Make a difference where it matters most.
BVU’s Social Work program prepares you to support individuals, families, and communities through advocacy, service, and ethical practice. You will build the skills to take on real challenges and create meaningful change.
Why study Social Work at BVU
A BVU social work degree combines hands-on learning, personalized mentorship, and professional preparation to equip you for licensure, graduate study, and a meaningful career serving others.
Accredited Program
Earn your degree through a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Outstanding Career Outcomes
Graduate with a 100% placement rate in employment or graduate school.
Hands-On Field Experience
Develop practical skills through early and extensive fieldwork opportunities.
Career & Licensure Preparation
Build the foundation for licensure, graduate study, and impactful careers serving others.
Mission & Student Learning Outcomes
The mission of Buena Vista University’s Social Work Program is to prepare culturally competent and service-oriented professionals. Through experiential learning and focused research, the program cultivates generalist social work practitioners who are committed to addressing complex problems and creating change within systems at all levels.
Noah Becker '23, Outpatient Therapist, Seasons Center for Behavioral Health
"The social work program at BVU provided me with unique and relevant experiences, such as community internships, facilitation, volunteering for community events, and providing means to basic needs for community members. Through the many hands-on experiences, the program prepared me to hit the ground running for my future career and continued education."
Learn by doing, from day one
You will not wait until your senior year to gain experience.
Foundations in social work and human services
Complete a 3-week field experience to explore career paths
Field placements and applied learning
Full-time internship and career preparation
Make an Impact
Students make a difference both in their own communities and beyond the classroom. Through service-based learning during A Week of Offsite Learning (AWOL), field placements in agencies, schools, clinics, and nonprofits, and a full-time senior internship, you'll gain valuable hands-on experience while serving others. You'll also have opportunities to travel to cities like Kansas City, Chicago, and the Twin Cities to connect with professionals and explore social work in action, all while building the skills and confidence for your future career or graduate studies.
BVU social work graduates go far.
Where this degree can take you
Curriculum Highlights
Explore how individuals, families, and communities interact with their environments to better understand the challenges people face.
Learn how social welfare policies and programs shape communities while discovering ways to advocate for meaningful change.
Develop the skills to support individuals and communities through ethical social work practices informed by research.
Apply your knowledge through field observation and a senior practicum, gaining real-world experience alongside experienced professionals.
Student Learning Outcomes
As an accredited program, BVU measures and reports student learning outcomes in alignment with Council on Social Work Education standards. [View Assessment Data]
Serve others. Strengthen communities. Create lasting change.
Stability, influence, and professional growth start here.