Majors and Minors

Major / Minor Details

Social Work (Major) | BA

  • Social Work
  • School: School of Social Work
  • Program Code: 910
  • Degree Type: BA
  • Program Type: Major, Credit Intensive
  • Program Summary: Thinking of majoring in social work? Good news! According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, social work is one of the fastest growing careers in the U.S. As a social worker you will provide services directly to clients, and organize and evaluate services, manage programs, and develop social policy. Social work is an academic and professional discipline that seeks to facilitate the welfare of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. It aims to improve the quality of life for people experiencing a broad range of problems due to societal and economic factors, such as poverty, homelessness, family issues, substance abuse, and caring for aged relatives. Employment options in social work are nearly limitless with job opportunities found in a wide variety of areas including schools, hospitals, mental health agencies, the military, and corporations.

  • Department Approval - Students wishing to declare this major should submit the Social Work major declaration form. Once the form is received, your GPA and prerequisite courses will be confirmed and you will receive notification of approval for the major by email within 10-14 days.

  • We recommend that students register for approximately 15 credits each semester and no more than 16 credits in their first semester. Your schedule should be well-balanced and include coursework from a variety of subjects. A diverse schedule will help you begin your studies in potential majors and minors; explore a breadth of new knowledge across departments at Rutgers to meet SAS Core Curriculum learning goals; and survey broader academic interests through elective courses as you work to attain the required 120 degree credits for graduation.

    Your schedule will look something like this:

    College Writing or English course per placement results (3 credits)

    Major Exploration course (3-4 credits)

    Major or Minor Exploration course (3-4 credits)

    Course beyond main academic interest, such as SAS Core or elective course (3 credits)

    Course beyond main academic interest, such as SAS Core or elective course (3 credits)

     Byrne or First-Year Interest Group Seminar (FIGS) (1 credit) 

     Total Credits: 15-16

     

  • Introductory courses recommended by faculty. Include at least one of these in your schedule:

    Course Title

    Course Number

    Credits

    		 Subject on University Schedule of Classes

    General Psychology

    01:830:101

    3

    		 Psychology (830)

    Intro to Sociology

    01:920:101

    3

    		 Sociology (920)

    Biology, Society, & Biomedical Issues

    01:119:150

    3

    		 Biological Sciences (119)

     

  • Your first year of college is an opportunity for you to explore fields of interest to enhance your understanding of yourself, the world around you, and your main academic and career goals. Think of your schedule as including courses you must take (English, courses to explore potential majors, etc.) and courses you can take (everything else!) All courses are part of your degree - if necessary, review the components of the SAS degree on this page.

    Through these degree components, you will curate your own unique educational experience - but we understand that this level of flexibility and freedom can feel overwhelming for new students. Like a recommendation based on a book or TV show you enjoyed, the information below can help you identify related courses to consider in your first semester.

    Course Title

    Course Number

    Credits

    Subject on University Schedule of Classes
    Introduction to Gender, Race and Sexuality 01:988:101 3 Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies (988)
    Intro to Social Justice 01:904:201 3 Social Justice (904)
    Introduction to Race & Ethnicity in America 01:050:102 3 American Studies (050)
    Any World Language   3-4 See Course Planning Sheet for languages offered

     

  • The Schedule of Classes provides information about the courses being offered in a particular semester. There are literally thousands of courses offered each semester at Rutgers, and you may find it helpful to narrow down your options by looking for courses in subjects related to your potential major or minor. Use the recommendations below to find possible introductory courses in other subjects.

    To find potential courses in other subjects related to this one:

    1. On the Schedule of Classes, select the current term, location "New Brunswick" and level "undergraduate". Click continue.
    2. In the Search By box, click the "search multiple subjects" link. Select the following departments:
      • American Studies (050)
      • Psychology (830)
      • Social Justice (904)
      • Sociology (920)
      Students considering this discipline are strongly encouraged to also incorporate the study of a world language into their Rutgers degree. This can be starting anew language or continuing a language per your World Language placement test results!
    3. In Section Status, deselect Closed
    4. In Level of Study, deselect 300 and 400. In general, 100 and 200 are appropriate for first-year students, 300 and 400 are often more appropriate for students with more familiarity with the subject. If you are interested in registering for a 300 or 400 level course, consult with an advisor before registering.

    Review these courses for possible inclusion in your first-semester schedule, or to consider for future semesters.
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