B.S.W. in Social Work
James Madison University
Key Information
Campus location
Harrisonburg, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 6,434 / per semester **
Application deadline
Request info *
Earliest start date
Request info
* regular admission | November 1st, 2022: early admission
** in-state tuition fee | $15,076: out-of-state tuition fee. Additional fees may apply
Introduction
The social work program equips graduates with the knowledge, values, and skills needed for the development of professional ethics and practice competence.
The program prepares graduates to work effectively in a broad spectrum of social service settings that address poverty, multiple forms of oppression, social injustice, and other human rights violations. The department seeks to be a brave space for students with multiple and diverse identities, striving for inclusive excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. The program also prepares students for graduate study in social work and other related professions including law, counseling, and public policy.
In addition to lecture and class discussion, the social work program utilizes a variety of teaching strategies, including case-based and experiential approaches to enhance learning. Students are exposed to issues and organizations at local, state, and national levels through policy forums, conferences, interviews, and service learning. All majors use the interviewing labs for case simulations and interviewing to develop their practice skills. The department offers minors in family studies (with a focus in gerontology or family ecology) and Nonprofit Studies.
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
Required Courses
- General Education courses 41 Credit Hours1
- Social Work core courses 44 Credit Hours
- Social Work electives at the 300/400 level 6 Credit Hours
- Electives 31-34 Credit Hours
Footnote
1The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
Major Requirements
Core Courses
- SOWK 287. Intro to Social Work Credits: 3.00
- SOWK 288. Human Rights, Social, Economic and Environmental Justice Credits: 3.00
- SOWK 305. Social Work Research Methods Credits: 3.00
- SOWK 317. Skills for Generalist Social Work Credits: 3.00
- SOWK 320. Human Behavior in the Social Environment Credits: 3.00
- SOWK 335. Social Policy Credits: 3.00
- SOWK 465. Social Work Practice in Mezzo Systems Credits: 3.00
- SOWK 466. Social Work Practice in Micro Systems Credits: 3.00
- SOWK 467. Social Work Practice in Macro Systems Credits: 3.00
- SOWK 481. Social Work Field Practicum I Credits: 6.00
- SOWK 482. Social Work Field Practicum II Credits: 6.00
- SOWK 493. Professional Forum I: Preparation for Field Credits: 1.00
- SOWK 494. Professional Forum II: Transition to Professional Practice Credits: 3.00
- SOWK Electives at the 300/400 level: Elective courses are offered on a rotating basis. 6 Credit Hours
- IPE 415. Ethical Decision-Making in Healthcare: an Interprofessional Approach Credits: 1.00
Additional Information
The minimum requirement for the B.S.W. degree is the completion of the General Education requirements, 44 credit hours of core social work courses, prerequisite courses as specified in course descriptions and elective hours, six of which must be in social work at the 300/400 level, for a total of 120 credit hours. If a grade of “C” (2.0) or above is not achieved the first time a social work course is taken, the student may repeat the course only once. All social work majors are expected to abide by the NASW Code of Ethics. Additionally, all majors participate in social work student outcome assessment measures.
Recommended Schedule for Majors
First Year
- Cluster One: Skills for the 21st Century 9-12 Credit Hours
- General Education courses 18-21 Credit Hours1
Second Year
- SOWK 287. Intro to Social Work Credits: 3.00
- SOWK 288. Human Rights, Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice Credits: 3.00
Third Year
- SOWK 305. Social Work Research Methods Credits: 3.002
- SOWK 317. Skills for Generalist Social Work Credits: 3.00
- SOWK 320. Human Behavior in the Social Environment Credits: 3.002
- SOWK 335. Social Policy Credits: 3.002
- SOWK elective 3 Credit Hours
- Electives 15 Credit Hours
Fourth Year
- SOWK 465. Social Work Practice in Mezzo Systems Credits: 3.002
- SOWK 466. Social Work Practice in Micro Systems Credits: 3.002
- SOWK 467. Social Work Practice in Macro Systems Credits: 3.002
- IPE 415. Ethical Decision-Making in Healthcare: an Interprofessional Approach Credits: 1.00
- SOWK 493. Professional Forum I: Preparation for Field Credits: 1.00
- SOWK elective 3 Credit Hours
- Elective 3 Credit Hours
- SOWK 481. Social Work Field Practicum I Credits: 6.002
- SOWK 482. Social Work Field Practicum II Credits: 6.002
- SOWK 494. Professional Forum II: Transition to Professional Practice Credits: 3.002
Footnotes
1Certain General Education courses may also meet prerequisite requirements for social work courses. Pay close attention to General Education requirements when selecting the following courses: MATH 220, Cluster 3; ANTH 195, POSC 225 and SOCI 110, Cluster 4; PSYC 101 or PSYC 160, Cluster 5.
2Check prerequisite requirements.
Career Opportunities
A successful career and a meaningful life is what it’s all about. Whether it’s an internship, a great first job or a top graduate school appointment, JMU Dukes make their dreams ignite. You will, too.
Here are current openings available to JMU students.
