Is this an accredited program?
Yes. We have retained our Council on Social Work Education accreditation since 1974.

What is field placement?
BSW students complete 12 credit hours in field education during their final semester. Students are placed in a human service agency under MSW supervision for 8 hours a day, four days a week where they practice generalist practice social work. Students are expected to complete 450 hours of field work. This course requires attendance and performance in a weekly seminar.

Are there paid field placements?
Generally, no. We encourage students to plan early for field placement. It is a time commitment. We do not encourage students working full time and doing field placement.

Are there any distance education courses? Are there evening or weekend classes?
The School of Social Work at ECU is currently completing a needs assessment to determine geographical location(s) and completing the University process of program development for the delivery of an off-campus BSW program.  Course delivery will include face-to-face instruction, internet, and hybrid courses requiring both face-to-face instruction and internet work.  If you are interested in undergraduate social work education at an off-campus location, please complete the survey below and return it to the address listed on the form. 

Survey of Interest in Off-campus, Extended Time BSW Program

Who can I contact if I have more questions about the BSW program?
Reach the program coordinator, Dr. Shelia Bunch at bunchs@ecu.edu or 252-328-4202.

What is required for admission to the BSW Program?
A student is eligible to apply for admission to the BSW degree program when the following required conditions are met: completion of a minimum of 32 s.h.; an overall GPA of 2.5; and completion of SOCW 1010, 2010 with a 2.5 GPA in these courses. Students who plan to transfer from a junior or community college are encouraged to take a four-year college preparatory curriculum that includes human biology. The social work program will not accept for required major credit upper-level courses (numbered 3000 and 4000 at East Carolina University) taken at a junior or community college. The BSW program chairperson will determine the applicability of upper-level courses taken at senior colleges in meeting the BSW degree requirements.

What is required to be licensed as a School Social Workers?
The social work major deciding to seek licensure as a school social worker must be accepted into the upper division of teacher education. This should be done during the sophomore year and prior to or at the point the student is accepted as a social work major. The School of Education and the School of Social Work will maintain a record to help track the student's completion of licensure requirements. Upon completion of a BSW degree, a school social work field placement,  and the appropriate social work courses and education courses, SOCW 4503, SOCW 4990, EDU 3200 and SPED 2000, the School of Social Work and the School of Education will recommend licensure to the State Department of Public Instruction. For more information, contact Mary Lisa Pories at poriesm@ecu.edu.

What is required to be certified as a substance abuse counselor?
A social work major may, by completing a minimum of four courses in alcoholism and/or drug abuse, meet the educational requirements for certification as a substance abuse counselor in North Carolina. (Suggested courses listing: REHB 2003, 5093, 5095, 5097; HLTH 5345, 5355, 5375). It is recommended that students interested in certification plan early with their advisor so an area of interest may be planned. Certification is awarded by the State and not by the Social Work program.

What student organizations can I join as a social work major?
BSW Student Association is the undergraduate student organization. Membership is open to all intended and declared Social Work majors. It provides students with the opportunity to organize in their own behalf, to give input to program development, and to plan activities of interest to students. Students serve along with faculty on School standing committees. The student committee assignments are made through the BSW Student Association.  Contact Dr. Shelia Bunch for more information.

What professional organizations can I join as a social work major?
National Association of Social Workers (NASW): -
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with more than 150,000 members. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies.

Phi Alpha Honor Society - (Chi Zeta Chapter)
Phi Alpha fosters high standards of training for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work. Members must have a 3.2 GPA.