Social Work, B.S.
Saint Louis University’s CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Science in Social Work prepares students to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities. The program is designed for students who want to address real-world challenges such as poverty, health disparities, disability, trauma and injustice.
SLU’s B.S.S.W. prepares students for generalist social work practice by integrating classroom learning with hands-on field experience. Students develop foundational skills in assessment, communication, advocacy, and ethical practice—building a strong base for entry-level social work positions or for advanced study in graduate social work programs.
Being in the SLU social work program has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The interaction with the faculty from the professors to the janitorial staff are welcoming and engaging always brightens up my day. The social work program offers so many opportunities to help students achieve their goals and preparing us for impactful work in the field. The B.S.S.W. has had a profoundly positive impact on me academically, personally and socially." - Lancelot Williams, Class of 2026
Additional degree options include:
- Accelerated program. High-achieving students may be eligible for the accelerated B.S.S.W. to M.S.W. pathway during the junior year. This option allows students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Social Work in four years and complete a Master of Social Work with as little as one additional year of study.
- Honors courses. Students in the University Honors Program can take social work courses for honors credit, allowing them to engage more deeply with coursework while also fulfilling core and major requirements.
- Minor in social work. The social work minor introduces students from other majors to the profession and its core values, providing a strong foundation for careers or graduate study in helping professions.
Curriculum Overview
The social work major includes 42 credits of social work courses covering topics such as human behavior in the social environment and social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. These courses provide the foundation for generalist social work practice.
During the senior year, students spend two semesters gaining real-world experience in a social service agency, supervised by an experienced social worker. This field experience allows students to apply classroom learning in professional settings and build practical skills.
Students graduate prepared for entry-level social work positions or for advanced study in graduate and professional programs. Students graduate with strong professional skills, meaningful field experience and a clear sense of purpose — ready to begin careers that make a difference.
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
For students interested in a global education, SLU offers a wide variety of study abroad programs, including the option to attend Saint Louis University-Madrid. For students majoring in social work who are interested in pursuing the accelerated program and would like to study abroad, we highly recommend doing so prior to the spring semester of the junior year, as this is when planning for the accelerated program begins
Fieldwork
Students don’t just learn social work — they do social work. During their senior year, students complete two semesters of fieldwork in a social service agency, supervised by a B.S.S.W. field instructor. These placements give students real-world experience and help them build professional skills before graduation.
Students can choose from a wide range of practicum experiences that align with their interests and career goals, including:
-
Community mental health
-
Criminal justice
-
Gerontology
-
Global social work
-
Health and medical social work
-
Nonprofit and community organizations
-
Children and youth services
-
School social work
-
Substance use
-
Veteran services
Through service-learning and field placements, students live SLU’s Jesuit mission by putting their education into action. With partnerships across more than 250 social service agencies in the St. Louis region, students explore different career paths and learn alongside experienced professionals before they graduate.
Research
Students interested in research can learn from and work alongside faculty who are world-renowned scholars studying issues that affect vulnerable communities locally, nationally and globally. The School of Social Work is home to researchers whose work shapes policy, practice and scholarship.
Undergraduate students have opportunities to partner with faculty on activities such as data collection and analysis, participant observation, literature reviews, and contributing to conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications. These experiences help students build strong research skills, explore graduate study, and stand out for jobs, fellowships and advanced programs.
Careers
A career in social work is about purpose, impact and connection. Social workers choose this field because they want to help people, strengthen communities and make a difference in the world — and they build careers that are meaningful as well as in demand.
Graduates of Saint Louis University’s social work programs go on to work in many settings where people need support, advocacy, and care. National workforce projections show continued demand for social workers, especially in health, mental health, schools and community services.
Social work is a highly versatile profession, with opportunities to work across many settings and roles, including:
-
Clinical and community practice
-
Child welfare and family services
-
Mental and behavioral health
-
Schools and youth services
-
Policy, advocacy and community change
Social work offers more than a job — it gives you a chance to build a career where what you do every day makes a real difference.
Tuition
| Tuition/Fee | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition | $58,960 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Accreditation
The social work bachelor's and master's programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
1701 Duke Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314-3457
Phone: 703-683-8080
Saint Louis University offers behavior-analytic coursework that is designed to meet the Pathway 2 behavior-analytic coursework eligibility requirements for BCBA® certification.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- Graduates will be able to advance human rights and social, racial, economic and environmental justice.
- Graduates will be able to engage anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion (ADEI) in practice.
