website
George Mason University
Master of Social Work Program (MSW)
The MSW program at George Mason University began in 2002 as a way to prepare students for advanced practice in social work. The program is designed to take two years with students spending the first year in foundation courses and the second year in concentrated study. Topics covered include various courses in human behavior including social policies and services, professional writing, and technology. Students participate in a supervised field experience which requires them to complete at least 1,050 hours of field experience in an area of interest to the student. The university offers students a few different ways to enroll in the program. Students who have recently graduated from a bachelor's degree program in social work may be eligible for advanced standing. Otherwise, students may decide on a two, three, or four-year program. Students may also choose to earn a Certificate in Gerontology during their time in the graduate social work program.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE)
Contact
George Mason University
Department of Social Work
MS:1F8
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
Phone: (703) 993-4247
Email: [email protected]
Program Website
James Madison University
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (B.S.W.)
Like many social work degree programs in Virginia, official admittance to the social work program is only granted after students apply to the department and have already completed two classes including Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare. There is a volunteer component associated with these introductory classes that students must also satisfy before applying to the program. Once admitted, students will take classes like Ethical Decision-Making in Healthcare, Human Behavior in the Social Environment, and Social Work Research Methods. The program mission and goals include ensuring students understand the core values of social work, which include knowledge of integrity, human rights, and scientific inquiry. During the student's senior year of study, he or she will take part in a field practicum where four days a week will be spent in a professional setting under the guidance of an agency professional. Practicum opportunities vary from adult correctional facilities to mental health services.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE)
Contact
James Madison University
800 S. Main St.
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Phone: (540) 568-6211
Email: [email protected]
Program Website
Longwood University
Undergraduate Social Work Program
The faculty at Longwood in the social work program have several goals and missions to impart to students including preparing students to work as generalist practitioners, as well as ensure students understand the importance of reducing inequalities in society and social justice. The coursework in the program features many topics in areas like the humanities, social sciences, and mathematics. Like many other social work degree programs in Virginia, students apply to the university first and then apply to the social work program during their second year of study. Some of the courses students will take include Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare and Social Problems and the Development of Social Policy. Students will also take part in multiple internships during the junior and senior year. After graduation, there are many environments where students may find work including foster care facilities, domestic violence shelters, and crisis intervention groups. There are also opportunities to work in social justice, substance abuse, and community planning.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE)
Contact
Department of Social Work & Communication Sciences Disorders
Longwood University
201 High Street
Farmville, VA 23909
Phone: (434) 395-2996
Email: [email protected]
Program Website
Mary Baldwin University
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
The faculty at Mary Baldwin University suggests its students should have a desire for service and world change. Social workers can help improve the lives of many different people from children to the infirm, and jobs are available at many organizations in the public, private, and government sectors. For work as a generalist social worker, students must obtain a Bachelor of Social Work, and the degree at MBU satisfies this requirement. In addition to attending classes at the college's home campus in Staunton, students may also attend classes in other cities including Roanoke, Richmond, Charlottesville, and South Boston. Some of the classes students will take include Introduction to Social Work, Child Welfare Services, and Vulnerable Populations in Film. In addition to the required classes, students will also complete 450 hours of fieldwork as part of their degree. The school also offers students the chance to meet with the Social Work Club, which offers students volunteer opportunities in the local community.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE)
Contact
Mary Baldwin College
P.O. Box 1500
Staunton, VA 24402
Phone: (800) 468-2262
Email: [email protected]
Program Website
Norfolk State University
Baccalaureate in Social Work (BSW)
NSU's Baccalaureate in Social Work (BSW) program follows CSWE guidelines to prepare undergraduate students as entry-level generalists capable of delivering competent services that empower vulnerable populations. Great emphasis is placed on respecting every individual's human rights, dignity, and diversity. Students devote the first two years to pre-social work general education before applying to the professional BSW program. Having a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for entry. Most social work courses are available via online instruction or a blended format with occasional face-to-face conferences. As seniors, students will spend at least 15 hours per week in a practicum agency.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Grounded in a social/ecological systems perspective, the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Norfolk State is designed for graduate students seeking the training to excel as advanced social work practitioners. Requiring 60 credits, the curriculum includes five sequences: Social Work Practice Methods, Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Social Welfare Policy, Research Methods, and Field Practicum. Full-time students can complete the degree in two years, but there's an Extended-Time MSW option for three years. Advanced Standing students with a CSWE-accredited bachelor's degree can follow an accelerated track over three consecutive semesters. Graduates will be equipped to practice according to the NASW Code of Ethics.
