School of Social Work

Laura Curran, Dean, Ph.D., M.S.W.
Paula Nieman, B.S.W. Program Director, Ph.D., MSSW, LCSW

The Social Work major is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to engage in generalist social work practice. The bachelor’s degree in social work (B.S.W.) is a practice based professional degree that prepares students for both entry-level practice and admission to a graduate master of social work (M.S.W.) degree program. In addition to classroom courses, the major requires 406 hours of supervised practicum internship experiences which provide valuable professional preparation for work with individuals, groups, families, organizations and communities. Graduates will be prepared for work in settings such as schools, healthcare, community organizations, engaging in advocacy and activism, addressing issues such as poverty, homelessness, human rights and social justice.

This major can only be completed on the Hartford Campus.

Transportation

Students must furnish their own transportation and cover cost of travel and parking to the field agencies.

Advisement Information

Because the major in social work takes place at the School of Social Work in the junior and senior years, prospective applicants complete two or more years of study in a school or college other than the School of Social Work. Most students participate in the services offered by the Academic Center for Exploratory Students (ACES) during their first and sophomore years declaring a pre-social work major. Pre-social work students should seek the most recent information at the earliest opportunity. Non pre-social work students are eligible to apply for the BSW program. Admission information, program guidelines and program plans are available on the School of Social Work’s website at https://socialwork.uconn.edu/bachelors-social-work/. Academic support is available at the following locations: The Academic Center for Exploratory Students (ACES) located in the Rowe Center on the Storrs campus, as well as the Office of Student Services in the Hartford Times Building (advising.hartford.uconn.edu) or the School of Social Work (https://socialwork.uconn.edu/current-students/), both located on the Hartford campus. Students are invited to information sessions each semester to discuss School of Social Work programs. Students who declare themselves as pre-social work majors should register through the Academic Center for Exploratory Students (ACES).