Social Work, B.S.

Put yourself in a position to improve the quality of life of individuals and communities faced with poverty, serious illness or disability with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (B.S.S.W.). Through your coursework at Saint Louis University's School for Professional Studies, you’ll prepare for generalist social work practice in a program that integrates knowledge and skills with field experience.

After finishing your major’s prerequisites in the School for Professional Studies, where you will take your classes online, you will complete the remainder of your classes in an on-campus, eight-week format through SLU's School of Social Work. During your senior year, you will spend two to three days a week in a social service agency of your choice, supervised by an experienced social worker. High-achieving students may apply to the accelerated master’s program during their junior year of study, through which they can earn a Bachelor of Science in Social Work in four years and a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) with just one additional year of study.

Curriculum Overview

As part of the School for Professional Studies, this 120-credit degree program offers future and current leaders like you a flexible option to meet your personal career goals. With six accelerated, eight-week terms each year offered by SLU online, you can begin working toward your degree at any time, making advanced education more accessible for working professionals.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Cultivated by strong service-learning components, students embody the University’s Jesuit mission by using the knowledge they gain in the classroom to serve others. In addition to volunteer work, students can explore different types of social work with guidance from seasoned professionals through partnerships with more than 250 social service agencies around the St. Louis area.

Careers

Social Work graduates can look forward to careers in a wide variety of settings. U.S. Department of Labor projections indicate a steady demand for 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, and policy-making and advocacy.

Admission Requirements

The School for Professional Studies welcomes adult learners whose educational journey has been interrupted by life's circumstances. This includes individuals with at least one of the following characteristics:

• Delayed enrollment in post-secondary education
• Attends part-time for at least part of the academic year
• Works full-time (35 hours or more/week) while enrolled
• Financial independence, has dependents other than a spouse, is a single parent, or has other demands that make traditional education less feasible

Application Requirements 

• Work Experience: At least three years or the equivalent. Work experience may include a full-time/part-time job, internship, volunteer work, or comparable experiences.
• Education: High school diploma or composite GED score of at least 2250.
• Coaching session: Successful completion of a meeting with an academic coach (this can be done virtually or on campus).
• Grade Point Average: Minimum transfer cumulative GPA of 2.5 (unless qualified for conditional admittance).
• Transcript: An official transcript from the most recent institution attended.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. The School for Professional Studies offers numerous scholarships and awards specially for new students.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

To determine eligibility for financial assistance, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early for maximum consideration. FAFSA is available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.

Active Military and Veterans and First Responders

Honorably discharged veterans, active-duty military members, reserve members and first responders qualify for a reduced tuition rate of $295 per credit hour for any undergraduate program offered through the School for Professional Studies.

1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
2. Graduates will be able to engage diversity and difference in practice.
3. Graduates will be able to  advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
4. Graduates will be able to  engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
5. Graduates will be able to engage in policy practice.
6. Graduates will be able to engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
7. Graduates will be able to  assess with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
8. Graduates will be able to intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
9. Graduates will be able to evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

B.S.S.W. Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes 

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a minimum 2.00 GPA.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.