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Social Work

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College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Be the Change

Bachelor of Social Work
In-Class

As a social worker, there are many ways you could care for the wellbeing of others. The National Association of Social Workers defines social work as “the professional activity of helping individuals, families, groups or communities enhance or restore their capacity for social functioning or creating societal conditions favorable to that goal.”

With a national job growth projection of 12% over the next decade, social workers can choose to work in settings such as schools, mental health clinics, child welfare and human service agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, substance abuse centers and others. The state of Alabama has identified social work as an area of critical need.

To get the educational foundation you need for this profession, AUM provides a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program as the concluding phase of a two-phase curriculum. In the first phase, you’ll be enrolled in the Pre-Social Work concentration of the Sociology bachelor’s degree program. Upon completion, you’ll be able to apply for admission into the BSW program, which is designed to take another two years to complete, depending on class loads and other factors.

In the first phase, you’ll be enrolled in the Pre-Social Work concentration of the Sociology bachelor’s degree program. Upon completion, you’ll be able to apply for admission into the BSW program, which is designed to take another two years to complete, depending on class loads and other factors.As a whole, the Social Work program at AUM educates social workers to be ethical and competent practitioners who intervene and advocate for social, economic and environmental justice across all system levels—individuals, families, groups, community, and society—while utilizing a generalist perspective.

AUM’s BSW program, grounded in a liberal arts perspective, educates social workers to be ethical and competent practitioners who intervene and advocate for social, environmental and economic justice across all system levels (individuals, families, groups, community, and society) while utilizing a generalist perspective within a person-in-environment context.  The program promotes a commitment to professional ethics and values, critical thinking, professionalism, lifelong learning, evidence-based practice, strengths-based perspective, justice, and service. The program is committed to culturally responsive practice, social change, and the betterment of individuals, families, groups, community, and society in order to create a more equitable society locally, nationally, and globally.

The program prepares students to be: 

  • Ethical and culturally responsive generalist-level social workers who work with vulnerable and diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  • Advocates for social environmental, and economic justice to advance well-being in an ever-evolving global and technological environment.
  • Lifelong learners who utilize critical thinking, theoretical and conceptual frameworks, and research to inform practice and policy.
  • Social workers who support the mission and purpose of social work. ​

AUM’s BSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation. Accreditation was effective 2021.

If you seek admission to the program beginning in the Fall semester, apply between February 14-28. For the Spring semester, apply between September 15-30. For More information contact.

Requirements for Admissions Consideration

Complete following courses with a C or higher:

  • SOWK 1000 – Introduction to Social Work
  • SOCI 2000 – Introduction to Sociology
  • PSYC 1000 or 2110 – General Introductory Psychology
  • ANTH 2110 – Cultural Anthropology
  • BIOL 1000 – Introduction to Biology or BIOL 1010 – Cellular and Molecular Basis for Life

Complete following courses with a C+ or higher:

  • SOWK 2000 – Professional Development for Social Workers
  • SOWK 2220 – Social Welfare History

Complete Minimum of 45 Credit Hours with a Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.25

Application Process

Complete the application packet by:

  • AUM’s BSW program does not grant course credit for life experience or previous work experience.
  • Submitting the following to the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, Auburn University at Montgomery, Liberal Arts Room 331, Montgomery, AL 36124:
    1. At least one letter of recommendation from someone you believe knows you well. This may include professors, social workers, work supervisors, or social service agency personnel. Note: AUM social work faculty (full-time or adjunct) cannot write your recommendation letter for admission into the program.
    2. Current transcript (unofficial)
    3. Resume
    4. Written professional essay (see directions below)
    5. Social Work Standards Form

Essay Instructions

Write an original 3 to 4-page typed essay in which you:

  • Discuss the reasons you believe Social Work is an appropriate career choice for you given your personal values, life experiences, and ability to contribute to the profession.
  • Discuss your history of helping others, or personal events which have contributed to your growth in awareness, sensitivity and understanding of diversity with regard to race, age, gender, lifestyle, class, culture, political ideology, immigration status, sexual orientation and gender identity, spirituality, or physical or intellectual ability.
  • Discuss your personal values as they relate to the profession of social work values. Please review NASW Code of Ethics thoroughly.  If there is a conflict with the profession’s values, how will you resolve those conflicts
  • Discuss your strengths and areas of growth as it relates to becoming a social work professional.

This essay should not be a paper from a previous class. 

Get Your Degree

The Know How

What you will know with a Social Work degree from AUM

We Encourage You To Think

The courses in this program help you become a critical thinker, with skills such as collecting and assessing information, drawing conclusions and evaluating those conclusions.

We Prepare You To Be Well-Rounded

Surveys with employers tell us that writing, researching, presenting, and critical reading are important career skills for serious job candidates. You’ll start developing those and other skills as you launch a lifetime of learning.

We Give You A Positive Framework For Advancement

This program will help you prepare for graduate studies—should you choose to pursue them—to advance in your career and have the best shot at advancement or leadership roles.

We Prepare You For The Job Market

Through case studies using real world examples, hands-on assignments, internship opportunities, and professional networking opportunities, you’ll be ready to jump into the job market.

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Game Plan for Success

Your GPS is an academic tracker that provides a step-by-step guide to graduating on time.

Points of Pride

  • Classes are small, so faculty will know you well and work closely with you.
  • Our department’s students regularly participate in annual meetings of the Alabama-Mississippi Social Work Conference, Alabama Conference of Social Work, and other conferences of regional professional organizations.
  • Students in this program have the opportunity to perform research and present it to professional organizations.
  • The department’s professors regularly publish highly regarded research reflecting the expertise in their fields, including environmental justice, reproductive rights, intimate partner violence, rural mobility, foster parents, and obesity perceptions.