Accreditations
Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Contact
700 Park Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23504
(757) 823-8600
[email protected]
Program Link
Radford University
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Reviewed by the CSWE, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at Radford gives undergraduate students the preparation for becoming generalist practitioners who deliver skillful interventions at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. In addition to the Radford campus, the program is offered as a pre-major to students in Roanoke at Virginia Western Community College. Within the 120-credit curriculum, students will take courses in child welfare, human behavior, psychology, gerontology, crisis intervention, and research methods. Upper-division students will gain applied learning in two field instruction experiences. BSW graduates have achieved a placement rate over 95 percent within three months of graduation.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Radford's Master of Social Work (MSW) program provides high-quality, accredited graduate education to professionals seeking advanced practice with a specialty in community-based family social work. Students are trained the direct family practice skills required to make skillful clinical interventions from a relational context. Due to the program's location in rural Appalachia, fieldwork and internships are centered on rural practice. Select field placements are available in Roanoke, a mid-sized city. The standard program consists of 61 credits over five semesters full-time or 11 semesters part-time. Advanced Standing students with an accredited BSW must complete 40 credits over four semesters full-time or six semesters part-time.
Accreditations
Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Contact
801 East Main Street
Radford, VA 24142
(540) 831-7689
[email protected]
Program Link
Virginia Commonwealth University
Bachelor of Social Work
Undergraduate students wishing to hone their desire to truly effect positive change in poor, oppressed communities can earn the Bachelor of Social Work from VCU. The innovative curriculum with CSWE accreditation teaches students the guiding principles of human behavior and community dynamics to become generalist social workers. Small class sizes allow students to connect with their teachers and discuss insights with peers. The program requires 120 credits, including 46 social work credits. Two field placements are required for students to spend 14 hours weekly in an off-campus agency. Highly motivated students with a minimum GPA of 3.5 can declare Honors in Social Work and complete a thesis research project.
Master of Social Work
VCU's Master of Social Work program draws social work practitioners from various fields, including addictions, gerontology, corrections, child welfare, immigration services, and rehabilitation, who are looking for the next step. This CSWE-accredited master's program features intensive, specialized coursework to prepare advanced practitioners capable of leadership. MSW students can select a concentration in Clinical Social Work Practice or Social Work Administration, Planning, and Policy Practice. There's also certificates in Aging Studies, Gender Violence Intervention, School Social Work, and Nonprofit Management. Tracks are offered for completing the 60-credit curriculum full-time, part-time, or in Advanced Standing. The MSW includes an internship at one of the university's over 500 community partners.
Accreditations
Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Contact
1000 Floyd Avenue 3rd Floor
Richmond, VA 23284
(804) 828-1030
[email protected]
Program Link
Virginia State University
Baccalaureate Social Work Program
Fully accredited by the CSWE since 2013, the Baccalaureate Social Work Program uses the generalist model to prepare beginning, entry-level professionals for strengthening social and economic justice from a liberal arts foundation. As an HBCU, Virginia State places extra emphasis on developing an appreciation for human diversity to produce perceptive, ethical, and humane citizens. Spanning eight semesters full-time, the program includes courses in social welfare policy, human behavior, research, statistics, generalist practice, and community health. BSW students must complete two professional field practicum experiences for at least 480 clock hours. Placements are offered in children services, employment assistance, gerontology, healthcare, mental health, public welfare, and school social work.
Accreditations
Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Contact
1 Hayden Drive
Petersburg, VA 23806
(804) 524-5930
[email protected]
Program Link
Virginia Union University
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Housed in the Martin E. Gray Building, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is ideal for Virginia Union students with a vocational calling to improve the well-being and social functioning of at-risk populations. Students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to become entry-level generalist practitioners addressing issues of social injustice or discrimination. Fully accredited by the CSWE, the 121-credit program builds competency at the micro, mezzo, and macro level. Specialized electives are available in substance abuse, child welfare, conflict resolution, aging studies, and social legislation. Starting in the freshman year, BSW students complete at least 150 hours of community service and 400 hours of field practicum.
Accreditations
Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Contact
1500 North Lombardy Street
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 257-5600
Program Link
Virginia Wesleyan College
Bachelor of Social Work
Following VWC's honor code and the NASW Code of Ethics, the Bachelor of Social Work program is structured to give undergraduate students the preparation for beginning generalist social work practice and master's studies. Rooted in the liberal arts, the 120-credit, outcomes-based curriculum is focused on human rights, social justice, and respect for diversity. Courses will study topics like social welfare policy, lifespan development, group therapy, research methods, human behavior, aging, chemical dependency, and human sexuality. In the final year, students spend 36 hours each week in a semester-long social work internship and seminar. Past students have interned with Fauquier Health, Children's Hospital, Sentara Healthcare, Harmony Senior Services, and the Armed Forces.
Accreditations
Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Contact
1584 Wesleyan Drive
Norfolk, VA 23502
(757) 455-3413
[email protected]
Program Link
Social work is a rewarding, in-demand field of selfless professionals striving to liberate individuals, families, and communities by promoting social justice. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of social workers will grow by 12 percent through 2024, thus creating around 74,800 new jobs. Highest growth is expected in clinical, healthcare, gerontological, and addictions practice. Aspiring social workers must earn at least a four-year bachelor's degree. There are currently over 500 bachelor's and 200 master's programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) nationally. These degrees stand out for satisfying license requirements with quality instruction and applied practicum. If you're studying in the "Old Dominion State," these accredited social work degrees in Virginia will provide great career preparation.