About the Bachelor of Social Work Program
The University of Wyoming Division of Social Work offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree program that is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. A BSW degree is a professional degree that allows an individual to apply for certification at the state level in Wyoming. The Division of Social Work prepares generalist social work practitioners to work with individuals, groups, families, organizations, communities and institutions to achieve more effective and efficient functioning.
Coursework includes the University Studies Program (USP) and the Division of Social Work's course requirements. Completion of 120 credit hours is the minimum required for the BSW degree. The curriculum is designed to help students acquire important knowledge and skills in the areas of values and ethics, diversity, social and economic justice, populations at risk, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, social work practice and research. Students select elective courses in areas such as child welfare, aging, substance abuse, corrections, child and adolescent services, mental health and disability services. The program culminates in a 400-hour supervised field practicum during the student's senior year and allows students the opportunity to learn under the supervision of professional social workers and the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in one of Wyoming's many human service agencies.
The Division of Social Work offers one BSW degree program, which may be completed from either of our two locations: UW-Casper or Laramie. Coursework is typically offered face-to-face. Some courses are offered via compressed video or online. Students can start at Casper College through their associate degree in social work.
Students who wish to declare social work as their major are considered "tracking majors" until they have been admitted into the professional program. In addition to completing university requirements, tracking majors complete the social work prerequisites in preparation for submitting their application.
The following prerequisites must be completed with a C or higher prior to admittance:
- STAT 2050 or 2070 or its equivalency
- General Psychology (PSYC 1000)
- Macro Economics (ECON 1010)
- U.S. Constitution (POLS 1000)
- Sociological Principles (SOC 1000)
- Introduction to Social Work (SOWK 2000)
- Human Biology (PSYC 2080, KIN/ZOO 2040 or its equivalency.
- Please note: General Biology [LIFE 1010] does not meet this requirement)
Several graduates of the BSW program choose to pursue their master of social work (MSW) shortly after. The MSW degree is required for graduates who want to work in healthcare, administration, or education settings. The University of Wyoming offers a standard and advanced MSW program. The standard MSW is for students who have an undergraduate degree that isn’t a BSW. The advanced standing MSW is for students who have an undergraduate BSW degree.
What Can You Do With a BSW?
A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is a professional degree that enables an individual to apply for certification at the state level. Career opportunities are available to social workers in a wide variety of state, federal and other public agencies, private non-profit organizations and private for-profit organizations including hospitals, mental health centers, schools, adolescent treatment facilities, child care centers, nursing homes, substance abuse treatment centers, public assistance agencies, probation and parole offices, correctional centers, community action agencies and research facilities. More information about potential careers can be found on the NASW Help Starts Here website. Oftentimes, students will go on to complete a masters degree in social work (MSW), which opens up even more career opportunities.
Yes! The baccalaureate and master's degree programs in social work are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), 333 John Caryle Street, Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314.
- Social Worker
- Case Manager
- Adoption Specialist
- Child Support Officer
- Child Advocate
- Community Outreach Worker
- Community Planner
- Correctional Probation Officer
- Crisis Intervention Specialist
- Domestic Violence Programs
- Human Service Worker
- Gerontology (Senior) Aide
- Life Skills Counselor
- Mental Health Counselor
- Substance Abuse Programs
- Policy Analysis and Advocacy
- Wyoming Department of Health
- Alzheimer's Association
- Interfaith of Natrona County
- Laramie Interfaith
- Casper Re-Entry Center
- Wyoming Department of Family Services
- Equality State Policy Center
- Cathedral Home for Children
- Casper Youth Crisis Center
- LIV Health
- Wyoming Medical Center
- Community Action Partnership
Take a look at social work alumni stories.
A number of hands-on learning opportunities exist for BSW students. These include simulation training with standardized humans acting as clients to reinforce core skills and a practicum at a social service agency under the supervision of an experienced social worker. The purpose of these opportunities is to make the students' assimilation into their careers as seamless as possible. With prior experience in real-world situations, graduates are better equipped to navigate the challenges they will face.
Students also get the opportunity to embark on different research and research-type
projects. For example, recently, several BSW students were beneficiaries of a national
opioid grant and conducted research projects on examining the opioid and drug epidemic
in the United States. In addition, students can apply for the McNair Scholarship and
upon acceptance, conduct independent research with the support of a faculty and graduate
student mentor. The McNair Scholars present their research at the McNair Research
Symposium on campus and also at a national peer-reviewed conference. Students are
also given the opportunity to work on research-type projects in several classes. They
present their research at various forums such as the UW’s Annual Shepard Symposium
on Social Justice or at the Undergraduate Research and Inquiry Day.
"The BSW program and Division of Social Work, not only changed my personal life but my future as a professional. It allowed my passion to run wild, challenged me and allowed me to reflect on different aspects of my life I otherwise would not have. It opened my eyes to be the person I wish I had when I needed help…The Division of Social Work at the University of Wyoming is why I am the social worker I am today. I will forever be thankful for the impact it has had on me."
- Shelby Spivey | BSW Class of 2022
