Earn your Master of Social Work
BSW to MSW
Explore human behavior in the social environment, social work generalist practice, social welfare policy, social work research, human diversity and social justice.
BA in Social Work
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Noted by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) for our vanguard model of integrated practice, the Social Work program at Sacred Heart offers students a professional degree in social work rather than simply a Bachelor of Arts.
Why Earn Your BA in Social Work at Sacred Heart?
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BSW) program at Sacred Heart offers a unique commitment to integrated practice built upon an anti-racist foundation. In addition to equipping our students with diverse curricular and practicum experiences, the BSW program challenges students to engage and intervene with larger community and political concerns that can cause or alleviate human suffering among individuals, communities and global societies. Students are encouraged to understand themselves as agents of positive change in the world, committed to justice and equipped to defend the dignity and worth of all human beings. The program has been fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1981, with a commitment to educate undergraduate students for responsible, ethical, and competent entry-level generalist social work practice.
In the Social Work major, you will also:
- Study the theory and practice of social work across the full range of social work settings, including social welfare policy and services, human behavior in the social environment, social work practice, human diversity and social justice
- Spend three semesters (575 hourshours—175 junior year, 400 senior year) in practicum agencies as a social work intern, learning practice skills under the supervision of professional social workers
- Have global educational opportunities, including coursework in India, Ireland, and Costa Rica
- Be able to join social work clubs, such as the student-operated Social Work Club or SHU’s own Chapter of the National Social Work Honor Society, XiXi Chapter of Phi Alpha
- Benefit from small class sizes with dedicated faculty that emphasize shared student voice as an integral part of classroom learning both in the classroom and out on the field
Dual Degree Program Options for Social Work Majors
Sacred Heart University’s dual degree programs provide a defined pathway for incoming freshmen to move seamlessly from an undergraduate to a graduate degree.
While some of our dual degree programs require specific undergraduate majors, others are open to almost all undergraduate disciplines. Apply to a dual degree program as an incoming freshman and you’ll have the opportunity to be admitted directly into the graduate program of your choice at the same time as your admission as an undergraduate student. Students are encouraged to reach out to your admissions counselor to discuss dual degree options.
Fast track your career with an advanced degree from Sacred Heart
The Advanced Standing MSW, a 30-credit track, is offered both online and on ground. Advanced Standing serves students who, in SHU's BSW Program or in another accredited BSW program, have earned a cumulative GPA of B or better as well as individual course grades of B or better in each generalist course to be applied to the MSW course requirement. Students apply for Advanced Standing in the online MSW option on a rolling basis and in the late winter for the on-ground option.
SHU’s School of Social Work launched its Ph.D. Program in fall 2020. The Ph.D., designed as a “practice” Ph.D., is offered primarily to MSW's whose concentration has been in clinical/community practice. The degree is intended to provide doctoral level investigation and research rigor to career social workers engaged in community practice settings and initiatives. The Ph.D. program also prepares candidates for leadership positions in social services agencies as well as for teaching positions in higher education.
Prepare for a career or further your study
Graduates of the BSW program at Sacred Heart are prepared for a variety of careers in casework, community organizing, social and economic advocacy, and administration.
SHU Social Work graduates have secured positions in:
- Social services (public and private)
- Elder care
- Child welfare
- Healthcare
- Mental Healthcare
- Human rights initiatives
- Community organizing and advocacy
- Community development
- Political campaigning
SHU Social Work alumni have continued their graduate studies at the following universities:
- University of Pennsylvania
- Columbia University
- University of Michigan
- University of South Carolina
- Sacred Heart University
Connecticut Health Horizons Grant
The School of Social Work (SSW), through the Health Horizons CT grant initiative, is excited to offer up to $10,000 in tuition assistance to qualified MSW students.
CT CARES (Connecticut Creates Advances to Recruiting and Retaining Education and Employment for Social Workers) answers the need for a holistic and sustainable continuum connecting social work students and graduates to employment and beyond. Through this SSW program innovation, eligible Connecticut-based MSW students will be able to receive up to $10,000 in tuition assistance and will participate in individualized professional development, licensure preparedness and evidence-based practice training, as well as having access to a community collective of recruiting employers.
To learn more, contact Victoria Osborne, Ph.D., CT Cares Program Director, at osbornev4@sacredheart.edu.
Where Can You Go with a Bachelor's in Social Work
Majoring in social work paves the way for you to advance your career through combined programs and advanced degree pathways.
Sacred Heart's Social Work program made me into the social worker I am today. The curriculum is rigorous, handed me the tools I needed to challenge the social injustice I see in the world, and taught me to advocate for the most vulnerable in our society on micro, mezzo and macro levels. Each faculty member, being social workers themselves, understands that social work is a deeply personal calling. They not only teach students the social work values and competencies but also help shape students into being the change agents that this profession calls us to be. Between the small class size, deeply invested professors and constantly evolving curriculum, SHU's Social Work program has made it possible for me to make the impact I always wanted to make and instilled in me the passion to never stop trying to change the world.
The Social Work program at Sacred Heart prepares its students for real world experiences and careers. During my time as a student the Social Work department created many opportunities to learn and grow. Being given the chance to have multiple internships during my undergraduate time prepared me for my career in Social Work. Each professor brought with them years of experience and wisdom that they were happy to share. Having a small cohort of students allowed me to get to know each of my classmates personally and I look forward to working with them in the professional world. I find myself each day using experiences and lessons that I was taught from the Social Work Program. The program truly prepares its students to step out into the professional world.
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