Why Study Social Work
If you are interested in an exciting and rewarding career which affords ample opportunity to help others heal, grow, and be the best versions of themselves, then social work is right for you.
Social workers provide a variety of services throughout the US and the world at large. Social workers do a lot more than people might expect. Sure, we work with children and families, but we also work in many other avenues. Social workers are school resource persons, hospital-hospice care facilitators, justice system advocates, mental health counselors, substance abuse counselors, non-profit agency executive directors, foster care workers, adoption workers, community organizers, public policy advocates, and so much more.
APSU Social Work features fully accredited programs both at the BSW and MSW levels. One unique focus of APSU Social Work involves a belief that students need to time beyond learning from textbooks and lectures, but to also put theory into practice. At APSU that means even more than the capstone field experience in the last semester of studies. It means beginning to practice skills early in the program, through guided class role play, simulations, and community volunteering. Our department even has a clinical lab we use for video recording simulated social worker-client interactions; these recordings serve as indispensable learning opportunities for students.
APSU Social Work features a diverse faculty from three countries and several US states. All of our faculty have advanced degrees in the field of social work or related studies. Faculty have a broad range of research interests which include working with individuals, families, groups, communities, broader societal venues, and even international social work.
What Will I Learn
- The history of social work and why social work is important and relevant.
- The values of compassion, service, and respect which form the foundations of social work.
- The unique perspectives and needs of people as they grow from childhood into adulthood.
- How a person’s immediate environment impacts mood, behavior, and socioeconomic status.
- Basic helping skills enabling workers to receive people with care, carefully assess their unique situation, build a plan for helping persons, and a plan of follow up.
- How to present oneself as a competent, knowledgeable, growing, life learning, caring professional who provides proper self-care and appropriate professional care of others.
Sample Course Plan and General Education Requirements
Social Work Sample 4 Year Course Plan
General Education Requirements
Professional Licensure Disclosure
Students should be aware that licensure and certification requirements vary from state to state and are subject to change. Licensing agencies or boards also may have requirements in addition to an earned degree. APSU recommends that students who are not Tennessee residents or who plan to seek licensure or certification outside the state of Tennessee contact the appropriate licensing agency or board before they enroll in an academic program designed to lead to licensure or certification and discuss their plans with an advisor.
Please visit the Professional Licensure Disclosure webpage to review specific licensure information for your state and academic program.