Social Work, B.S.

A degree in social work gives students the skills to improve the quality of life for individuals or communities faced with difficulties such as poverty, serious illness or disability. Social workers seek to help individuals, families, groups and communities address challenges in their lives. Saint Louis University’s social work degree prepares students for generalist social work practice that integrates knowledge and skills with field experience. Curriculum Overview The social work curriculum contains 42 credits of major courses covering topics such as human behavior and the social environment, and four practice courses that address social work with individuals, families, groups, and organizations and communities. During senior year, students spend two semesters in a social service agency, supervised by an experienced social worker. The University core and electives fill the remainder of the 120 credits required for the major. Every social work student receives personalized, one-on-one support from a faculty mentor and academic advisor. The curriculum allows students to explore areas of interest through projects and practicum. Through fieldwork and service learning, social work students gain real-world work experience outside the classroom. Learning Outcomes Graduates will be able to demonstrate ethical and professional behavior. Graduates will be able to engage diversity and difference in practice. Graduates will be able to advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice. Graduates will be able to engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice. Graduates will be able to engage in policy practice. Graduates will be able to engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Graduates will be able to assess with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Graduates will be able to intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Graduates will be able to evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Careers Social work graduates from Saint Louis University can look forward to careers in a wide variety of settings. U.S. Labor Department projections indicate a steady demand in social work jobs in the years ahead. Most social workers specialize in an area of practice, including but not limited to: Clinical work Child welfare or family services Mental health Schools Policymaking and advocacy