Social Work
In the field of social work, your career is an extension of the values and priorities of your life. Each day provides opportunities to help individuals, families, and communities obtain resources and services that will improve their lives. Social workers also provide counseling and address problems related to social issues.
Good listening and communication skills, a desire to help others, and respect for people and their differences are all important qualities for a social worker. Social workers are competent professionals who have developed a wide range of professional skills including relationship building, listening, assessing, and problem solving.
A Bachelor of Social Work from Mountain State University prepares you to start a career in this diverse field. In addition to traditional classroom instruction on MSU's main campus in Beckley, (including Saturday and evening classes), selected courses are available through independent study.
What career opportunities can I expect in social work?
Both regionally and nationally, the job market is excellent for social workers with a B.S.W. The vast majority of our graduates are working in full-time social work positions.
As a social worker you might work in a hospital or nursing home, for a state or local agency. You could work with toddlers or teens, young adults or the elderly, people experiencing a crisis, or those dealing with mental illness or addictions. Opportunities are available in such areas and settings as:
- child protective services
- corrections facilities
- domestic violence programs
- group homes
- hospitals
- mental health
- nursing homes
- psychiatric facilities
- schools
- substance abuse clinics
Many of MSU's social work graduates earn a master's degree while continuing to work full time. The West Virginia University MSW program is available during the evening on MSU's Beckley campus.
The Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education,
1600 Duke St Suite 300, Alexandria VA 22314-3421, 703.683.8080, www.cswe.org.
Additional information is available from the Council on Social Work Education.