The Adelphi Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree program combines education, practice, and community service to prepare graduates to work with individuals, families, groups, and communities in a variety of human service settings. One of the oldest in the nation, and the first in the New York Metropolitan area, the B.S.W. program instills in its graduates a commitment to improve social conditions and address social problems.

Based on a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences, the B.S.W. curriculum emphasizes a generalist approach to provide students the broad-based knowledge, skills, and values necessary for competent social work practice. Students may declare social work as their major upon entering Adelphi as freshmen, or may transfer into the B.S.W. program from other colleges. The B.S.W. degree requires the successful completion of 120 undergraduate credits; within this plan of study are three clusters of required courses: 

• General Education Courses. These liberal arts and science courses comprise a core curriculum that all students must complete. These requirements are usually completed during the freshman and sophomore years, or before transferring to Adelphi.
  
  
• School of Social Work Prerequisites. A set of seven liberal arts/science courses relevant to the study of social work is required by the B.S.W. program. Many of these courses may also fulfill the General Education requirements. Transfer students may be able to receive credit for courses already taken or may be required to take additional course concurrently with social work courses.
  
  
• Social Work Courses. The social work curriculum consists of 45 credits.  These courses begin in the student’s junior year, and will account for most of the classes taken during the junior and senior years. The curriculum integrates classroom courses (33 credits) with supervised field placements (12 credits) in social and human service agencies. This approach provides students with invaluable, hands-on experience in applying social work theory and developing practice competence in a variety of work settings.
  

ANSWER Program
The ANSWER program is designed for individuals with work experience in human or social services. In recognition of their work experience, they may be eligible to have credits applied toward their degree.

Concentration in Children and Families
Students interested in careers in child or family services may choose to pursue a concentration in these areas. Part of the generalist practice preparation for all B.S.W. students, the Concentration in Children and Families provides students with theoretical and experiential foundation necessary for understanding and intervening in child and family systems. Students must take two specific courses, Introduction to Social Services with Children, and Child Abuse and Neglect, and will receive field placements in child/family agencies in both their junior and senior years.

Advanced Standing Program
B.S.W. students who are interested in earning an M.S.W. degree may apply to the School of Social Work Advanced Standing Program in their senior year. Students accepted into the program may complete the M.S.W. in one additional year (full time) of study.