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 programs in South Africa and in area reservation communities. 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.
Innovative facilities
Students have access to computers campus wide, a special resource reading room and well-equipped laboratories. There also are rooms with one-way glass and modern video and audio equipment for monitoring and improving students’ interpersonal and interviewing skills as well as a videoconferencing room for use with students in internships abroad and nationally.
Get personal
Our outstanding faculty are proud of the individual attention they give their students. You’ll learn in small class settings and get lots of one-on-one attention from professors who inspire learning and truly want you to succeed.
Majors
– Social work (comprehensive major; requires no minor)
Certificate programs
– Child welfare
– Gerontology
Course work
In addition to a variety of general education courses in the natural sciences, social sciences, communications and humanities, social work majors are required to take the following:
- Introduction to
Social Work
- Interpersonal Skills
- Social Welfare History
in the U.S.
- 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
Special admission requirements
Sixty credits including IDIS 100, SW 220, SW 285, 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.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
- Team Leader, Xcel Energy,
Eau Claire, WI
Department contact information
Darlene Schorbahn
schorbdm@uwec.edu
715-836-4435
