B.S. in Social Work

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) program at Mississippi College is designed to prepare students for entry-level generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities within a changing global social environment. This program is rooted in modern social work values and ethics, emphasizing the importance of advocating for human well-being, promoting positive social change, and understanding the impact of social policies. The B.S.W. degree also serves as an excellent foundation for those planning to pursue graduate studies in social work (MSW), often allowing for advanced standing in such programs. The program fosters critical thinking and a strong sense of self-knowledge necessary for effective and ethical practice, integrating a Christian perspective on service and care for vulnerable populations.

Curriculum: The B.S.W. curriculum at Mississippi College is comprehensive, encompassing 120 semester credit hours that blend general education requirements with intensive social work-specific coursework and field practicum. Students first complete pre-professional requirements, typically in their freshman and sophomore years, before formally applying and being accepted into the B.S.W. program. Major course requirements cover eight core social work content areas: Social Work Values and Ethics, Diversity, Social and Economic Justice, Populations at-Risk, Human Behavior in the Social Environment (I & II), Social Welfare Policy & Services, and Social Work Practice (I & II). Other key courses include Research Methods of Social Work, Skills in Interviewing, and electives like Child Welfare or Drugs, Alcohol and Society. A crucial component is the 400-hour Social Work Internship and corresponding Field Practice Seminar in the senior year, providing essential hands-on experience. Students must also pass a Social Work Comprehensive Exit Examination.

Research Focus: The B.S.W. program at Mississippi College has an applied research focus, preparing students to utilize critical thinking in understanding and applying appropriate research methodologies for implementing and evaluating social services. While not focused on laboratory research, the curriculum includes dedicated courses like Research Methods of Social Work where students learn about research terminology, types and purposes of research, research design, basic data analysis techniques, and ethics in research. The program emphasizes the role of research in evaluating social work practice and in understanding social problems to formulate and improve social policies. Students are encouraged to develop skills to analyze evidence-based practices and contribute to informed decision-making within the social work field.

Industry Engagement: Mississippi College's B.S.W. program demonstrates robust industry engagement through its accreditation and extensive field education component. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which signifies that it meets rigorous national standards and prepares graduates for professional licensure and ethical practice. A cornerstone of the curriculum is the mandatory 400-hour Social Work Internship, where students gain supervised, direct practice experience in a variety of approved social service agencies and organizations. This hands-on experience allows students to apply classroom learning to real-world situations and build professional networks. Graduates find employment in diverse settings such as healthcare (public health, geriatric care, mental illness), schools, child welfare agencies (e.g., MS Department of Family and Children Services), and other areas that advocate for marginalized populations.

Global Perspective: Mississippi College is committed to fostering a global perspective, and the B.S.W. program embodies this by preparing students for "entry-level generalist social work practice with diverse populations... in a changing global social environment." The curriculum includes courses that examine human diversity and the need for social justice on a global scale. Through courses like Cultural Diversity and discussions around social welfare policy, students are encouraged to understand "social problems, formulate, influence, and/or improve social policies and services in diverse political contexts" both locally and internationally. The department's mission emphasizes preparing social workers who understand a Christian worldview that values social and economic justice while respecting and appreciating diversity, promoting an understanding of working toward social justice and advocacy in a global context. This holistic approach equips graduates to address complex social issues with cultural competence and a broad awareness of interconnected global challenges.