Valparaiso University

What you'll study

The BSW curriculum combines liberal arts courses with professional social work coursework to develop knowledge, values and skills for ethical generalist practice. Core subjects include human behaviour and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, research methods, social work practice with individuals, families and groups, community practice and programme development, and ethics and cultural competence.

• Foundation courses — introductory social work, history of the profession, human development across the lifespan.
• Practice courses — interviewing and assessment, intervention strategies, family and group practice, crisis intervention and clinical approaches for non‑clinical BSW generalist practice.
• Policy and research — US social welfare policy, advocacy, grantwriting basics, and applied social work research and evaluation.
• Specialist topics — courses addressing mental health, substance use, child welfare, ageing, and diversity and oppression.
• Field education — supervised practicum placements in community agencies, hospitals, schools or governmental organisations, typically completed across two field placements to integrate classroom learning with client work.
• Capstone/Senior seminar — synthesis of practice, policy and research learning with reflective practice and professional identity development.

Entry requirements

Admission to Valparaiso University requires a high school diploma or equivalent and academic readiness demonstrated in secondary transcripts. Applicants to the social work major normally complete general university admission processes and must meet any departmental prerequisites, such as introductory social science coursework or a minimum cumulative GPA as specified by the department.

• Typical supporting materials: high school transcript (or college transcript for transfer students), personal statement, and any required application forms.
• Standardised tests may be optional in the university admissions process; check the university admissions site for current testing policies.
• Successful candidates often have volunteer or paid experience in community service settings and demonstrate interpersonal maturity, commitment to ethical practice, and readiness for field placements.
• Some programs require an interview or departmental review for progression into upper‑division social work courses and field placements.

Career prospects

Graduates with a BSW enter the workforce as generalist social work practitioners and staff in a wide range of human service settings. Common entry-level roles include case manager, family support worker, youth worker, community outreach coordinator, mental health technician, school support staff, and roles in ageing services.

• Employment settings: non‑profit organisations, child welfare agencies, hospitals and behavioural health centres, schools, corrections and juvenile justice, community development agencies, and faith‑based service providers.
• Further study and licensure: many graduates pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) for clinical licensure and advanced practice; the BSW can also qualify students for advanced standing in some MSW programmes.
• Transferable skills: assessment, advocacy, case planning, interprofessional collaboration, program evaluation and culturally responsive practice are valued across public and private sectors.

Why study at Valparaiso University

Valparaiso University offers a liberal arts education grounded in a values‑based tradition, with small class sizes and faculty who combine teaching with community-engaged practice. The social work programme emphasises experiential learning through supervised field placements with local and regional partner agencies, enabling students to build applied skills and professional networks.

• Program focus: integration of theory, research and practice with attention to ethical and culturally competent service.
• Student support: faculty mentorship, advising for field placement and career development, and access to campus organisations and service opportunities that complement classroom learning.
• Professional preparation: curriculum aligned with professional standards to prepare graduates for entry‑level social work practice and for advanced study.