Academics / Departments & Programs / Social Work / Academics / Social Work (BSW)
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Social Work Minor
Degree Overview
Develop a compassionate heart for our broken world—and gain the skills you need to do something about it.
In Calvin's accredited bachelor of social work (BSW) program, you'll wrestle with some of society's greatest concerns, like child abuse, drug addiction, homelessness, aging, and mental illness. Through your studies and experiences, you’ll learn what it means for people and communities to flourish.
You'll learn from expert faculty who are actively involved in research on contemporary issues. You'll take your learning even further with a field placement, where you'll get critical hands-on experience. When you graduate, you'll know how to connect groups of people, bring clarity to difficult situations, and improve everyday lives.
Program Distinctives
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Degree Information
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
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Overview
The bachelor of social work degree is designed for students who want to prepare for a career of Christian service as a professional generalist social worker. The program is carried out in the context of the mission of Calvin, which is to offer a Christian education enriched by the insights of the Reformed heritage. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared for entry-level professional social work positions. The BSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
For more information about the BSW program at Calvin, download and view the 2022–2023 handbook.
Click here to see a summary of our program assessment results. You can also view Form AS 4(B).
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Courses
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Admission
For complete details on admission to this program, see the Program Admission page.
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Field Education
Field education is a critical component of the BSW program at Calvin. It should:
- help you grow personally and professionally in an agency setting, with supervision from your field education instructor and feedback from weekly small group seminars.
- help you take what you've learned in the classroom and get feedback on your implementation. This process will include evaluation and testing.
- help you to integrate your worldview and the ideals and realities of educational theories with the needs of your clients.
The 2023–2024 Field Education Handbook is available to read online.
Field education placement
You will be placed with an agency in which you will have the opportunity to practice generalist social work skills, including interviewing, contracting, intervention, networking, advocacy, group work and organization of community resources.
With the number of social work settings available in the Grand Rapids area and off-campus, we will find an agency whose needs are well-matched to your interests and skills.
Agencies with whom we place students have the following characteristics:
- they have the volume and flow in programming so that you will have a wide range of learning experiences with multi-level client systems.
- their programs and intervention methods are clearly defined and implemented.
- they offer opportunities for practicing generalist social work skills: interviewing, contracting, intervention, networking, advocacy, group work and organization of community resources.
- they provide services to diverse population groups, including ethnic, racial, religious and gender-based minorities.
- their philosophy and delivery of service must comply with the NASW Code of Ethics.
Local field education sites
17th Circuit CourtDomestic Matters
Affinity Mentoring
180 Ottawa NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Juvenile Matters
1501 Cedar NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503Office Headquarters
Arbor Circle
818 Butterworth St. SW
Grand Rapids MI 495041115 Ball Ave. NE
Bethany Christian Services
Grand Rapids, MI 49505901 Eastern Avenue NE
Calvin University Sexuality Series
P.O. Box 294
Grand Rapis, MI 495013201 Burton St SE
Catholic Charities
Grand Rapids, MI 4954640 Jefferson Ave. SE
Cherry Health
Grand Rapids, MI 49503550 Cherry Street SE
D.A. Blodgett for St. Johns
Grand Rapids, MI 49503805 Leonard NE OFC
Disability Advocates
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-11843600 Camelot Drive SE
Family Futures
Grand Rapids, MI 49546678 Front Ave NW #210
Family Promise
Grand Rapids, MI 49504516 Cherry Street, S.E.
Fresh Coast Alliance
Grand Rapids, MI 49503Fresh Coast Alliance Business Office
Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan
1190 Apple Ave.
Muskegon, MI 494421545 Buchanan Ave SW Ste #2
Holland Home
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49507-1650Corporate Office
HQ
2100 Raybrook SE, Suite 300
Grand Rapids, MI 49546320 State Street SE
Inner City Christian Federation
Grand Rapids, MI 49503515 Jefferson SE
Jim Banks’ Congressional Office
Grand Rapids, MI 49503Fort Wayne Office
1300 S Harrison St
Fort Wayne, IN 46802Justice For Our NeighborsGrand Rapids Location
Kent Intermediate School District
207 Fulton St E,
Grand Rapids, MI 495032930 Knapp Street NE
Kent School Services Network
Grand Rapids, MI 49525Administrative Office
Garfield Park Neighborhood Association
1633 East Beltline NE, suite 205
Grand Rapids, MI 49525334 Burton St SE
The Hispanic Center of West Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan 495071204 Grandville Ave SW
Mel Trotter Ministries
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503225 Commerce Avenue SW
The National Museum of African American History and Culture (Smithsonian)
Grand Rapids, MI 495031400 Constitution Ave NW
New City Neighbors
Washington, DC 20560P.O. Box 1609
The Pride Center of West Michigan
Grand Rapids, MI 49501343 Atlas Ave SE
The Red Project
Grand Rapids, MI 49506401 Hall St SE
Safe Haven Ministries
Grand Rapids, MI 495073501 LK Eastbrook Blvd SE
Samaritas
Grand Rapids, MI 495468131 E. Jefferson Ave.
Senior Neighbors
Detroit, MI 48214820 Monroe NW #460
SGA Youth and Family Services (Chicago)
Grand Rapids, MI 4950311 E. Adams, Suite 1500
Sojourners (Washington DC)
Chicago, Illinois 60603408 C St. NE
Solutions to End Exploitation
Washington DC, 200022007 Division S.
Spectrum Health
Grand Rapids, MI 49507Dept of Social Work
Wellspring Lutheran Services
100 Michigan NE
Grand Rapids, MI 495034100 Pier North Blvd.
Suite A, Flint, MI 48504
Social Work Minor
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Courses
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