Change lives. Change the world.
At King University, we believe that Social Work is more than just a major-it’s a career with a calling.
If you are passionate about improving lives in your community, join King University’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program to gain the knowledge and skills you need to advocate for social justice and economic reform.
King University’s BSW program provides rigorous coursework and hands-on experience to prepare you for various meaningful career paths such as case manager, child protection social worker, foster care and adoptions, and counselor. Graduates of the BSW program can also pursue graduate degrees to continue their education, particularly the MSW degree. No matter which path you plan to take, our social work program empowers you to make a positive impact on the world.
BSW Program Overview
Make a difference in the lives of others with the online Bachelor of Social Work program at King University.
The online CSWE-accredited BSW at King trains you in the advocacy and intervention strategies necessary to support individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. You’ll study key topics like:
- Research and evaluation
- Modern issues in the field
- Ethics
- Human behavior and the social environment
- Family practice
- Working with communities and organizations
- Field-specific writing
- Policy
- Integrative practice
You’ll also receive hands-on training, giving you the chance to immediately practice what you’ve learned. We boast more than 100 employment and field practicum partners, located regionally, nationwide, and internationally. With a required 400 hours of field practicum education, you’ll gain extensive experience in the field while still completing your requirements far earlier than other BSW programs of this type.
Our program features nationally and internationally recognized faculty dedicated to your professional success. Because the BSW coursework is offered fully online, you’ll also have ultimate flexibility when it comes to your degree. Online learning means the ability to attend class when and where it’s right for you, and to maintain your work and life commitments while advancing your career.
After graduation, you’ll be well prepared for any number of social work related careers, as well as further study in graduate school. Graduates may work in mental healthcare, medical social work, child protection, advocacy, child and adult protection services, foster care and adoption, school social work, substance abuse counseling, case management, policy analysis, and a range of other career paths within the profession. Major coursework can be completed in 16 months.
The Bachelor of Social Work Degree is Designed for…
- Working adults seeking to finish their bachelor’s degree
- Individuals who want generalist training in the social work field
- Those who want to build a career helping others
Why Study Social Work at King University?
Service Learning Experience
At King University, we provide ample opportunities for student social workers to participate in service-learning engagements. With a practicum (internship) requirement and numerous service-learning opportunities, the BSW program encourages students to dive into hands-on experiences applying the knowledge they’re learning in class to serving the communities where they live and work. Students have opportunities to choose from more than 100 employment and field practicum partners at local, national, and international locations! Students are encouraged to seek out practicum and service-learning placements right in their own hometowns.
An Affordable Accelerated Program
King University’s BSW degree program is among the most cost-effective BSW programs available in the U.S. With most classes being five-weeks in length, the program allows students to complete their BSW degrees in as few as 16-months of full-time study at only $16,000 in total. In addition, the program is transfer-friendly. Students can easily transfer the credits they have previously earned to start in the BSW major at King.
Note: To start in the BSW major, students must have completed a minimum of 45-semester hours. If you are transferring fewer than 45-semester hours, you may be accepted as pre-SOWK while you complete general education courses.
Flexible Online Formats
At King University, we take pride in our diverse student body and we strive to make our BSW program accessible to students from various backgrounds. With our online BSW program, students can have the flexibility to learn from anywhere without needing to attend a class meeting.
Diversity and Inclusion
The BSW Program at King University is committed to fostering and celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion based on equal opportunity and respect. We strive to create an environment in which every student, faculty, and staff member recognizes and values all races, ethnicities, religions, genders, identity expression, sexual orientation, national origin, immigration status, age, disability, or veteran status. We embrace all aspects of who you are at your very essence!
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are an inherent part of the social justice mission of social work. “The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty” (NASW, 2017, Preamble). This work is not simply an ideal toward which we aspire as a profession, but the very essence of who we are in the world. Social workers keep equity and justice at the heart of our practice. We cannot have true inclusion without equity.