Soaring Warhawks

  • For more information about the Marriage and Family concentration, please contact the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work at (334) 244-3378 or [email protected].

Customize Your Concentration

  • Looking to expand your learning for a robust and flexible career? Minor in Creative Writing or Philosophy.
  • Apply to the University Honors Program, a diverse community of students who take classes together, work on community service projects, and travel the U.S. and abroad.
Clubs & Societies

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AUM Clubs and Organizations

Check out all the clubs and organizations AUM offers,whether professional, Greek, religious, or just for fun.

Video Testimonials

Introducing the SocialWork Bachelor’s Degree

We Have the Answers

Rewarding Occupations and Job Growth

People who want to serve people will be attracted to this program, the completion of which is the gateway to a bachelor’s degree in social work.

  • Help clients adjust to changes and challenges in their lives, such as illness, divorce, or unemployment
  • Research, refer, and advocate for community resources, such as food stamps, childcare, and healthcare to assist and improve a client’s well-being
  • Respond to crisis situations such as child abuse, domestic violence, and mental health emergencies
  • Follow up with clients to ensure that their situations have improved
  • Maintain case files and records
  • Develop and evaluate programs and services to ensure that basic client needs are met
  • Provide psychotherapy services
  • Advocate for policy change
  • Grant writing
  • Administrator of social service agencies
  • Governmental agencies such as child welfare services, economic benefits agencies
  • Hospitals
  • Justice system (such as probation officer and victim advocates)
  • Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
  • Non-profit social service agencies
  • Mental health facilities
  • Substance use facilities
  • Home health care (including hospice)
  • Community services agencies
  • School systems
  • Family preservation agencies
  • Adoption agencies
  • Military
  • Domestic violence shelters

With a sociology degree with a concentration in Social Work, you will be ready to undertake a variety of career choices. AUM’s Career Development Center helps you jumpstart your job search and use your network to expand your career options.

  • Submitting the following to the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, Auburn University at Montgomery, Liberal Arts Room 331, Montgomery, AL 36124:
    1. At least one letter of recommendation from someone you believe knows you well. This may include professors, social workers, work supervisors, or social service agency personnel. Note: AUM social work faculty (full-time or adjunct) cannot write your recommendation letter for admission into the program.
    2. Current transcript (unofficial)
    3. Resume
    4. Written professional essay (see directions below)
    5. Social Work Standards Form

Write an original 3 to 4-page typed essay in which you:
This essay should not be a paper from a previous class.

  • Discuss the reasons you believe Social Work is an appropriate career choice for you given your personal values, life experiences, and ability to contribute to the profession.
  • Discuss your history of helping others, or personal events which have contributed to your growth in awareness, sensitivity and understanding of diversity with regard to race, age, gender, lifestyle, class, culture, political ideology, immigration status, sexual orientation and gender identity, spirituality, or physical or intellectual ability.
  • Discuss your personal values as they relate to the profession of social work values. Please review NASW Code of Ethics thoroughly.  If there is a conflict with the profession’s values, how will you resolve those conflicts
  • Discuss your strengths and areas of growth as it relates to becoming a social work professional.

Social Work program admission applications are accepted twice per year.

  • Fall Semester | Applications are accepted February 14 – 28.
  • Spring Semester | Applications are accepted September 15 – 30.
Degree Options

Bachelor of Social Work

With this bachelor’s degree as your educational foundation, you have many career possibilities.

Career/Job TitleEntry-level EducationJob Growth 2020-2030Annual Median Salary
Social and Community Service ManagerBachelor’s degree15% (Faster than average)$74,000
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, Mental Health CounselorBachelor’s degree23% (Much faster than average)$47,660
Social WorkerBachelor’s degree (master’s degree for clinical social worker)12% (Faster than average)$50,390

Note: Salaries vary depending on several factors including your level of experience, education, training, demographics, and industry. Here is a sampling of the future job growth and salaries according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Learn More

Quick Facts

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

At AUM’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, you will have powerful learning experiences, working side by side with professors who have real-world experience.

Our academic departments include Communication and Theatre, Criminal Justice, Economics, English and Philosophy, Fine ArtsHistory and World Cultures, Political Science and Public Administration, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work, and Army ROTC. To help you pay for college, you might qualify for one of our scholarships.

Official Name of the Social Work Degree

Bachelor of Social Work

Barbara Walters posing for the camera

Susan Cashwell

Associate Professor; Social Work Program Director

Modality

This degree requires students to meet on campus. Students in these courses enroll in a program to connect in a campus setting and to collaborate using a variety of technological and educational tools. Professors play an inspirational role in building relationships among teams and individuals in this setting. The criteria for many programs can only be met with In-Class coursework. Be sure to check with your advisor to understand the best route to take.

In-Class
Social Work

Courses Include

To complete this degree concentration, you will need to complete courses in the university core, fine arts, and electives. Contact us for a current listing of courses required to complete this program. 

The course listings below are only a few of the classes this concentration offers. For a full review of this program in detail, please see our official online catalog AND consult with an academic advisor.

Course #Course NameCourse Description
SOWK 1000Introduction to Social WorkExamine the community social service agencies and programs offered including career opportunities in numerous fields of social work.
SOWK 2000Professional Development for Social WorkersLearn professional behavior, self-care, basic knowledge and skills relevant to professional social work practice. Course examines personal values, as well as societal values, and analyzes their interaction and interrelationship with the social work professional values.
SOWK 2220History of Social WelfareUnderstand the philosophical and historical perspectives of social welfare services and social work practices.
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