Social Work

Serve diverse communities through professional practice in social services.

What is a degree in social work?

Park University’s Bachelor of Social Work degree prepares you to begin professional practice in a wide variety of social service settings. You’ll learn to become a generalist social work practitioner with the skills to work with diverse populations.

Locations & Learning Options

The Bachelor of Social Work program (122 hours, 45 in the core curriculum) is offered in a face-to-face format at our flagship Parkville, Missouri, campus.

Locations

  • Online (Minor)
  • Parkville (BSW, Minor)
  • Campus Centers (Minor)

Contact

For more information about the BSW program including minors, majors, and formal admission, please contact socialwork@park.edu or 816-584-6518.

Loading…
Loading…

Students majoring in Social Work are required to apply to the Bachelor of Social Work Program. This is a separate process from declaring a Social Work major. BSW program applications are reviewed and approved or denied by the BSW Admissions Committee.

The admission requirements for the BSW program are as follows:

  • Completion of 60 credit hours of college coursework.
  • A cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher. GPA is computed on all college credit, transfer and Park University.
  • Two letters of reference, one of which must be a college/university social work faculty member; the second letter may be from a faculty member or another person known in a professional capacity.
  • Completion of the following courses with a grade of “C” or better: SO 141 Introduction to Sociology; PS 101, Introduction to Psychology; MA 120 Basic Concepts of Statistics; SW 205, Introduction to Social Work; and EN 306b, Professional Writing. Students must also complete two semesters of one Modern Language (Spanish is preferred).
  • Completion of all required materials in the Bachelor of Social Work admission packet, which includes a personal narrative and values statement that relates the student’s interest, experiences and goals in the social work profession.

In accordance with CSWE accreditation standards, the BSW program does not grant course credit for previous work or life experiences.

CSWE Accreditation

Accredited by the CSWE Board of Accreditation logoThe BSW Program at Park University was granted full re-affirmation of accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in Spring 2019. The BSW Program is accredited through Spring 2025.

The CSWE Board of Accreditation (CSWE-BOA), formerly CSWE Commission on Accreditation, is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to confer accreditation status to baccalaureate and master’s social work degree programs in the U.S.

As a Social Work student, you’ll learn critical thinking and research skills, as well as the field’s code of ethics, issues of diversity and social justice, social welfare policy and theories of human behavior.

Leslie Jensby

Leslie Jensby, LSCSW

BSW Program Director
Assistant Professor, Social Work
leslie.jensby@park.edu

Dr. Andrea K. Kennedy

MSW Program Director
Assistant Professor
akennedy@park.edu

Kari Lamer

Kari Lamer, MSW

Director of Field Education
Assistant Professor
klamer@park.edu

Jamie Pinney

Jamie Pinney

Assistant Director of Field Education
Assistant Professor, Education
jamie.pinney@park.edu

April Diaz

Dr. April Diaz


Assistant Professor, Social Work
april.diaz@park.edu

Aisha Hall

Dr. Aisha Hall


Assistant Professor
aihall@park.edu

This fully accredited, 122-credit-hour program includes both classroom work and two-semester field instruction in a social service agency. There are two overarching conceptual frameworks throughout our curriculum: the idea of emphasizing clients’ abilities, talents, and resources (known as the “strengths perspective”) and the ecological systems theory, which focuses on relationships between individuals, communities and the wider society.

social work Career opportunities

  • Behavioral Managers
  • Child Protection Workers and Investigators
  • Family Support Workers
  • Advocates for victims of domestic violence
  • Adult Protective Service Workers
  • Refugee Support Services Workers
  • Victims Services Workers
students in coffee shop
students in park shirts

social work Program Highlights

It’s not just a job. It’s a calling.

Social work is both challenging and rewarding. If you’re considering social work as a major at Park University, you should have a strong desire to help others help themselves as they resolve personal, social, or environmental problems. Ideal candidates have sharp intellects and empathetic interpersonal skills. It’s also key to maintain ethical relationships with colleagues, staff, supervisors, and service participants.


How to apply

Applying for this program is a separate process from declaring a Social Work major. Please see our Bachelor of Social Work Admission Criteria for more information.

Related programs

Park University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Park University is a private, non-profit, institution of higher learning since 1875.