Bachelor of Social Work Degree Program

The University of Guam offers a four-year professional educational program in social work leading to a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). The BSW is recognized by the National Association of Social Workers as the entry-level degree for the profession.

Program Accreditation

The Bachelor of Social Work program at the University of Guam is accredited through 2023 by the Commission on Accreditation of the National Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Mission Statement

Through the integration of liberal arts education and the teaching of social work knowledge, values and skills, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program at the University of Guam prepares individuals to think critically, to develop a global perspective of social welfare and social development, to actualize the concept of social caring, to demonstrate belief in the intrinsic value and dignity of all humankind, to serve those in need, and to act with conviction in advancing the principles of social justice and human rights within the communities of Guam, Micronesia, and the neighboring regions of the Pacific and Asia.

The outcomes of the Bachelor of Social Work Program are as follows:

1. Preparation of students to understand, identify with, and incorporate into practice the professional values and ethics of social work;
2. Preparation of students for beginning generalist professional practice with individuals, kinship systems, groups, organizations, and communities;
3. Preparation of students for practice with diverse and at-risk populations;
4. Preparation of students as beginning social work generalists who link indigenous knowledge, social service practice wisdom, and social research;
5. Preparation of students for lifelong learning and critical thinking through an educational process which is grounded in a liberal arts perspective and professional social work foundations;
6. Enable students to integrate knowledge, skills, and values into generalist social work practice;
7. Preparation of students for graduate education in social work.

Graduates of the BSW program demonstrate the integration and application of the following competencies:

1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
2. Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice
3. Engage anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in practice
4. Engage practice-informed research and research-informed practice
5. Engage in policy practice
6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
9. Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities

Social Work Program Assessment Reports