Integrate your love for people and your passion for positive change through rigorous academics, practical application and a firm commitment to love like Jesus loves.
Rebekah Antonelli (’21) with her Practicum Supervisor and Co-workers at Reach One, Touch One Ministries in Uganda.
Integrate your love for people and your passion for positive change through rigorous academics, practical application, and a firm commitment to love like Jesus loves.
Social Work is primarily the application of theory, knowledge, and skills in working with individuals, families, small groups, organizations, communities, and public policy to enhance or restore their capacity for social functioning and creating favorable societal conditions.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work prepares students for careers in areas such as gerontology, child welfare, juvenile delinquency, school social work, social services administration, community development, policy, counseling, and case management, among others. Social workers help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. Social work is an exciting, rewarding, and growing profession that is in high demand, as students are equipped with the knowledge, values, and skills with which to work with a variety of issues. With contemporary social issues such as child abuse, homelessness, racism, discrimination, AIDS, poverty, aging, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, violence against women, and juvenile delinquency, there has never been a more important need for social workers. The Social Work curriculum includes two practical experiences in real-world professional settings.
Asbury Social Work students have opportunities to participate in international practicum semester in Uganda or Romania. Additional study abroad opportunities include a Human Dignity Tour travel course to Germany and Poland, Paris semester, Spain semester, and others. Students interested in studying abroad should talk with their faculty academic advisor as early as possible in order to fit it into their academic plan.
Social work majors have enhanced their scope of practice by double majoring in Political Science, Intercultural Studies, Business, Recreation, Equine, and other disciplines.
Katie Wall ’21 is almost finished with her Master of Social Work degree while she works for a Christian mental health clinic in Florida. Katie shares: “What I enjoyed most about studying social work at Asbury was getting to learn under some incredibly intelligent professors who not only cared about how I was doing academically but also how I was doing as a person. What I learned as an undergraduate student helped prepare me for both graduate-level work and my career. I would encourage you to trust in God and follow His calling on your life. Social work is an incredible profession in which you can customize your studies based on your area of interest, and you truly can make a difference.”
Accreditation
Asbury University Bachelor of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation. Students earning a B.A. or B.S. in Social Work from Asbury’s Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program have an opportunity to receive advanced standing into one year Master of Social Work programs at many CSWE accredited universities.
Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
Bachelor of Social Work Program Evaluation Results
4.0.4: The program uses Form AS B4 to report its most recent assessment outcomes to constituents and the public on its website and routinely updates (minimally every 2 years) these postings. View the current accreditation evaluation results below:
Asbury University Results – Updated July 2021
Competency
Competency Benchmark
On-Campus Delivery System
Online Delivery System
Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
80%
96.97%
94.55%
Engage in Diversity & Difference in Practice
80%
97.35%
96.75%
Advance Human Rights & Social, Economic, & Environmental Justice
80%
94.87%
96.73%
Engage in Practice-Informed Research & Research-Informed Practice
80%
92.41%
98.96%
Engage in Policy Practice
80%
92.94%
98.96%
Engage with Individual, Families, Groups, Organizations, & Communities
Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, & Communities
80%
95.96%
97.15%
Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations & Communities
80%
98.15%
95.73%
The Asbury University BSW Program implemented EPAS 2015 prior to the last Self Study Evaluation by CSWE. This form was uploaded to the Asbury website in 2021.
November 7, 2022 — This month, Ethan Engelhardt, assistant professor of social work at Asbury University, co-published an article in the Military Medicine journal about help-seeking behavior for mental health needs among active duty Air Force personnel.
March 30, 2022 — On February 15, Dr. Michelle Asbill led four seniors from the Social Work Department to Frankfort, Ky. to discuss public policies at the state level.
“Social Work is a helping profession and I wanted to find a professional field that specialized in helping others because I feel that servanthood is the call on my life. I have greatly enjoyed getting out into the Social Work field through the practicum placements I have taken part in. I feel that this is specifically unique to Social Work because of how much experience we gain through these opportunities.”
— Quinn
Appointed Class of 2021
Social Work
Our Students
“I attended a music class this week where the teacher greeted each child with a hug or handshake before they came into the classroom. I loved this concept because even a simple hug can make a big difference in a child’s life. Taking that extra step to show them love is exactly what they need.”
— Kenna
Visionary Class of 2020
Social Work
Words from our Students
On one of Hannah’s home visits, she met with a young man who suffered from a serious brain injury that resulted in delayed development, stuttering, and severe memory loss. Hannah said it was “such a beautiful experience for me to see how far someone can grow, even if he will still work through this injury for the rest of his life. He still makes strides every day and I am so honored I got to work with him.”
— Hannah
Visionary Class of 2020
Social Work
Words from our Students
“They sincerely care and want to see you succeed on your journey. My worries were eased for the smoothest of transitions from a community college into a full-time status at Asbury.”
— Amanda
Appointed Class of 2021
Social Work
Words from our Students
“Some of my best experiences have been watching children be reunified with their parents after their parents successfully complete their case plans, but also seeing some of our children be adopted by loving families who can truly provide them with the love and care they never received before. Seeing children finally get out of abusive and neglectful situations is one of the most meaningful parts of this job.”
— Mikayla
Visionary Class of 2020
Social Work
Words from our Students
“Smaller class sizes, online availability, faith-based education, supportive staff, and professors, and even individuals who connect and pray throughout the semesters help provide successful learning. I am gaining both knowledge and hands-on experience in the area in which I will be working. At the same time, faith continues to grow each day.”
— Jennifer
Social Work
Words from our Students
“It was during my third week [at practicum] that I was able to witness a newborn baby being introduced to its forever parents. I didn’t know what to expect going into the hospital, I just knew that it was going to be a special experience. Without social work, and without Nightlight, this baby would not have a secure future, and the parents would never know what it was like to have a child.”
— Hannah
Appointed Class of 2021
Social Work
Words from our Students
“Asbury has acted as a key for those that seek with their hearts and minds to recognize and reach their potential for the highest of professionalism and courtesy. I am forever grateful for their online program in Social Work that has helped me recognize those attributes within myself.”
— Amanda
Appointed Class of 2021
Social Work
Words from our Students
“It will transform you in more ways than you know. I am walking away from Asbury with the blessing of a confidence in my faith that is irreplaceable. God has shown up, and I feel prepared to take steps into my future no matter what that may bring!”
— Caitlin
Vindicated Class of 2018
Social Work, Business Administration
Words from our Students
“Being with the Mission humbled me and I was able to be transformed by the stories and the words that each individual told me. So often they would tell me that ‘there are no bad days, only good days because if you wake up each day, then it is a good day.’ That changed everything for me. These people will never know it, but I needed them just as much as they needed me.”
— Kirstyn
Visionary Class of 2020
Social Work
Words from our Students
“Social Work is a helping profession and I wanted to find a professional field that specialized in helping others because I feel that servanthood is the call on my life. I have greatly enjoyed getting out into the Social Work field through the practicum placements I have taken part in. I feel that this is specifically unique to Social Work because of how much experience we gain through these opportunities.”
— Quinn
Appointed Class of 2021
Social Work
By the Numbers
No. 1
Christian Social Work Program
Recently, Asbury was named the No. 1-ranked Christian Social Work program in the nation by Social Work Degree Guide.