Social Work Degree
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Credits
122
Course Length
16 weeks (semester)
Delivery Method
Traditional, On Campus at Lancaster, PA
Study Social Work at LBC | Capital
Calling all world-changers: we need you. Study social work at Lancaster Bible College and get equipped with the skills you need to help and empower the forgotten in our society.
If you have a heart for serving the least of these, social work just might be the major for you. Consider entering into a rewarding career where you can be the hands of Christ to those living in the midst of challenging circumstances.
Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, Lancaster Bible College’s social work program is designed to equip students for a future of serving individuals, families and communities, by demonstrating the servant heart of Christ. A wide range of classes taught by professional and licensed social workers allows our students grow and develop their unique God-given gifts, preparing students to effectively serve those in need. Our students graduate ready to work in the social work profession and equipped to continue their education at the graduate level.
Our uniquely structured program combines Bible classes, classroom experience and homework in an intensive field education experience that develops well-rounded Christian students and social workers. In fact, by the time our students graduate from the program, they will have spent over 480 hours within the community through service learning opportunities. As an added bonus, our students learn from experienced practitioners who come from diverse backgrounds, both professionally and culturally. LBC’s small class sizes and our low student-to-professor ratio allow students to interact with professors and form a tight-knit learning community.
By integrating a biblical worldview into the curriculum we teach in the classroom and the way we live out our faith, students engage the head, heart and hands in preparation to serve others.
Program Cost & Financial Aid
Admissions Process
Where LBC Students Have Interned
- Children and Youth Agency
- COBYS
- Align Life Ministries
- Church World Services
- Garden Spot Village Retirement Community
- The Factory Ministries
- CrossNet Ministries
- Youth Intervention Center
- Salvation Army
Can I Transfer Credits?
Yes! Read about LBC’s transfer policy
Social Work Program Scope
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) (122 Credits)
LBC Foundation Studies Courses 4 Credits
Bible & Theology Core Courses 30 Credits
Arts & Sciences Core Courses 31 Credits
Major Courses 48 Credits
Exploration Studies Courses 9 Credits
View the Academic Catalog for the complete curriculum plan, course descriptions and complete program details.
Social Work Prepares You for the Workplace
Hear more about our social work program by watching this video.
What makes the LBC Social Work program unique?
- Lancaster Bible College uniquely combines a social work education, meeting all the CSWE requirements, and a strong concentration in biblical studies. By purposefully connecting a biblical worldview with the social work profession, our students are better equipped to act as the hands and feet of Christ even in the face of injustice and secularity.
- Our bachelors in social work program boasts an excellent job placement rate for 2016 graduates (students who obtained a job or acceptance to a graduate program of study prior to graduation) was 92 percent. The year prior, the placement rate was 100 percent.
- With a bachelor’s in Social Work from LBC, graduates can get their master’s degree from an accredited program in one year.
What are career paths with a Bachelor of Social Work?
The Social Work degree prepares students for a wide range of technical and/or ministry contexts. Here is a sampling of careers and opportunities this degree affords:
- Adoption Agency Caseworker
- Career Counselor
- Developmental Disabilities Caseworker
- Job Placement
- Mental Healthcare Staff
- Non-profit Staff
- Social Work Caseworker
Still wondering if a career in social work if for you? Social Work Degree Guide has published this helpful article, 5 Reasons to Consider a Career in Social Work, which outlines five reasons why social work might be right for you.
Social Work Program Goals – In this program, students will…
- Critically evaluate theories and methods for use in direct service.
- Analyze issues of diversity, discrimination, and societal justice as they apply to various socioeconomic and cultural groups.
- Synthesize learning in direct practice.
- Appropriately apply ethical principles to direct service.
- Integrate and evaluate scientific research and literature to professional work.
- Acquire knowledge and ability to assess clients on a micro, mezzo, and macro level to establish appropriate treatment goals and methodology.
Application into the Social Work Program
Students who meet the requirements for admission to the Social Work Program are invited to apply for formal admission to the Social Work Program. Students must have completed the foundational courses of social work study, have a 2.5 or greater cumulative GPA, completed 2 semesters of Christian Service, write a self-assessment, submit 3 letters of recommendation and complete the admission application process. Students also are required to obtain 3 clearances (child abuse, criminal, FBI) for entrance into their Junior Practicum. Interviews are held in April prior to the junior year of study. Decisions are made prior to the end of the sophomore semester and provided to the student in writing as well as retained in the student’s academic file.
View Social Work Handbook
