Program Overview
Northampton Community College's Social Work program equips students with the knowledge, values, and skills to become professional social workers. It emphasizes social justice, equality, and positive change, preparing graduates for careers in various social and community agencies or further education in social work. The program offers a holistic approach, studying the human condition from multiple disciplines and providing opportunities for hands-on experience through service-learning and field trips.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Overview:
The Social Work program at Northampton Community College prepares students for a career in social work, helping them to make a difference in individual lives and their local and global community. It focuses on social justice, equality, personal well-being, and creating positive change.
Objectives:
- Provide students with knowledge, values, and skills necessary to become professional social workers.
- Offer a variety of ways for students to get involved, such as service-learning opportunities, the Social Work Club, field trips, and international trips.
- Prepare students for seamless transfer to 4-year BSW programs, such as those at Cedar Crest College, East Stroudsburg University, Kutztown University, Marywood University, and Millersville University.
- Ensure graduates are ready for employment in various social and community agencies or pursuit of a graduate degree in social work (MSW).
Outline:
Program Content:
The program involves the study of the human condition from various disciplines, including sociology, psychology, history, political science, English, and biology. It emphasizes a holistic approach that considers both the individual and their environment.
Course Structure:
The program consists of a two-year curriculum with 60 total credits. Students begin with foundational courses like Introduction to Social Work and College Success, followed by more specialized courses in human anatomy and physiology, psychology, sociology, and communication.
Careers:
Potential Career Paths:
Graduates of the program have various career opportunities in the field of social work, including:
- Administration and Management
- Advocacy and Community Organization
- Aging and Gerontology
- Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
- Child Welfare and Family
- Developmental Disabilities
- Health Care Social Work
- Justice and Corrections
- International Social Work
- Veteran's and Military
- Mental Health and Clinical Social Work
- Occupational and EAP Social Work
- Policy and Planning
- Politics, Advocacy, Public Welfare
- Research
- School Social Work
Job Outlook:
The social work profession is growing, with job opportunities expected to continue expanding in the years to come.