ID
Social work students

Social Work

Enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities with a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW). Known for producing exceptional graduates, our reputable program will help shape you into an ethical, competent, and evidence-informed professional, ready for the field or graduate school.

Available as
Major
Description

Make an Impact in Your Community

Rooted in high-impact, experiential learning, our social work major will provide you with opportunities to gain relevant experience. One of the best ways we do this is through our comprehensive field placement program, completed by all majors in their fourth year.

Many social work students also choose to take their education a step further by studying abroad, joining a cultural immersion program, or participating in the National Student Exchange program. Each of these opportunities opens doors to new experiences, additional career paths and a deeper awareness of social justice and change.

Social work professionals are tasked with empowering others, while simultaneously working to better the community. Community service and collaborative research projects will round out your skillset and provide you with even more opportunities to make positive change.
 

Degree Types

Program Details

Degree Types
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Degree Level undergraduate
Available asMajor
Program Length 4 years
Campus
Eau Claire
Offered
On Campus
Requires a minor No
Authored on

Accreditation Information

The Department of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Badge with text that reads "Accredited by the CSWE Board of Accreditation"

Licensure Information

The requirements of this program meet licensure in the following states or territories:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia, Virginia, Wisconsin

The requirements of this program do not meet licensure in the following states or territories because an MSW degree is required:

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, Vermont

The requirements of this program do not meet licensure in the following states because they have additional requirements beyond the BSW:

Illinois (requires a completion of 3 years of supervised professional experience before licensure), Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Utah (all require additional mandatory training prior to application), Montana, Wyoming (both require a supervision plan or agreement as part of application process), and Puerto Rico (must have residency to apply).

These territories do not currently license social workers:

American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau

Hallmarks
Chippewa Correctional Facility intern
Meaningful Placements

All social work students complete a professional field placement during their fourth year of the program. Field placements cover a variety of fields, including adoption, foster care, gerontology, child and family welfare, domestic violence, sexual assault, health care, mental health, school social work, and justice and corrections. Local partnerships and access to more than 100 internship sites will ensure you find the right fit. 

laptop open to power point slide for social work
Student-Faculty research

Not every undergraduate social work program can boast about the quality research experiences their students get to be a part of. Here, all of our students have the opportunity to work alongside faculty and engage in fascinating research focused on bettering society. Many students choose to present their findings at local and international research conferences, allowing for even more personal and professional growth.

Facts List

Just
the
facts

Real-World Experience Before Graduation
100% of Blugolds in this major complete a field placement prior to graduating.
Competitive Salaries
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median annual salary for social workers in 2023 was $58,380.
In Demand Jobs
There is a projected 89,000 position increase in the social work field before 2030.
U.S. Dept of Labor 2023
100% Employed or Continuing Education
Every 2022-2023 graduate from this major is currently employed or continuing their education.
Direct Access to Field Opportunities
UWEC's Social Work department has connections to over 100 field placement sites in Eau Claire and the surrounding areas.
Outcomes Image
Social work grad in from of MN Children's hospital
What can I do

Where can the social work program lead me after graduation?

Graduates of our social work program leave prepared and ready to make a difference. Because of the broad nature of the program, you will be qualified to work in a variety of fields, including mental health, alcohol or drug abuse, gerontology, and child welfare.

Example Careers

  • Adoption specialist
  • Probation officer
  • Marriage and family therapist
  • Substance abuse counselor
  • Academic advisor
  • Guidance counselor
  • Gerontologist
  • Victim crisis manager
  • Behavior therapist

Recent Graduates

School Social Worker
Wisconsin

Director of Human Services
Colorado

Youth Advocate
Minnesota

Work Readiness Specialist
Wisconsin

Veteran Affairs Mental Health Social Worker
Minnesota

Aging and Disability Resource Center Executive Director
Wisconsin

Courses information
SampleCourses

Taught by supportive, knowledgeable professors, coursework in our social work degree program will help you explore and understand the many facets of social work. All social work majors also have access to lab spaces and related facilities, where you can practice engaging and intervening with individuals, families, and groups, and receive constructive feedback. 

Here are a few courses in Social Work at UW-Eau Claire.

SW 383

Social Welfare Policies and Programs

Structure and content of social welfare policies; models of policy analysis; policy development; ethics. Emphasis on oppression, discrimination, and the social values of adequacy, equity, and social and economic justice, especially for oppressed and at-risk populations.

SW 335

Human Behavior and the Social Environment

Interactions between persons and their social environments. Impact of functioning of communities, groups, families, and individuals on each other. Emphasis on dynamics of discrimination and oppression, and effects of race and racism, poverty, gender, sexual orientation.

SW 471

Generalist Social Work Practice with Families/Groups

Knowledge, skills, values, and ethics related to social work practice with diverse, oppressed, and at-risk families and treatment groups. Applied laboratory dimension focuses on professional communication and assessment skills with families and groups.

Get More Info

Get More Info

Sign up to receive additional information about our campus.

Loading...

Meet the Faculty

What's Next

What's Next?

student walking with athletics flag at a track meet
Request More Information
Learn more about UW-Eau Claire. Connect with admissions and get additional information about our programs and Blugold life sent to you.
Wide angle drone view of all campus and neighborhood
Schedule a Visit
See the most beautiful campus in Wisconsin for yourself. Get a campus tour, learn about our programs, and meet the friendly people of UWEC.
Blu the mascot high-fives a member of Blugold Marching Band
Start Your Application
Learn the steps to apply and check out admission requirements.