Bachelor of Social Work - BSW Degree
GMercyU’s CSWE-accredited BSW degree is a practical, hands-on program for those who want to dedicate their careers to helping others.
And your help is needed — job growth for this field is predicted to grow 7% through 2032, more than twice as fast as the national average.
Once you complete your BSW degree and pass your Pennsylvania social work exam, you can apply for licensure through the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Professional Counselors.
Or, you can complete your master of social work degree in just one year instead of two, since you’ll be eligible for advanced standing in CSWE’s master’s degree programs.
GMercyU’s history is rooted in service to the community. In our BSW program, you’ll prepare for generalist social work focused on economic and social justice concerns, from homelessness to community violence, substance abuse, organizational diversity, and child welfare. You’ll learn to work with individuals and communities in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Program Details
For Spring Break 2024, our Social Work and Nursing students had an amazing experience serving a local community of Jamaica. Read their blog about it here!
Our BSW program proudly offers these unique components:
A phased structure of simulations designed to grow your skills, learn from your mistakes in a safe environment, and build your confidence.
- Sophomores engage in classroom social work role-playing.
- Juniors participate in group simulations. (Here's one example.)
- 高年级学生参与1:1的模拟，与高年级的实地经验相吻合，以进一步磨练他们的技能.
An emphasis on trauma-informed care. Led by expert faculty Janice Nuss, DSW, LCSW with more than 25 years of experience in trauma-informed care, BSW students have the opportunity to participate in a trauma-informed care elective, professional workshops offered by leading clinicians in the field, and field placements working with trauma survivors.
A focus on international service projects. Our students learn to advocate and serve locally, as well as on a global level. For example, juniors and seniors can participate in an interprofessional global outreach course that features a spring break service trip with Mustard Seed Communities in Jamaica, 在跨文化背景下，学生如何与怀孕的青少年和有发育障碍的个体接触. In 2019-20, our students successfully raised funds to purchase a clean-water tank for a family experiencing poverty in Haiti.
More BSW program highlights include:
- 课程由经验丰富的教师授课(没有助教)，他们致力于指导我们的学生
- Fulfilling and exciting field experience opportunities in both suburban and urban locations
- Opportunities to network at events, such as the annual National Association of Social Workers Conference
- Co-curricular organizations such as Social Work and Psychology Club, Best Buddies, and Sigma Phi Sigma that provide experiential service learning opportunities to BSW students
- Alternative Spring Break and other service learning programs to further supplement your hands-on experience
- Opportunities to take part in advocacy, like this event
You’ll also gain a head start on your master of social work degree. Due to our CSWE accreditation, graduates of GMercyU’s BSW program have the eligibility for advanced standing in CSWE masters programs, which will take a full year off the time to complete your masters of social work (MSW). You may also choose to pursue a graduate degree in pastoral counseling, school counseling, clinical counseling, and applied behavioral sciences. GMercyU offers an accelerated master of school counseling.
In addition to required general education courses, BSW students must complete the following courses in order to earn their bachelors in social work.
| SWK201 | Introduction to Social Work |
| SWK202 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment |
| SWK203 | Difference and Diversity |
| SWK205 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment II |
| SWK212 | Counseling and Communication Skills |
| SWK241 | Marriage and Family Systems |
| SWK301 | Generalist Social Work Practice |
| SWK304 | Social Work Policy and Administration |
| SWK305 | Mental Health Practice |
| SWK400 | Social Work Research Methods |
| SWK435 | Social Work Field Placement I (5 credits) |
| SWK436 | Social Work Field Placement II (5 credits) |
| SWK445 | Field Placement Seminar I (1 credit) |
| SWK446 | Field Placement Seminar II (1 credit) |
| PSY321 | Group Processes |
| SWK40000 | Capstone |
Social Work Electives (Choose 2)
| SWK206 | Trauma-Informed Care |
| SWK491 | Interprofessional Global Outreach |
| SWK305 | Case Management |
| SWK306 | Death and Dying |
| SWK307 | Issues in Gerontology |
| SWK308 | Addictions, Dynamics and Interventions |
| SWK309 | Dementia |
Social Work Prerequisites
| SOC 100 | Principles of Sociology |
| PSY100 | General Psychology |
| PSY111 | Statistics |
Credit Requirement
A minimum of 120 credits is required for the bachelors in social work (BSW) degree.
