Program Overview
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program at the University of Vermont is a nationally accredited program that prepares students for professional practice in a variety of settings. The program integrates classroom-based learning with community-engagement through service learning and practicum experiences.
Program Overview
The BSW Program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in social work principles, practices, and policies. The program focuses on understanding and working with people and communities based on their strengths and guided by principles of human rights and justice.
Interactive Coursework and Field Experiences
- Coursework includes case studies, role play, presentations, and more.
- Actively engage in service learning and practicum experiences through a variety of community-based social work settings.
- Engage with and learn from social workers in a variety of roles.
Tight-Knit Learning Community
The program fosters a tight-knit learning community where students and faculty work together closely to better understand the complexities of the profession and strategize ways to address and express their commitment to making a difference on local, national, and global levels.
Your Cohort: Connection, Community, and Support
During the junior and senior years, students learn through a cohort model with their BSW peers as they progress through their social work courses together. The cohort fosters collegial relationships with each other and with faculty, allowing students to grapple with social issues and policies, learn theories and skills to influence change that improves lives and communities.
Field Education: Internships
In the senior year, students apply their learning through a supervised practicum (internship) of 15-20 hours per week over two semesters (450 total hours) in a social work practice setting. Students also learn from peers about the breadth of generalist practice contexts in a weekly campus seminar discussing internship experiences.
Personalized Advising and Mentoring
Upon admission, a professional advisor is assigned to support each student. Students also have a faculty member serving as their academic advisor, meeting regularly to discuss courses, field experiences, and ongoing development in the profession of social work.
Study Abroad Opportunities
The program offers opportunities for students to engage, learn, and share with other cultures through global learning experiences in Finland, Costa Rica, and other countries around the world. The University of Vermont's Office of International Education provides a full range of resources and support to help guide students.
CCV to UVM 2+2 Pathway
The University of Vermont has a partnership with the Community College of Vermont (CCV) that provides a joint pathway allowing qualified CCV students to transfer to UVM with junior status in the BSW Program.
Program Details
- Type of Degree: B.S.W.
- School or College: College of Education and Social Services
- Area of Study: Education and community
- Program Format: On-campus, Full-time
- Credit hours to graduate: 120 credits
Success After Graduation
- 98% of graduates in the College of Education and Social Services were employed or continuing their education 6 months after graduating.
- 94.5% of graduates were satisfied or very satisfied with their full-time position.
- 98.5% of graduates said their field of employment is somewhat or closely related to their career goals.
Related Programs
- Social Work: M.S.W., College of Education and Social Services, On-campus, Full-time, 60 credits (Advanced Standing, 39 credits)
- Human Development and Family Science: B.S., College of Education and Social Services, On-campus, 120 credits
- Childhood Studies: Undergraduate Minor, College of Education and Social Services, On-campus, 18 credits
- Education for Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Undergraduate Minor, College of Education and Social Services, On-campus, 18-21 credits
- Special Education (Birth-Age 21): B.S.Ed., College of Education and Social Services, On-campus, 120 credits
- Special Education: Undergraduate Minor, College of Education and Social Services, On-campus, 18 credits
- American Sign Language (ASL): Undergraduate Minor, College of Education and Social Services, On-campus