Skip to Content

Social Work, B.S.W.

College of Social Work

Ready to make the world a better place? Get the foundational education required to effectively help and empower vulnerable populations, promote social justice and be an overall positive force in your community.

A bachelor's degree in social work provides the values, skills, knowledge and competencies you'll need for multiple career paths in a helping profession. Our field experiences bring learning to life, so you'll be ready to work in social services, health care and nonprofits or continue to graduate school and a licensed role.

Program Highlights

  • Downtown columbia skyline icon.

    Real Experiences

    Work in a field practicum to gain direct experience in an area that will assist you in your future employment.

  • Hands cupping heart icon.

    Career Options

    Prepare for a satisfying career serving individuals, families and communities through your advocacy.

  • Stopwatch icon.

    Fast Track

    Reach your master's licensure faster with the opportunity to enroll in a one-year program for licensure upon completion.

  • Speech bubbles icon.

    Personal Attention

    Enjoy a close student-faculty relationship and all the opportunities that come with smaller class sizes.

What You’ll Study

Fully accredited by the Council of Social Work Education since 2012, our courses prepare graduates to promote social and economic justice and social well-being. You'll apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment to engage with clients using empathy, reflection and your interpersonal skills to address challenges.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

  • Handling Conflict

    Resolving disagreements or disputes between individuals or groups in a fair and constructive manner

    Communication

    Exchanging information and ideas through speaking, writing or other means of expression

    Empathy

    Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, and demonstrating compassion and support

  • Diplomacy

    Handling sensitive or delicate situations with tact, sensitivity and professionalism

    Listening Skills

    Understanding what others are saying to facilitate effective communication

    Leadership

    Inspiring and guiding others to achieve common goals and reach their full potential

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Learn how alumni use degrees with outcome data from Gamecock GradStats, a service of the University of South Carolina Career Center.

Potential Careers

  • Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker
  • Patient Advocate
  • Client Advocate
  • Child Advocate

Job Titles of Alumni

  • Caseworker
  • Case/Care Manager
  • Social Services Specialist
  • Violence Prevention Support Specialist
  • Social Worker
  • Family Support Specialist

Average Alumni Salary

Five to 10 years after graduation without additional education $35,988

Workplace Settings

  • Social Services
  • Health Care
  • Education
  • Government
  • Public Policy

Employers of Alumni

  • University of South Carolina
  • SC Department of Social Services
  • National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP)
  • BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
  • SC Department of Health & Environmental Control
  • South Carolina Youth Advocate Program

Majoring in social work is an opportunity for me to be a voice of my community and to be a model for all the young boys and girls who look up to me. Working in this major allows me to be a continuous advocate for those who are silent in the world.

Kennedy Lann
Portrait of Kennedy Lann

Is USC Right For You?

There are many reasons we could be your ideal university. There's the award-winning academics, the globally modeled student life, and abundance of study abroad and experiential learning options. Take a closer look at what USC could mean for you.

Degree content is provided for informational purposes only. The Academic Bulletin is the source of record for all degree information.
©