Social Work Major

Do you thrive working with others? Do you want a career doing good for communities? If you want to be an agent of positive change and a leader for the wellbeing of all, then an engaging and hands-on profession in Social Work may be the right path for you.

Our local and global communities need more leaders who are knowledgeable and compassionate. If you are driven by a need for justice and equality, you will find no better launchpad than the Social Work program at Champlain College. Dynamic classrooms and engaging community experiences align to build the skills you need to contribute to a more just world.

Why study social work at Champlain College?

We believe some of the best learning comes from experience, so we make sure you graduate with a background rich in real social work. With our combination of broad social work learning and extensive field experiences, you'll be prepared for a career of building a better world for the people who need it most. 

At Champlain, you will jump right into your Social Work education. In our Upside-Down Curriculum, you'll be enrolled in your first Social Work class in your first semester, and will begin to connect with the professional community the following spring. 

You'll also be able to explore related disciplines—such as Social Justice, Law, Psychology, Global Studies, or Business—through a minor.

• As a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, you can go on to earn a Master of Social Work in just one  year. Nearly half of Social Work students take advantage of this accelerated opportunity.
• Access to change agents is one-of-a-kind with small classes and close ties to the Statehouse. Our students meet at the capital each year with legislators who have social work backgrounds

Fieldwork Opportunities in the Social Work Major

Because you'll be taking field-relevant courses from the start, you'll be ready for meaningful internships much sooner than students at most other institutions. 

Much of your social work education will be hands-on in the greater Burlington community throughout your four years here. The city's culture and environment unite perfectly with our social justice mission. You will have multiple opportunities for practical application of your developing skills, in agencies focused on physical and mental health, human rights, crisis response, poverty and homelessness, child and family well-being, and community development. 

Because Champlain College's Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), it meets the requirements for licensure in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.

While you are feeding your passion for social justice with all of these practical experiences, you'll also be building a résumé that will impress future employers.

Accelerated Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW)

Through our CSWE-accredited Social Work program, you may apply to a Master of Social Work (MSW) program that will allow you to earn a master's degree in one year instead of two. If accepted, you will save a year of graduate tuition costs.