Social Work

Social work is a rapidly growing and challenging profession that offers you the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives, from inmates to ambassadors. Elms College has recognized the need for trained social work professionals for more than 25 years. We have the oldest accredited undergraduate program of its kind in western Massachusetts and are widely known and respected for graduating outstanding social workers.

We offer both a traditional and weekend program to meet the growing demand for social workers. This provides an option for students who work, or are in situations that do not permit attendance in the traditional day program.

Our social work program prepares you for generalist practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Our curriculum examines critical contemporary issues and challenges faced by local, national, and global communities. Our faculty makes a special effort to emphasize and integrate issues related to underrepresented and diverse populations.

Our program stands alone because of our emphasis on experiential learning, which complements your in-class work, challenges you to employ the skills you have learned, and prepares you for life after Elms. We offer opportunities for full-time internships, independent research, and presentations at professional conferences. Our students lead and participate in community service programs locally and nationally.

Upon completion of the Elms College social work degree, you are eligible to take the Massachusetts exam to become a licensed social worker. We offer a preparation course for the exam.

The majority of our graduates secure jobs in social work upon — or before — graduation. Many of our graduates choose to continue their education and complete a master's degree.

Bachelor of Science Degree

Major in Social Work

(Minimum at Elms College: 24 credits/Minimum GPA: 2.5)

Major Requirements (69 credits)

PSY 101 General Psychology (3 credits)
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
BIO 105 Biology: Human Applications (3 credits)
SWK 101 Introduction to Social Work (3 credits)
HIS 105 Early American History (3 credits)
PSY 202 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
SSD 202 American Government and Public Policy (3 credits)
ECN 211 Economics (3 credits)
SWK 204 Human Behavior in the Social Environment (3 credits)
SWK 205 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3 credits)
SWK 301 Social Welfare Policies and Services (3 credits)
SWK 302 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (3 credits)
SWK 303 Mental Health and Mental Illness (3 credits)
SOC 305 Social Research (3 credits)
SWK 307 Social Group Work (3 credits)
SWK 315 Social Work Practice with Communities (3 credits)
SWK 401 Field Work Experience (12 credits)
SWK 402 Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, and Communities (3 credits)
SWK 404 Social Work Issues (3 credits)
SOC 316 Racial and Ethnic Groups (3 credits)

Double Major in Spanish and Social Work

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) encourages social workers to develop Spanish-speaking skills to better serve America's growing Latino population. The social work profession places high value on people who speak Spanish and have an understanding of Hispanic culture. In addition to receiving preference in hiring, bilingual employees typically receive higher wages.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Double Major in Spanish and Social Work

(Minimum at Elms College: 39 credits/Minimum GPA: 2.5)

Double major requirements (99 credits)

Social work courses (69 credits)
SWK 101 Introduction to Social Work (3 credits)
SWK 202 American Government (3 credits)
SWK 204 Human Behavior (3 credits)
SWK 205 Human Behavior II (3 credits)
SWK 301 Social Welfare Policy (3 credits)
SWK 302 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (3 credits)
SWK 303 Mental Health and Illness (3 credits)
SWK 305 Social Research (3 credits)
SWK 307 Social Group Work (3 credits)
SWK 315 Social Work with Communities (3 credits)
SWK 401 Field Practicum (12 credits)
SWK 402 Advanced Practicum (3 credits)
SWK 404 Survey of Social Work Issues (3 credits)
BIO 105 Biology: Human Applications* (3 credits)
ECN 211 Economics I* (3 credits)
HIS 105 American History* (3 credits)
PSY 201 General Psychology* (3 credits)
PSY 202 Statistics for Behavioral Sciences* (3 credits)
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology* (3 credits)
SOC 316 Racial and Ethnic Groups* (3 credits)

*These classes may also be used toward satisfying core curriculum requirements in biology, social sciences, and history.

Spanish courses for students starting at the conversation/composition level of Spanish proficiency (30 credits)

SPA 225 Conversación y Cine
SPA 226 Lectura y Composición
SPA 302 Literature and Civilization of Spain II
SPA 303 Literature and Civilization of Latin America I
SPA 304 Literature and Civilization of Latin America II
SPA 305 Translation or Internship
SPA 321 Advanced Oral Practice
SPA 323 Advanced Grammar and Composition
SPA 412 or 415 or 425 (culture in English)
SPA 444 20th Century Latin America

Spanish courses for students starting at the intermediate level of Spanish proficiency (30 credits)

Prerequisite to entering major:
SPA 201 Intermediate Spanish I
SPA 202 Intermediate Spanish II
These two classes do not count as part of the major.

SPA 225 Conversación y Cine
SPA 226 Lectura y Composición
SPA 301 Literature and Civilization of Spain I
SPA 302 Literature and Civilization of Spain II
SPA 304 Literature and Civilization of Latin America II
SPA 305 Translation or Internship
SPA 321 Advanced oral practice
SPA 323 Advanced Grammar and Composition
SPA 412 or 415 or 425 (culture in English)
SPA 444 20th Century Latin America

Social Work Major with an Early Childhood Concentration (27 credits)

Students can choose to develop a concentration within the social work major that focuses on early childhood studies. The following courses required for the major will include an emphasis on early childhood:
SWK 301 Social Welfare Policy (3 credits)
SWK 302 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (3 credits)
SOC 305 Social Research (3 credits)
SWK 307 Social Group Work (3 credits)
SWK 400 Independent Study in an Early Childhood Area (3 credits)
SWK 401 Field Practicum in an Early Childhood Setting (400 Hours) (12 credits)