Social Work is about helping people-children, families, older adults, and whole communities. The social work program prepares students for entry level professional positions in a diversity of public and private settings, including child advocacy and welfare, children and youth counseling, school social work, medical social work, church social work, missions, foster care and adoptions, geriatric social work, and mental health. The program prepares students to empower people, particularly those who are vulnerable, to achieve a better "fit" with their world and to help the world to be more responsive to the needs of people. The program emphasizes the importance of a liberal arts foundation and of Christian and social work values that promote social and economic justice.

The major also emphasizes preparation for graduate study. Graduates from the BSW program are eligible to apply for advanced standing in graduate programs leading to a master’s in social work degree, MSW.