- Graduates will be able to engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Graduates will be able to engage in policy practice.
- Graduates will be able to engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Graduates will be able to assess individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Graduates will be able to intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Graduates will be able to evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
*Learning outcomes from EPAS 2022
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Undergraduate Core | 32-35 | |
| Required Social Work Courses | ||
| SWRK 1000 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| SWRK 2300 | Human Behavior Social Environment | 3 |
| SWRK 3100 | Social Policy for Social Justice | 3 |
| SWRK 3200 | Dismantling Oppression: Exploring Equity & Inclusion | 3 |
| SWRK 3300 | Social Work Practice with Individuals | 3 |
| SWRK 3350 | Social Work Practice with Groups | 3 |
| SWRK 3440 | Social Work Practice with Families | 3 |
| SWRK 3500 | Social Work Practice with Organizations & Communities | 3 |
| SWRK 3600 | Financial Capability and Asset Building Practice | 3 |
| or ECON 1900 | Principles of Economics | |
| SWRK 3700 | Research Methods for a Diverse Society | 3 |
| SWRK 4100 | Social Work Practicum I | 5 |
| SWRK 4150 | Integrative Practice Seminar I | 1 |
| SWRK 4200 | Social Work Practicum II | 5 |
| SWRK 4250 | Integrative Practice Seminar II | 1 |
| General Electives | 43-46 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Continuation Standards
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00
This roadmap is just one example of a semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. There are other plans students can and do take. The plan of study for each particular student is established in consultation with each student’s academic advisor; this roadmap does not replace academic advising appointments.
Roadmap notes:
- This Roadmap assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
- Courses/Milestones marked with an “!” are critical and must be completed in the semester listed in the Roadmap to ensure a timely graduation.
- Course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CORE 1000 | Ignite First Year Seminar (Must be taken in first 36 hours at SLU/ Cannot carry attributes) | 2 |
| CORE 1500 | Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community (Must be taken in first 36 hours at SLU/ Cannot carry attributes) | 1 |
| CORE 1900 | Eloquentia Perfecta 1: Written and Visual Communication (Should be taken in first 36 credit hours at SLU/Cannot carry attributes. Or semester two.) | 3 |
| SWRK 1000 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 1600 | Ultimate Questions: Theology | 3 |
| CORE 3200 | Ways of Thinking: Quantitative Reasoning (Should be taken in first 45 credit hours at SLU) | 3 |
| Required Program Courses or General Electives | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 1200 | Eloquentia Perfecta 2: Oral and Visual Communication (Should be taken in first 60 credit hours at SLU) | 3 |
| CORE 1700 | Ultimate Questions: Philosophy | 3 |
| SWRK 2300 | Human Behavior Social Environment | 3 |
| Required Program Courses or General Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 3800 | Ways of Thinking: Natural and Applied Sciences | 3 |
| CORE 2500 | Cura Personalis 2: Self in Contemplation | 0 |
| Required Program Courses or General Electives | 12 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 2800 | Eloquentia Perfecta 3: Creative Expression | 2 |
| CORE 3400 | Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture | 3 |
| SWRK 3200 | Dismantling Oppression: Exploring Equity & Inclusion | 3 |
| SWRK 3300 | Social Work Practice with Individuals | 3 |
| SWRK 3600 | Financial Capability and Asset Building Practice | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| CORE 3600 | Ways of Thinking: Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| CORE 4000 | Collaborative Inquiry | 3 |
| SWRK 3100 | Social Policy for Social Justice | 3 |
| SWRK 3350 | Social Work Practice with Groups | 3 |
| SWRK 3700 | Research Methods for a Diverse Society | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| CORE 3500 | Cura Personalis 3: Self in the World | 1 |
| SWRK 3440 | Social Work Practice with Families | 3 |
| SWRK 4100 | Social Work Practicum I | 5 |
| SWRK 4150 | Integrative Practice Seminar I | 1 |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWRK 3500 | Social Work Practice with Organizations & Communities | 3 |
| SWRK 4200 | Social Work Practicum II | 5 |
| SWRK 4250 | Integrative Practice Seminar II | 1 |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
2+SLU programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution.
For admission questions, contact:
Social Work School Graduate Admissions Office
sswadmissions@slu.edu
314-977-2752
For program questions, contact:
Rachel Crowe
BSSW program director Assistant clinical professor of social work; Faculty field liaison
rachel.crowe@slu.edu
314-977-3359