Why Elms for your Social Work degree?

  • Gain 400 hours of internship experience.
  • Succeed in grad school — approximately 90% of our students earn advanced standing in MSW programs.
  • Study social work from a variety of perspectives and disciplines.
  • Join a prestigious program — Elms College created the first bachelor’s degree program for social work in 1954.

Changing Lives Through Social Work

Social work majors at Elms College dedicate themselves to helping others. It’s that simple.

For more than 60 years, Elms has equipped students to become leaders in social work. With the oldest accredited undergraduate program of its kind in Western Massachusetts, we know what skills and competencies you need to become a force of change in your community.

Social work at Elms is an interdisciplinary field. Majors study everything from behavioral science and psychology to mental health and public policy. By analyzing human behavior through different lenses, you will gain a deeper understanding of the factors that influence life in modern society. Your classes will help you develop a versatile array of skills that empower you to counsel individuals, families, and communities.

Internships, Professionalization, and Licensure

As a social work major you will complete 400 hours of service at an internship. Having the time you need to immerse yourself in the field and complete a capstone project will not only help you perfect your skills, but also set you apart on the job market.

After completing your degree, you will be eligible to take the Massachusetts exam to become a licensed social worker. 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.

Students who know they want to pursue a master of social work (MSW) degree are encouraged to apply to our graduate program offered in conjunction with St. Louis University, one of the top-ranked social work programs in the country.

Micro- and Macro-Level Social Work

Social work majors typically choose to focus on micro- or macro-level social work.

Micro-level social work encompasses working with individuals and families. By helping people achieve their goals and overcome challenges, you improve the well-being of society, one person — or family — at a time.

Macro-level social work includes designing and implementing community-focused programs at the local, state, or national levels. If you are interested in research and advocacy, this type of social work enables you to enact change on a larger scale.

Social workers make a difference in a wide range of fields, including:

  • Medicine and public health
  • Substance abuse prevention
  • Mental health
  • Child welfare
  • Education

Quick Info

  • Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. View our assessment of student learning outcomes for 2022-2023
  • Oldest accredited undergraduate program in Western Massachusetts
  • 400-hour internship at one of over 60 sites
  • Local, national, and international social work experiences, including opportunities for independent research and conference presentations.
  • Graduates are eligible to sit for the Massachusetts Licensed Social Worker (LSW) exam
  • Graduates are eligible for advanced standing in MSW programs

Javier Cruz ’19

Social work major Javier Cruz ’19 jump-started his career as a community activist and advocate for Puerto Rican rights as an intern with local nonprofit Nueva Esperanza. Read Javier’s story.

Curriculum

Click to view course requirements for the Social Work (B.S.).

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

Major Requirements (69 credits)

Course #Course Name# of Credit Hours
PSY 1001General Psychology3
SOC 1001Introduction to Sociology3
BIO 1005Biology: Human Applications3
SWK 1001Introduction to Social Work3
HIS 1005Early American History3
PSY 2002Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences3
SSD 2002American Government and Public Policy3
ECN 2101Economics3
SWK 2004Human Behavior in the Social Environment I3
SWK 2005Human Behavior in the Social Environment II3
SWK 3001Social Welfare Policies and Services3
SWK 3002Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families3
SWK 3003Mental Health and Mental Illness3
SOC 3005Social Research3
SWK 3007Social Group Work3
SWK 3105Social Work Practice with Communities3
SWK 4001Field Work Experience12
SWK 4002Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, and Communities3
SWK 4004Social Work Issues3
SOC 3106Racial and Ethnic Groups3