Program Details
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, Major in Social Work
Bachelor of ArtsChristopher 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

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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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
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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

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

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.
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?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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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 program (Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts & Science) in high school will satisfy of 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. Students earning an associate degree while in high school are not eligible for VCCS/CNU guaranteed admission programs. VCCS students who complete the associate degree while enrolled in high school and have not enrolled in college in a regular semester (fall/spring) post high school graduation, must apply to CNU as first-time freshmen applicants.
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. |
Credit for Prior Learning | https://cnu.edu/admission/transfer/credit/ |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | At Christopher Newport University, we have approximately 4,500 students with about 200 transfers enrolling each year. We offer more than 90 areas of study, from electrical engineering to philosophy of law, from music performance to accounting. All programs are grounded in our rigorous liberal arts and sciences core curriculum - cited by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni as the strongest core curriculum of any public college or university in America. 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 (often with your help!), 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 complete a Letter of Intent to transfer to CNU under the GAA after a minimum of 15 credit hours is completed toward the associate degree and before applying for graduation from the community college. 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

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Arts Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
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 |
Northern Virginia Community College | Social Sciences: Deaf Studies Specialization, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Psychology/Social Work Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 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 Highlands Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Human Services | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
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 |
Radford University | BSW in Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 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 |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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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
