The undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW) degree prepares students for entry-level professional social work positions and for advancement to graduate social work education. The social work faculty, with extensive experience in clinical and policy practice, is committed to providing a rigorous yet supportive learning environment with small classes and collaborative research opportunities. Students enjoy a wealth of field practice opportunities in the City of New Haven and throughout Connecticut.
Social work is a challenging and fulfilling field for those who enjoy helping others. This profession offers practitioners the opportunity to pursue different fields of interest related to mental health services and community organizing. Social workers collaborate with a broad base of society, meeting people where they are and working to improve individual and community outcomes. Building on a tradition of access and excellence in social work education, Southern is the only university in Connecticut to offer the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW), the Master of Social Work (MSW), and the Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degrees.
Southern prepares social workers as agents of change who practice ethically, translate research into practice, and provide leadership in the profession and in their communities. The BSW program prepares students for entry-level professional social work positions and for advancement to graduate social work education. Students enjoy a wealth of field practice opportunities in the city of New Haven and throughout Connecticut. The program’s wide range of internship placements means that students can begin to make a positive difference with clients and communities while earning their degrees. BSW students gain important experience in their field practicum, the cornerstone of a social work education, which consists of a year-long, 400-hour on-site internship.
Southern is the only university in Connecticut to offer the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW), the Master of Social Work (MSW), and the Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degrees.
Careers
The Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW) degree is a gateway to professional positions in an array of health and human services settings. There’s a real need for social work professionals: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employment of community and social service occupations is projected to grow 11 percent from now to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.” Social workers work in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, schools, child welfare and human service agencies, hospitals and nursing homes, community-based organizations, and private practices. They generally work full-time and may need to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Typical Job Titles
- Social Worker
- School Social Worker
- Clinical Social Worker
- Child Welfare Case Manager
- Community Organizer
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Mental Health Counselor
- Family Therapist
- Hospice Social Worker
- Youth Services Coordinator
Applying
The application for Fall 2025 admissions is now closed. The application for admissions for Fall 2026 will open in December 2025.
If you have any questions, contact the BSW Coordinator, Karen D’Angelo, or call (203) 392-8373.
Please review the Application Criteria listed below to determine if you are ready to apply to the Social Work program at this time.
- Students who apply between December 15, 2024, and February 15, 2025, will receive an admissions decision via email by March 31, 2025.
- Accepted students can enroll in Social Work courses for the Fall 2025 semester. (Acceptance is conditional upon meeting all admissions criteria by the end of Spring 2025).
- Applications received after the Priority Deadline will be considered only if space is available.
To apply to the BSW Program (in order to enroll in 300-level and above social work courses), the following prerequisites must be completed by the end of the spring semester in which the application is submitted:
- Completion of 57 credits of university requirements and cognate courses.
- A minimum grade point average of 2.50 and good standing with the University.
- Successful completion of SWK 200 or its equivalent, with a minimum grade of “B-”.
- Successful completion of ENG 112 and Quantitative Reasoning LEP Requirement (e.g. MAT 103, 104, or 107, or course equivalents).
Admission to the BSW Program is competitive. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria described above in order to apply. However, meeting the minimum requirements described here does not guarantee acceptance. The BSW program only accepts 70-80 students per year, depending on departmental resources.
The application process occurs once a year: Applications are submitted by February 15th and accepted students begin the program in the following fall semester. The following criteria are used to evaluate students for acceptance: GPA, completion of prerequisite courses, and completion of university graduation requirements.
Consistent with SCSU admission requirements, candidates who, in the judgment of Social Work Department faculty, present strong academic qualifications, as well as the greatest potential for program success, gain preference.
Admissions decisions are made by April. All applicants are informed of admissions decisions via email. Note that students who are accepted provisionally in March and are officially accepted at the end of the Spring semester, provided that those criteria continue to be met.
Transferring
The Social Work Major is a competitive program at SCSU. Transfer students who would like to study Social Work at SCSU must submit two applications.
- SCSU Transfer Student Application: Learn about the application process, apply, or find out how your courses from another Connecticut school will most likely be applied to SCSU course requirements.
- Department of Social Work Application: See Applying
Social Welfare Organization (SWO)
Students accepted into the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program automatically become members of the Social Welfare Organization (SWO), the official undergraduate student organization for social work majors.
As SWO members, students have the opportunity to engage in a variety of meaningful activities, including:
- Volunteering with local social service agencies
- Organizing clothing drives during the fall holiday season
- Attending presentations by representatives from regional graduate programs
- Participating in the annual spring conference hosted by the Connecticut Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- Hosting educational presentations on current social work issues
School / College
College of Health and Human Services
Department
Social Work