这个社会工作项目需要犯罪背景调查，可能需要一定的免疫接种和其他许可才能参加实地经验.
Undergraduate Minors
Increase the value of your degree as a social work major by adding an undergraduate minor that best suits your personal and professional goals.
Here’s a closer look at just a few of the courses you’ll take as a GMercyU Social Work major.
SWK-206 Introduction to Trauma-Informed Care
This course is designed to introduce students to the meaning of trauma, the incidence and prevalence of trauma and the effects of trauma on human development. Students will learn what it means to provide client centered care in a trauma informed manner, and will be provided an introduction to evidence based trauma treatments. 学生在课堂上的积极参与将包括对所提供材料的公开讨论以及课程材料的实际应用. Self-assessment, awareness and growth are central to the student experience in this course
SWK-299 Interprofessional Global Outreach
跨专业教育的目标是为未来的医疗保健提供者和专业人员做好准备，使他们作为一个团队一起工作，以改善患者和人群的医疗保健. This includes engaging in foundational research on interprofessional education/collaborative practice; the use of interprofessional collaborative practice models to provide better care for clients. 服务学习为卫生保健提供者提供了一个机会，可以更多地了解社区面临的卫生脆弱性，并获得与服务不足人群合作的第一手经验. Service learning uses experiential learning, reflection and reciprocal learning to increase student awareness of community health needs. This course includes international service learning in Jamaica over spring break.
SWK-304 Social Work Policy and Administration
This course provides an awareness of societal response to social problems. It will explore how political, economic, and institutional thought contribute to public response by the social welfare system. 学生将通过设计一个机构来满足不同的社会需求，探索微观层面的社会反应, exploring management skills and administration inhuman service agencies. Students will learn about various agencies and their administrative needs including hiring, state and government regulations, and team building. Areas of study will include planning, goal setting, decision-making, leadership, conflict resolution, budgeting and fiscal management.
SWK-435 Social Work Field Placement I
在与实习主任协商后，高级学生将在社会工作机构和项目的选定监督环境中获得直接经验. 实地实习旨在为社区提供服务，并使学生获得技能, experience, and knowledge necessary for the choice of a career.
For all Social Work program course descriptions, please refer to the undergraduate catalog.
Catch up on the latest Social Work Program news below:
Social Work Students Attend 2024 Advocacy Day in Harrisburg
Social Work Program’s Accreditation Re-Affirmed for Eight Years
GMercyU Featured on Social Justice Podcast
Social Work Majors Put New Simulation Technology to Use
Social Work Students Participate in National Association of Social Workers LEAD Day
Social Work, Nursing Students Participate in Poverty Simulations
Social Work Program Hosts Two-Day “Social Work in the Mercy Tradition” Conference
At a time when global social workers are needed more than ever, fewer students share the desire to pursue a career in international social work. In true Mercy fashion, mg摆脱电子游戏官方网站和Mercy高等教育会议合作设计和实施国际社会工作课程, 没有足够的资源和学生入学率来支持社会工作学士学生的全球学习机会的私立机构. The program is funded by the Council on Social Work Education Katherine A. Kendall Institute.
Goals of the Collaborative
- Build a faculty and student global learning community
- Provide opportunities for Social Work student collaboration across Mercy universities
- 促进合乎道德的国际伙伴关系，加强互惠互利的社区服务和全球学习机会, at home and abroad
- Advance human rights through the inclusion of global learning framework in Social Work curriculum
Wade Luquet, PhD
Position: Social Work Program Director, Professor
Did You Know? Dr. Luquet is the founder of GMercyU’s BSW program. In October 2020, he received the prestigious Educator of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania chapter of the NASW.
Read bio
Janice Nuss, DSW, LCSW
Position: Social Work Associate Professor and Director of Field Education
Did You Know? Dr. Nuss has more than 25 years of experience in the fields of behavioral health, trauma-informed care, and developmental disabilities.
Read bio
Kristyn DiDominick, MSW
Position: Social Work Adjunct Professor
Did You Know? DiDominick是Bucks-Mont Collaborative的执行董事，也是NASW PA分会颁发的2022年PA年度社会工作者奖的获得者.
Read bio
Elizabeth Bernabeo, MPH
Position: Social Work Adjunct Professor
Did You Know? In May 2023, Bernabeo received the GMercyU School of Arts and Sciences Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching.
