The Social Work Department at Clarke University prepares students for professional careers that carry out the values of the university’s mission – to promote diversity and global awareness, advocate for social justice and assist in the empowerment of individuals, groups, families, organizations and communities. With a social work degree from Clarke, you will obtain skills and hands-on experience to make a difference in the lives of others. The BSW program at Clarke University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Students must formally apply for admission to the BSW program through the Social Work Department. Students will typically apply during their sophomore year when they are enrolled in SW 231: Human Behavior and the Social Environment. The application timeline may vary for students who switch majors or transfer to Clarke. Additional application requirements are listed in the BSW Student Handbook.
In our social work degree program, classroom time is fast-paced and the work is rigorous. Students create close relationships within their cohorts and, after graduation, remain colleagues and networking teammates. In the social work major program, the academic work culminates in a 440-hour field practicum with an area agency. Clarke students graduate as competent professionals ready to work in a range of settings. With our bachelor of social work, you will become a leader in social work and a mentor to those who surround you.
Through evidence-based training, you’ll gain the insights and practical skills you need to pursue a career in a number of social work fields, from child welfare, family services, and elder care programs to mental health, addiction, domestic violence, and corrections services. You WILL make a difference with Clarke’s social work degree.
Your Social Work degree opens the door to diverse employment opportunities like:
Clarke’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program focuses on helping build practical skills and knowledge needed to be an ethical and competent practitioner. Our CSWE-accredited program includes 440 hours of field practicum to help you prepare for future employment. In class, you will study topics such as social policy, research, diversity and privilege, and human behavior and the social environment.
BSW students earn eight credits working in a human service agency under the supervision of a professional social worker.
Social Work Classes
Social Work with Individuals — Introduction to the professional practice of social work with an emphasis on development of written and oral communication skills through the use of interviewing, role plays, videotaping, and case studies.
Issues in Social Work Practice — Exploration of various social work topics including Child Welfare, Case Management, Social Justice, Spirituality in Social Work, and Family Violence.
Social Work with Communities and Organizations — Introduction to generalist practice working with large groups, communities, and organizations.
Applicants are considered on an individual basis. Apply to Clarke today to begin your journey.
My enthusiasm for my students’ ideals and potential, I hope, provides encouragement and inspiration for them to believe in themselves and begin to impact the world around them.
I strive to create a classroom environment built upon respect and dignity.
My love for social work expands with every student and community organization relationship I help to facilitate. Watching students grow and learn from their field education experiences excites me for the future of the social work field.
My greatest hope as a social work educator is to light a fire for social justice in my students.
Clarke University offers several faculty-sponsored study abroad experiences to destinations such as Spain, Scotland, Ireland, and Japan. Study abroad trips encourage you to experience different cultures, broaden your mind, and discover your own passions.
You will learn by observation and participation at off-campus laboratories or field settings through internships and experiential education ventures. Internships often facilitate entrance into the job market and are highly recommended for acceptance into some graduate programs.
Through your Clarke experience, you will be involved in many different activities that will guide you on your college journey. By your senior year, you will have a résumé of all your awesome involvements packaged and ready for your first interview.
The Social Work Club raises awareness for social justice issues and strives to alleviate social injustices through community service.
When it comes to working in the mental health field, I think compassion is a value that is essential. I feel like I learned this through my time at Clarke, particularly through Tim’s Boffeli’s classes. I work with homeless veterans in and around San Francisco. Compassion is what keeps me in the game professionally.
My educational experience in Clarke’s social work program greatly exceeded expectations by allowing me to learn from knowledgeable professors with years of experience. The small class sizes and individualized attention I received helped me to better develop my skill set to begin my Master of Social Work degree.
My experience in working toward a bachelor’s degree in social work in Clarke’s program has been outstanding. I couldn’t ask for more qualified, professional, and knowledgeable professors from which to learn. After graduation I plan to continue to earn my MSW and will begin working locally, serving members of my community.
Median salary for a social worker in Iowa in 2022.
Employment for social workers is projected to increase overall by 13% by 2029, and the need for health care, mental health, and substance abuse social workers is projected to grow at an even higher rate, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Average student to faculty ratio. Intimate classroom setting and one-on-one attention from professors foster learning.
Clarke University’s social work program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education, 1701 Duke St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA, 22314.
