Social Work: BA, BS
Department: Social Work Department
College: College of Humanities and Social Sciences
About This Degree
Social work is a professional and academic discipline involving the pursuit of social welfare, social change, and social justice.
The social work program at USU is committed to the resolution of contemporary social problems, such as poverty, racism, discrimination, and economic injustice.
USU’s social work program, which is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, prepares students to enter into a wide variety of positions in public and private social service settings, which can include work in child welfare, youth services, mental health, criminal justice, aging, and health care. Students learn how to think critically in order to intervene effectively with individuals, families, groups, and communities throughout the world. They also learn to utilize advocacy and administrative skills as a means to promote social change. Additionally, faculty members at Utah State conduct research while maintaining open availability to students.
Upon graduation, students are prepared to be licensed as social workers. In order to certify in the state of Utah, students must show proof of graduation and pass the National Basic Social Work exam and the State of Utah Law and Ethics exam.
Students desiring additional preparation for employment in the social services may complete a dual major in sociology and social work. With the help of advisors, students who will seek positions in other special areas could include appropriately related courses.
Students receive a BS by completing all required courses in the major. To receive a BA, students must also gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages.
Locations
- Blanding
- Brigham City
- Castle Dale
- Delta
- Logan (Main Campus)
- Moab
- Montezuma Creek
- Monticello
- Monument Valley
- Nephi
- Price (USU Eastern)
- Roosevelt (Uintah Basin)
- Tooele
- Tremonton
- Vernal (Uintah Basin)
- Wendover
Location Restrictions
To view all degrees and programs available at USU, visit Degree Finder. Please note, not all degrees and programs are available at every location. We recommend searching by location unless you intend on relocating. Contact a Statewide Campuses advisor to verify program availability in your area.
View Potential Careers
Graduates who become certified can work as social workers in the following areas:
- Public welfare (administration and planning, case management, program evaluation, policy setting, public interest groups)
- Criminal justice/corrections (counseling/therapy, rehabilitation, probation, parole, youth services, victim assistance, courts)
- School social work (clinical social work, pupil personnel services, student advocacy, instruction)
- Child welfare (case management, advocacy, intervention)
- Family Services (adoption agencies, foster care organizations, etc.)
- Private Practice (or private social service agencies)
- Gerontology (advocacy/intervention, counseling, case management, programming, public policy)
- Clinical (counseling, therapy, community mental health centers, community residential homes, residential treatment centers, substance abuse treatment programs)
- Occupational (counseling, education, wellness promotion, employee assistance, organizational development, human resources, labor unions, health maintenance organizations (HMOs))
- Developmental disabilities (case management, program planning and evaluation, policy development)
- Health care (case management, counseling, program development, administration, research)
- Community organization (program and community development, advocacy, politics, education, planning)