Read bio
Satisfaction comes with knowing your work has meaning in the lives of others, and few professions offer as much meaning as social work.
—Social Work Program Director Wade Luquet, PhD
Real-World Opportunities
Built into the BSW program, 项目的每位大四学生都在助理教授兼实地教育主任Janice Nuss的指导和指导下参加实地体验, DSW, LCSW. You’ll complete 400 hours at an organization that best fits your specific interests and learning goals. Afterward, 你将参加1:1的模拟回到教室测试和加强你的新技能和专业知识.
Our students have gained field experience at these organizations and more:
- Access Services
- BucksMont Collaborative
- Caring Hospice
- Catherine’s Cupboard
- Christ’s Home
- Episcopal Community Services
- Family Promise of Montgomery County
- Indian Creek Foundation
- Lenape Valley Foundation
- Montgomery County Human Services
- Peace Valley Recovery Center
- Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative
- RJ Leonard Foundation
- Variety Club
With solid job growth expected in this field, the demand for social workers may continue to grow due to COVID-19. “The need will continue to be great for social workers in hospitals, assisted-living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and schools. As has been true after other pandemics and economic downturns, professionally trained social workers may be a key to helping people find their way in the new economy,” said BSW Program Director Dr. Luquet. Read more here.
Top Jobs for Social Work Majors
Health Care Social Workers
Description: 这些专业人员通过帮助人们更好地了解他们的诊断以及如何最好地向前迈进，帮助人们从医院过渡到他们的家. They may help patients make lifestyle changes, learn how to manage their illnesses, and/or make necessary accommodations in their homes to help them live independently.
Education Required: A bachelor of social work degree
Salary: The median annual salary for this role in the U.S. in 2022 was $55,350; the highest 10% earned more than $87,300.*
*Source
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
Description: 有执照的临床社会工作者为患病的个人和家庭提供咨询和治疗, substance abuse, or other trauma. They hold the most advanced social work credentials and can clinically evaluate, assess, and diagnose mental illness.
Education Required: A master’s degree of social work and state license
Salary: The median annual salary is $64,264 but depending on where you live, you can earn more than $80,000.*
*Source
Community Social Workers
Description: These professionals identify unmet needs in communities or other large groups of people. They conduct assessments and refer residents to community resources.
Education Required: A bachelor of social work or related degree
Salary: The median annual wages for social and community social workers (or “service managers”) in the U.S. in 2022 was $74,240.*
*Source
More career ideas for social work majors include:
- Adult Day Care Worker
- Alcohol Counselor
- Care Manager
- Client Advocate
- Drug Abuse Counselor
- Case Worker
- Child Abuse Worker
- Child Advocate
- Community Action Worker
- Community Organizer
- Community Outreach Worker
- Crisis Intervention Counselor
- Eligibility Counselor
- Family Support Worker
- Group Home Worker
- Halfway House Counselor
- Intake Interviewer
- Juvenile Court Liaison
- Life Skills Instructor
- Neighborhood Worker
- Parole Officer
- Probation Officer
- Rehabilitation Case Worker
- Residential Counselor
- Residential Manager
- Social Service Aide
- Social Service liaison
- Social Service Tech
- Social Work Assistant
- Youth Worker
*This is just a partial list and not meant to limit you.
The Griffin Edge is comprised of five touchpoints -- Excellence, Engagement, Experience, Empathy, and Encouragement -- that become the cornerstones of your Distinctive Mercy Experience as a full-time undergraduate student.
Griffin Edge包括一个电子作品集，用于记录您在GMercyU的教育和课外经历(无论您的专业如何)。, reflecting on those experiences, and receiving feedback from faculty. 它旨在帮助你掌握自己的教育历程，并为你规划正确的职业道路. It will also help you learn how to talk about your college experiences in meaningful ways — and that can make all the difference in a job interview.
For example, a student might say in a job interview: "I conducted research at the undergraduate level."
格里芬边缘学院的学生可能会说:“与专家教师一起进行研究的机会教会了我在数据收集和分析中保持准确的重要性. I was even able to present my findings at our annual research conference! I know this is the career for me."
Learn more about the Griffin Edge here.
GMercyU’s BSW program prepares our students for careers and lives filled with meaning and purpose. Meet recent graduates below.
