Penn State Greater Allegheny campus entrance from Eden Park Boulevard in McKeesport.
MCKEESPORT, Pa. — A new Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree program, providing broad-based educational experiences for undergraduate students interested in working in the private and public sector, is now offered at Penn State. Students can start the degree at any Commonwealth Campus, and can only complete it at Penn State Greater Allegheny in McKeesport.
The mission of the BSW program is to enhance human well-being and eliminate social injustices through advocacy, cultural humility, global citizenship, scholarship and service.
Students enrolling in the BSW program will prepare for professional licensure in social work at the bachelor’s level. Within their course work and field experiences, they will explore local, national and global issues and begin to understand how the social work profession addresses identified needs and empowers people.
“The field of social work provides numerous opportunities for supporting vulnerable individuals and communities. Career paths can range from human services to counseling to policy and advocacy,” said Megan Nagel, interim chancellor and chief academic officer at the Greater Allegheny campus. “Under the leadership of Christopher Robinson, BSW program director and assistant professor of social work, and Kiera Mallett, director of field education and assistant teaching professor of social work, we are well-positioned to be the only Penn State campus where students can complete this degree and prepare to serve individuals and communities facing difficulties and injustices.”
The field of social work provides numerous opportunities for supporting vulnerable individuals and communities. Career paths can range from human services to counseling to policy and advocacy.—Megan Nagel , interim chancellor and chief academic officer, Penn State Greater Allegheny
According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021 report, the job outlook for social work professions through 2030 is expected to grow at a rate of 12%, faster than average. The addition of the BSW will position the University and students who complete the degree at Greater Allegheny to meet this need.
The application for Summer and Fall 2023 opens on Monday, Aug. 1. Penn State Greater Allegheny will feature the new BSW program during its Spend a Summer Day event on Friday, Aug. 5, beginning at noon. Visit this link to register for Spend a Summer Day.
