Program Details
Program Details
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Bachelor of Social Work
Batten University
Program Details
Bachelor of Social Work
Bachelor of Social WorkBachelor of Social Work
Batten University
The Social Work Program, which is based on a strong foundation in the liberal arts, prepares students for generalist social work practice and graduate study. The program focuses on ethical behavior and competent practice, following Batten's honor code and the National Association of Social Worker's (NASW) Code of Ethics. Through community service and classroom experience, students encounter the relationships and social contexts in which they will learn and eventually practice. Students are immersed in the topics of mental and physical health, human rights, diversity, oppression, and economic and social justice, through a data-driven, outcomes-based curriculum in which critical thinking skills are applied.
Program Overview & Guidance
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | The practice of social work emphasizes the importance of human relationships as the vehicle through which learning and change occurs. This emphasis on relationships pervades the work and requires that practitioners engage with others to advocate and innovate. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
The Social Work Program, which is based on a strong foundation in the liberal arts, prepares students for generalist social work practice and graduate study. The program focuses on ethical behavior and competent practice, following Batten’s honor code and the National Association of Social Worker’s (NASW) Code of Ethics. Through community service and classroom experience, students encounter the relationships and social contexts in which they will learn and eventually practice. Students are immersed in the topics of mental and physical health, human rights, diversity, oppression, and economic and social justice, through a data-driven, outcomes-based curriculum in which critical thinking skills are applied.
|
| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | Many opportunities for community based service learning. The final semester requires a 33 hour a week internship |
| Doing More With Your Degree | The Bachelor of Social Work program at Batten commits itself to the clients whom our students will ultimately serve. Social work is a profes sion which works with people in the most difficult of life circumstances. We believe that our clients deserve only the very best prepared workers. We commit ourselves to our program and to its reputation of excel lence. Our program is respected within our community and commands some of the very best internship expe riences as a result. We are committed to maintaining this reputation for the program and for the University. Ultimately, our clients deserve nothing less. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | 6 graduates 2024-2025 |
Program Credit Requirements
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Batten 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.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Batten University is committed to treating transfer students fairly. We believe in recognizing your hard work and making the path to your four-year degree as easy as possible.
The Fair Transfer Guarantee helps Virginia community college graduates save credits, save time, and save money by assuring that those with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts & Sciences, or Associate of Applied Science- Human Services (Tidewater Community College) will enter Batten U with junior-class status. All lower-level general education requirements—including foreign language—will be deemed complete, allowing students to focus on courses for their major and upper-level elective credits necessary for their bachelor’s degree. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | First-time college students arriving with a conferred Associate's degree get transfer credit for all acceptable coursework. They are not exempt from any breadth requirements. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | Transfer credits are evaluated based on official transcripts from institutions accredited by regional accreditors. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Batten University from all colleges previously attended. The results of the credit transfer evaluation are recorded in the student's Transfer Evaluation Report in WebAdvisor. A formal transfer credit evaluation is completed after admission to the University. The evaluation is completed only by the Office of the Registrar. Transfer grades are not included in the Batten University grade point average. The amount of credit is determined in terms of the appropriate number of semester credit hours. Criteria for the acceptance of transfer credit include the following: Transfer credit is awarded for courses from colleges/universities accredited by regional accreditors and comparable in content and quality to those offered within the academic programs at Batten University. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
Number of Transfer Students
119
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
66% (Fall 2025)
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | Transfer students can choose to live on or off campus. Residential students are permitted to live on campus if they are under the age of 23. The average class size is 14. Our location is your advantage. With approx. 1.7 million people in the area, we have excellent access to internships and research opportunities. All students can and are encouraged to get involved on campus through civic engagement and clubs/organizations. Batten University is an inclusive community grounded in the arts and sciences and dedicated to scholarship, service, lifelong learning, and environmental stewardship. Batten University inspires students to build meaningful lives through engagement in Coastal Virginia's dynamic metropolitan region, the nation, and the world. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | First traditional semester of entry (fall or spring) at Batten University based on academic year (ex: fall 26-spring 27 entrants use the same catalog) |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | First traditional semester of entry (fall or spring) at Batten University based on academic year (ex: fall 26-spring 27 entrants use same catalog) |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | There is no specific date by which a student must let us know their intent. However, it is in their best interest to do so early to take advantage of all the perks. Read more here https://www.batten.edu/enrollment-aid/transfers/fair-transfer-guarantee.php |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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 College | Associate of Applied Science in Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences - Pre-Social Work Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Human Services - Pre Social Work Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences: Human Services Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| New River Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Human Services Degree | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Community & Provider Services Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Developmental Disabilities Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Substance Abuse Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences Degree Human Services Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, Major in Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 4-Year | In-Person |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Social Work, Major in Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Longwood University | Social Work BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Mary Baldwin University | Bachelor of Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 4-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| George Mason University | Social Work, BSW | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 4-Year | Hybrid |
| Norfolk State University | Baccalaureate in Social Work | Bachelor | Baccalaureate in Social Work | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Ferrum College | B.S.W. in Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Social Work, Bachelor of Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Radford University | BSW in Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies with a Specialization in Human Services | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences in General Studies with a Specialization in Substance Abuse | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences in General Studies Specialization in Community & Provider Services | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences in General Studies Specialization Developmental Disabilities | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree with a Criminal Justice Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree with a Psychology Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Science in Science Degree with a Social Work Major | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21-1021.00 | Child, Family, and School Social Workers | Provide 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 |
| 21-1019.00 | Counselors, All Other | All counselors not listed separately. | Community and Social Service Occupations |
| 21-1022.00 | Healthcare Social Workers | Provide 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 |
| 21-1013.00 | Marriage and Family Therapists | Diagnose 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 |
| 21-1023.00 | Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | Assess 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 |
| 21-1092.00 | Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | Provide 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 |
| 25-1113.00 | Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach 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 |
| 21-1029.00 | Social Workers, All Other | All social workers not listed separately. | Community and Social Service Occupations |
| 11-9151.00 | Social and Community Service Managers | Plan, 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