Accreditation and Recognition
King University’s BSW program boasts nearly five-decades of proven academic success through our continuously maintained accreditation with the COUNCIL ON SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION (CSWE). In addition to the CSWE, the BSW program is affiliated with many other social work associations such as the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW).
Accreditation
King University’s Bachelor of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA).
Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the BOA indicates that it meets or exceeds standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the BOA has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS).
Accreditation applies to all program options, which includes locations and delivery methods.
Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
King University BSW Program Mission Statement
Through training in generalist social work practice with a Christ-centered focus, the mission of the King University Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is to prepare competent, trauma-informed, ethical social work professionals who are committed to altruism by advancing human well-being, human rights, social and economic justice, valuing the dignity and worth of all people, embracing the importance of human relationships, and serving and empowering those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and/or indigent domestically and/or globally. Through knowledge based on scientific inquiry and within the context of our Christian academic community and values of justice, respect, unconditional positive regard, integrity, and commitment to public service, the King University BSW program prepares student social workers through a rigorous course of study to intervening thoughtfully, resourcefully, and responsibly with all systems; individuals, families, groups, organizations, agencies, communities, and governments. This education and commitment to the values and ethics of the social work profession facilitates the development of interpersonal and leadership skills needed to carry out our professional mission at the bachelor level of social work with a passion for serving God, the Church, and the world.
The mission of the BSW Program is sustained through King University’s commitment to Christianity, as expressed in the Presbyterian tradition’s core emphasis of love for fellow man.
Through rigorous coursework, students in the BSW program will attain:
- Theoretical and practical skills required to work as professional social workers.
- A generalist knowledge-base that examines human behaviors and complex social interactions.
- An intensive supervised professional field practicum experience in relevant social work settings.
- An understanding of the importance of addressing barriers that may be experienced by individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations.
Courses and Requirements
Our online BSW program requires 52 semester hours (11 courses) of major coursework. To graduate from King University, students must complete a total of 124 semester hours, which includes a mixture of major courses, general education courses, and additional courses which may come from credit transfers or electives.
Course of Study
To graduate from King University with a baccalaureate degree, all students must have earned 30 semester hours of common experience and general education courses. These courses include Foundations of Christian Thought and Practice, Citizenship, English Composition, Human Creative Products, Quantitative Literacy, Science, and additional credit hours from general education courses.
Students must earn a total of 34 semester hours of general electives.
| Course # | Title | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOWK 3180 | Social Work Research | This course focuses on practice and evidence-based social work research. Students will learn basic quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, including elements of designing a research study, along with various forms of evaluation of programs, policies, and studies. An emphasis will be placed on the importance of informed consent; social, restorative, and economic justice; professional values and ethics; and ethical reasoning when conducting research using human subjects. | 4 |
| SOWK 3410 | Social Work Foundations | This course provides a broad overview of the social work profession from its European roots to contemporary generalist practice, including fields of practice, general systems theory, professional development of the self, and special populations. Students are introduced to historical information regarding the formation of social work, as well as knowledge, skills, and values required for competent social work practice. | 4 |
| SOWK 3420 | Human Diversity and Ethical Issues | This course provides an in-depth exploration of social work-related aspects representing a broad spectrum of human diversity (socio-demographic, cultural, worldview, political, religious, sexual orientation and expression, life experiences, economic heritages, etc.). The ethical issues of social, restorative, and economic justice as they relate to diverse populations are explored with an emphasis on the impact of discrimination and oppression on various populations-at-risk and understanding the concepts of prejudice and discrimination. Understanding and valuing individual differences is emphasized, while developing introspective capacities related to racial and ethnic self-identities. | 4 |
| SOWK 3610 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Person in Environment Perspective | This course is the first of two courses in a sequence on Human Behavior and the Social Environment. HBSE-PIE provides a multidimensional perspective on social work's person-in-environment focus. It critically examines contemporary theory and research on the biological, psychological, psychosocial, and spiritual dimensions of the person, and eight dimensions of environment: the physical environment, social institutions and social structure, culture, formal organizations, communities, social movements, small groups, and families. | 4 |
