Social Work

The Social Worker: Dedicated to Service

A time-honored profession that is vital to enhancing human well-being, social workers improve societal conditions by promoting social justice and addressing the needs of those who are vulnerable and affected by poverty. Social workers primarily assist families, disadvantaged children or elderly citizens who are in transition. Alvernia's Bachelor of Social Work program offers a rigorous, caring and inclusive learning community, preparing you for employment or for graduate studies.

Learn more about Alvernia's undergraduate Bachelor of Social Work program, its Adult Education Bachelor of Social Work program, and its Master of Social Work graduate program.

Getting Started

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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.

Program Overview

Curriculum: Bachelor of Social Work

Social Work Major Requirements (43 Credits):

• SW 201 Introduction to Social Work
• SW 301 Social Welfare
• SW 302 Social Policy
• SW 303 Human Behavior/Social Environment I
• SW 304 Human Behavior/Social Environment II
• SW 305 Social Work Practice I
• SW 306 Social Work Practice II
• SW 316 Introduction to Field Education
• SW 401 Social Work Practice III
• SW 402 Social Work Practice IV - Capstone
• SW 403 Senior Field Education I
• SW 404 Senior Field Education II
• SW 405 Methods of Social Research
• SW 407 Senior Field Education I Seminar
• SW 408 Senior Field Education II Seminar

 

*All Alvernia University students are required to complete between 31-55 credits toward the Liberal Arts Core. Transfer work may be applicable for this area. As part of the application process, students receive specific information regarding remaining credits.

**A total of 123 credits including 3 credits in a human diversity course are required to complete a bachelor’s degree. To adhere to Franciscan Values, community service hours are also required. In addition, at least 30 credits at the 300/400 level must be taken at Alvernia University.

Required Social Work Electives (9 elective credits):

• SW 202: Social Services to Children
• SW 203: The Process of Aging
• SW 209: Death, Dying and Bereavement
• SW 211: Intervention Strategies for Families
• SW 220: Mental Health Across the Lifespan
• SW 231: Culturally Sensitive Human Practice
• SW 322: Healthcare, Chronic Illness, and the Social Work Profession 

Related Requirement (12 credits):

• Sociology course
• BIO 109 Human Biology
• MAT 208 Introductory Statistics
• PSY 101: Introductory Psychology

Curriculum: Bachelor of Social Work (Adult Education)

Social Work Major Requirements (43 Credits):

• SW 201 Introduction to Social Work
• SW 301 Social Welfare
• SW 302 Social Policy
• SW 303 Human Behavior/Social Environment I
• SW 304 Human Behavior/Social Environment II
• SW 305 Social Work Practice I
• SW 306 Social Work Practice II
• SW 316 Introduction to Field Education
• SW 401 Social Work Practice III
• SW 402 Social Work Practice IV - Capstone
• SW 403 Senior Field Education I
• SW 404 Senior Field Education II
• SW 405 Methods of Social Research
• SW 407 Senior Field Education I Seminar
• SW 408 Senior Field Education II Seminar

 

*All Alvernia University students are required to complete between 31-55 credits toward the Liberal Arts Core. Transfer work may be applicable for this area. As part of the application process, students receive specific information regarding remaining credits.

**A total of 123 credits including 3 credits in a human diversity course are required to complete a bachelor’s degree. To adhere to Franciscan Values, community service hours are also required. In addition, at least 30 credits at the 300/400 level must be taken at Alvernia University.

Child Welfare Concentration:

• SW 201 Introduction to Social Work
• SW 202 Social Services to Children
• SW 301 Social Welfare
• CJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
• CJ 175 Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation
• CJ 272 Probation and Parole  -OR- CJ 274 Corrections and Rehabilitation
• BH 300 Case Management
• BH 411 Counseling Special Populations -OR- BH 413 Special Issues Seminar

Required Courses in Related Areas:

• BIO 109 Human Biology
• MAT 208 Introductory Statistics or MAT 209 Probability and Statistics Psychology course (3 credits)
• Sociology course (3 credits)

Choose Three Courses (9 elective credits):

• SW 202 Social Services to Children
• SW 203 The Process of Aging
• SW 207 Intervention Strategies for Families
• SW 209 Death, Dying and Bereavement
• SW 231 Culturally Sensitive Human Service Practice

Curriculum: Master of Social Work

Required Interdisciplinary Course (3 credits)

• COR 520          Ethics and Moral Leadership

 

Required Social Work Courses (30 credits)

• SW 510            Foundations of Generalist Practice and Perspectives on Behavioral Health
• SW 610            Advance SW Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups
• SW 615            Advance Research Methods Program Administration and Evaluation
• SW 620            Advance Theories of Social Work and Addiction Practices
• SW 625            Advance Social Work Practice Seminar I
• SW 630            Advance Field Practicum I
• SW 635            Advance Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities
• SW 640            Advance Policy and Community Practice
• SW 645            Advance SW Practice Seminar II
• SW 650            Advance Field Practicum II

Experiential Learning Opportunities

• Students participate in internships, interprofessional learning opportunities, community service and engagement activities.
• Phi Alpha Honor Society provides leadership opportunities and service initiatives for the community.
• Social Work Clubs in Reading and Philadelphia hold annual initiatives to meet the needs of the underserved.

Program Accreditation

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). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of social workers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than average for all occupations. The median annual wage in 2021 was $50,390.

• Addiction counselor
• Agency director
• Caseworker
• Child or family counselor
• Child welfare worker
• Crisis intervention worker
• Foster care and adoption specialist
• Criminal justice prevention and rehabilitation
• Foster care and adoption
• Department of Public Welfare employee
• Hospice worker
• Mental health rehabilitation specialist
• Nursing home social worker
• Religious social worker
• Therapeutic support staff

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