Social Work Program

As a social work major at Franciscan University you will learn how to help men and women help themselves and overcome the obstacles, both personal and environmental, that exert a negative impact on their lives. You will learn how to communicate effectively, build relationships with clients and constituents, and utilize research to support your practice. Additionally, you will analyze government policies and understand how they aim to assist the vulnerable and at-risk among us. You will also learn to embrace the values that undergird the social work profession and how to effectively and competently serve diverse populations while honoring their dignity. And, because Franciscan University is committed to the teachings of the Catholic Church, you will learn what the Church teaches about human rights, as well as social, environmental, and economic justice, and how these teachings can help guide your practice as a professional social worker.

Becoming a confident and competent Catholic social worker is a process—one that includes field experience and classroom skills training. In addition to your coursework, you will complete internships in various settings, including medical, mental health, and faith based facilities, working with a diverse spectrum of people in need. You will learn to be confident in your training, and prepared for state licensure exams, graduate education, and a professional career.

The program will prepare students:

1. To become competent generalist practitioners who can effectively intervene with client systems at all levels of intervention
2. To conduct themselves ethically, in congruence with social work values, and in a manner that honors the dignity of all persons.
3. To conduct themselves ethically, in congruence with social work values, and in a manner that honors the dignity of all persons.
4. To be able to consume and produce research to inform generalist practice.
5. To be aware of the influence of culture, context, and diversity on social work practice and policy development

Franciscan University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education which means your education meets the highest standards in the field of social work education. To graduate with a bachelor of science degree in social work from Franciscan University you need to complete 54 credit hours of course work in social work which includes 400 clock hours of internship work during your senior year at various agencies throughout the area. You also complete 3 hours in sociology, 6 hours in psychology, 6 hours in natural sciences, 6 hours in philosophy and at least 12 credit hours in theology.

Your social work classes will cover topics such as: social work policies, theories of human behavior, integration of the biological, sociological and psychological variables that impact human behavior, issues of social justice, working with children and the elderly, death and dying and the institutions such family, religion, media, government and the educational systems that influence human behavior.

The social work program at Franciscan takes a holistic approach in dealing with human beings and their problems. Our program incorporates the biological, sociological, psychological and spiritual components in understanding human behavior as well as the treatment of various difficulties one may have in living life. When you graduate you will be prepared to take the state license exam where state law permits it.

View the Social Work Program on the Undergraduate Catalog