Bachelor of Social Work | Marywood University Scranton, PA

Make a Difference with a BSW Degree at Marywood

If you want a career that truly helps others, Marywood University’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is the perfect place to start. Located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Marywood offers one of the leading social work programs in the region, preparing students to make a real impact in their communities. With a BSW degree, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and values needed to support individuals, families, groups, and communities.

The curriculum blends liberal arts, social and behavioral sciences, and professional social work courses to provide a well-rounded foundation. Students gain hands-on experience through three field placements, including a 450-hour placement at a community social service agency during the fall of their senior year. Field experiences begin as early as your freshman year, allowing you to apply what you learn from day one.

Earn a Master’s Faster

How Can You Earn Your Master’s Degree Faster at Marywood University?

Marywood also offers a five-year dual-degree option where you can earn both a bachelors of social work and a Master of Social Work (MSW) . This pathway prepares you for advanced social work careers while providing more in-depth training and practical experience.

Along the way, you’ll:

Attend local and state conferences to see social work in action

Join active student organizations and connect with peers

Gain hands-on field experience starting your first year

Take the first step toward a meaningful career. Apply now and start making a difference with your BSW degree at Marywood.

Program Highlights

Get Involved

More than 100+ club and organization opportunities on campus

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Field Experiences

Agency placement in settings that engage students in supervised social work practice

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5 YEAR

BSW/MSW Program available

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About the Social Work (BSW) Program

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

Completed application
Official transcripts
Letter of recommendation
Official SAT and/or ACT test scores (Marywood is test optional)
Essay (optional)

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Facilities & Technology

Immaculata Hall

Formerly known as the Alumnae Residence Hall, Immaculata Hall was renamed in 1954 in honor of Sister Immaculata Gillespie, beloved first Dean of Marywood. While it once served as a residence hall for students and for IHM Sisters, it now houses administrative offices. Immaculata Hall was refurbished in 1989 to include an office complex for the President, with areas for secretaries and assistants, a board room for executive-level conferences, and a dining room in which the President can entertain guests in an attractive, private setting. Nearly all of the renovations were performed by the skilled builders and craftsmen on Marywood's maintenance staff. Ramps and an elevator facilitate access to and movement within the building, which includes a spacious first floor lounge with a fireplace. Alongside the President's Office and Marketing Department, Immaculata Hall features faculty offices for the Philosophy, Religious Studies, Social Work, and Communication, Language, and Literature programs.

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Scholarships

Morris K. Udall Scholarship

The Udall Foundation seeks future leaders across a wide spectrum of environmental fields, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, and economics. The Foundation also seeks future Native American and Alaska Native leaders in public and community health care, tribal government, and public policy affecting Native American communities, including land and resource management, economic development, and education.

31 Semester Credit Hours (Fall & Spring)

Course Numbers	Course Names	Credit Hours
*Fall*		*16 total hours*
ENGL 160	Comp & Rhetoric	3
RST 112	Modern Belief	3
LANG	Any Foreign Language Course	3
SW 145	Foundations of SW	3
SW 150	Intro to Field Exp	1
*Spring*		15 total credits
PHIL	Any Philosophy Course	3
Oral/Speaking	Any Oral/Speaking Course	3
BIOL 130	Anatomy & Phys	3
HIST 105	Ethnicity & Div	3
SW 250	Cont. SW Practice	3

Course Numbers

Course Names

Credit Hours

Fall

16 total hours

ENGL 160

Comp & Rhetoric

RST 112

Modern Belief

LANG

Any Foreign Language Course

SW 145

Foundations of SW

SW 150

Intro to Field Exp

Spring

15 total credits

PHIL

Any Philosophy Course

Oral/Speaking

Any Oral/Speaking Course

BIOL 130

Anatomy & Phys

HIST 105

Ethnicity & Div

SW 250

Cont. SW Practice

30 Semester Credit Hours (Fall & Spring)

Course Numbers	Course Names	Credit Hours
*Fall*		*15 total credits*
SW 350	Human Behavior	3
PSY 251	Dev. Psych	3
PS 210/211	Political Science	3
Fine Arts	Any Fine Arts Course	3
ENGL	Any English Course	3
*Spring*		*15 total credits*
SW 230	Social Welfare Pol.	3
SOC 214	Social Problems	3
SW 310	Research I	3
MATH 155	Statistics	3
XXX	SW Elective	3

Course Numbers

Course Names

Credit Hours

Fall

15 total credits

SW 350

Human Behavior

PSY 251

Dev. Psych

PS 210/211

Political Science

Fine Arts

Any Fine Arts Course

ENGL

Any English Course

Spring

15 total credits

SW 230

Social Welfare Pol.

