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?
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 ’22
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.
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
| Nor’easter Core Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 40 |
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 104/104L – General Biology w/Lab | 4 – Fulfills Scientific Method Core |
| BUEC 203 – Macroeconomics | 3 – Fulfills Power Knowledge & Justice - Open Core |
| IHS 150 – Health Promotions Seminar | 1 |
| IHS 310 – Ethics for Interprofessional Practice | 3 |
| MAT 120 – Statistics or MAT150 – Statistics for Life Sciences | 3 – Fulfills Quantitative Reasoning Core |
| NUTR 410 – Nutrition Across Seven Continents | 3 |
| OS 316 – Reserach Methods or PUB 305 – Research Methods for Public Health | 3 |
| OS 341 – Health and Wellness in an Aging Society | 3 |
| OS 434 – Substance Use and Misuse | 3 |
| PSC 204 – Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 – Fulfills Power Knowledge & Justice - Social Science Core |
| PSY 105 – Introduction to Psychology | 3 – Fulfills Human Health Core |
| PSY 205 – Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 250 – Lifespan Development | 3 – Fulfills Human Experience - Open Core |
| PUB 200 – Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| SOC 150 – Introduction to Sociology | 3 – Fulfills Power Knowledge & Justice - Social Science Core |
| SSW 200 – Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| SSW 300 – Human Behavior and Social Work Theory I | 3 |
| SSW 310 – Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy | 3 |
| SSW 320 – Human Behavior and Social Work Theory II | 3 |
| SSW 330 – Advocacy in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SSW 335 – Introduction to Practicum | 1 |
| SSW 350 – Ethics in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SSW 400 – Social Work Methods I | 3 |
| SSW 410 – Practicum & Integrating Seminar I | 6 |
| SSW 430 – Social Work Methods II | 3 |
| SSW 441 – Practicum & Integrating Seminar II | 6 |
| SSW 460 – Social Work Practice with Groups and Communities | 3 |
| Two (2) Health Promotion Studies Electives (see below) | 6 |
| Four (4) General Electives | 12 |
| Total Credits | 80 |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 120 |
|---|
Health Promotion Studies Elective Options
| Health Promotion Studies Electives | Credits |
|---|---|
| NUTR 342 – Food Systems and Public Health | 3 |
| OS 301 – Assistive Tech in Schools | 3 |
| OS 414 – Stress Management | 3 |
| OS 425 – Health Education: Theory to Practice | 3 |
| PUB 310 – Social, Behavioral & Environmental Factors in Public Health | 3 |
| PUB 405 – Health Care Organization and Policy | 3 |
| PUB 420 – Community Health | 3 |
| SSW 325 – Interpersonal & Community Violence | 3 |
| SSW 355 – Child & Family Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SSW 435 – Grief & Loss | 3 |
Please note: While some courses can fulfill both core and program requirements, the credits earned do not count twice towards the minimum total required credits for the degree.
For more information see the Academic Catalog or read the B.S.W. handbook (PDF).
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
new social work jobs expected to open in U.S. between 2018 and 2028
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
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).
Apply Today
Ready to begin your future in UNE’s Bachelor of Social Work? Get started today.
