Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Social Work

Rutgers offers the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a social work major through the School of Social Work and the Camden College of Arts and Sciences and the New Brunswick School of Arts and Sciences. This outstanding professional degree program prepares graduates for foundation-level social work practice. The major in social work equivalent to the BSW, BASW, and BSSW degrees and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Students who successfully complete the social work major are also eligible for admission to Rutgers accelerated one-year Master of Social Work (MSW). 

Declare the social work major early in the spring semester of your sophomore year to begin classes at the beginning of your junior year. Space is limited in the major and we encourage you to declare your major early in the spring semester for priority consideration.  

Requirements for the social work major:

• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0
• Completion of approximately 60 credits of coursework, including general education requirements
• Pre-requisite requirements for the social work major consist of six classes:
  • Basic Psychology
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Human Biology
  • Statistics
  • Two courses from the following areas (1 each): Anthropology, Art, Communication, History, Literature, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Religion or Theater

All social work majors are assigned a faculty advisor within the School of Social Work. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade-point average in social work courses. In order to graduate, students must have grades of C or better with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 in all social work core-content courses and a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average in the courses making up the liberal arts foundation.

In order to maintain continuous enrollment in the major, you must achieve a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA), with no grade lower than a C in all social work core courses. A 2.0 cumulative GPA is required in courses making up the liberal arts foundation. Eligibility for membership in the Phi Alpha Honor Society requires that you achieve a 3.5 GPA.
 

Practicum is an integral part of your social work experience. You will begin planning for your practicum during your second semester in the major, and begin field hours in year two. Practicum sites frequently require a background check and/or drug screening. Students unable to meet these requirements and secure a practicum may not be able to continue in the social work major.

The minor includes 18 credits, three required courses, and a choice of three electives.  

Required courses include the following:

• Introduction to Social Work & Social Justice 910:220
• The Effects of Oppression on Minoritized Groups 910:352
• Foundations of Professional Development 910:332 

Electives include:

• Confronting Anti-Black Racism 910:222
• Understanding Interpersonal Violence: Cause, Consequence & Social Justice Change 910:228
• Housing Inequality & Homeless: 910:224
• Childhood Inequalities: 910:226
• Child Welfare Services & Practices: 910:476 
• Global Social Work: 910:227

For questions about the social work and social justice minor, contact Natalie Bembry at nmbembry@ssw.rutgers.edu

Students in Schools 50 (College of Arts and Sciences) and 64 (University College) can contact the Office of the Registrar to declare a minor by emailing camreg@camden.rutgers.edu or calling 856-225-6053.

• Empowerment Through Community Engagement in the Yucatan, Mexico 01:959:396
• Community Care for Vulnerable Groups in Romania 01:959:396

Your next step in beginning the social work major is to register for your classes.  Follow these steps below to begin registration.  

**If you are a new transfer student at the University, you will need to register during your school orientation date (January for new spring students, June - Aug for new fall students)

1. Click on the curriculum-at-a-glance to review your required courses for each semester in the social work major.
2. Register through Rutgers Web Registration System (Current Rutgers students only. You will need your NetID and password). You may also build, review and compare schedules using the Course Schedule Planner.