BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN
SOCIAL WORK A Powerful Educational Experience A degree in social work from Niagara University provides so many potential career paths and options that it can be challenging to answer the question: what can I do with a degree in social work? Social workers can be found in schools, hospitals, police departments, public libraries, government offices, courtrooms — in short, anywhere people are in need of help. Social workers work with individuals and families facing challenges including poverty, physical and mental health issues, addiction, and family problems, providing clinical and case management services. Others go on in careers as lobbyists, policy analysts, community activists, or international relief groups.
A Cutting-Edge Curriculum Our curriculum is built around concepts of empowerment and experiential learning, with a focus on discovering individual strengths to ultimately prepare students to work as beginning generalist social workers in a range of settings, with a broad range of clients. Students will take a mix of courses in history, psychology, sociology, and social work, as well as independent studies, internships, practicum experience and the chance to do research with faculty. Minors can be added in relevant academic areas such as psychology, sociology, or Vincentian poverty studies.
QUALITY
FLEXIBILITY
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Social work faculty members hold master’s degrees and Ph.D.’s in social work, have extensive clinical experience working in major cities like Chicago, Boston, Buffalo, and Niagara Falls, and present regularly at national conferences.
Students are prepared upon graduation for the career path they choose, or may go on to complete master’s degrees at high-level graduate schools such as the University of Pennsylvania, Boston University, or Columbia University.
Students get an average of 500 hours of hands-on learning and field experience, including a yearlong field placement in a social work agency, and hours completed through two on-campus civic engagement centers.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN
SOCIAL WORK Students have opportunities to complete service hours for the Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement on campus, and work with the Homeless Outreach Project to combat homelessness in our area, and within the Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equality and Mission. Graduates of NU’s social work program will be prepared and empowered to be successful whether going on to complete master’s level degrees, or as they begin working in the field right away.
“Niagara University’s social work department gave me numerous opportunities to gain real-world experience both inside and outside the classroom. The knowledgeable faculty taught me the necessary social work competencies and skills that have enabled me to be successful in the field. I am truly thankful that I attended Niagara University!”
Medical Social Worker
Clinical Social Worker
Education
Child/Family Services • Government/ Community Activist
Kaylyn Townsend, ’19 Master’s of Social Work Student, University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice
$60,900 Median Pay for Social Workers in 2018*
*Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Our program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). In addition, we have full reciprocity with the Canadian Association of Social Work Education (CASWE).
About Niagara University Founded by the Vincentian community in 1856, Niagara University educates students in the highest academic tradition so that they graduate with the confidence, clarity of direction, and heightened sense of purpose to excel in their careers and be change leaders in their field. The university has received accolades from U.S. News & World Report, Colleges of Distinction and Money magazine for its ability to offer students a high return on their educational investment.
CONTACT US TODAY www.niagara.edu/socialwork Dr. Kevin D. Blair, Chair blairkd@niagara.edu
716.286.8516