Social workers help people cope with everyday problems. They may provide services such as advocacy, crisis response, and connecting clients with resources. Social Workers address societal ills by understanding and addressing problems in functioning that can occur with people, systems, as well as with the interactions between systems and people. Social workers are taught how to assess, identify, intervene, and evaluate problems and solutions. Social workers engage with individuals, families, and communities to affect positive social change and promote conditions that boost social and economic well-being. The program encourages students to have an appreciation of diversity as a strength and competence when working with populations regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, orientation, identity, level of ability, and numerous other expressions of diversity.
Accreditation and Licensing
The Bachelor of Social Work Program at Limestone University prepares students for beginning generalist practice as a professional social worker. The course content in our BSW curriculum is approved by the South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners, and the program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Our educational requirements allow students to be eligible to take the LBSW licensure exam in South Carolina and other states. Students outside of South Carolina should verify the requirements for licensure in their state.
Why study at Limestone?
At the heart of one’s choice to study social work is a deep desire to help others. At Limestone University, our desire is to help you. Our low faculty-student ratio allows for personalized support from a team of experienced Social Work professionals and academics. And as the largest Social Work program in South Carolina, Limestone University offers multiple ways to earn your degree. Evening and online students benefit from convenient eight-week terms offered six times per year. Students may complete their BSW Degree from Limestone University by taking courses entirely online, in classrooms, or any combination of both.
Field Practicum
The Social Work Program at Limestone University requires students to complete the Field Practicum— 400 hours of supervised social work practice. Students will have an opportunity to apply classroom learning in the field while earning credits towards their degree. Prior to being registered for field, students must complete the online field application during the semester preceding anticipated field placement. All field placements must be completed within 6 months.
Related Occupations
The Social Work profession has over 50 fields in which the degree can be utilized including healthcare, services to families and children, anti-poverty programs, public health, domestic violence counselor, school social worker, nursing home social worker, hospice social worker, substance abuse counselor, and mental health worker to name a few. According to the US Bureau of Labor & Statistics, employment for social workers is projected to add 109,700 jobs nationally -- a 16% growth rate— which is more than double the 7-percent employment growth projected for all occupations from 2016 to 2026.
The Goals of the program are:
• To prepare traditional and nontraditional students for employment as beginning generalist social workers and to prepare them for graduate study.
• To provide access to a diverse range of students who for economic, social, or geographical reasons would not be able to pursue a social work education elsewhere.
• To prepare graduates who are aware of their responsibility to continue their professional growth and development by providing up-to-date content about evidence-based social work practice
• To integrate throughout the curriculum the values and ethics that guide professional social workers in their practice with special emphasis on social and economic justice.
Technology Requirements
Hardware and software requirements for distance learning may vary from course to course, but minimally include:
• Access to a high-speed broadband Internet connection
• A smart device or personal computer with compatible audio/visual capability.
• A compatible web browser (Chrome strongly recommended)
• A quiet place to "attend" class (virtually) without interruption.
Computer Competencies
Basic computer competency is critical. You must be able to do the following:
• Launch or run an application, upload files.
• E-Mail: It is required that you use your Limestone University e-mail account for all courses to reliably send and receive messages and reply to messages.
• Manage Software Installations: Install and manage software to include Chrome (and extension updates).
• Information Retrieval: Exhibit an ability to search for information resources beyond a Google search.
