Social Work One-Sheet | Valparaiso University

Social Work

Valparaiso University’s bachelor of social work (BSW) turns your passion for helping others into a powerful skill set — giving you the tools to strengthen communities, stand up for vulnerable populations, and change lives for the better.

A social work major at Valpo prepares you to become a skilled leader in your community — equipped to assess complex situations, communicate effectively, and advocate for meaningful change. Your coursework will deepen your understanding of human behavior, social policies and issues, and how social workers engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and more. The social work curriculum gives you flexibility to explore the issues and causes that you care most about. And with the core major coursework typically wrapping up in three years, you can even pursue a second major or a minor to complement your degree. And when you’re ready for what’s next, Valpo has you covered: our BSW puts you on a fast track to our one-year advanced standing master of social work (MSW) program . BSW graduates who continue into Valpo’s MSW can complete their master’s degree in as little as 11 months, opening doors into clinical social work careers. At Valpo, you won’t just earn a degree — you’ll find your people. Small class sizes and a tight-knit cohort model mean you’ll build real connections with your professors and peers that last long after you graduate. Social work students and professors regularly take trips to the Indiana Statehouse to advocate for important social issues with elected officials. You’ll also have the chance to visit places like the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum in Chicago and collaborate on research with your professors. Before graduating, you’ll gain real experience in the field through two social work internships, giving you direct insight into working in community social service settings.

97.5% of Valpo’s College of Arts and Sciences graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school within nine months of graduation.

60% of recent Valpo BSW graduates continued on to graduate school within nine months of graduation.

CAREER PATHS

Social workers are the largest providers of mental health services in the U.S. A social work degree gives students a broad and versatile background for careers that involve helping people. With a BSW, you can enter non-clinical social worker roles, including:

• Case Manager

• Child Protection Worker

• Government Social Worker

• Non-Profit Social Worker

• Social Services Assistant

• Substance Abuse Counselor

If you’re passionate about clinical social work, a master of social work (MSW) can take you further — training you to become a licensed social worker in schools, hospitals, or public safety, or launching you into a career as a therapist, HR professional, professor, and more. Learn more at valpo.edu/msw. For more about student success, visit valpo.edu/ alumni-success.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Practicum internships are a signature part of the Valpo social work experience, giving you 550 hours of supervised experience before you graduate. With over 50 years of community relationships and a distinct junior- and seniorlevel internship — unlike most schools — we work closely with students to find the right individualized placements with high-quality supervision. At Valpo, you’ll also have opportunities to see real advocacy in action at the Indiana Statehouse — and by your senior year, you’ll be the one leading lobbying trips and delivering testimony for causes you care about. During the final year of the program, you’ll work with a local organization on a community project, a chance to practice client interviews, sharpen individual and group assessment skills, and make a real impact. Learning by doing is core to your education at Valpo, and you’ll gain the experience and confidence to thrive as a skilled social work practitioner.

EXPERT MENTORSHIP

At Valpo, your professors are more than teachers — they’re experienced practitioners who have worked in the field, from clinical practice to advocacy, and are genuinely invested in your success. With open office hours, oneon-one meetings, and personalized advising on both coursework and career paths, professors at Valpo are dedicated to supporting their students’ wellbeing and growth. You’ll even have opportunities to collaborate with your professors as a research assistant or student aide, gaining experience and building the kind of close mentorship that leads to strong, personalized letters of recommendation when you’re applying to graduate studies or launching your career.

Be a Beacon

Valparaiso University admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religion. (For a full statement, see valpo.edu .)

“Social work has always pushed me to expand my knowledge, compassion, patience, and understanding. It’s meant a great deal to me personally and professionally. When I visited Valpo, I saw all that same passion and appreciation for the program as I saw in those who inspired me.”

ELENA CLOSSER ’24

MAJORS: Social Work, Spanish