Program Details
Program Details
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Bachelor of Social Work
Virginia Commonwealth 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.
Program Details
Social Work, Bachelor of Social Work
Bachelor of Social WorkSocial Work, Bachelor of Social Work
Virginia Commonwealth 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 Social Work requires completion of 120 credits, including 46 credits in the major. The curriculum of the baccalaureate program is specifically designed to prepare students for beginning-level generalist social work practice. This practice model requires a broad base of knowledge about individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations and an appreciation of cultural diversity. General education courses provide an essential foundation for the upper-level professional curriculum and are required for admission to junior and senior social work courses.
Outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following: Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior Engage diversity and difference in practice Advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice Engage in policy practice Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
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 B.S.W. degree from VCU prepares students for beginning-level generalist social work practice. That practice requires a broad base of knowledge and field experience concerning how individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations function, as well as an appreciation of cultural diversity. Students will complete over 400 hours of practical experience in agency settings during their senior year in their two-semester field practicum course. |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes The B.S.W. program has a variety of requirements for degree progress, all of which can be found here: https://bulletin.vcu.edu/undergraduate/socialwork/bsw-program/social-work-bsw/#degreerequirementstext. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Transfer students from Brightpoint and Reynolds community colleges, part of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), can begin upper-level classes at VCU as juniors through formal articulation agreements from both institutions, and graduate with the VCU B.S.W. degree in as soon as four semesters. Transfer students from other institutions have their transfer credits evaluated by the VCU Transfer Center and are guided by student success advisors as they begin taking VCU classes. Prospective transfers can email sswinfo@vcu.edu for assistance.
|
| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | The School of Social Work offers a minor in social welfare to students in other programs at VCU. The minor consists of 18 credits of courses that introduce students to the subject of social welfare. Additionally, graduates of the B.S.W. program may choose to go on to pursue the Master of Social Work to further their studies. B.S.W. graduates are eligible for the accelerated Advanced Standing M.S.W. degree which can be completed in one calendar year or three semesters. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | Founded in 1917, the School of Social Work stands as the first school of its kind in the South, as well as one of two programs in Virginia (and only 56 nationwide) to offer bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in the discipline. Ours is one of the largest accredited, comprehensive social work programs in the U.S. With more than 11,000 living alumni, the VCU School of Social Work has a longstanding presence throughout agencies, organizations and government in the Greater Richmond area, the state and the region. |
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
Social Work, Bachelor of Social Work
120
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
This is unofficial evaluation. Please contact the VCU Transfer Center to confirm its accuracy. Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies prior to enrolling at VCU will receive a waiver of their General Education requirements. All students must complete at least 30 of their last 45 credits through VCU to earn a bachelor's degree from VCU and have at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (300, 400 and 500 level).
BSW in Social Work
120
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
This is unofficial evaluation. Please contact the VCU Transfer Center to confirm its accuracy. Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies prior to enrolling at VCU will receive a waiver of their General Education requirements. All students must complete at least 30 of their last 45 credits through VCU to earn a bachelor's degree from VCU and have at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (300, 400 and 500 level).
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 90 credits may be applied to this program.
General Education
30
Foundations
12
Writing
9
Earn 9 credits: Complete the following
Earn 9 credits: Use the following rules
Complete the following
Use the following rules
Complete courses from the following Course:
AND
A minimum grade of C must be earned for courses in this requirement.
AND
Complete courses from the following Course list:
Quantitative
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Areas of Inquiry
18
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Select courses for Areas of Inquiry that cover the three Breadth of Knowledge areas of Humanities/Fine Arts, Natural Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences as defined in the VCU Bulletin. Please consult with an advsior. The course work in the general education curriculum must be divided among the four Areas of Inquiry below, with at least three, and no more than nine, credits from each of the four areas. In fulfilling these requirements, students may apply no more than six credits with the same four-letter prefix (ex. RELS, MGMT) to the 17-18 credit total requirement, regardless of the area of inquiry under which they are listed.
Creativity, innovation and aesthetic inquiry
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Diversities in the human experience
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Global Perspectives
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Scientific & Logical Reasoning
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Additional Course
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Earn 3 credits by completing a course from the following Category lists
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
Major Requirements
47
Major Core Requirements
6
Earn 6 credits: Complete the following
Earn 6 credits: Use the following rules
Complete the following
Use the following rules
Complete courses from the following Course:
AND
A minimum grade of B must be earned for courses in this requirement.
AND
Complete courses from the following Course list:
Major Core Requirements
41
Earn 41 credits: Complete the following
Earn 41 credits: Use the following rules
Complete the following
Use the following rules
Complete courses from the following Course:
AND
A minimum grade of C must be earned for courses in this requirement.
AND
Complete courses from the following Course list:
Ancillary Requirements
21
Ancillary Requirement #2
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Developmental Psychology
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Abnormal Psychology
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Electives from HIST, POLI or ECON
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Subject list:
Sociology
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Foreign language through the 102 level (including ASL)
6
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Students who place into or are waived out of the 101 level in a foreign language must complete the 102 level in the same language. Students who place into or are waived out of the 101 and 102 level in a foreign language must complete at least one college-level foreign language course in any language. Credits earned by CLEP do not count toward the fulfillment of this requirement.
Foreign language course options
6
Earn 6 credits by completing courses from the following Subject list:
Elective Courses
22
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Take any courses to reach 120 total credits.
Earn 22 credits by completing any available course
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Virginia Commonwealth 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 |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland College, or the College of Southern Maryland may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived. Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. VCU has also developed a transfer map for students who earned the Associate of Applied Sciences in Human Services, Pre-Social Work specialization from Brightpoint Community College and for students earned the Associate of Science in Social Sciences with a pre-social work specialization. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. VCU has also developed a transfer map for students who earned the Associate of Applied Sciences in Human Services, Pre-Social Work specialization from Brightpoint Community College and for students earned the Associate of Science in Social Sciences with a pre-social work specialization. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | VCU accepts a variety of types of credit for prior learning, including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience, Cambridge, and industry certifications that are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service. |
| Did You Know That... |
|
College Level Information
Number of Transfer Students
1902
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
VCU prefers transfer applicants with a cumulative college GPA of a 2.5 or higher who are in good standing with their pre...see moreVCU prefers transfer applicants with a cumulative college GPA of a 2.5 or higher who are in good standing with their previous institution. Some degree programs like Nursing, Dental Hygiene, and Engineering have more competitive GPA requirements. Admission to programs in VCU Arts is also based on an evaluation of additional application materials and may be more competitive. Transfer applicants with fewer than 24 earned semester (36 quarter) hours will also be reviewed based on their high school GPA.
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C.. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/transfer/ |
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 |
| Ferrum College | B.S.W. in Social Work | Bachelor | Bachelor of Social Work | 4-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