Social Work
Dynamic Helping Profession
Social work is a dynamic and unique helping profession rich with meaning, action, and the power to make a difference for individuals, families, groups, and communities. The primary goal of social work is to improve a society’s overall well-being, especially for the most vulnerable populations. Many social workers provide direct services to clients helping them cope, manage, and overcome problems such as poverty, abuse, addiction, and mental illness by providing counseling, connecting clients with needed resources, and empowering clients to create change in their own lives.
Applicable Coursework
Through examination of evidence-based practices, students develop critical thinking skills required for exploring complex social problems. The program builds on a liberal arts foundation and equips students with the skills and knowledge for either an entry level professional position in a social agency, or further study at the graduate level.
Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the Bachelor of Social Work entry in the ETSU Undergraduate Catalog.
Vast Opportunities
The BSW program prepares students to be highly competent generalist practitioners who work with individuals, families, groups, and communities to advance human rights, empower others, and create social change. Receiving a BSW prepares students to work in entry level positions in areas such as mental health, healthcare settings, child and family services, residential treatment, non-profits, and more.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections cites the following:
- 16% Growth Projected in Overall Social Worker Employment,
- 14% Growth in Child, Family & School Social Work Positions,
- 20% Growth in Healthcare & Medical Social Work Positions,
- 19% Growth in Mental Health & Substance Abuse Positions.
The School of Clinical Sciences offers fully accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) and Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs. The BSW degree has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1974, when BSW programs first gained accredited status. The online BSW program gained accreditation April 2023.
After completing this bachelor's degree, continue your education at ETSU with the Master of Social Work degree program.
For students wanting an in-person program, please visit the School of Clinical Sciences webpage.
Professional Licensure Information: ETSU offers programs that meet Tennessee’s professional licensure or certification requirements; however, these may not meet the requirements in other states or territories. Students who plan to work outside of Tennessee should review ETSU's professional licensure information for details on whether this program’s curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in your state.
Complete Your Degree Online
The core values of ETSU are directly in line with a social work education: “People come first, are treated with dignity and respect, and are encouraged to achieve their
full potential; relationships are built on honesty, integrity, and trust; diversity of people and thought is respected; excellence is achieved through teamwork, leadership, creativity, and a strong work ethic; efficiency is achieved through wise use of human and financial resources; and commitment to intellectual achievement is embraced.”
Steps to Apply
-
Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account
Step 1 Create your ETSU Application Account by choosing the "Sign Up" option
-
Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal
Step 2 Sign in to the ETSU Application Portal and select "Start a New Application"
-
Step 3 - Complete the Remaining Fields
Step 3 Choose "Undergraduate," select your student type, select your start term, then choose
Social Work and complete the remainder of the form.
Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account
Step 1 Create your ETSU Application Account by choosing the "Sign Up" option
Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal
Step 2 Sign in to the ETSU Application Portal and select "Start a New Application"
Step 3 - Complete the Remaining Fields
Step 3 Choose "Undergraduate," select your student type, select your start term, then choose Social Work and complete the remainder of the form.
Cost
| TN Residents | *GA, KY, NC, SC, VA | *Other USA States | **eRate | All International | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $487 per credit hour | $517 per credit hour | $627 per credit hour | $558 per credit hour | $1,265 per credit hour | |||||
|
|||||||||
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Why should I pursue this program at ETSU?
The BSW program is nestled in the southern Appalachian mountains bordering North Carolina and Virginia. The department views itself as a regional program collaborating with community members and service providers in northeast Tennessee, western North Carolina, and southwest Virginia. The demographics of both the faculty and students are representative of this culturally rich geographic region. Accredited since 1974 by the Council on Social Work Education, the BSW program provides opportunities for students to acquire knowledge for better understanding of human behavior in the environment, social welfare policy, practice methods and research skills necessary for successful interventions with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
-
What accreditation applies to this program?
The BSW degree has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1974, when BSW programs first gained accredited status. The online BSW program option gained accreditation April 2023.
-
Do I need to have a background in this field? What are the prerequisites?
No. This program does not require a background in the field of social work.
-
Are the courses for this program asynchronous or synchronous?
This program is delivered through a combination of asynchronous and synchronous formats. Students must use a laptop or PC to participate and complete assignments. There are no on-campus requirements. Typically, synchronous courses meet once per week during normal working hours. Note: Coursework is online, but field work is required. BSW students have one internship of 430 hours over 2 semesters. The 430 hours works out to be approximately 16 hours/week.
-
Does this program require an internship or field work?
Yes, field work is required. BSW students have one internship of 430 hours over 2 semesters. The 430 hours works out to be approximately 16 hours/week.
-
What is the time to completion?
Full-time students pursuing the BSW typically take 2 years to complete the program (post general education requirements). Part-time students pursuing the BSW typically take 4 years to complete the program (post general education requirements).
-
Are scholarships available?
Yes, scholarships can be viewed on the program website. Additionally, ETSU's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships offers scholarship information for all student levels. By submitting the Universal Scholarship Application, students can be considered for a variety of university scholarships.