| SOWK 3620 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Life Course Perspective | This course is a continuation of SOWK 3610: Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Person in Environment Perspective, which explores life span development from conception to death. Principles of human diversity, oppression, social and economic injustices, and the impacts of such on the individual are studied within the context of life span development, while utilizing a multidimensional perspective. The course will explore developmental processes with special attention paid to the impact of social class, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and expression, social support systems, and disability. | 4 |
| SOWK 3810 | Generalist Practice | This course provides a study of generalist skills and knowledge that can be applied to all social work practices. This course will focus on the application of knowledge, values, and skills required for entry-level social work practice with individuals and families. | 4 |
| SOWK 3820 | Family and Group Practice | This course focuses on theory and interventions with families and groups, utilizing basic social work practice methods. | 4 |
| SOWK 3830 | Community and Organizations Practice | This course focuses on transferring micro- and mezzo-level generalist skills to the macro level of social work practice, emphasizing the building of skills with communities and organizations. | 4 |
| SOWK 3840 | Writing for Social Workers | This course prepares BSW students to successfully complete scholarly writing/presentation construction tasks, as well as preparation for writing documentations within the social work profession. Topics addressed include expectations and standards for scholarly writing, conducting searches of professional literature, using effective paraphrasing and summarization skills, writing logically and coherently, and appropriately citing references and formatting written assignments adhering to both the BSW program requirements for written assignments and presentations, as well as following the standards for the current edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA). The course is intended to support students' efforts on writing/presentation construction tasks assigned in current and future social work courses, and in professional social work practice. | 4 |
| SOWK 4410 | Social Welfare Policy | The focus of the course is on understanding U.S. history through the lens of social welfare advocacy, how to critically analyze social welfare policies and programs, the role of social workers in social welfare programs and policies, and how to assist clients through policy advocacy toward social, restorative, and economic justice. This content provides students with conceptual frameworks to endow them with the knowledge and skills to understand, evaluate, and assess major policies that form the foundation for social welfare policy in the United States | 4 |
| SOWK 4800 | Integrative Practice | This course is the signature pedagogy of the BSW Program. It is an integration of the social work field practicum and the final social work practice methods course, specifically geared toward preparing students for entry-level generalist social work practice. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of the ten-core competencies and the integration of generalist knowledge, skills, abilities, and values that are transferable to a variety of practice settings or client populations. Students engage in a 400-hour field practicum supervised by a bachelor's or master's level social worker with a minimum of two years of social work field experience. Student's practicum placements are completed in a professional social work setting in their community. Practice skills, personal growth, and professionalism are developed during this course. This course is open to social work majors only. | 12 |
To view the full Academic Catalog, CLICK HERE.
Social Work Licensure
View State Authorization & Professional Licensure Programs
Outcomes
All Council on Social Work Education programs measure and report student learning outcomes. Students are assessed on their mastery of the competencies that comprise the accreditation standards of the Council on Social Work Education. These competencies are dimensions of social work practice that all social workers are expected to master during their professional training. A measurement benchmark is set by the social work programs for each competency. An assessment score at or above that benchmark is considered by the program to represent mastery of that particular competency.
| Competency | Competency Benchmark | Percentage of Students Achieving Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Identify as a professional social worker | 75% of students will demonstrate this competency | 100% |
| Apply ethical principles | 75% of students will demonstrate this competency | 96% |
| Apply critical thinking | 75% of students will demonstrate this competency | 96% |
| Engage diversity in practice | 75% of students will demonstrate this competency | 99% |
| Advance human rights, social justice, and economic justice | 75% of students will demonstrate this competency | 98% |
| Engage research-informed practice and practice-informed research | 75% of students will demonstrate this competency | 90% |
| Apply human behavior knowledge | 75% of students will demonstrate this competency | 96% |
| Engage policy practice to advance well-being and deliver services | 75% of students will demonstrate this competency | 92% |
| Respond to practice contexts | 75% of students will demonstrate this competency | 96% |
| Practice engagement | 75% of students will demonstrate this competency | 99% |
| Practice assessment | 75% of students will demonstrate this competency | 99% |
| Practice intervention | 75% of students will demonstrate this competency | 93% |
| Practice evaluation | 75% of students will demonstrate this competency | 95% |
| Average | 75% | 96% |
BSW Career Outlook
Social work is more than just a major and social work is more than just a job. It is about helping people and advocating for social and economic reform and justice.
