About the Social Work Department

The Social Work Department equips BSW and MSW students to become compassionate and educated social work practitioners. Our caring and experienced faculty prepare students for service as professional social workers. 

We are a welcoming, inclusive community. Faculty and students strive to fulfill the command from Micah 6:8: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” With this as a guide, the Social Work Department seeks to be compassionate agents of God’s mercy and justice.

Programs Offered

  • BSW in Social Work: The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1974, and has consistently produced skilled, generalist social work practitioners. The BSW Degree is a beginning professional degree that enables graduates to work in a variety of settings with diverse populations.
  • MSW in Social WorkThe Master of Social Work (MSW) is a flexible and affordable online program that prepares students to be competent, advanced, generalist social work practitioners who bring knowledge, skills, and compassion to a wide variety of careers.The Master of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). 
  • Minor in Social WelfareThe Social Welfare minor at Eastern University includes 3 introductory social work courses and your choice of 3 social work electives for a total of 18 credits.
“I returned to Eastern to receive a Master's of Social Work degree because Eastern's educational experience is unparalleled. Only here will you learn that agape love lies at the center of service. I have developed the skills and competence to practice social work in any capacity, from social service coordination to advocating for policy change on Capitol Hill. Yet, it was the genuine relationships formed with the social work department, a faculty of seasoned social workers who are committed to this field of work, which truly shaped and enriched my education.”
  • Cionie Lum, BSW Class of 2021; MSW Class of 2024

Newsletter: 

Explore the Spring 2024 Social Work Department Newsletter

Mission Statement

The mission of the Social Work Program of Eastern University is to educate and prepare students to be competent, generalist (BSW), and advanced generalist (MSW) social work practitioners who are knowledgeable, skilled, and compassionate representatives of God’s mercy and justice in meeting common human needs with particular attention to vulnerable and oppressed populations and communities.