Social services of some form exist in every state within the United States, and social work degrees in New Hampshire can prepare you for a satisfying career in the various social service areas within New England or throughout the United States. Social workers are involved in many different areas of society, including medical health, mental health, services for children and families, and more. Qualified and competent social workers are always in demand, something that is not likely to change in the foreseeable future. A career in social work could prove both satisfying and rewarding.
Online Social Work Programs For You
Plymouth State University
College of Education, Health, & Human Services
Plymouth State University is a comprehensive regional university located in the middle of the state and caters to a combined total of more than 7,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. It houses five colleges for different subject areas of interest, which in turn house departments geared toward more specific degree areas. The College of Education, Health, & Human Services covers a wide variety of careers with the common thread of helping children, families, adults, and organizations. Of the various departments within this college, the Department of Social Work oversees the degree program described below.
Bachelor of Science in Social Work
This is considered a specialist degree that prepares students for work in a wide variety of settings. Curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts, with an emphasis on biological, psychological, and social sciences that provides for a generalist approach to social work. The degree requires completion of 120 credit hours, which includes the general education requirements as well as coursework required for the major. Students also complete 450 supervised hours in a field education component of the program, providing hands-on experience through working with human service agencies around the state. In addition, students can choose a focus area such as aging services, child and family services, mental health services, health services, and social services for Spanish speaking communities. These focus areas have required courses that are taken as part of the electives within the curriculum. The curriculum further integrates content on values and ethics, social and economic justice, diversity, and populations-at-risk.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation
Contact Information
Social Work Department
College of Education, Health, & Human Services
Plymouth State University
17 High Street
MSC #57
Plymouth, NH 03264
603-535-2538
[email protected]
Program Website
University of New Hampshire
College of Health and Human Services
The University of New Hampshire is a liberal arts college that is also a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research institution. With nine colleges and schools and more than 100 major programs, the University of New Hampshire unites its various areas of study through interdisciplinary programs, internships and field work. The College of Health and Human Services in turn houses eight departments, including Social Work, all of which embrace the vision statement of "knowledge for healthy living." All departments also embrace the idea that students learn better by doing, thus incorporating practical experience into every academic area.
Bachelor of Science in Social Work
Similar to the Bachelor of Science at Plymouth State University, this degree also requires a total of 120 credit hours and places a high emphasis on values and ethics, human rights, and social and economic justice. It requires a 450-hour internship in a social work setting spread out over the student's final two semesters. In addition to other general education requirements, students need courses completed in the areas of anthropology/sociology, zoology/biology, philosophy, and psychology. The internship is considered a capstone experience, arranged with field education coordinator, and students are required to pay a liability insurance fee prior to beginning the field education. Upon completion of this degree program, students are eligible to practice in a variety of work settings and for membership in the National Association of Social Workers. Students are also prepared to continue into more advanced degree programs if they so choose.
Master of Social Work
This graduate degree is a program in Advanced Generalist Practice, designed for students who wish to pursue more advanced careers in social work. The degree requires completion of 62 credit hours at the 800 and 900 level of coursework. In addition, students will complete a total of 1,100 hours of fieldwork through 2 two-semester internships over the course of their studies. The majority of the curriculum at this level is prescribed and required, but the student can choose three elective courses as part of the total credit hours, one of which must be within the Department of Social Work. In addition, students choose a concentration in the second year of the program in either direct/clinical practice or community/administrative practice. Whichever concentration is chosen, the student is then required to take three courses within it and complete the second internship in the field of concentration.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation
Contact Information
The University of New Hampshire
The College of Health and Human Services
Hewitt Hall
4 Library Way
Durham, NH 03824
603-862-1177
Program Website
Whichever path you choose, social work can be both challenging and rewarding. Social workers improve the lives of their fellow citizens in various departments and capacities within healthcare, education, and law enforcement agencies, just to name a few. Social worker degrees in New Hampshire provide the necessary first step toward a rewarding career.