What makes UVM's Bachelor of Social Work Program so distinctive?
"Since my first day joining CESS, I felt a strong sense of belonging. I have no problem digging deep and being vulnerable in my learning. My cohort is filled with amazing individuals who bring so much joy into my life and inspire me to keep pushing myself when I feel discouraged or struggling to stay motivated. The memories we have created will forever be ingrained in my brain." -Franky Bahati '23
Our rigorous program prepares you for professional social work practice in a variety of settings. This is a classroom and hands-on learning experience that requires extensive self-reflection, processing and engagement. If you’re interested in understanding and working with people and communities based on people's strengths and guided by principles of human rights and social justice, then our program is right for you.
Personalized Advising
Our personalized advising ensures that you always have a home base on campus. You will have a full-time faculty member as your academic adviser throughout the entire program. We meet with our advisees regularly to discuss courses and to mentor you into the profession of social work.
Interactive Coursework and Field Experience
All of our courses are structured for interactive classroom discussion. You will actively engage with course material through case studies, simulated exercises, role play, presentations, and more. Throughout the program, you will meet social workers who work in a variety of roles, and you will have a variety of opportunities for service-learning in community-based social work settings.
Tight-Knit Learning Community
In our program, students and faculty work together closely to further understand the complexities of the profession and strategize ways to address and express our commitment to making a difference on local, national and global levels.
During your junior and senior years, you’ll be in a “cohort model” of education, where students progress through their academic program and take social work courses together as a group. You and your learning colleagues will continue to foster your collegial relationships among one another and with the faculty in a more informal gathering. Together, you will grapple together with social issues and policies, and develop theories and skills to affect change that improves the lives and relationships of vulnerable and marginalized people and diverse communities.
Field Education
In your senior year, you will participate in a supervised field-practicum of 15-20 hours per week over two semesters (450 total hours). A practicum is a social work internship in a social service agency where you will apply your classroom learning through professional social work assignments. You will also participate in a field seminar on campus in which students discuss their experiences and learning in their practica.
Major Requirements
Sample 4-Year Plan
| FIRST YEAR | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SWSS 1020: Foundations of Social Work | 3 | SWSS 1040: Working with Refugees | 3 |
| SWSS 1090: Social Justice, Poverty and Inequality | 3 | Political Science Course | 3 |
| SOC 001: SU: Introduction to Sociology | 3 | Electives | 6 |
| ENGS 001: Written Expression | 3 | QR: Quantitative Reasoning Course | 6 |
| PSYS 001: Intro to Psychological Sciences | 3 | SPCH 011: Effective Speaking | 6 |
| Learning Community Course (LC) | 1 - 3 | ||
| Semester Total: | 16 - 18 | Semester Total: | 18 |
| SECOND YEAR | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SWSS 1600: D1: Racism and Contemporary Issues | 3 | BIOL 003: Human Biology or SWSS 005: Bio- sociopolitical Issues in Social Work | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 3 | Non-European/ Non- Western Culture | 3 |
| Humanities Course | 3 | Economics Course | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | Electives | 6 |
| Semester Total: | 15 | Semester Total: | 15 |
| THIRD YEAR | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SWSS 3470: D2: Theories in Social Work I | 3 | SWSS 3480: D2: Theories in Social Work II | 3 |
| SWSS 3670: Intro to Social Work Research | 3 | SWSS 3630: Theory and Integration Preparation Semester | 3 |
| SWSS 3650: Issues and Policies in Social Welfare I | 3 | SWSS 3660: Issues and Policies in Social Welfare II | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | Electives | 6 |
| Semester Total: | 15 | Semester Total: | 15 |
| FOURTH YEAR | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SWSS 4680: Social Work Practice I | 3 | SWSS 4690: Social Work Practice II | 3 |
| SWSS 4710: Field Experience Seminar I | 6 | SWSS 4720: Field Experience Seminar II | 6 |
| SWSS 4730: Field Experience I | 6 | SWSS 4740: Field Experience II | 6 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Semester Total: | 18 | Semester Total: | 18 |
