Program Details
Program Details
Back to top
Bachelor of Social Work
Ferrum College
Program Details
B.S.W. in Social Work
Bachelor of Social WorkB.S.W. in Social Work
Ferrum College
The social work program at Ferrum College is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Field experience is the “signature pedagogy” of the Ferrum College Social Work Program. Our graduates receive the B.S.W. degree which prepares them for the beginning professional generalist practice of social work. Instruction in the program emphasizes the theoretical foundations of beginning generalist social work practice in both rural and urban communities through coursework and extensive experiential learning.
Program Overview & Guidance

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 | |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
|
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights | Graduates of the Social Work Program gain employment in their field at 100%. This program is nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Social Work majors complete internships and fieldwork as a part of every class. |
Program Credit Requirements

Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf 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 table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio
and the requirements for the selected program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
B.S.W. in Social Work
120
Social Work
120
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 61 credits may be applied to this program.
General Education Requirements
30
Common Competencies
21
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
The General Education Curriculum rests on a foundation of four "Common Competencies": Written Communication (WC), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Global and Social Responsibility (GSR), and Oral Communication (OC). All students are required to take three (3) credits in each of these four competency areas as well as ENG-112. Additionally, all entering students with less than 24 credits are required to fulfill six (6) credits of Professional Development. This includes FER-100 (or HON-100), FER-200 and FER-202. Those with more than 24 credits are not required to take GWS-101. Students transferring in with an Associate's degree meet the Professional Development requirements.
Written Communication
6
Earn 6 credits: Complete the following
Earn 6 credits: Use the following rules
Complete courses from the following Category:
AND
Complete courses from the following Course:
Quantitative Reasoning
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Global and Social Responsibility
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Oral Communication
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Professional Development
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Discipline Competencies
9
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Students select one course (3 or 4 credits) from each of the following categories: the humanities, history and fine arts (HFA), the social and behavioral sciences (SBS), and the natural sciences and mathematics (NSM). Courses required in a student's major may not be used to meet this requirement.
Humanities, History & Fine Arts
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Social & Behavioral Sciences
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Natural Science & Mathematics
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Major Requirements
63
Intro to Public Service Certificate
12
Earn 12 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Choose one of two courses
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Choose one of three courses
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Pre-Professional Status Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Choose one of two courses
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
SWK - Required Courses Professional Status
41
Earn 41 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
General Electives
27
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Take courses to reach 120 credits for graduation.
Earn 27 credits by completing any available course
Applicable Admissions Agreements

There are no Applicable Admission Agreements for the Program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completion of an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Arts and Sciences degree from an accredited instution guarantees completion of our general education curriculum and consideration for the Ferrum Promise, where completion of an approved learning contract results in attainment of the Bachelor's degree within four semesters of admission.
|
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Dual enrollment credits are evaluated based on the credentials of the institution certifying the credit. |
Credit for Prior Learning | We accept AP, IB, and CLEP results for college credit if the score earned meets college expectations. Enter your test into the portal to see if your scores will earn credit. |
Did You Know That... |
|
College Level Information

Number of Transfer Students
140
College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Is This College Right For Me? | We are a small college in a rural setting. Our students attend classes Monday through Friday between 8am and 4pm, with a protected window of time in late afternoon for athletic practices. Over 90% of our student body resides on campus, and over half our student body is comprised of NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletes. As a Ferrum College student, prepare to be connected across campus and supported in every aspect of your life here as a part of our family. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Contact Ferrum College admissions at any stage of your VCCS journey, and we will work with you! |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, Major in Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 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 |
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 |
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 |
---|---|---|---|
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