Delaney Mitchell '24
At GMercyU, Delaney serves as the Media Manager for the Social Work and Psychology (SWAP) Club, works as a Peer Mentor within the Integrated Studies program, and will be a Residence Assistant (RA) in fall 2023. In spring 2023, she traveled to Jamaica with her Global Outreach class, where she worked with people with intellectual and physical disabilities. “It was a real partnership and I learned so much from each and every person we met. It was an incredible experience and I’m hoping to go back next year,” she said. Learn more about Delaney's GMercyU experience.
Zoey Bethel '22, MSW
Current Position: Assistant Director of Social Services, Markley Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center
At GMercyU, Zoey served as Vice President of the Social Work and Psychology Club (SWAP), was a member of the Black Student Union, and interned for the Garden Springs Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. After graduating GMercyU, Zoey用了一年而不是两年的时间获得了GMercyU的社会工作硕士学位. Learn more about Zoey's experience.
Meghan Chasar '22, MSW
Current Position: Equal Opportunity Investigator, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
As a Social Work major, Meghan completed two research projects on trauma-informed care; she presented both at conferences. She also interned at the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. “在那里，我最喜欢的项目是参加危机干预专家(CIS)项目，与执法人员一起接受培训," Meghan said. Learn more about Meghan's experience.
Brianna McDonald '22
Current Position: Member Services Manager, Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative, and GMercyU's Women's Soccer Assistant Coach
While at GMercyU, Brianna completed various research projects, grants, and proposals, and traveled to Jamaica for a service trip. She also interned with the Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative, providing middle school students with after-school programs and activities in a safe environment. After graduation, Brianna decided to take a year off to work, accepting a job with PYSC, before going to graduate school. Learn more about Brianna's experience. 
Brian Irwin '20, MSW
Current Position: Social Worker at Buckingham Valley Nursing and Rehab
Brian earned his Master of Social Work degree in just one year instead two, thanks to GMercyU's advanced standing. "GMercyU’s BSW program prepared me so much for my master’s degree schooling, especially my Human Behavior & Social Environment course — it informed me on people’s behaviors in specific environments, which is very important in this field.” Read more about Brian's experience to learn how his GMercyU field placement inspired him to earn his master's.
Meet more Social Work students and alumni.
社会工作项目教会了我更多摆脱电子游戏mg官方网站我想要走的职业道路的知识，也教会了我更多摆脱电子游戏mg官方网站我自己的知识, the people around me, and the environment. I have had such a great experience at GMercyU with my professors, making some great friends, and having great experiences.
—Kelsey Breisch '23
With GMercyU's new Counseling and Interpersonal Relations minor, 你将获得宝贵的专业知识，为你进入研究生院或该领域的入门级职位做好准备. Learn more on our undergraduate minors page.
Next Steps
GMercyU's renewable transfer scholarships and grants range from $10,000 to $17,000 a year, and our agreements with area schools make transferring easy, including our program-to-program agreements for our Social Work program.
Ready to transfer? Our admissions counselors are ready to help you, every step of the way!
At GMercyU, we strive to make a quality education accessible to all through financial aid, scholarships, and grants. As a military-friendly university, we welcome service members and participate in all VA educational benefits programs.
Mercy is our middle name, and addressing the needs of others is what we do. Begin your journey to earning your Bachelor of Social Work degree at Gwynedd Mercy University.
*mg摆脱电子游戏官方网站的社会工作学士(BSW)课程获得了社会工作教育委员会(CSWE)认证委员会的认证.
社会工作教育委员会(CSWE)认证委员会对学士学位或硕士学位社会工作课程的认证表明，该课程符合或超过了通过同行评审过程评估的课程质量评估标准. 一个被认可的项目有足够的资源来满足其使命和目标，认证委员会已经核实它符合教育政策和认证标准的所有部分.
Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. 认证为课程的质量和毕业学生的能力提供了合理的保证.
For more information about social work accreditation, you may contact Accreditation.
Find information on Gwynedd Mercy University's Bachelor of Social Work Program 2023 Assessment Outcomes here. You can also view:
*Licensure: This program was designed to meet the licensure requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If you reside in a different state, you should carefully review your home state’s licensure requirements prior to enrolling in this program. For more information, please visit our Program Licensure Requirement page.
