Bachelor of Social Work, B.S.W.

UNC Charlotte’s Bachelor in Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the national accrediting body for social work education programs. The degree prepares graduates for generalist social work practice. Generalist practice relates to using multiple types of intervention that would be useful for different types of social systems and client populations. Emphases are placed on development of therapeutic working relationships with clients; assessment of client systems from a diversity-affirming, ecological-systems perspective; establishment of accurate and appropriate problem definitions and goals for intervention; utilization of varying intervention approaches, depending on the unique characteristics and needs of diverse client systems; linkage with resources; empowerment through identifying client strengths and enhancing client problem-solving, coping, and developmental capacities; and the application of baccalaureate-level research and evaluation methods. The School of Social Work has partnerships with more than 200 urban and rural practicum placement agencies serving vulnerable populations in the Charlotte region, enabling students, practicum instructors, and practicum faculty to work together to ensure students gain the knowledge and build the skills they need to be competent practitioners. Current students who are in good academic standing at UNC Charlotte are eligible to declare Social Work as their major. In so doing, they enter into Lower Division admission status in the major but are not yet considered to be students enrolled in the BSW Program (Upper Division). Entering into Upper Division, also termed BSW Program, requires an application and is a competitive process. Online option: The UNC Charlotte Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Online is a two-year degree completion program designed for candidates who have met all the prerequisite and general education requirements. This program equips you for a career in generalist social work practice and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Students should have graduated from an approved or accredited high school or have earned a high school equivalency certificate or G.E.D. The high school course units should include the following: 4 units in English, emphasizing grammar, composition and literature; 4 units in mathematics, including Algebra I, Algebra II and geometry, and a higher level mathematics course for which Algebra II is a prerequisite; 2 units in social studies, including one unit in U.S. history; and 3 units in science, including at least one unit in a life or biological science (e.g., biology), at least one unit in a physical science (e.g., chemistry, physics, physical science), and at least one laboratory course; two additional academic units of English, Mathematics, science, social studies, world languages or computer science.