Social Work
Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)
Undergraduate Major
Allendale • Face to face • 120 Credits
Social workers promote social justice and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
Overview
This program provides a comprehensive education in social work, emphasizing the core competencies and behaviors required for professional practice. Students learn about human behavior in social environments, social welfare policy, and the ethical principles guiding social work practice. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for diverse roles in social services, advocacy, and community development, ensuring they are well-equipped to address the needs of underserved populations.
You will take courses in human behavior, social work practice, social welfare policy, and research in social work. These courses provide a solid foundation in social work principles, while field education experiences allow you to apply your learning in real-world settings. Through internships and service-learning, you will gain practical experience and develop the skills to support and advocate for your clients.
Pursuing a major in social work at Grand Valley State University ensures a strong emphasis on experiential learning and community engagement to foster successful careers in the field. With access to experienced faculty, a supportive academic environment, and study abroad opportunities, you are empowered to make meaningful contributions to society and advance social, economic, and environmental justice.
Admission Information
The Bachelor of Social Work degree program is a secondary admission program, which only admits students one time per year. An eligible applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above.
- Have all admission prerequisite coursework successfully completed or in progress at the time of application.
- Earn a C or better in all admission prerequisite coursework (excluding general education requirements and MTH 110).
- Adhere to the SSW course repeat policy which states that a student may not repeat a required course more than once.
The B.S.W. program starts in the Fall semester and the SSW admits students one time per year.
School of Social Work
gvsu.edu/ssw
391C DeVos
Center
(616) 331-6550
Admissions and Recruitment Office
Career Opportunities
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.
Top skills- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 40,910.71 | 10% |
| $ 47,837.16 | 25% |
| $ 59,027.84 | 50% |
| $ 73,775.42 | 75% |
| $ 80,496.26 | 90% |
Teach courses in social work. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Top skills- Instructing
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 46,406.69 | 10% |
| $ 60,100.88 | 25% |
| $ 85,823.68 | 50% |
| $123,123.26 | 75% |
| $166,433.09 | 90% |
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.
Top skills- Social Perceptiveness
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 42,666.69 | 10% |
| $ 49,135.18 | 25% |
| $ 60,142.91 | 50% |
| $ 74,430.93 | 75% |
| $ 85,052.76 | 90% |
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.
Top skills- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 47,324.82 | 10% |
| $ 56,843.72 | 25% |
| $ 66,406.44 | 50% |
| $ 78,196.53 | 75% |
| $ 90,677.48 | 90% |
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Scholarships
Grand Valley State University offers a wide variety of merit-based
scholarships. For information on all of the scholarships that are
available to students, please visit Scholarships at GVSU.
Grand Valley offers myScholarships
(a scholarship matching tool) to help admitted students match
with GVSU scholarships, as well as external scholarship opportunities.
myScholarships will prompt you to answer questions to help match you
to scholarships for which you might qualify.
Student Organizations
Getting involved and staying engaged with our vibrant campus community help you make the most of your Grand Valley experience. Attending student life events, joining a student organization, or participating in campus recreation opportunities are all fantastic ways to maximize your college years:
Career Advising
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