Earn your Bachelor’s in Social Work and Learn to Help Others

For some people, social justice, inclusion, and compassion are more than just words — they are a call to action in a world that urgently needs our help. UNE’s Bachelor of Social Work program educates the next generation of social workers who will answer that summons. Our relationship-based learning philosophy transforms values into action. We’ll give you the experience and the knowledge you need to have a tangible, positive effect on the world you live in. You’ll embark on your career with the tools to empower and support others; find solutions to systemic problems; and build strong, caring communities. How do you plan to do good?

A social work student sits with a client as they paint
A social work student sits with an older woman at a C E A H event

Why UNE for Your Social Work Bachelor’s

You will be immersed within an innovative web of interdisciplinary University partnerships as part of your learning. Situated in a uniquely interprofessional educational environment, our program enables you to learn with and from students from a multitude of majors in the health professions and in the liberal arts.  

  • Simulation practice experiences with students in other health professions and disciplines
  • Meaningful community-based service learning
  • Exciting internship opportunities
  • Undergraduate research opportunities
  • Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician Certification
  • 4+1 option to pursue a UNE Master of Social Work degree
sydney wolf

Sydney Wolf ’22

Social Work

Why UNE

Going to UNE, where I am part of a community where I can stand up for what I believe in, is incredible. People here are supportive and accepting of students wanting to make positive change like I am doing with our chapter of Active Minds — a national organization that exists to encourage students to change the conversation about mental health. I was basically going around UNE saying, “I want to do this thing,” and professional staff, faculty, and students all responded in agreement and support. They were like, “That sounds like a fantastic idea. What can we do to help you?”

To be part of a campus that is creating a culture of community around mental health and impacting change is so powerful. It makes my heart happy. I know that I am making a difference. I’m only 19, and I can already add all of this great stuff to my resume before I’m even in my career. I’m not doing it alone, either, and that feels awesome. Sometimes I have tough, long days, but at the end of each one, I know that I am making a positive impact, and that feels good.

Everyone at UNE is welcoming of new ideas and trying to make this University a better place. I am excited to be part of a University that is so innovative and continue to work to innovate what mental health looks like every day.

Welcoming Community

My favorite thing about UNE is the community. Everyone is so welcoming and kind. I feel like you don’t get that at other universities. It’s a small, tight-knit community. Chances are high that your psychology professor knows your anatomy professor and that they’re even friends who go out for lunch together on the weekends. It’s a cool experience.

We have a small campus, and we are a high-touch university. For me, that has been fantastic. I feel close to the faculty and professional staff because they are so present and welcoming. Everyone is very encouraging and will go out of their way to talk to you and support you here. The academics are really challenging, but there is strong support in place too.

Going to UNE, where I am part of a community where I can stand up for what I believe in, is incredible. People here are supportive and accepting of students wanting to make positive change.

Social Work

What Will You study? Bachelor of Social Work Curriculum Overview

Our Social Work degree is part of UNE’s Department of Health Promotion Studies. The following are some examples of the rewarding courses that you may take:

  • Human Behavior and Social Work Theory
  • Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy
  • Trauma and Resiliency
  • Substance Use Disorder
  • Social Work with Groups and Communities

In addition to the B.S.W., we also offer a minor in Social Work and a 4+1 B.S.W./M.S.W. program.

Per CSWE the B.S.W. Program does not give credit for past work/life experiences.

Curriculum

WCHP Common CurriculumCredits
BIO 104/104L – General Biology w/Lab4
BUEC 203 – Macroeconomics3
ENG 110 – English Composition4
EXS 120 – Personal Health & Wellness3
IHS 130 – Interprofessional Health Care First Year Experience3
IHS 310 – Ethics for Interprofessional Practice3
MAT 120 – Statistics or MAT150 – Statistics for Life Sciences3
PSY 105 – Introduction to Psychology3
PSY 205 – Abnormal Psychology3
PSY 250 – Lifespan Development3
PUB 300 – Global Health3
SOC 150 – Introduction to Sociology3
SPC 100 – Introduction to Speech3
One (1) Advanced Studies course3
One (1) Creative Arts course (with ARH/ART/MUS prefix)3
One (1) Explorations course3
One (1) Human Behavior course (with PSY, SOC, ANT, WGST prefix)3
One (1) Political Science course (with PSC prefix)3
One (1) Social Global Awareness course3
Total Credits59
Program Required CoursesCredits
OS 341 – Health and Wellness in an Aging Society (formerly HWOS 341)3
OS 434 – Substance Use and Misuse (formerly HWOS 434)3
PUB 305 – Research Methods in Public Health3
SSW 200 – Introduction to Social Work3
SSW 300 – Human Behavior and Social Work Theory I3
SSW 310 – Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy I3
SSW 320 – Human Behavior and Social Work Theory II3
SSW 330 – Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy II3
SSW 335 – Intro Soc Work Field Practicum1
SSW 350 – Ethics in Social Work Practice3
SSW 400 – Social Work Methods I3
SSW 410 – Field Practicum & Seminar I6
SSW 430 – Social Work Methods II3
SSW 440 – Field Practicum & Seminar II6
SSW 460 – Social Work Practice with Groups3
Two (2) Social Work Electives with SSW prefix6
Two (2) General Electives6
Total Credits61
Minimum Total Required Credits120

For more information see the Academic Catalog or read the B.S.W. handbook (PDF).

Students raise their hands to answer questions during a social justice class

Career Paths for Social Work Majors

Our commitment to an inclusive and student-centered learning environment and our experiential learning philosophy will prepare you for careers in human services, health care, and many other human service organizations.

There are multiple areas of social work and a wide variety of settings in which you may seek employment:

  • School Social Work
  • Medical Social Work
  • Mental Health Counseling
  • Military Social Work
  • Substance Use and Recovery Services
  • Support Group Counseling
  • Family and Child Social Work
  • Jail and Prison Social Work
  • Social Policy
81,200

new social work jobs expected to open in U.S. between 2018 and 2028

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019

Career Advising in the Social Work Program

Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or a vague idea of the field that interests you, Career Advising is here to help you plan your next step.

Experiential Learning

You’ll take a cross-disciplinary approach as you gain practical experiences and participate in real-life community projects. At UNE, you don’t just study social work — you do social work.

Service Learning for Social Work Majors

You will participate in service-learning opportunities in the spring of your junior year. Service sites include:

  • Cumberland County Jail
  • Maine Minority Health Program
  • Boys & Girls Club
  • Partners for World Health
  • Local Soup Kitchens
A student washes a man's feet at Milestone Recovery in Portland, ME

Field Internships for Social Work Majors

As part of our undergraduate Social Work degree during your senior year, you will take part in a two-semester weekly field internship at a local social service organization where you will develop social work skills and gain critical real-world social work experience. Sites include:

  • Preble Street Resource Center
  • Planned Parenthood
  • Center for Grieving Children

Interprofessional Education Experiences

As a comprehensive health sciences university, UNE offers abundant opportunities to prepare for contemporary team-based care, utilizing clinical simulation, and an array of shared learning events.

Accreditation

The University of New England Bachelor of Social Work program is accredited through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Assessment Form AS 4 (B)