Get Your Social Work Degree

Social work addresses societal problems such as racism, injustice, and individual and family problems. Courses on ethics, human behavior, social policy, social work practice (assessment, interviewing, intervention), and research will give you the knowledge, values, and skills for generalist practice. Many students go on to work in mental health, child welfare, substance abuse, healthcare, and more. Fulfill your passion for helping others with a Social Work degree. 

Social Work Program Highlights 

  • Pursue field experience tailored to their interests.
  • Take advantage of an informal peer mentoring system between upperclassmen and new students in the major.
  • Develop and deliver community outreach programs, such as a Back to School Bash/school supply drive for neighborhood children.
  • Participate in campus awareness/support programs such as the Clothesline Project for domestic and other types of abuse. 

Modality & Benefits

Get a traditional college experience with lively in-person classroom discussions and close proximity to your professors, mentors, and best friends. 

Start Dates: 

January & August  

  • Semester-Based Timeline
  • Face-to-Face Instruction (some Online options)
  • In-Person Office Hours & Support
  • Relationships & Networking
  • Extracurriculars & Immersive Campus Experience

Get a degree that fits your busy lifestyle while benefiting from in-person instruction, social interactions with classmates, and networking on campus and throughout the capital city. 

Start Dates: 

January & August

  • Semester-Based Timeline
  • Evening Classes (M-Th, 5-9pm)
  • Face-to-Face Instruction
  • Transfer Up to 90 Credits
  • 10-Hour Weekly Commitment (varies)

Social Work Curriculum

Major & Certificate Requirements

  • Social Work, B.A. Major
  • Child Welfare Certificate
    In order to qualify for certification you will be required to take two courses in child welfare and maintain at least a 3.0 in those courses. Although not required to receive the certificate, Social Work students who complete a field placement in a child welfare unit at a South Carolina Department of Social Services office will be recognized on the certificate as having met this field experience.

Popular Social Work Classes

  • Introduction to Social Welfare 
    Explore the historical development of social welfare, social welfare services, and the philosophical base of social welfare. 
  • Social Welfare Policy and Services
    Develop a framework for analyzing social policies and services.
  • Social Work Practice
    Address the knowledge, skills, and values needed for generalist social work practice.

The Columbia College Social Work program is accredited through the Council on Social Work Education.

Give Care Where it's Needed

Job growth is expected to rise faster than average for social work positions. There are almost 75,000 job openings for social workers each year in the US (BLS).

Pursue a Dynamic Career

  • Hospital Social Worker
  • Hospice Social Worker
  • Home Health Social Worker
  • Nursing Home Social Worker
  • Behavioral Health Counseling
  • Mental Health Counseling
  • Rehabilitation Counseling
  • Program Coordinator

Job Placements

  • Medical Social Work
  • Veterans Affairs Social Worker
  • Mental Health/Psychiatric Counselor 
  • Early Childhood Social Worker
  • Gerontological Social Worker
  • Juvenile Justice/Prison Social Worker
  • Advocacy Social Worker

Get a Strong Foundation

After graduation, you are eligible for advanced standing status at many Masters of Social Work (MSW) programs, including the University of South Carolina and Winthrop University. Admission with advanced standing means you will be exempt from the first year of a two-year graduate program.

  • USC Advanced Standing Program
  • Winthrop Advanced Standing Program
  • North Carolina Central University Advanced Standing Program