Social Work

Undergraduate Major & Minor College of Health Professions

Bachelor of Social Work

Two PLU social work students look at a laptop at a front desk at local school where they're completing a social work internship.

About:

If you want a career where you make a real difference, PLU’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is a strong fit. You’ll prepare for work that matters, like supporting children, youth, families, and communities; partnering with marginalized populations; addressing behavioral health needs; and advancing social justice.

At PLU, you’ll study within a program rooted in the liberal arts and guided by values of equity, compassion, and service. Professors bring both professional expertise and a passion for teaching, while small class sizes mean you’ll learn in a close, supportive environment. Every student completes more than 400 hours of field practicum at a local agency, putting classroom learning into practice and building the skills needed for professional success.

Graduates are ready to step into diverse roles in schools, hospitals, nonprofits, health care, and community organizations — or continue on to graduate study, including PLU’s own Master of Social Work program with advanced standing. Wherever your path leads, you’ll be prepared to serve others, advocate for justice, and be an ethical changemaker.

Skills you'll gain from this program:

Client Engagement & Interviewing — Build trust, ask effective questions, and use professional interviewing techniques to support individuals and families.
Community-Based Practice — Complete 400+ hours of supervised practicum in local agencies and orgs, applying classroom knowledge to hands-on work.
Research & Policy Analysis — Apply social science research methods to study human behavior and evaluate the impact of social policies.
Equity-Driven Practice — Learn to recognize systems of oppression, challenge inequities, and design solutions that promote justice across communities.
Advocacy & Intervention — Implement strategies to help individuals, families, and groups while also advocating for broader social and systemic change.

Graduates from the last 5 years: Their jobs

Clinical Intervention Specialist, Seneca Family of Agencies
Respite Worker, Mental Health Specialists
Case Manager, Supportive Services for Veteran Families
Medical Social Worker, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
Public Policy Intern, National Alliance on Mental Illness
School Social Worker, Highline School District
Mental Health Therapist, MultiCare Health System
Behavioral Support Specialist, Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound

Graduates from the last 5 years: Their graduate programs

Master of Social Work, Pacific Lutheran University
Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis, Ball State University
Master of Arts in Counseling, Antioch University - Seattle
Master of Science in Social Work, University of Washington
Master of Social Work, Boston University
Master of Social Work, Columbia University
Master of Science in Nursing, Pacific Lutheran University

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Education at PLU is more personalized in comparison to bigger schools, and as a student I’ve felt more confident of asking questions and reaching out to faculty, they are all very supportive and understanding. All the classes I have taken specifically for the major have helped me to understand social work in a better way, and are key to feel prepared and understanding of what we may face out there in the field.

— Belen S.Z. ’25

I really appreciate that the Social Work major has internships woven in the plan. It gives everyone an opportunity to be hands-on in the field before graduating. The internship experience is pretty vital when trying to get a job post-college because a lot of entry-level positions want you to have some sort of experience.

— Ciara I. ’26

As a bilingual immigrant myself, a future personal goal is to be able to work and advocate for the Latinx community. Having the chance to work with immigrants from many different countries and also Spanish speakers during my social work internship has made me discover the huge impact that social workers have in the community.

— Belen S.Z. ’25

100

of 2024 social work graduates reported employment or acceptance into graduate school within 6 months of graduating.

Hands-on Experience

100% of social work majors get hands-on learning experience through over 400 hours of field practicum.

Study Abroad

There’s a popular social work study away class that takes place in Tobago during January Term, taught by PLU professors and staff!

Get your Master’s

We offer guaranteed admission to our Advanced Standing Master of Social Work for eligible PLU social work students and an automatic $5,000 PLU Alumni Scholarship. The program is only 14 months, which means essentially a 4+1 track to your MSW!