Social Work

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About Us

The School of Social Work offers both an undergraduate Bachelor of Social Work (BASW) and a graduate Master of Social Work (MSW). Each program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

  • The BASW Program is available at the Cheney main campus location.
  • The MSW Program is available at the Cheney main campus, Everett (Everett Community College) and EWU Spokane campus (Catalyst Building).

Our undergraduate and foundation graduate courses emphasize student-centered learning of the values, knowledge and skills needed by professional social workers to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, organizations, and communities.

At the graduate level students broaden their understanding of the individual, group, community, and societal context of social work practice, and select additional courses to deepen knowledge and skills in one or more of the following areas of practice: aging, palliative care, disabilities, public health, mental health, addiction, school social work, and child welfare.

Both of our undergraduate and graduate social work students engage in practicum placements in social welfare agencies and organizations located throughout the state, working alongside professional social workers and learning the roles and activities associated with the requisite competencies of professional practice. Practicum and seminars conducted in the final year of study connect the knowledge, skills, and values learned in the classroom with the real world experienced in agencies.

Why Study Social Work at Eastern?

We are committed to excellence and student success.

Affordable Education

You don't have to sacrifice quality to get an education you can afford.

Work Alongside Professionals

Engage in practicum placements in social welfare agencies and organizations located throughout the state.

Excellent Job Opportunities

Our graduates have a great record of finding employment soon after graduation.

Field Education

Spokane Public Library patrons can expect to see some new faces joining the library’s “Welcome Team” fall of 2022, as they welcome EWU social work student interns to the Central Branch.

Social work students attending EWU’s School of Social Work will have the opportunity to integrate their social work coursework into real-life practice within the library setting, modeling a nationwide library-social work movement to help address the various social needs and service-gaps library patrons may present when seeking library services.  You can learn more about this unique interprofessional collaboration at Whole Person Librarianship, including other library branches taking part.

Despite a worldwide pandemic, EWU Social Work’s field education program has been running strong, helping those who need it most.

The Spokesman-Review shared a story highlighting just how crucial EWU students are to the Spokane Fire Department’s efforts to connect often-isolated individuals to the resources they need to live healthier lives.

Read the Full Story

Field education is often referred to as the “heart of social work.” Agency-based internships give EWU students the opportunity to have hands-on experience in a social service agency with clients and community members. Students learn while they serve and connect these real-world experiences to their classroom learning.

For more information regarding our field education or to provide a practicum at your agency, visit our Field Education page.

Learn More

Careers in Social Work

For specific job opportunities, visit the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

Community Outreach Worker

Human Services Specialist

Juvenile Court Liaison

Probation Officer

Rehabilitation Case Worker

Student Organizations

The Bachelor in Social Work Student Association actively promotes professional and social activities among students with a membership that is open to all current BASW students. The association encourages students to become involved in various college committee in addition to serving as a link between students, the school’s administration and faculty.

The mission of the Master in Social Work Student Association (MSWSA) is to be a voice for the graduate students in the School of Social Work program at EWU, to promote student leadership in the affairs and concerns of the School by assisting in the development of curriculum and policies. The MSWSA acts as a liaison between faculty, students, and the University and surrounding communities.

It serves as a support for students and a clearinghouse of information about the School, the University, professional associations, and opportunities for volunteer and career pathways. The organization seeks to operate while abiding by the Social Work Code of Ethics and the EWU Student Conduct Code.

All Students enrolled in Social Work are eligible for membership in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), with reduced membership rates for students. NASW is the primary professional organization for social workers and has state chapters throughout the country, with the Washington State chapter located in Seattle.

The Iota Beta Chapter of the Phi Alpha Honor Society has been active at the EWU School of Social Work since 2014 and provides students with:

  1. Acknowledgment of academic achievement
  2. Collective efforts for community service with classmates, community members, and faculty
  3. Opportunities to further the social work profession
  4. Leadership opportunities in the Chapter
  5. Opportunities for scholarships from Phi Alpha

Lifetime membership gives you access to an international network of social work students and graduates. For more information on eligibility requirements and events visit the Iota Beta Chapter at EWU webpage.

Our Mission

The School is dedicated to promoting leadership in engaging individuals, families, and communities; policy-making; research; and, education for social work professionals. The School prepares its graduates to be ethical and effective change agents at the intersection of families, cultures, communities, and organizations.

We are especially committed to educating first-generation college students and those from underserved communities. Graduates will practice with mindfulness about historical oppression and hopefulness in fostering a more socially just world.

Our Diversity Values