Department
Social Work
We prepare compassionate practitioners with the skills to care for individuals and communities during vulnerable times.
A Focus on Clinical Social Work
We prepare graduates for advanced clinical social work practice, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to directly engage with individuals, families and small groups. Students will develop skills in assessment, diagnosis and intervention for working with diverse populations.
Interprofessional elective courses are offered to provide exposure to other areas of social work, including community practice, social engagement, addictions and disaster response.
Graduates are prepared for practice in a wide variety of settings, including counseling centers, mental health and substance abuse treatment facilities, hospitals, clinics, schools, correctional facilities and child welfare agencies.
Degrees
Take the next step toward becoming a licensed social worker.
- Master of Social Work (MSW)
- Fast-track Master of Social Work
- Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
- Joint MSW/Master of Public Health
- Joint MSW/Master of Divinity
- Joint MSW/Master of Arts in Theological Studies
Career Pathways
While our MSW provides a clear path to become a social worker, the profession offers numerous career options and specialties, including:
- Clinical social worker
- Medical social worker
- Community organizer
- Foster care/adoption
- Hospice
- Nonprofit director
- Disaster relief
- Substance abuse counselor
- Child and family therapist
- And more
Why Samford?
Christian Mission
Study in an environment where your faith will be fostered and integrated into discussions related to topics like clinical practice, mental health, inequality and more.
Faculty Mentorship
Our faculty, representing a diverse range of experience and expertise, are readily available to you, building mentoring relationship that last years beyond graduation.
Flexible Format
You choose whether to complete your course work in person or online. The program is the same, no matter the format, designed and facilitated by our outstanding faculty.
“I love how Samford’s Social Work program takes a holistic approach, preparing you for one-on-one client work and big-picture work like public policy and community assessment. It truly prepares you to serve your community in so many ways.”
—Alyssa Snyder, MSW Student
Field Placements
Samford’s social work students receive practical experience through an integrative field internship that spans multiple semesters. In conjunction with the program’s field director, students are matched with a site that aligns with the personal interest to develop necessary skills as advanced social work practitioners.
