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. All programs now offered fully online.

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Getting Started

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, and visit our FAFSA page to stay up to date on the latest from federal student aid. 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.

Career Outlook

After earning your degree in social work, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:

   • 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

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of social workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than average for all occupations. The median annual wage in 2023 was $58,380.

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.