SOCIAL WORK at EKU

Social Work is a profession whose members work to enhance human wellbeing. The Social Work Program at Eastern Kentucky University prepares students for beginning generalist social work practice in a wide variety of settings such as public child welfare, schools, health care facilities and community mental health centers, as well as practice areas such as substance abuse and domestic violence. Social workers help meet the basic human needs of all people and empower those who are vulnerable, oppressed, or living in poverty. Social workers help people identify and manage the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living. Social workers are an integral part of most non-profit agencies and also offer their services and knowledge in private practice. Graduates of the EKU Social Work Program are eligible to become licensed social workers.

The EKU Social Work Program has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1977. Its faculty is made up of student-centered educators with extensive practice experience in Social Work. They are committed to high-quality teaching along with service to their communities and scholarly contributions to the field of Social Work.

Admission Procedures and Requirements

Students who are accepted by the University Admissions Office and declare their majors as Social Work are classified as pre-social work majors. Admission to the Professional Social Work Program is required for progression in the major beginning with SWK 350 and 354. To be admitted, students must have earned at least 32 hours of college credit, meet the minimum program GPA requirement of 2.50 effective Fall 2007 for incoming students, complete SWK 210 and other supporting course work with minimum grades of “C,” and successfully complete application procedures. Students choosing to double-major must declare social work as a first major. For specific admission requirements and procedures contact the Social Work Program Office.

Degree Programs

The EKU Social Work Program offers the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. A minor in social welfare also is available. Students who complete the BSW with a high enough GPA are eligible for advanced standing in Master of Social Work (MSW) programs offered at other universities.

The Social Work Program Mission

The Social Work Program provides a student-centered, collaborative and dynamic environment that prepares students for competent and ethical generalist bachelor level practice. The Program goals are to: (1) Provide a fluid curriculum grounded in a liberal arts perspective that appreciates the history of the profession and the needs of the region with different size systems in a variety of settings; (2) integrate into the Program the values of the social work profession and socialization into those values through self assessment and self awareness; (3) integrate social work ethical principles throughout the Program and curriculum; and (4) provide an environment that promotes critical understanding of oppression, populations at-risk, economic and social justice.

Learn More about Social Work and Social Work Education

National Association of Social Workers
Council on Social Work Education