School of Social Work

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Jennifer Crowell Thompson (Chair), Douglas Crews, Carmen Reese Foster, Julie W. Hunt, Sabrina W. Sullenberger

Mission

The mission of the Belmont University School of Social Work is to empower students to make meaningful change in the world through commitment to anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice, integrity, and the pursuit of social justice. Guided by the example of Jesus and our professional social work values, we collaborate with students, interprofessional colleagues and community members to create a more just and compassionate world.          

B.S.W

Belmont University’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program offers a comprehensive education in social work, combining academic coursework with practical experience to prepare students for impactful careers in various community based settings. The 128-credit-hour curriculum includes major courses, general electives, and BELL Core (general education) requirements, and culminates in a 450-hour senior-year field placement. The curriculum is organized around nine essential areas which include Advancing Social, Racial and Environmental Justice; Engaging Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Practice; Human Behavior and Social Environment; Social Welfare Policy and Services; Social Work Practice; Social Work Research; and Practicum Instruction. The program also offers a 4+1 MSW pathway for advanced standing in Belmont’s Master of Social Work program.

There are many career opportunities in social work. The following is a partial listing of areas of professional practice. For a more complete listing, please contact the Chair or visit the school’s webpage:

Accreditation

The Belmont University BSW Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). Accreditation of a social work program by the BOA indicates that it meets or exceeds standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals, and the BOA has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all accreditation standards. Accreditation applies to all program options, which include locations and delivery methods.  Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program. version 5.16.2025 | Page 7 of 141. Review our program’s accreditation status in CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs. For more information about social work accreditation, contact CSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation.

B.S.W. Admissions

Students can be directly admitted to the BSW program via University Admissions or pursue an internal transfer by changing their major to Social Work once admitted. Each student will complete application materials to ensure professional fitness during their enrollment in SWK 3810 Social Welfare Policy. The program is open to all qualified applicants without discrimination.

B.S.W Mission

The Bachelor of Social Work program at Belmont University prepares students for ethical and effective generalist social work practice across local and global contexts. Rooted in the core values of the profession-service, respect for the dignity and worth of every individual, the promotion of social justice through advocacy and scientific inquiry, the importance of human relationships, competence and integrity in professional practice, human rights, and the enhancement of well-being for all -the program equips students to promote individual and community well-being through culturally responsive and evidence-informed approaches. Guided by a person-in-environment perspective and Belmont’s faith-informed commitment to formation and human flourishing, the program empowers students to advocate for equity, uphold human rights, and work toward the elimination of poverty and injustice in all forms.

Goals:

1. To prepare students for entry level professional social work practice or graduate study who demonstrate competence and effectiveness as generalist practitioners and who are committed to life-long learning.
2. To prepare students who are guided by the knowledge, values, ethics, and skills of the social work profession.
3. To prepare students to engage as critical and strategic thinkers with respect to issues of oppression, marginalization, and other systemic vulnerabilities.
4. To graduate students who promote social and economic justice in communities both local and global.

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