In the year of 1931, a woman by the name of Jane Addams would change the face of social work, putting it on an international pedestal after being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her effort in establishing settlement houses for immigrants in Chicago in the early 1900s.
Suffering and injustices over the years were acknowledged by those concerned leaders with the power to make a difference, and a number of the benefits we take for granted today are because of social workers of the past that spoke up and changed the world around them-one injustice at a time.
Graduates of the BSW degree program are well-prepared to follow the footsteps of these concerned leaders and serve individuals and communities in need in different settings, such as child, family, health, and mental health care, etc. In addition, THE DEMAND FOR SOCIAL WORKERS IS RISING in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Graduates with a BSW degree can find various meaningful career paths in the social work field. Common social work job titles include:
- School Social Worker
- Foster Care/Adoption Specialist
- Child Protection
- Policy Analyst
- Community Organizer
- Hospice Social Worker
- Family Service Worker
- Addictions Counselor
- Case Manager
- Researcher
- Victim Advocate
Student Social Workers interested in military social work may find compelling information here.
Explore more CAREERS IN SOCIAL WORK.
Social work is a mark one is given at birth and sharpened over time with life experiences. We as Social Workers, have been operating as one way before we actually became one, with compassion, love, and resilience.
Veronica Vann-Ray
Social work is a productive outlet for me to channel my passion for helping others. Not only does social work mean that I get to make a difference in peoples' lives, it also means that I get to fight for equality, promote social change, and empower people and communities.
Heather Vines
Additional Resources for Social Work Students
Admission Requirements
Students applying for the online Bachelor of Social Work program must meet the following requirements:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.2 on a 4.0 scale
- Students with a 2.0-2.19 GPA may be considered and accepted on a conditional basis provided they are able to demonstrate their plans to succeed in the program.
General Admission Requirements
General requirements for admission to King University include graduation from an accredited or recognized high school, GED, or secondary institution with a minimum of 16 academic units, distributed as follows:
- Four units of English
- Two units of algebra (Algebra I and II)
- One unit of geometry
- Two units of foreign language
- Two units from history and social studies
- One unit of natural science
- Four units of other academic electives
Students educated at home should follow the same procedures as other candidates.
Students should present a high school transcript and documentation, or its equivalent.
The Bachelor of Social Work program has a separate application process. Interested applicants must first be accepted to King University or currently be enrolled as a King student. Prospective students may contact our Social Work Enrollment Counselors at admissions@king.edu. Current King University students may apply to the BSW program via their student portal. Please contact your Student Success Specialist for more information.
Technology Requirement
A computer with Microsoft Office 365, wireless and webcam capability is required. Microsoft Office 365 is available to all King students to load on the PC or Mac and is accessible at Office.com using their King University credentials. Chromebooks are not recommended.
Applying is Quick and Easy
We’ve made the application process for the CSWE-accredited online BSW as simple as possible. Plus, after earning your BSW at King, you’ll qualify for guaranteed admission to our MSW - Advanced Standing program. Learn more about our admissions requirements and start your application today.
Bachelor of Social Work Faculty
Assistant Professor, Director of Field Education for the Bachelor of Social Work Program
Professor of Social Work, MSW Chair, Department of Social Work
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. ~ Isaiah 1:17
Learn More about the BSW Degree Program
King University’s BSW degree equips you with crucial knowledge and skills to work as a professional social worker helping people in need. Ready to start your impactful journey? CONTACT US to learn more about our BSW program or APPLY today!
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Yellow Ribbon
King University is a military-friendly school and is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program and accepts GI Bill® benefits. Under the Yellow Ribbon agreement, eligible students can receive tuition, fees, and stipend benefits.