Program Details
Program Details
Back to top

Program Details

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, Major in Social Work

Bachelor of Arts
Christopher Newport University

Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in social work offers a strong liberal arts base and has the principal educational objective of preparing students for beginning generalist social work practice. The highly integrated curriculum includes sequences of study in social welfare policy and services, human behavior and the social environment, research, and social work practice. Coursework includes the study of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; it also integrates content on values and ethics of the profession, diversity and special populations, social and economic justice, and a strengths perspective. The culmination of the major is the educationally directed field instruction which places students in social agencies in the community. Graduates find employment in public and private social service agencies in fields such as family and child welfare, health, mental health, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, schools, corrections, and probation.


Program Overview & Guidance
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Online
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Hybrid
Check Course Schedules
Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree The social work program ascribes to and fully supports the mission of the Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology. In addition, the program prepares social work majors for generalist social work practice grounded in scientific inquiry that promotes social and economic justice, alleviates social problems and enhances human well-being while practicing within the values of the social work profession. The social work program is committed to a curriculum of excellence built on the competencies required for social work practice that meets the accreditation standards of the Council on Social Work Education. The program places special emphasis on service to community, Commonwealth and beyond. In addition to admission as a classified student at Christopher Newport University and formal declaration of social work as a major, students must apply for “entered status” as a Christopher Newport baccalaureate social work major.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at www.TransferVirginia.org
Connect with an advisor at your community college and CNU within your first year. College Connect is available in your account at www.TransferVirginia.org

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Christopher Newport University within your first year
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree Students are encouraged to participate in an internship while pursuing their degree.
Students are encouraged to study abroad while pursuing their degree.
Program Successes & Highlights The field instruction component of the student’s social work education is integral to developing professional social workers. The field experience is designed to be an overall learning experience, integrating students’ knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive and affective processes acquired prior to field within a “practice” setting to assure the continuing process of professional growth.
Program Credit Requirements
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Applicable Admissions Agreements
Expand or Shrink Accordion

The table below lists admissions agreements between Christopher Newport University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.

Institution Name Type Title
Rappahannock Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission and Reverse Transfer Agreement Rappahannock Community College and Christopher Newport University
Virginia Peninsula Community College GAA VPCC Bridge to CNU: Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Peninsula Community College and Christopher Newport University
Tidewater Community College GAA CNU Ready: Guaranteed Admission Agreement Tidewater Community College and Christopher Newport University
Blue Ridge Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Central Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Danville Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Mountain Gateway Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Eastern Shore Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Germanna Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Brightpoint Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Laurel Ridge Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Mountain Empire Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
New River Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Northern Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Paul D. Camp Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Patrick & Henry Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Piedmont Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Rappahannock Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Southside Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Southwest Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Tidewater Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Virginia Peninsula Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Virginia Highlands Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Virginia Western Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University
Wytheville Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement Virginia Community College System and Christopher Newport University

You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Completion of a Virginia Community College System (VCCS) transfer-oriented degree program (Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts & Science) will satisfy the CNU general education component of the undergraduate curriculum with the exception of the Second Language (foreign language) Literacy Requirement. The Second Language Literacy Requirement may be met in one of the following ways: a) Transfer of 201 or higher level foreign language course or b) Completion of a 200-level or higher foreign language course at CNU. Note that three (3) years of high school language study (in the same language) or a 102-level foreign language course is a prerequisite for a CNU 200-level foreign language course.
Completion of a transfer-oriented associate of fine arts degree from a VCCS college will satisfy Christopher Newport lower-level liberal learning requirements with the exception of one mathematics course (CNU's MATH 115 or higher) satisfying the Mathematical Literacy Liberal Learning Foundation requirement and one science lecture satisfying the Investigating the Natural World Area of Inquiry. Christopher Newport also requires completion of a 200-level language course or higher in a second language in order to graduate. If these requirements are not fulfilled during completion of the associate degree, they must be completed at Christopher Newport.

