Social Work

Prepare for a rewarding and dynamic profession ideal for those with a strong desire to help people transform their lives.
Social Work
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Agency Building
40+ Certified agencies for field placement
100 Percent
100% job placement rate
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100% Grad school acceptance rate

Earn Your Degree in Social Work

In the social work program at Viterbo University you will develop valuable skills in ethical decision making and gain insights into social justice and issues related to diversity. Our social work degrees also provide practical opportunities for you to gain field experience and earn professional certifications.

Social Work (BA)

Make a meaningful impact in people's lives with our BA in social work, which is  nationally accredited, guided by experienced faculty committed to your growth. In small, collaborative classes, you’ll explore the complexities of social work through engaging discussions and hands-on learning. A 450-hour internship in a social service setting gives you the chance to work closely with an experienced instructor, allowing you to apply your knowledge in real-world situations. With this comprehensive experience, you’ll be ready to make a difference and contribute to your community from day one.

Social Work (BS)

In our BS in social work program, faculty with extensive experience as social workers lead small classes and challenging courses focused on valuable hands-on and experiential learning. You will participate in a 30-hour per week, 450-hour internship in a social service setting with a trained social work field instructor. Our social work degree programs are nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. 

Family Studies (Minor)

The family studies minor is an interdisciplinary program focusing on human development within the family context. The two primary focuses are:

  • The nature of family interactions and family issues
  • Family interactions within broader social institutions

The coursework mainly consists of social work and psychology courses, complemented by options in nursing, philosophy, and criminal justice classes. This minor would be beneficial if you plan to work in health care, social services, counseling, youth services, teaching, ministry, family law, or business.

Gerontology (Minor)

Worldwide, the aging population presents unique challenges and opportunities across all fields, especially nursing and social work. The gerontology minor examines the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging and includes courses in nursing, sociology, social work, nutrition and dietetics, psychology, religious studies, biology, and philosophy. The minor requires 15 total credits. Transfer courses, waivers and/or substitutions, and prerequisite courses could modify these credit totals.

Advantages for Majors in Social Work Programs at Viterbo

  • Gain real-world experience. As a social work major, you will participate in service learning by volunteering with local agencies and completing a 450-hour senior practicum with a community organization. This hands-on experience will help you develop skills and strengthen practical social work strategies.
  • Qualify for the state social work exam. Our social work program has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education at the bachelor's degree level since 2000. This makes our graduates eligible for the state exam required to practice social work.
  • Learn from expert faculty. Our social work faculty members bring extensive practice experience into the classroom to help you develop a deep understanding of the field. Faculty members mentor social work majors, providing guidance on a practice area, career path, or graduate school.

What can you do with a degree in social work? 

Our social work program graduates who pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree enjoy a 100% acceptance rate into graduate school programs. Our alumni have been accepted to MSW programs at:

  • Augsburg University
  • Columbia University
  • Concordia University-Wisconsin
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of St. Thomas
  • University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee
  • Winona State University

Viterbo social work graduates who choose to enter the social work field after graduation have experienced a 100% placement rate. Our graduates have obtained career positions with:

  • Case management organizations
  • Elderly and accessibility services
  • Family and children's services
  • Human service organizations across the country
  • Legal services as paralegals or legal assistants
  • Medical centers, including Gundersen Healthcare and Mayo Health Systems
  • Non-profits, including Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Services
  • Police, correctional, and probation services
  • Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center
  • Victim advocacy services

Related Programs at Viterbo University

Social Work Stories
Hailey Johnson, social work student

A Story of Resilience and Inspiration

From a childhood filled with challenges to a future dedicated to helping others, Hailey's journey is one of strength and determination. Inspired by the social worker who changed her life, she’s now on a path to do the same for ...
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Realized a career in social work meant she could make a big difference in peoples’ lives

Meet Katelyn Krahn, a junior from Green Bay, Wis. majoring in social work. Katelyn enjoys helping people and discovered that a career in social work was a good match for her interests and skills. She graduates in 2024.
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Social Work Student is Ready to Make a Difference

Logan Bjerkos, a senior social work major at Viterbo University, admits she was worried about the cost of attending college when she was considering where to study. “I was terrified going into college, thinking about how I was...
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Congratulations to Social Work AHEC Case Competitors

Congratulations to Samantha Boland (junior), far right, and Makenzie Vesbach (senior), far left social work majors who are Wisconsin Area Health Educator Center (AHEC) scholars that participated in a state-wide Interprofessiona...
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Emily Aerts

Emily Aerts ’13

The skills I gained with my degree in social work at Viterbo have allowed me to succeed in a wide range of positions—from small group intervention with elementary students in a charter school to developing and implementing programs from the ground up with a new nonprofit. The close relationships I was able to develop with the faculty allowed them to get to know me and to challenge me to be the best I could be. They provided me with all the tools I needed to succeed. My experiences have taught me that the quality of education you get at Viterbo is unique and not one you are likely to find anywhere else.”
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Jolene Lansin

Junior social work student

I have wanted to help people since I was 10 years old, and getting a degree in social work will allow me to help individuals in several different ways. I like social work because it provides a number of career paths and will allow me to work within the mental health or medical field. The social work program has helped me gain relationships with classmates and professors and has helped me become more open-minded and accepting of others. I cannot wait to make a difference in someone’s life!”