The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is designed to be completed in four years. Students take general education courses, known as BELLCore courses, and an Introduction to Social Work course in the first year of the program. In the second year, students continue in the BELLCore and have two social work classes each semester. During the third year, students delve deeper into the social work content and continue the general education requirements. Their final year includes the completion of any remaining BELLCore courses as well as the start of their intensive 450 hour internship experience, which in social work is referred to as Field Education.
In addition to the BSW, our Department offers a Minor in Social Justice that allows students an opportunity to learn more about the social problems our society faces and the important role social systems play in solving them.
Students who transfer into the program will be advised with an individual plan to complete the program in a timely manner. If you are considering a transfer to Belmont University for social work, please refer to the suggested program of study for guidance on equivalent coursework during the first and/or second years. Please contact Dr. Jennifer Crowell Thompson with any questions!
View the catalog for course listings and descriptions.
- Social Justice Minor
- Field Education
- School Social Work Licensure
- Student Research
The Social Justice Minor includes 18 hours of Social Work course credit. Students minoring in Social Justice are not eligible to take advanced practice classes or participate in Field Education. Please see the catalog for detailed requirements.
Social Work Field Education Manual
Belmont’s extensive field education curriculum in social work will complete your education with meaningful service and invaluable experience in locations down the street or on the other side of the world. We help arrange these practice sites in Nashville, in your hometown, or anywhere in the U.S. or internationally.
Field education will provide you opportunity to practice your social work knowledge, values, and skills in an agency or organization supervised by a professional social worker.
Whether your interests are in child welfare, hunger, homelessness, domestic violence, corrections, health care, immigration, hospice or some other area of service, we will work closely with you to find the best field education option for your career preparation.
Being in a metropolitan area has great advantages for placing social work students in field education. Thousands of social service agencies are available as field sites and as future places of employment. Belmont University has also placed field students nationally and internationally. We will work with you to provide the best experience available.
For more information or questions concerning our field program, please contact our Director of Field Education, Professor Julie Hunt at julie.hunt@belmont.edu.
School social work is a specialized area of practice within the field of social work. Upon successful completion of the course of study, the student can apply for licensure with the Tennessee State Board of Education. Only with this license can the graduate be employed as a School Social Worker in the State of Tennessee.
The School Social Work program is a joint program of the Social Work Department and Belmont's School of Education, enhanced with additional courses in education and school social work and requiring a field placement in a school setting.
View Course Requirements for the School Social Work Program.
Each year, social work students join with other undergraduates at Belmont in conducting independent research in their fields of study. In the spring, the students present their research findings to a community of peers at the Belmont Undergraduate Research Symposium (BURS). This opportunity provides excellent preparation for advanced study in social work and enhances understanding of the profession.
Interested in the Adult Degree Social Work Program? Learn more.