Program Overview

---

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work

The field of social work is growing, and Purdue University Northwest's Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program combines a competency-based curriculum with internship opportunities in the field. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to obtain licensure as a Licensed Bachelor of Social Work (LBSW), apply to graduate school, or pursue employment as a generalist social worker.

Why Study Social Work at PNW?

The program is accredited by the CSWE, ensuring excellence in social work education. PNW graduates have a high success rate and a robust regional network. The faculty maintains strong relationships with the community, including 40 local agencies that host internships for Social Work majors. The mission of the program is to prepare competent, professional, and ethical generalist social workers who are committed to anti-oppressive social work practice by advocating for social, economic, and environmental justice for all vulnerable populations.

Social Work Major Curriculum

The curriculum is based on the nine competencies identified by the Council on Social Work Education:

• Ethical and professional behavior
• Diversity and difference
• Human rights: social, economic, and environmental justice
• Research
• Policy practice
• Engagement with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
• Assessment
• Intervention
• Evaluation

Students will take a balance of general education courses, College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences core courses, and social work courses. The program is designed to provide students with skills that are transferable to different settings, population groups, and problem areas.

Yearly Course Structure

The program is structured over four years, with the following sample courses:

Year One

• SWRK 20100 Introduction To Social Work
• SOC 10000 Introductory Sociology
• PSY 12000 Elementary Psychology
• SW 24000 Introduction To Social Policy And Programs

Year Two

• SWRK 32100 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
• SWRK 32200 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
• SWRK 36200 Social Work Practice I
• SWRK 36300 Social Work Practice II

Year Three

• SWRK 30100 Social Work Research
• SWRK 36100 Institutional Social Welfare
• SWRK 35100 Junior Practicum
• SWRK 36700 Macro Practice
• SW 36501 Diversity and Social Justice

Year Four

• SWRK 46100 Field Practicum in Social Work I
• SWRK 46400 Field Practicum in Social Work II
• Social Work Elective

Program Requirements

To apply to this program, students must complete SWRK 20100 (Introduction to Social Work) and SWRK 24000 (Social Work Helping Communication With Individuals And Small Groups) with a minimum grade of C.

Social Work Degree Program Highlights

This is an applied, license-eligible, professional degree program. Faculty share real-world social work experience, model ethical behavior, and engage in service alongside their students. Students will have opportunities to learn and engage with the community through practicums, field trips, service learning, and student clubs.

Social Work Degree Program Outcomes

The Social Work program has an outstanding reputation in the community. Each facet of the degree builds the knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive and affective processes that comprise the nine social work competencies. Upon graduation, students will be ready to work as a generalist, apply for licensure, or pursue graduate study.

Social Work Degree Program Career Paths

Graduates of PNW's Social Work program go on to pursue:

• Employment in social services at schools, non-profits, and governmental agencies
• Graduate school
• Licensure as an LCSW

Social Work Degree Program Beyond the Classroom

Students are encouraged to get involved in activities like:

• Social Work Club
• Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Workers
• National Association of Social Workers

Social Work Degree Program Employers

Graduates of this program are employed in organizations and agencies like:

• Housing Opportunities, Inc.
• Porter-Starke Services
• Franciscan Health

Social Work Degree Program Scholarships

In addition to the scholarships available to all PNW applicants, students seeking a social work major may also apply for program-specific scholarship awards, such as:

• Michael and Geraldine Macenski Behavioral Scholarship

Social Work Degree Program Accreditation

The Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE accreditation ensures that the program meets or exceeds peer-reviewed quality standards and has sufficient resources to meet its goals. It also provides reasonable assurance that graduates are ready to practice in the field.

Social Work Degree Program Licensure

The program fulfills the educational requirements for a license as a bachelor's degree social worker as required by the State of Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IC 25-23.6-5-1.5). Social work license requirements differ from state-to-state, and students should contact their home state's licensing board for additional information regarding licensure requirements.

Meet the Faculty

The Social Work program faculty includes:

• Pamela Saylor, M.S.W., Clinical Assistant Professor and BASW Director
• Robin Miller, M.S.W., Director of Practicum Education and Clinical Assistant Professor
• Shreya Bhandari, Ph.D., LISW-S, Professor of Social Work and MSW Director
• Chun Liu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Social Work
• I-Hsuan Lin, Ph.D., MSW, MBA, Assistant Professor of Social Work
• Brittney Autry, DSW, LCSW, Assistant Professor of Social Work

The faculty members are experienced professionals and educators who are dedicated to providing students with a high-quality education and preparing them for successful careers in social work.