Why Lipscomb and Why Social Work?

The Department and Program

The Department of Social Work and Sociology offers a major in Social Work and minors in Social Welfare and Sociology. Lipscomb's Social Work Program is accredited by the CSWE, the national accrediting body for social work education. 

Minors in Sociology or Social Welfare are useful for individuals entering people-oriented professions, including education, psychology, family studies, and ministry.

A Social Work major  at the Baccalaureate level obtains a professional degree, indicating preparation to enter the field as an entry-level, generalist social worker, even without further education. 

Social Work Preparation

Social Work graduates are prepared to be entry-level generalist social workers. Generalist social wokers have knowledge, values, and skills to work with individuals, families, organizations, and communities to improve the quality of life for all. Prior to graduating, Lipscomb Social Work students have completed over 500 hours of supervised Field Practicum work in the field prior to graduating!

Social Work as a Profession

Social work views people in the context of their environments and focuses on building on their strengths in order to help people overcome challenges, deal with problems, and fulfill their potential. Social workers use knowledge from the areas of biology, psychology, sociology, and culture to understand and to help people - in order to make the world a better place. 

Opportunities for Employment

 Lipscomb Social Work alumni are currently working in Christian and secular (private and public) agencies across the state, the nation, and internationally. They are case managers, counselors, social workers, administrators, supervisors, attorneys, and human resource managers.  They work in hospitals, schools, counseling agencies, mental health centers, domestic violence shelters, courts, nursing homes, child and family service agencies, foster care and adoption agencies, child advocacy agencies, area agencies on aging, community outreach agencies, dialysis clinics, as well as for state and local governments. Lipscomb Social Work graduates are preferred for employment by area employers!

Advantages at Graduate School

Lipscomb Social Work alumni are well-prepared and often preferred for admission into graduate school.  Lipscomb's CSWE-accredited status makes academically strong graduates eligible for admission into Advanced Standing programs at the MSW level.  This means that Lipscomb Social Work graduates can earn a Master's in Social Work within one year of completion of their education at Lipscomb University!