Jobs for JMU Students
Social Work
- (#R25907) IDD Habilitation Specialist / Clear Creek ICF at RHA Health Services, LLC
- (#R24709) IDD Habilitation Assistant / Clear Creek / ICF at RHA Health Services, LLC
- Family Intervention Specialist - Knoxville, TN at Youth Villages
- Manager of Behavioral Health at AbsoluteCARE Medical Center and Pharmacy
- Social Media Associate at BKO
- Per Diem Crisis Therapist/Social Worker at Seneca Family of Agencies
- Social Work Care Manager (LCSW) at PIH Health
- Junior Community Manager at Edelman
- Clinician Positions at Yale University
- Family Intervention Specialist - Columbia, TN at Youth Villages
- Family Intervention Specialist - Nashville, TN at Youth Villages
- Family Intervention Specialist at Youth Villages
- Family Intervention Specialist - Cookeville, TN at Youth Villages
- Family Intervention Specialist - Jackson, TN at Youth Villages
- Drug and Alcohol Case Management Specialist - Franklin and Fulton County PA at Franklin County PA
- Counselor at Autism Camp at Talisman Summer Camp
- QMHP Mental Health Skill Builder at The Empowerment Center LLC
- Digital Content Manager at WFXR
- Digital Brand Manager at GrowTheBench
Community
- Product Designer - Remote at Community Brands
- 23-01 NFIP State Coordinator (Manager II-III) at Texas Water Development Board
- Recreation Leader I, Newhall Community Center - PTS at City of Santa Clarita
- Junior Community Manager at Edelman
- (#R26005) Psychiatrist / ACTT / Assertive Community Treatment Team at RHA Health Services, LLC
- Medical Scribe (Mandarin or Cantonese Bilingual) - Chicago, IL at Oak Street Health
- Medical Scribe - Spanish Bilingual (Bronx, NY) at Oak Street Health
- Child and Adolescent Case Manager - Part C (3376) at Danville Pittsylvania Community Services
- Receptionist - Community Manager I at Carr Workplaces
- Peer Support Specialist at RHA Health Services, LLC
- Analyst Relations Manager at Sutherland
- Associate Community Organizer-Pensacola, FL at The Direct Action & Research Training Center
- Associate Community Organizer-Jacksonville, FL at The Direct Action & Research Training Center
- Associate Community Organizer- Charlottesville, VA at The Direct Action & Research Training Center
- Associate Community Organizer- Kansas City, KS at The Direct Action & Research Training Center
- Associate Community Organizer-Palm Beach, FL at The Direct Action & Research Training Center
- Associate Community Organizer- St. Petersburg, FL at The Direct Action & Research Training Center
- Associate Community Organizer- Daytona Beach, FL at The Direct Action & Research Training Center
- Associate Community Organizer-Fort Lauderdale, Florida at The Direct Action & Research Training Center
Welfare
- Early Careers: Associate Account Executive/Associate Broker - West Coast at Aon
- Early Careers: Associate Account Executive/Associate Broker - South Region at Aon
- (#R25244) Mental Health Professional / Therapist / Salisbury Behavioral Health at RHA Health Services, LLC
- Faculty Psychologist at Children's National Hospital
- (#R25212) Mental Health Professional / Therapist / Salisbury Behavioral Health at RHA Health Services, LLC
- (#R24492) Blended Case Manager / PAHrtners Deaf Services at RHA Health Services, LLC
- Clinician Positions at Yale University
- Placement Counselor at Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services
- Project Coordinator at International Association of Chiefs of Police - Internship Program
- Child and Adolescent Case Manager - Part C (3376) at Danville Pittsylvania Community Services
- Neuroscience Specialty Representative (Flint, MI) at Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.
- Workforce Development Program Director (@ Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce) at Jobs That Help
- Mental Health Specialist at Allendale Association
- Contract Researcher at BallotReady
- Crisis Response Social Worker: Mobile Response Team at Seneca Family of Agencies
- Case Manager - Working with Families! at Seneca Family of Agencies
- Commercial Lines Account Manager Career Development Program at USI Insurance Services
- Neuroscience Specialty Representative (Atlanta, GA) at Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.
- IT Associate, Help Desk at The Education Trust
Internships for JMU Students
Social Work
- Digital Marketing & Social Media Internship at Georgia State Games
- Research Analyst at Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
- Luminis Health Social Media Internship at Luminis Health
- Marketing Assistant (Internship) at Ben Glass Law
- Paid WCPI Communications/Development Internship Program (Spring 2023) at Women's Congressional Policy Institute
- WEB3 Interns - Music Industry at Ropeadope
- Digital Marketing Intern at Leading Authorities, Inc.
- Content Marketing Intern at Leading Authorities, Inc.
- Hershey Bears Marketing Intern at Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
- Factory Farming Awareness Coalition - National College Internship Spring 2023 at Factory Farming Awareness Coalition
- Factory Farming Awareness Coalition - National College Internship Summer 2023 at Factory Farming Awareness Coalition
- Social Media Marketing Intern (100% WFH) at Acadium
- Intern, Owned Marketing & Social Media at Minnesota Twins
- Summer Journalism Internships in Digital/Editing/Business Reporting/Audience/Data at Dow Jones News Fund
- Clean Energy Marketing Fellow at Distributed Sun LLC
- Marketing/Business internship at Moon River Senior Care and Transportation
- Summer Intern-Social Media, Strategic Communications at Vizient, Inc.
