Social Work Program
About the Program
Social work is professionally helping individuals, groups or communities enhance their capacity for social functioning and creating societal conditions. Social work consists of the professional application of social work values, principles, and technology to one or more of the following ends:
helping people obtain tangible services
providing counseling and psychotherapy to individuals, families, and groups
helping communities or groups provide or improve social and health services
participating in relevant legislative processes (NASW).
What You’ll Learn
Upon completing a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
2. Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
3. Engage anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice.
4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
5. Engage in policy practice.
6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
9. Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
*** Please note that these are also the nine social work competencies identified by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) that all graduates from schools of social work are expected to possess.
Careers & Pathways
Students who graduate with a Baccalaureate Degree in Social Work (BSW) from BYU–Hawaii are prepared as generalist social work practitioners. The beginning generalist
practitioner assesses and works with consumer populations including referrals to community resources, guides consumer populations through the planned change process, intervenes with individuals, families, groups, and the community in a range of situations conducts on-going evaluations and makes appropriate closure.
BSW practitioners are employed in a variety of direct practice settings such as state departments of human services, mental health, and developmental disabilities services, children's service agencies, halfway houses, nursing homes, area-wide agencies on aging, agencies serving battered women, rape crisis centers, child-care centers, etc. In the practice setting, the generalist social work practitioner takes on various roles such as a social broker, case manager, advocate, counselor, mediator, and educator.
The Social Work Program also prepares students for graduate study in social work as well as service within their family, church, and community. The knowledge, skills, values, and ethics gained from a social work education can be well used both professionally and personally, formally, and informally.
Hands-On Learning Opportunities
Field education is the signature pedagogy of the social work profession and the culminating learning experience in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program. During their final semester, students complete a 425-hour internship in a social service agency, applying classroom knowledge in a professional practice setting.
Under the supervision of an experienced social work professional, students develop practice skills while serving individuals, families, groups, and communities. In keeping with BYU–Hawaii's international mission, students are encouraged to complete their internship in their home country whenever possible, strengthening communities around the world.
Program Scholarships
The Social Work Program is committed to supporting students in their pursuit of a career in social work. Program scholarships are generally available during the Fall and Winter semesters, subject to the availability of funding. The number of scholarships awarded and the award amounts may vary at the discretion of the Social Work Scholarship Committee. Scholarship eligibility, application requirements, deadlines, and award information are updated each semester and distributed to declared Social Work majors via email. Students are encouraged to monitor their university email for application announcements and deadlines.
Student Organizations & Activities
The Social Work Program encourages students to become actively involved in organizations that foster leadership, professional development, service, and community engagement.
Phi Alpha is the national honor society for social work students. Membership recognizes academic excellence and a commitment to the values and ethics of the social work profession. Eligible students are invited to join the BYU–Hawaii chapter, where they participate in leadership, service, professional development, and networking opportunities while becoming part of a nationally recognized organization.
The Social Work Student Association (SWSA) is the official student organization for declared Social Work majors. The association advocates for students, provides opportunities for leadership and service, and gives students a voice in strengthening the Social Work Program through representation in program meetings and on the Social Work Community Advisory Council. SWSA sponsors service projects, social activities, professional development opportunities, and events that foster community among students while supporting the mission and values of the Social Work profession. Students also have opportunities to develop leadership skills by serving as officers or participating in the planning and implementation of SWSA activities.
