Social Work
Program Overview
Simpson University is proud to introduce its Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program, set to launch in Fall 2026. Students in Fall 2025 will minor in social work while on track to apply for the BSW program in Fall 2026. This program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to succeed in the dynamic field of social work. The curriculum will emphasize both theory and hands-on experience, offering students the opportunity to engage in meaningful work with individuals, families, organizations, and communities. Upon completion, graduates will be well-prepared to pursue careers in a variety of social service settings or further their education in graduate-level social work programs.
Simpson University is committed to providing a Christ-centered education while fostering a strong sense of community and service. Students can look forward to a supportive learning environment, personalized mentorship from experienced faculty, and the opportunity to engage in fieldwork placements that will prepare them to make a tangible difference in the world.
For more information, prospective students are encouraged to contact the admissions office or Dr. Deb Baker, the Program Director of Social Work.
Pre-Candidacy Status
The Bachelor of Social Work is currently in pre-candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA).
Pre-candidacy for a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the BOA indicates that it submitted an application to be reviewed for candidacy and received approval of its Benchmark 1 from CSWE accreditation staff to move forward for a candidacy review within 1-year. A program that has attained pre-candidacy status has not yet been reviewed by the BOA nor verified to be compliant with the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS).
Students that are admitted to pre-candidate programs in the fall (or later) of the academic year in which the program is granted candidacy status will be retroactively recognized as graduates from a CSWE-BOA accredited program as long as the program attains initial accreditation. Candidacy is typically a 3-year process and attaining pre-candidacy does not guarantee that a program will eventually attain candidacy and initial accreditation.
Pre-candidacy applies to all program options, which includes locations and delivery methods.
Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
Review our program’s pre-candidacy status in CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs. For more information about social work accreditation, contact CSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation
Live. Learn. Play. Serve.
Required Courses
- Foundations in Psychology & Social Work (1 credit)
- Intro to Social Work (3 credits)
- Experiencing Social Work (2 credits)
- Group Processing & Program Design (3 credits)
- Counseling Skills & Theories with Individual and Families (3 credits)
- Social Problems/Policy (online) -OR- Public Policy (3 credits)
- Research Methods (3 credits)
- Trauma in Children (3 credits)
- Community and Organizations (3 credits)
- Social Work Practicum I (4 credits)
- Social Work Practicum II (4 credits)
- Senior Seminar in Social Work I (2 credits)
- Senior Seminar in Social Work II (2 credits)
ELECTIVE CREDITS (9)
Social Work Minor
Required Courses
- Intro to Social Work
- Intro to Sociology
- Trauma in Children
- Counseling Skills & Theories with Individual and Families
- Community and Organizations
ELECTIVE CREDITS (6)
All courses subject to change while in process of CSWE approval.