- Field Talent Acquisition Internship - Summer 2023 at Casey's
- Talent Acquisition Internship - Summer 2023 at Casey's
Community
- Paid Internship Opportunity with Great Benefits Fall 2022 at United States Liability Insurance Group
- Volunteer/Internship Case Management at Florida Department of Children and Families
- Clinical Mental Health Counselor - Internship at Tree of Life Family Services LLC
- Environmental Science and Engineering AmeriCorps Fellow at U.S. Dept. of Interior - Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
- WEB3 Interns - Music Industry at Ropeadope
- Commercial Banking Summer Intern - Community Development at Citizens Bank
- Human Resources Intern at JCC
- Health Policy Intern at Community Education Group
- Community Outreach Intern in the Balkans at Crossworld
- Marketing/ PR/Growth Intern at CoachTube
- Intern, Photography at Minnesota Twins
- Intern, Community Engagement - Youth Engagement at Minnesota Twins
- Intern, Community Engagement - MTCF/Charitable Giving at Minnesota Twins
- Fund Management Community ESG Liaison at Council for a Livable World/ Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
- 2023 Summer Intern - Corporate Giving Student Corps at General Motors
- Intern, Community Engagement - Jewel Events at Minnesota Twins
- Intern, Community Engagement - Diversity & Inclusion at Minnesota Twins
- AmeriCorps Summer Daycamp Leader - PT North Texas Internship at Project Transformation North Texas
- BES Interns Operations & Maintenance Group (Community Service Aide II) at City of Portland Bureau of Human Resources
Welfare
- Integration Programs Intern at National Immigration Forum
- Clinical Mental Health Counselor - Internship at Tree of Life Family Services LLC
- Paid WCPI Policy Internship Program (Spring 2023) at Women's Congressional Policy Institute
- Paid WCPI Communications/Development Internship Program (Spring 2023) at Women's Congressional Policy Institute
- Early Careers Actuarial Intern - Southeast Region at Aon
- Factory Farming Awareness Coalition - National College Internship Spring 2023 at Factory Farming Awareness Coalition
- Factory Farming Awareness Coalition - National College Internship Summer 2023 at Factory Farming Awareness Coalition
- Health Policy Intern at Community Education Group
- Finance Internship at Edward Jones Investments
- Responsive Law Fall 2022 Intern at Responsive Law
- Fall Internship at Climate Cabinet
- Software Engineering Internship Experience 2.C: Web Full Stack Development and R&D of Algorithms for Fighting Human Trafficking at Bashpole Software, Inc., a 100% Remote Work Company DBA PromoterMotor.com
- Software Engineering Internship Experience 2.B: Natural Language Processing (NLP) in Java for Advertising and Optimization of Software for Nonprofits (Prerequisite: Java, ML, and NLP knowledge) at Bashpole Software, Inc., a 100% Remote Work Company DBA PromoterMotor.com
- Software Engineering Internship Experience 1.A: Website and Business Application Development with Google Apps Script, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and/or Various APIs and Libraries at Bashpole Software, Inc., a 100% Remote Work Company DBA PromoterMotor.com
- Marketing Internship Experience 2.A: Text Data Mining, Analytics, and Optimization for Advertising (Prerequisite: Java, ML, and NLP knowledge) at Bashpole Software, Inc., a 100% Remote Work Company DBA PromoterMotor.com
- Marketing Internship Experience 1.B: Social Media, Newsletter, and Web Content Writing and Automation that Counters Misinformation and Supports Non-profits at Bashpole Software, Inc., a 100% Remote Work Company DBA PromoterMotor.com
- Digital Media Internship Experience 1.A: Graphic Design for Web, Digital Presentations, and Marketing at Bashpole Software, Inc., a 100% Remote Work Company DBA PromoterMotor.com
- Clean Energy Policy Intern (Volunteer--Remote/Hybrid--Fall 2022) at Energy Innovation Reform Project
- Employment Services Internship at The Arc
Scholarships and Funding
Madison awards more than 400 one- to four-year scholarships each year to incoming students. The primary criterion for merit-based scholarships is exceptional academic performance. Other selection criteria may include leadership, involvement, and career goals.
The Madison Scholarships Hub is the application center for all JMU Foundation scholarships at James Madison University. To access the Madison Scholarships Hub, log in to MyMadison. Under the Applicant tab, click on the Madison Scholarships Hub logo.
All students are encouraged to fill out the General Application in the Madison Scholarships Hub to be considered for various scholarship opportunities. Qualifications for the majority of our scholarships are based on the General Application information as well as information pulled directly from your admissions application.
Review the criteria carefully for any recommended scholarship opportunities you are presented with and if you meet the qualifications, click apply to submit the additional required information. Deadlines vary across departments so be sure to complete the General Application as soon as possible to receive full consideration. Some scholarship opportunities become available starting in the fall while others open later so be sure to check back in January, February and March.