Social Work
Get ready for a unique, transformative and personalized experience learning how social workers represent and empower people.
With strong liberal arts-based education, hands-on learning, field and internship experiences you’ll learn the fundamentals of ethical and effective practices to enhance the individual, group, and community connections in this human-centered, varied and challenging field.
You’ll develop a foundation in social work knowledge, theory and research and learn to reduce the inequalities in society through social justice strategies.
Accreditation
Longwood University's Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation.-208x140.png)
Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Board of Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
Career Path
Our graduates are prepared for first-level professional social work practice and advanced study in graduate schools. Our alumni have careers as generalist-based, professional practitioners in these areas:
- Foster Care and Adoption
- Child Protection and Welfare
- School-based Social Work
- Mental Health
- Medical Social Work
- Crisis Intervention
- Disaster Relief
- Domestic Violence
- Homelessness
- Global Social Work
- Policy
- Advocacy
- Social Justice
- Substance Abuse and Addiction
- Community Planning
What You'll Study
Major
Explore subjects from the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, math and computer science as you develop a better understanding and respect for the person- in- environment conceptualization, diversity, inequalities and changing needs of our complex society.
Minor
The minor in Social Work is 18 credits and requires at least 6 courses from the designated social work course list. A grade of C or better is required in all minor courses and students must maintain a GPA of 2.3 or better.
Courses
Follow a curriculum that builds on knowledge and skills acquired in the liberal arts and prepares promotes social work ethics and values. You'll take courses that include Family and Children's Services; Human Behavior and Social Environment; and Human Diversity: Populations at Risk.
Admissions Requirements
Any Longwood University student may declare a major in Social Work.
You will need to meet the following requirements to be officially admitted to the Longwood University Social Work Program at the conclusion of your sophomore year:
- Submit a completed application to the Social Work Program by the Friday before spring break of the sophomore year, or Friday before fall break once requirements are met
- Provide two professional references with one from a Longwood Social Work professor
- Complete 55 earned credit hours, which must include successful completion of ENGL 165, and SOWK 201
- Completion of SOCL 105, MATH 171 and BIOL 101 are mandated within the 55 credit hours
- Have a 2.30 cumulative grade point average (which is the current GPA requirement to enter field instruction)
- Earned no grade less than a C in any Social Work course. If a grade of C- or below is received in any social work course, the course must be retaken to receive a grade of C or above
Transfer Students
Transfer students who meet these criteria upon entering Longwood must complete one semester at Longwood and provide a reference from one of Longwood’s Social Work professors. (A recommended course of study is included in the student handbook that students declaring Social Work as their major receive in their first advising session as a social work major.)
Student/Faculty with concerns may request a formal interview.
