Compassion can transform the world
Social Work Degree
The Anderson University social work degree program prepares students to impact individuals, families, and communities professionally and meaningfully. You will learn how to empower others and create lasting impact. A social work degree from AU helps you turn your passion into purpose.
Tomorrow's social workers are getting started right here.
Help people overcome challenges and find hope. Start your social work degree and be a catalyst for change.
Whether students are interested in working with children or adults, mental health concerns or family services, faith-based organizations or public agencies, or any other social concerns, they graduate with the foundational knowledge, skills, and values to pursue their calling. Our program is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).
The mission of the Anderson University Social Work Program is to prepare competent, compassionate, and effective entry-level social workers who:
- Exercise professionalism and integrity by demonstrating knowledge, skills, and values grounded in a person-in-environment framework and through a commitment to scientific inquiry and evidence-based practice.
- Pursue social, racial, economic, and environmental justice by actively working to challenge oppressive systems and to empower marginalized and vulnerable populations.
- Respect human diversity by valuing the dignity and worth of every person and promoting inclusive and equitable policies and practices.
- Advocate for universal human rights by working to eliminate poverty and to create societal conditions that advance human and community well-being.
- Cultivate human relationships by engaging in collaborative partnerships with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities both locally and globally.
- Practice service to others by committing to do good, seek justice, rebuke and rectify the hearts of oppressors, defend orphans and widows, and help those in need (based on Isaiah 1:17). (revised 2024)
EXPLORE SOCIAL WORK
When students are compelled by faith and personal values to pursue a career in helping others, it’s important to find a program that integrates their motivation with the practical knowledge and skills required for effective social work practice.
Anderson University social work graduates often comment on the value of receiving supportive modeling and mentoring from professors, who not only have academic preparation and extensive social work practice, but also a Christian perspective and commitment to helping students reach their potential. Pursuing knowledge beyond the textbook is important, and in the AU social work program, opportunities abound. Field trips, both locally and to inner-city Chicago, expand students’ knowledge of social problems, as well as strategies for alleviating them. The social work program ends with a capstone trip focused on learning, service, and reflection.
Students are exposed to a minimum of four populations in need through three mini-internships and one full-semester practicum. Many social work students further their knowledge and skills by providing leadership in AU’s Campus Ministries programs, such as Advocacy and Awareness or Prison Ministry. Some find part-time employment with community social-service agencies. Senior social work students plan and present the annual AU Social Work Conference for local service providers. The agencies that host (and often hire) AU social work students describe them as mature, well-prepared, strongly committed to service, and consistently measuring above other college students they have supervised.
Social Work Degree Options
- Major: Complete the 64-hour major.
- Minor: The social work minor provides students majoring in other areas to have a secondary focus on social services. This minor helps students develop knowledge and skills for working collaboratively with professional social workers as well as diverse and/or at-risk populations.
- Classes: View the full list of courses within the social work program.
Careers
- Mental health and substance abuse case manager
- Harm reduction and infectious disease community case manager
- School social worker
- Human trafficking victims advocate
- Division of Family Services case manager
- Foster care case manager
Experience
Students have the opportunity to be a part of Phi Alpha Theta XI, a Social Work Honorary Society. Students are exposed to at least four different populations in need through internships and practicum.
The Carrie Becker Brown Social Work Program Scholarship
This Anderson University scholarship is awarded to social work majors in their junior year who meet the criteria. The average award is up to $2,800.
External Scholarships
Various social work professional organizations work to assist undergrad and graduate students in funding their social work education.
Check out The Social Work Guide, which offers a broad range of scholarship opportunities.
Practicum Sites
- Community Health Network
- Anderson Community Schools
- Madison County Dep’t of Child Services
- Aspire Indiana Infectious Disease Prevention Program
- Compassus Hospice
- Assurance Health Psychiatric Hospital
- South Meridian Church of God Community Outreach
- Ivy Tech Adult Wrap Around Services
- Hamilton County Juvenile Probation
- Madison County Sheriff’s Office – Victim Assistance
- Madison County Prosecutor’s Office – Victim Assistance
- Madison County Youth Opportunity Center
- Aspire Indiana Kids Talk Child Advocacy Center
- Firefly Children and Family Alliance of Madison County
- Bethany Christian Services of Central Indiana
- Ascension Anderson Center Adolescent and Adult Outpatient Services
- Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program
- Madison County Community Health Center
- Community Fairbanks Recovery Center
Resources
View the Student Handbook for more information on the social work program.
- Assessment Outcomes 2020 (AS4 B Form) [PDF]
- Assessment Outcomes 2021 (AS4 B Form) [PDF]
- Assessment Outcomes 2022 (AS4 B Form) [PDF]
- Assessment Outcomes 2023 (AS4 B Form) [PDF]
- Assessment Outcomes 2024 (AS4 B Form) [PDF]
Social workers don't just help—they heal, uplift, and inspire.
Erica Smatlak has found that she can be the hands and feet of Jesus through her calling as a social worker.
Meet our social work degree faculty during your campus visit.
_ Social Work
Dr. Lolly Bargerstock
Social Work Program Director
Melanie Lain Musser
Instructor of Social Work
Lisa Pay
Professor of Social Work
The Anderson You
You have unique interests and skills that set you apart. Explore the free My College Career Quiz to receive a personalized list of majors selected just for you. We’ve taken out the guessing work. Come find the Anderson you.