SOC 214

Social Problems

SW 310

Research I

MATH 155

Statistics

XXX

SW Elective

32 Semester Credit Hours (Fall & Spring)

Course Numbers	Course Names	Credit Hours
*Fall*		*17 total credits*
PS	Any Political Science Course	3
SW 345	Junior Field	2
SW 401	Neigh Comm Orgs	3
Writing Intensive	Any Writing Intensive Course	3
XXX	Core Elective	3
XXX	DEI Elective	3
*Spring*		*15 total credits*
SW 400	Crisis Intervention	3
SW 402	SW Groups	3
SW 403	Indiv & Fam	3
XXX	DEI Elective	3
PHIL/RST	Any Philosophy or Religious Studies Course	3

Course Numbers

Course Names

Credit Hours

Fall

17 total credits

Any Political Science Course

SW 345

Junior Field

SW 401

Neigh Comm Orgs

Writing Intensive

Any Writing Intensive Course

XXX

Core Elective

XXX

DEI Elective

Spring

15 total credits

SW 400

Crisis Intervention

SW 402

SW Groups

SW 403

Indiv & Fam

XXX

DEI Elective

PHIL/RST

Any Philosophy or Religious Studies Course

27 Semester Credit Hours (Fall & Spring)

Course Numbers	Course Names	Credit Hours
*Fall*		*12 total credits*
SW 490	Field Instruction	9
SW 491	Integrative Sem.	3
*Spring*		*15 total credits*
XXX	DEI Elective	3
XXX	Elective	3
XXX	Elective	3
XXX	MSW Elective	3
XXX	MSW Elective	12

Course Numbers

Course Names

Credit Hours

Fall

12 total credits

SW 490

Field Instruction

SW 491

Integrative Sem.

Spring

15 total credits

XXX

DEI Elective

XXX

Elective

XXX

Elective

XXX

MSW Elective

XXX

MSW Elective

Program Learning Outcomes

The Bachelor of Social Work Program prepares students to:

1. Acquire the knowledge and skills for beginning professional generalist social work practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

2. Apply the core ethical values of the Social Work profession in providing helping services.

3. Demonstrate leadership addressing social and economic justice through action with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed populations.

4. Contribute to the wellbeing of northeastern Pennsylvania, national and global communities through service and scholarship in a process of on-going professional growth and development.

The Bachelor of Social Work Program at Marywood University provides the student with the fundamental professional foundation required of the generalist at the beginning professional level.

Student Resources

From #DayOne, Marywood is here for you each step of the way.

BSW Student Handbook

BSW Field Manual

Centers of Excellence

Marywood University hosts three academic Centers of Excellence on campus; The Center for Law, Justice and Policy, The Center for Urban Studies, and The Mother Theresa Maxis, IHM Center. Each center provides students with the tools and resources to excel in their academic endeavors, fostering a dynamic environment where they can engage deeply with their respective fields of study and make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.

Accreditation

Marywood University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSHE) / ADDRESS / 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104 | Phone: (267) 284-5000

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) | ADDRESS / 1701 Duke Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314-3457 | Phone: (703) 683-8080

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Social Work (BSW)

Make a Difference with a BSW Degree at Marywood

Earn a Master’s Faster

How Can You Earn Your Master’s Degree Faster at Marywood University?

Program Highlights

Get Involved

Field Experiences

5 YEAR

Take Your Next Steps

About the Social Work (BSW) Program

Admission Requirements

Facilities & Technology

Immaculata Hall

Scholarships

Tuition

Faculty

Kaitlin Ann Anderle

Selina Shrestha

Dr. Yerodin Lucas

Michelle L Ostroski

Susan G Lettera

Arielle L Arbushites

Elizabeth T Bruinix-Parris

Pamela Cho

Cherish L Culligan

Lauren E Dennelly

Lucrezia M Grier

Deborah L Guy

Jennifer M Hartz

Sr. Angela Ok Kim

Joseph H Knecht

John G Lees

Anthony P Linnen

William R McDonald

Jennifer Marie Moll

Denise Namowicz

Tessa Palmer

Dr. Lia Richards Palmiter

Stephanie Pearce

Dr. Karen Rich

Laurie A Scoblionko

Saroj Shrestha

Ronald J Simon

Amber L Snyder

Michelle L Valinski

Erin Elizabeth Wagner

Alicia Zehner

Courses & Curriculum (120 Total Credits)

31 Semester Credit Hours (Fall & Spring)

30 Semester Credit Hours (Fall & Spring)

32 Semester Credit Hours (Fall & Spring)

27 Semester Credit Hours (Fall & Spring)

Program Learning Outcomes

Student Resources

Admissions Events

Related Programs

Centers of Excellence

Request Information

Accreditation

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