Program Overview
Social work is a rewarding and fast-growing profession for those with a strong desire to help people and make a difference. At Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, we are proud to serve as a leading regional provider of accredited social work education.
Our Social Work majors earn a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree while gaining experience with contemporary social issues such as child abuse, homelessness, racism, chronic diseases, poverty, aging, teenage pregnancy, substance misuse, violence against women, juvenile delinquency and suicide prevention. Our bachelor’s degree in Social Work will prepare you for professional practice, including counseling and advocacy, and will teach you the fundamentals of providing basic support services for vulnerable individuals and groups.
Accredited through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), our Bachelor of Social Work degree program provides students with top-quality community-based social work experiences. Graduates from the Marshall University Department of Social Work have an excellent track record in finding social work jobs.
Social workers have jobs in hospitals, mental health centers, schools, child welfare services and numerous other human service organizations. There continues to be a growing need for social workers in West Virginia, the Tri-State area and throughout the country.
The B.S.W. degree serves as the entry level into the profession.
Request Info
- Find out which of our academic programs is right for you.
- Meet some of our current students and hear about their favorite Marshall moments.
- Receive invitations to special events for future students.
- Get help with the application and enrollment process.
Program Highlights
Social work is a profession grounded in the values of human rights and social justice. If you are someone who cares about the worth and dignity of people and the importance of human relationships, as well as integrity and competence, a B.S.W. degree from the accredited program at Marshall University is perfect for you.
A B.S.W. education prepares graduates for generalist practice, meaning you will be prepared to work with any population in any setting upon graduation.
Careers in social work offer job security, since there will always be communities that need resources/advocates. By 2026, the number of social workers is projected to increase to more than 790,000. Over the next decade, the occupation of child, family and school social workers is projected to add the most jobs—about 45,000. In West Virginia, the need for social work services and family drug courts are also increasing.
Marshall University’s BSW students can enhance their degree with two specialized social work certificates: Child Welfare and Social Work in Healthcare. The Child Welfare Certificate builds knowledge and skills for work with at-risk children and families across child protective services, foster and kinship care, adoption, and youth-serving programs. The Social Work in Healthcare Certificate deepens understanding of biopsychosocial practice in medical settings and prepares students to support patients across diverse health care environments. Both certificates combine targeted coursework with field-relevant content to strengthen students’ marketability and readiness for specialized practice.
Featured Courses
Career Opportunities
Opportunities for B.S.W. graduates include work in settings such as:
- Mental health / behavioral health organizations
- Substance use disorder treatment facilities
- Schools
- Prisons and other criminal justice facilities
- Child welfare agencies
- Healthcare Systems
The Value of a Marshall Education
What is Earnings Ratio? For every $1 you spend on your Marshall degree, $1.47 comes back to you in future earnings.