Social Work

Social work’s roots are in affecting change. The field of social work is both a profession and a social science. It involves the application of social theory and research methods to study and improve the lives of people, groups, and societies. It incorporates and utilizes other social sciences as a means to improve the human condition and positively change society's response to chronic problems.

Social work is a profession committed to the pursuit of social justice, the enhancement of the quality of life, and the development of the full potential of each individual, group and community in society. It seeks to simultaneously address and resolve social issues at every level of society and economic status.

Exposure to the Field

Shadowing & Volunteering

Internships and other community service activities are highly valued by social work admissions committees. The more experience you have working with people, particularly in social service settings, the better off you will be. Consider getting involved in the Campus Y, a service fraternity, Habitat for Humanity, or some other service activity through the Community Service Office. Study abroad or living abroad also can be excellent experience for students to bring to the social work classroom.

The Application Process

Timeline
Priority deadline for scholarships are January 1 for fall early decisions and March 1 for all other fall decisions.

Degree Offerings
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Social Work (MSW)
• PhD in Social Work

If you have a BSW from a social work school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, you are automatically eligible and considered for advanced standing, allowing you to complete your MSW in 16 months. Undergraduate students currently attending Washington University may be eligible for our 3-2 program. The 3-2 program allows Washington University undergraduates to earn an MSW in addition to their bachelor’s degree with just one additional year of study.

Undergraduate Experience
The Council on Social Work Education requires that students have a human biology course in their undergraduate or graduate studies. The Brown School at Washington University will accept physiological anatomy, physiological psychology, physiological anthropology, human sexuality and others to meet this requirement. Many schools require a statistics course with a grade of “B” or better.

Coursework that focuses on communication (written and verbal) and that trains you to think analytically will prepare you well for social work. Most social work students hold a bachelor’s degree in a liberal arts discipline such as psychology, sociology, women’s studies, anthropology, economics, political science, and other related fields. However, any undergraduate major is acceptable and welcome. Students come from a wide variety of backgrounds.

GPA
In order to be competitive for top social work programs, your undergraduate transcript needs to reflect a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or better.

Standardized Testing
Some schools require a GRE score and others do not. You should contact the individual programs to which you are applying. While there is no minimum acceptable score, the most competitive applicants receive a minimum of 500 in the verbal and quantitative sections and 5.0 or above in the written analytical portion. The Brown School will consider the higher set of scores for an applicant who sits 55 for the examination more than once. In any case, test scores expire five years from the original test date. Applicants are strongly advised to sit for the examination no later than December 1 to allow sufficient time for their scores to reach us by the Jan. 2 program deadline. Applications with missing GRE scores cannot be reviewed.

The Application
The application generally consists of essays and personal statement describing your rationale for pursuing a MSW, your potential for the field, and social issues of concern to you. In addition, a resume and three letters of recommendation are normally required.

Professional Opportunities

When most people think of social workers, they think of case workers: people who represent low income or disenfranchised members of society. And while this is one aspect of social work, it’s important not to get tied up with the term. Social workers enter many different fields. Here are just a few:

  • Medical Social Work 
  • Community Development
  • International Development 
  • Counseling: Therapist in private practice, School Social Work, Hospice Work
  • Gerontology
  • Social Services or Health Care Agency Management

Professional social workers are generally considered those who hold a professional degree (master’s) in social work and often also have a license or are professionally registered.

Resources