Social work is about helping people - children, families, older adults and entire communities. It involves building on strengths and empowering people to overcome adversity. Social work reaches out to those in need, seeking to fulfill Christ's words, "love your neighbor as yourself." (Mk 12:31)
Social Work is about helping people — children, families, older adults, and whole communities. The social work program prepares students for entry level professional positions in a diversity of public and private settings, including child advocacy and welfare, children and youth counseling, school social work, medical social work, church social work, missions, foster care and adoptions, geriatric social work, and mental health. The program prepares students to empower people, particularly those who are vulnerable, to achieve a better "fit" with their world and to help the world to be more responsive to the needs of people. The program emphasizes the importance of a liberal arts foundation and of Christian and social work values that promote social and economic justice.
The major also emphasizes preparation for graduate study. Graduates from the BSW program are eligible to apply for advanced standing in graduate programs leading to the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.
The Bachelor of Social Work Program and the Master of Social Work Program at Union University are accredited by the .
Produced by Union University's School of Social Work, Social Work Calling highlights how our BSW and MSW programs unite faith & knowledge to equip social work professionals. Each episode features inspiring conversations with graduates, faculty, students, and others, exploring how their faith shapes their practice in areas such as mental health, child welfare, health care, community development, and social justice. By focusing on real-world experiences, the podcast offers a unique perspective on integrating Christian faith with professional social work.
Oct. 15, 2024 - In this episode of Social Work Calling, alumni Hope Haynes, Haley Coble, and Rian Massie discuss their journey to working in recovery courts. As graduates of both our BSW & MSW programs at Union University, they highlight the faith-based support they received and contrast the therapeutic approach of recovery courts with traditional criminal justice. The conversation covers the challenges of addiction work, including overdoses and relapses, and celebrates the rewards of helping clients recover. They also address societal misconceptions about addiction and offer advice to aspiring social workers, emphasizing continuous learning, open-mindedness, and integrating faith with evidence-based practices.
The School of Social Work educates and equips competent, compassionate, and effective social workers to be transformative leaders who enhance human well-being and promote social justice.
The Bachelor of Social Work program prepares competent and effective professionals for leadership in generalist practice. In a context of Christian higher education, the program fosters compassionate service, promotes social and economic justice, and equips students for excellence in social work practice.
The mission of the Union University Master of Social Work program is to prepare competent and effective professionals for leadership in advanced practice. In a context of Christian higher education, the program fosters compassionate service, promotes social and economic justice, and equips students for excellence in social work practice.
