Bachelor of Science in Social Work
Bachelor of Science in Social Work Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Social Work prepares students to pursue peace and justice in their careers and communities. Our faculty members are deeply embedded in the Louisville community, empowering them to teach as experts both academically and pragmatically. The social work program’s small class sizes and supportive community help equip practitioners who work for the common good.
- 120 credit hours
- Hybrid program featuring both in-person and online courses
- Hands-on service and practicum education
- Consider a complementary minor in Addiction Studies, Health Science, or earn a Public Child Welfare Certificate
- Prepare to practice in a variety of professional settings at any level, including individual-, family-, group-, and community-focused work
- Recognized by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education as a high-achieving academic program that prepares underrepresented minority students for high-demand occupations with earnings that match or exceed their peers
Courses
Spalding’s 120-credit Bachelor of Science in Social Work features a cohort model that blends weekly in-person classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings with online instruction.
Students engage in technology-based simulation and direct experience, including a two-semester practicum.
Courses include:
- Grassroots History of U.S. Social Welfare
- Womb to Tomb: Exploring the Human Experience from Birth to Death
Social Work Minors
- Social Work
- Addiction Studies
Pursue your interests with a minor in social work or addiction studies. As a social work minor, you’ll explore the foundations of social work while deepening your understanding of human behavior. You’ll use this knowledge to learn basic skills that can be used in intervention and social change. As an addiction studies minor, you’ll explore the ethics for helping professions and interventions as they relate to addiction and substance abuse. You’ll gain insight into the cross between addiction and trauma and have the opportunity to explore additional addiction-related social work electives.
Accreditation
Spalding University’s School of Social Work is accredited for the Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Master of Social Work programs by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Admissions Requirements
Do you want to meet the needs of the times? Discover how Spalding’s BS in Social Work can prepare you to serve.
Tuition
Your compassionate career is calling.
Learn about tuition and fees for our Bachelor of Science in Social Work program, as well as your financial aid options.
Find Possibility in the Heart of the City
DISCOVER YOUR GROWTH POTENTIAL
Social workers are in high demand—according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for social workers across the country has been projected to increase by 7% by 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
High-Impact Career Preparation
Transform lives and communities. Spalding social work alumni serve and lead in diverse organizations, including:
- ACLU
- Americana World Community Center
- Baptist Health
- Boys and Girls Haven
- Catholic Charities
- Center for Women and Families
- Family Scholar House
- Family Health Centers Louisville
- Home of the Innocents
- Jefferson County Public Schools
- Kentucky Department for Community Based Services
- Maryhurst
- Seven Counties
- Shea Center for Mental Wellness
- South Louisville Community Ministries
- Volunteers of America
I was a transfer student … At the time, I wasn’t really confident in my ability to succeed in higher education. Thankfully, I had a great Spalding advisor to reach out to who inspired me to apply at Spalding. I truly believe that phone call changed the trajectory of my life. What is so special about Spalding is that there isn’t an over-saturated student population, so cohorts become family. Mine sure did. During that class, I felt like I was a part of something much larger. I also remember feeling like there was nowhere else in the world I would rather be.
Brittany Harris, Policy Specialist, BSSW, 2024
Spalding’s Bachelor of Science in Social Work program is led by
School of Social Work faculty.
Program Outcomes
In compliance with requirements set forth by CSWE, we have provided data on program outcomes for our Bachelor of Science in Social Work in the PDF linked below. This is routinely updated at least every two (2) years; it was last updated on October 1, 2023.
Contact Us
Janelle Rae, Ed.D., MSW, CSW
Director of Undergraduate Education and Assistant Professor
Anne Baumer, PsyD
Clinical Training Director, Master’s Program in Clinical Psychology
Sarah Beach, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Communication, Director of Honors Scholar Program
Damian Botner, BFA
Administrative Coordinator & Resource Manager – School of Liberal Arts, Administrative Assistant to the Dean – College of Social Sciences & Humanities, Director – Huff Gallery
Amanda Brown, Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Systems Technology
Graduate Nursing Pathway Coordinator
Leslie Cairo, Doctor of Education, Associate Professor
Director of Graduate Studies
Emily Campbell, Ed.D.
Director of Accessibility and Academic Success; Title IX Coordinator
Renee Campbell, DNP, APRN, CNM, WHNP-BC, CNE
School of Nursing Clinical Coordinator
Cicely J. Cottrell, PhD
Chair and Associate Professor, School of Criminal Justice Studies Spalding University
Lucille Gardner, PsyD, MS
Collective Care Center, Director; Assistant Professor, SOPP
Missy Hawes, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, IBCLC
Assistant Professor, Director of Family Nurse Practitioner Track
V. Nikki Jones, DSW, LCSW, LMFT, MPA
Associate Professor and DSW Program Director
Rebekah Knauer, EdD, MSN, RN
Director, Bailen Health Sciences Simulation Learning Center
Thomas Malewitz, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor; Director of the Ed.D.: Leadership Program
Charles Maynard, MFA
Director of Undergraduate Creative and Professional Writing
Michelle C. Reiss, DBA, MBA
Shirley and William Merke Chair, School of Business and Professor of Marketing
Hannah Richardson, PsyD, HSP
Director of the Neuropsychology Emphasis Area
Tara Schickel, PhD, MPH, RN, NPD-BC
Director of Graduate Nursing Programs/Assistant Professor
Nikki Shedletsky, EdD
Director of Graduate and Professional Programs in the School of Business
Beth Shoulders, MS, LAT, ATC, CCISM
Assistant Professor/Coordinator of Clinical Education
Kimberly Sisto, PT, DPT, SCS, PCS
Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor
Katherine Walker Payne, Ed.D.
Director, Center for Accessibility and Learning Equity
Amy Young, PsyD, MSEd, HSP, PMH-C
Director of Clinical Training/Associate Professor
