Social Work
(Printable version)
Social workers help meet the basic human needs of all people and empower those who are vulnerable, oppressed or living in poverty. A historic and defining feature of social work is the profession’s dual focus on the individual in a social context and the betterment of society.
Great preparation
The curriculum is designed to prepare you for entry-level professional social work and graduate study. Graduates of our social work degree are eligible for certification as social workers in the State of Wisconsin. The accredited BSW degree from UW-Eau Claire also permits advanced standing of as many as half the credits needed to obtain a master of social work degree.
Hands-on experiences
During their second or third semester, social work majors complete 30 hours of volunteer service in a social service agency to help them determine their interest in social work as a career. In their senior year, students complete a professional internship that involves working in a social service agency to develop the skills necessary to help others solve personal and environmental problems.
Uniquely UW-Eau Claire
Unique to UW-Eau Claire are the internship and cultural immersion programs. Students can do internships in South Africa and in area
reservation communities. They can take cultural immersion trips to places such as Appalachian mountain villages or Native American Reservations. In addition, our student organizations are extraordinarily active, and our engagement in community programs is a win-win for the students in the program and the people of the Chippewa Valley.
Research opportunities
Students conduct research with faculty in both local and faraway places. Students have worked in South Africa and Guatemala, and locally with correctional facilities and the Hmong Mutual Assistance Association.
Innovative facilities
Students have access to computers campus wide, a special resource reading room and well-equipped laboratories. There are also rooms with one-way glass and modern digital equipment for monitoring and improving students’ interpersonal and interviewing skills.
the following:
- Introduction to
Social Work
- Interpersonal Skills
- Human Rights and
Global Justice
- Generalist Social Work
Practice with Individuals
- Methods of Social
Work Research
- Human Behavior and
Social Environment
- Social Welfare Policies
and Programs
- Ethnic-Sensitive Practice
- Generalist Social Work
Practice with Groups/
Families
- Generalist Social Work
Practice with
Communities/
Organizations
- Social Work Internship
More advising information
Accreditation
Council on Social Work Education
Our graduates
Typical positions held by our graduates include county social services, hospitals, schools, mental health facilities, child and family welfare agencies, nursing care facilities, probation and parole offices, and domestic violence shelters.
More career information
Places you’ll find recent graduates:
- Youth and Family Director,
YMCA, Milwaukee, WI
- Social Worker,
Burnett County Department
of Human Services,
Spooner, WI
- Graduate Student,
UW-Madison
- Children's Service
Society, Eau Claire, WI
- Americorps, Sitka, AL
Department contact information
Darlene Schorbahn
schorbdm@uwec.edu
715-836-4435
Special admission requirements
Sixty credits including IDIS 100, SW 220, SW 290, POLS 110, PSYC 100, PSYC 230, BIOL 151, SOC 101, and 30 hours of service learning must be completed prior to application for admission. GPA in above courses and overall GPA must be 2.5 or above.Commitment to Service
The major requires 480 service hours including 30 hours of diversity service. Many students have completed their service commitment through internships and work at homeless shelters, government agencies, community correction agencies, Girl Scouts, and specialized schools.
