Undergraduate Major
Bachelor of Social Work
Alvernia's Bachelor of Social Work program offers a rigorous, caring and inclusive learning community, preparing you for employment or for graduate studies. BSW graduates who meet the criteria are eligible for Advanced Standing, meaning they can complete an accelerated curriculum to earn a master’s degree in social work from CSWE-accredited MSW programs.
Class Delivery Note: All BSW classes are fully online. Undergraduate residential students in the BSW Program take their general education courses in person. Commuter students should talk to their admissions counselor to identify the best delivery options for their circumstances.
Career Outlook
Fast-Growing Profession
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of social workers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. About 74,000 openings for social workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Job Options
- Addiction counselor
- Agency director
- Caseworker
- Child or family counselor
- Child welfare worker
- Crisis intervention worker
- Foster care and adoption specialist
- Foster care and adoption
- Department of Public Welfare employee
- Hospice worker
- Therapeutic support staff
2024 Median Pay
The median annual wage for social workers in 2024 was $61,330, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Career Support at Alvernia
Alvernia's Office of Career Development supports students and alumni in job searches and career planning. Its services include individual career advising; résumé, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile reviews; interview preparation and practice; access to career information as well as internship and job opportunities; career fairs and networking connections; and graduate school application support.
Program Overview
- Application Instructions
Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.
- Financing Your Education
There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.
- Note on Licensure – Social Work Programs
Alvernia University’s social work programs (BSW and MSW) are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the recognized accrediting body for the social work profession. Our programs are designed to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to qualify for licensing exams and meet the academic requirements for licensure. While no graduate program can guarantee licensure upon completion, we strongly encourage students to reach out to the licensing agency in their state of residence to confirm specific licensure requirements. For detailed information on licensure, students should visit the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) at www.socialworkers.org or the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) at aswb.org. International students are also advised to contact the relevant licensing boards in their home countries.
- Major Notes
- A student must complete 45 credits before making formal application to the program. See the departmental Student Handbook for additional information.
- Social Work applicants must complete an application for entrance into the department, plus have an interview with a departmental faculty before being informed of acceptance.
- Students who achieve junior status must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 to remain in good academic standing within the Social Work Department.
- Students may repeat/delete one Social Work course throughout the Social Work program.
- Accreditation Statement
- Alvernia University’s social work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
- Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
- Bachelor of Social Work Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
The assessment of student learning outcomes can be found on this page.
Get to Know Your Faculty
For more information about Alvernia’s Bachelor of Social Work program contact the Admissions Office at 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to Program Director Michael Hassler, Ph.D., at 610-568-1490 or michael.hassler@alvernia.edu.
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