Applying for the BSW Program
Transfer students can learn more about applying for the BWS Program here.
If you are inspired by the idea of helping people overcome life’s most difficult challenges, read on.
Centenary University’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program will prepare you for a meaningful career in generalist social work or graduate study in this ever-growing field. The purpose of the social work profession is to promote and enhance human and community wellbeing, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of those who are vulnerable, oppressed and living in poverty.
The BSW Program at Centenary has earned national accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Our curriculum provides engaging learning opportunities in the classroom and in the field to help students develop the knowledge, values and skills needed for professional practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
A Direct Path to Your Career
Social Work is among the faster growing careers in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Social workers are needed in many settings, such as schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, family counseling programs, substance abuse programs, senior centers and the military.
Centenary’s Social Work program, one of only a handful of BSW programs in New Jersey, offers several advantages, including:
- A structured two-semester internship for seniors, coordinated by the BSW, under the supervision of an agency-based Field Instructor who holds a master’s degree in social work and certification as a Field Instructor. This internship allows students to practice the skills they learned in the classroom.
- A CSWE-accredited degree, which makes you eligible for status as a Certified Social Worker (CSW) in the state of New Jersey. You may also apply for Advanced Standing in Master of Social Work (MSW) programs throughout the country, and transfer up to 18 credits toward your M.S.W. degree.
In recent years, our graduates have been accepted as Advanced Standing students at a wide range of graduate programs, including Columbia, Fordham, Kean, Kutztown, Marywood, Monmouth, NYU, Rutgers, Temple, Texas State and the University of South Florida.
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Small Classes, Experienced Teachers
Because of our small class sizes, our students have the opportunity to work closely with our faculty members, all of whom are experienced social workers who continue to be involved in the community. The BSW Program’s cohort model, which allows BSW students to take many of their classes together, also provides strong peer support throughout the program.
The BSW is a professional degree that provides graduates with the opportunity to begin their job search with some well-established contacts in the social service community, and a significant amount of practical experience.
Featured Profile
Centenary Faculty Member is Named New Jersey Social Worker of the Year
Centenary University's Faculty Member is Featured on NJ.com
“The purpose of social work is to protect and advance human rights, and social, economic and environmental justice. What’s unique about this profession is that it has social justice at the core of its mission,” claims professor and social worker Terri Klemm. “We start from a strengths perspective, and that defines and influences the way we approach working with clients, families and communities.”