Social Work Major
Are you passionate about working with, and helping others?
Evidenced Based Interventions with an abused child, assisting a homeless family with resources, helping an elderly patient plan his post-hospital care, assessing and treatment planning with a teen mother, writing a grant to expand services for a community center — these are some of the rich and varied services a social worker can perform in his/her profession.
Social Work majors at MVNU are taught by faculty who are actively engaged in practice, volunteer work and research in their major fields. Students are exposed to fieldwork early, gaining experience from three field placements throughout their college career in both urban and rural settings. Coursework includes important exposure to diverse population groups such as a growing Latinx community, urban youth, and families. MVNU also offers opportunities for international field practicum experience. A bachelor’s degree in Social Work is the first step to becoming a Licensed Social Worker (LSW).
Faculty Feature
Dr. Jennifer Jacobsen, MVNU's Assistant Professor of Social Work, was featured in MSWOnline for an “Ask an Expert” series. It is part of a series round-up of professors and change-makers from leading social work institutions. Read the feature at this link.- Practical experience — As an MVNU Social Work major you will have the opportunity to work with individuals from various population groups while serving in diverse agency settings. MVNU Social Work students experience the unique integration of fieldwork in rural and urban settings. MVNU Social Work students also have the opportunity for international fieldwork experiences by spending a semester abroad in countries such as Romania and Uganda. MVNU requires almost 20% more hours of field experience than the average university. It is rare for other universities to have freshman field experience, but we do because we know it is vital in determining if social work is the right career path for you.
- Active faculty — MVNU Social Work professors are licensed social workers and remain actively engaged in volunteer work and research in their major fields. You will learn from people who have been where you are going.
- Personalization — You may have the opportunity to participate in a one-on-one independent study with faculty, so that you can delve into the issues and areas of interest that you are most passionate about.
- Dr. Jennifer Jacobsen, Assistant Professor of Social Work and CSWE Coordinator
- Professor Jeff Styer, Assistant Professor of Social Work
- Dr. Rachel Young, Assistant Professor of Social Work, Social Work Program Chair, GPS Program Coordinator
Check out the catalog for a complete list of the requirements, courses, and objectives for the Social Work program!
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MVNU has many endowed scholarships available for students of a wide variety of backgrounds and majors.
Many Social Work graduates go on to continue their education at prestigious institutions. Most of these students are able to complete an accelerated program where they obtain their Master’s Degree in Social Work in 1 year. Most MVNU Social Work students are able to pass the Licensed Social Work exam on their first attempt.
MVNU Social Work students have obtained careers in the following settings: Nursing Homes, Foster Care Agencies, Children Services, Community Mental Health, Hospice, and more. For more information on careers in social work including potential salary visit http://careers.socialworkers.org/explore/choose.asp- University of Michigan
- The Ohio State University
- University of Cincinnati
- University of Akron
- Roberts Wesleyan College
- Case Western Reserve University
