Advocating for Social Justice

Degree Type

Undergraduate

Major

Social Work

Kuyper’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program provides graduates with a complete, multi-level foundation of professional knowledge, values, skills, concepts, and strategies.

You will use these professional disciplines in various settings and diverse populations, both nationally and internationally.

Program Mission

The mission of Kuyper College’s BSW program is to equip students with the knowledge, values, and skills for competent, ethical, and evidence- based generalist practice in order to advocate for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice, embracing the dignity and worth of each person made in God’s image, and celebrating our diverse, global society.

Advanced Standing
Because of the strength of Kuyper’s social work program, you may qualify for advanced standing in Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) programs. This can save up to two years of graduate-level coursework and considerable tuition fees. Kuyper’s graduates have pursued graduate study programs at the University of Michigan, Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University, and many other leading institutions offering M.S.W. programs.

Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes

Accreditation

The Kuyper College social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA)

 

50+

Partnership organizations for internships, including international placements

100%

Of faculty are, or have been, social work practitioners

10:1

Student to faculty ratio

100%

Of social work courses include face-to-face classroom instruction

Career Opportunities

The social work program prepares you with the knowledge, values, and skills for practice in social work positions in a variety of fields and settings, both in the U.S and internationally.

POLITICAL ADVOCACY

Child and Family Welfare

Mental Health

Criminal Justice

Gerontological Social Work

Health Care

Substance Use and Recovery

Military Social Work

Community Development

Environmentalism

School Social Work

International Social Work

Internship Opportunities

Your internship provides an opportunity to practice skills learned in the classroom as well as gain experience in a placement that aligns with your career goals.

Internship options include international organizations. Possibilities include, but are not limited to:

Adoption and Foster Care

Immigration and Refugee Services

Substance Use and Recovery

Child and family welfare/services

Adolescent Services

Criminal Justice

Community Outreach

Developmental Disabilities

Health Care

Housing

Mental Health Services

Older Adults/Gerontology

Program Outcomes

Students will develop generalist social work practice skills to work in public and private social-service systems and international settings. Upon completion of the social work program, you will have mastered the following competencies:

  • Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
  • Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice
  • Engage anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice
  • Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
  • Engage in policy practice
  • Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  • Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  • Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  • Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  • Understand and integrate a biblical, Reformed worldview

The professors are great and provide individualized education to all students, making it easy to learn and be successful in the future. At Kuyper you take a variety of classes, but my favorite professors are those in the social work program because they have taught me everything I know, and I believe they have set me up for success.”

Isabella Isaacson Class of 2024

Meet the Faculty

Learn from professors with many years of real-world experience!

Jennifer Colin

Assistant Professor of Social Work, Social Work Program Director

Kelli Hoffman

Assistant Professor of Social Work, Director of Field Practicum

Program Curriculum

Because your social work professors are invested in your professional goals, you will receive individualized academic advising to personalize the program to your specific areas of interest. The core curriculum includes courses such as:

Introduction to Social Work

This course is an introduction to the social work profession and the generalist model. Areas of study encompass social work history, including the impact of systemic racism and oppression; values and ethics; theoretical foundations and levels of practice; roles and career opportunities; and policy and advocacy. The significance of diversity and intersectionality within populations and its correlation to social service delivery will be explored. Students will be challenged to examine their own values and aspirations with respect to the profession, as well as have the opportunity to dialogue with social workers in the field.

Human Behavior in the Social Environment I & II

These two courses address how human behavior is influenced by and influences families, groups, organizations, and communities. HBSE I explores the dimensions of person and environment; HBSE II shows how those dimensions of person and environment work together with dimensions of time. Behavior will be investigated in light of a generalist perspective and look at the relationships among biological, social, psychological, cultural, and spiritual systems. This course addresses the impact of diversity, discrimination, and oppression on behavior and development. Students will ultimately demonstrate the selection of culturally responsive, evidence-informed interventions for working with and on behalf of clients.

Social Work Research

This course offers an orientation to the logic, methods, and practice evaluation of generalist social work scientific research. Basic theory of research design and analysis and an introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods are focus areas. Students will understand how research methods can be used to problem solve at all social work practice levels and how to apply research findings to inform programs and policy. Students also explore inherent biases and develop anti-racist and culturally sensitive strategies to promote ethical social work research.

Individuals and Families

This course is the first in a sequence of three generalist practice courses in the social work curriculum. SW320 is the study and practice of values and skills for the social worker with individuals and families. Knowledge of the theory and stages involved in working with client-systems will be explored for practice. Students will learn to apply skills related to interviewing, assessment, formulating goals, contracting, developing social histories, problem solving, evaluation and cultural and cross-cultural sensitivity. Issues related to the client-worker relationship, client self determination, values, ethics, termination, and the developmental needs of the client will also be explored.

Social Welfare Policy Analysis

This course will demonstrate why and how social welfare policy is a critical and compelling component of social work practice. Students will examine the history of social welfare policy, and explore the relationship between social work values and the development of social welfare policies and provision of services. Students will also apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.

International Social Work

This course is an orientation to international social work from a generalist perspective. Students will learn about global topics such as poverty and malnutrition; international women’s issues and child welfare; HIV/AIDS and other health maladies; human trafficking; refugees and immigration; and social, racial, economic, and environmental injustice. Students will also explore culturally competent solutions for advancing human rights via models of development, global strategies for change, and international social welfare policies.

Majors & Programs

You will graduate with professional and biblical skills to think critically, communicate effectively as a Christ-centered leader.

KuyperWorks™

You will graduate with both an academic and a work transcript detailing your work experience for future employers.

Welcome

We invite you to explore Kuyper College to see if it could be where God wants to mold and shape you.

Plan A Visit

Our students, faculty, and staff are eager to meet you and help you discover how our community might also become yours.

Financial Aid

Tuition for first-year students will remain the same for four years and transfer students up to four years.

Scholarships

Kuyper College, community foundations, Federal and State Programs award thousands of dollars in scholarships and grants.

Residence Life

You will find comfortable and spacious suites at Schaal and Timmer Halls and Holts Apartments.

Spiritual Development

The Kuyper community will help you grow spiritually as you seek God’s direction for your life.