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Completion of a Virginia Community College System (VCCS) transfer-oriented degree (Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Arts & Science) earned in high school satisfies Christopher Newport University's (CNU) general education requirements except for the Second Language Literacy Requirement. This requirement may be met by transferring a 201-level or higher foreign language course or completing a 200-level or higher foreign language course at CNU. A prerequisite for a CNU 200-level language course is either three years of the same high school language or a 102-level college language course. Students who earn the associate degree in high school are not eligible for VCCS/CNU guaranteed admission and, if they have not enrolled in a regular fall or spring college semester after high school graduation, must apply to CNU as first-time freshmen.
Completion of a transfer-oriented Associate of Fine Arts degree from a VCCS college satisfies CNU's lower-level liberal learning requirements except for one mathematics course (MATH 115 or higher), one science lecture course, and the 200-level foreign language requirement. Any unmet requirements must be completed at CNU.
Credit for Prior Learning https://cnu.edu/admission/transfer/credit/
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Christopher Newport University
College Level Information
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Transfer Center
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
217
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
85%
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? At Christopher Newport University, we have approximately 4,400 students with about 200 transfers enrolling each year. We offer more than 90 areas of study, all programs are grounded in our rigorous liberal arts and sciences core curriculum. With 60 percent of our classes having 19 or fewer students, our small class sizes give you direct access to experts in their fields - teacher-scholars who provide outstanding instruction, conduct groundbreaking research, and publish noteworthy books and articles. We also have more than 200 clubs and student organizations and 24 varsity teams that compete in NCAA Division III. We're located in Newport News, Virginia, in the heart of one of the most historic and beautiful areas of the United States. When you venture off campus, you'll find unlimited activities for all interests as well as cultural and historical treasures within a short walk or drive. Our residence halls and apartment complexes win rave reviews from students and parents alike. In fact, The Princeton Review ranked our residence halls among the top in the nation in the group's Best College Dorms category. While transfer students are not required to live on-campus, many do! Housing is offered on a space-available basis.
Transfer Student Catalog Year By term of entry at CNU.
First Year Student Catalog Year By term of entry at CNU.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions If you attend a Virginia Community College System (VCCS) school and have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher, you may be eligible for the Guaranteed Admission Agreement (GAA). GAA students are those who graduate from a transfer-oriented degree program at a Virginia community college within two years of enrollment at Christopher Newport with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher on a four-point scale and who intends to transfer to CNU. Other GAAs exist for Virginia Peninsula, Rappahannock, and Richard Bland. Please visit our website: https://cnu.edu/admission/transfer/ You must maintain continuous enrollment in all non-summer terms from the point of declaration until the associate degree is conferred and must transfer to Christopher Newport in the semester designated under the Letter of Intent.
Where Can This Degree Transfer
Expand or Shrink Accordion
This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Human ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Social Sciences - Pre-Social Work MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Human ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Human Services - Pre Social Work SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Social Sciences: Human Services MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
New River Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Human ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Human ServicesAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Human Services DegreeAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Community & Provider Services MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Developmental Disabilities MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Substance Abuse MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Human Services MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Eastern Mennonite UniversityBachelor of Social WorkBachelorBachelor of Social Work4-YearIn-Person
James Madison UniversityBachelor of Social Work, Major in Social WorkBachelorBachelor of Social Work4-YearIn-Person
Longwood University Social Work BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Batten UniversityBachelor of Social WorkBachelorBachelor of Social Work4-YearIn-Person
Mary Baldwin UniversityBachelor of Social WorkBachelorBachelor of Social Work4-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
George Mason UniversitySocial Work, BSWBachelorBachelor of Social Work4-YearHybrid
Norfolk State UniversityBaccalaureate in Social WorkBachelorBaccalaureate in Social Work4-YearIn-Person
Ferrum CollegeB.S.W. in Social WorkBachelorBachelor of Social Work4-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Commonwealth UniversitySocial Work, Bachelor of Social WorkBachelorBachelor of Social Work4-YearIn-Person
Radford UniversityBSW in Social WorkBachelorBachelor of Social Work4-YearIn-Person
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies with a Specialization in Human ServicesAssociateAssociate of Arts & Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences in General Studies with a Specialization in Substance AbuseAssociateAssociate of Arts & Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences in General Studies Specialization in Community & Provider ServicesAssociateAssociate of Arts & Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences in General Studies Specialization Developmental DisabilitiesAssociateAssociate of Arts & Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Rappahannock Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Science Degree with a Criminal Justice MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Rappahannock Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Science Degree with a Psychology MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Rappahannock Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Science Degree with a Social Work MajorAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Careers Where This Degree Applies
Expand or Shrink Accordion
O*Net Code Name Description Parent
21-1021.00Child, Family, and School Social WorkersProvide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.Community and Social Service Occupations
21-1019.00Counselors, All OtherAll counselors not listed separately.Community and Social Service Occupations
21-1022.00Healthcare Social WorkersProvide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.Community and Social Service Occupations
21-1013.00Marriage and Family TherapistsDiagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.Community and Social Service Occupations
21-1023.00Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkersAssess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.Community and Social Service Occupations
21-1092.00Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment SpecialistsProvide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.Community and Social Service Occupations
25-1113.00Social Work Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in social work. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
21-1029.00Social Workers, All OtherAll social workers not listed separately.Community and Social Service Occupations
11-9151.00Social and Community Service ManagersPlan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.Management Occupations
Cost To Complete
Expand or Shrink Accordion