Social Work

The primary goals of the Social Work Program at Misericordia University are:

1. To educate and promote the development of problem-oriented, undergraduate generalist social work practitioners whose knowledge and skills base enables them access and address problematic situations among diverse individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations.
2. To foster students' ability to integrate the institutional and professional ideals of social justice and intervene on behalf of those discriminated against and oppressed,
3. To enhance students critical thinking and problem solving skills for contextual understanding and intervention with all social systems.
4. To prepare students for graduate studies and foster commitment to a process of continued professional growth.

A completion of 121 credits is required to earn a BSW Degree from Misericordia University. Of those, 49 credits comprise the core curriculum; completion of the social work curriculum requires 78 credits. Certain courses--such as Comparative Sociology and Introduction to Psychology--fulfill both the liberal arts core and social work requirements. This allows the social work major a greater selection of elective courses and the opportunity to pursue a minor or a certificate program.

Student must receive a grade of “C”or better in all social work (SWK) courses and maintain a minimum cumulative 2.50 G.P.A. to remain in the program.

Graduates of Misericordia University’s Social Work Program are employed in both direct service and administrative roles within hospitals, children and youth agencies, aging programs, nursing homes, adolescent treatment centers, drug and alcohol programs and numerous other social service agencies. Students have also secured employment with the agency where they completed their field assignment following graduation.

Students who accept positions outside the field of social services are pleased to discover that the problem-solving and communication skills developed in their social work training are highly valued by employers.

Graduate School Opportunities

Since Misericordia University’s Social Work Program is fully accredited by the CSWE, students are afforded the opportunity for advanced standing in many Master of Science in Social Work (MSW) programs throughout the country.

For those students interested in application, contact your faculty and advisor for references. Graduates with a BSW degree from Misericordia have been admitted to Marywood University, Columbia University, University of Denver, Fordham University, University of South Carolina, New Mexico Highlands University, Bryn Mawr College and others. Students report that their undergraduate training at Misericordia University prepared them exceptionally well for graduate studies.