Make a difference for people and communities
Social work is one of the fastest-growing professions of the twenty-first century, projected to continue employment demands over the next few decades. The online bachelor’s degree in social work prepares you to meet those workforce needs to help make a positive and meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, families, organizations and communities across society.
Through the program, you will gain knowledge, skills and values to better understand human behavior and develop interpersonal skills for jobs within private and public agencies, government and human services fields. Social work expertise applies to positions with medical and public health; mental health and substance abuse; child, family and school services; geriatrics; and many other areas.
UNK’s social work bachelor’s program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1982. This accreditation allows you to classify as an advanced standing student to go onward to complete your master’s degree in social work from schools around the country in a faster and more affordable way.
Benefits of a Bachelor's Degree
Completing a bachelor’s degree qualifies you for additional job positions and careers. The median salary for those with bachelor’s degrees is 39% higher than for those with a high school diploma (no college experience) and 34% higher for those with some college but no degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Career Opportunities
- Child Welfare Advocate
- Social Work Assistant
- Residential Care Case Worker
- Nonprofit Director
- Hospice Social Worker
- Geriatric Case Manager
- Home Health Social Worker
- Health Care Policy Specialist
- Policy Advocate
- Adult Protective Services Worker
- Adoption and Foster Care Worker
- Literacy Program Coordinator
"I am so thankful for my department faculty at UNK. Having transferred, they were extremely communicative and supportive of me in my transition process. Tom Knott (Associate Director, Transfer Transitions) and the Admissions staff were extremely accommodating and worked with me. UNK has allowed me to further my education that fosters me as a student with hands-on learning and experience, and I've grown socially and emotionally. I did not realize how friendly everyone was here until I started school. I truly love Kearney. UNK feels like home. "
Emma Luling
Social Work Major
Curriculum
STAT 241 or STAT 235 and BIOL 103 are required for General Studies requirements.
30 General Studies credits are required in addition to the following:
- SOWK 170GS Introduction to Social Welfare
- SOWK 172 Human Service Ethics and Experience
- SOWK 400 Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- SOWK 410 Social Policy & Programs
- SOWK 420 Diversity and Social Justice
- SOWK 440 Fundamentals of Research in Social Welfare
- SOWK 441 Social Work Practice with Individuals & Families
- SOWK 442 Social Work Practice with Groups
- SOWK 443 Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities
- SOWK 480 Field Placement I
- SOWK 481 Field Placement II
- SOWK 482 Senior Social Work Seminar
- SOWK 468 Introduction to Disabilities
- SOWK 469 Introduction to Mental Health Issues
- SOWK 470 International Social Work Experience
- SOWK 471 Aging Services
- SOWK 473 Child Welfare Services
- SOWK 475 Child Abuse and Neglect
- SOWK 476 Social Work in Legal Settings
- SOWK 477 School Social Work
- SOWK 478 Medical Social Work
- SOWK 479 Violence Across the Lifespan
- SOWK 499 Special Studies in Social Work
