Bennett College Social Work Programs
Bennett College’s Social Work Programs are making waves with remarkable growth. The college awarded 25% more bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022 compared to the previous year. This Greensboro, North Carolina institution serves 232 students each year and provides an unmatched educational path in social work excellence.
Students who choose Bennett College’s social work program become part of a vibrant, diverse community. The program’s commitment to diversity shines through its 2022 graduating class. All five social work graduates were women, and 80% identified as Black or African American. The college surpasses the national average by graduating 6% more racial-ethnic minorities in its social work bachelor’s program. These numbers set Bennett apart from 25 other North Carolina schools offering social work degrees.
A social work degree from Bennett College creates pathways to rewarding careers in North Carolina. Graduates can pursue roles as child and family social workers earning an average of $46,990, healthcare social workers at $54,730, or social and community service managers making $69,640. The program’s success stories and career preparation methods help students build meaningful careers in social work effectively.
Types of Social Work Degrees Offered at Bennett College
Bennett College takes a social-first approach to social work education that we focused on undergraduate preparation. The college’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is the core of its social work education offerings. This foundation degree will give you the skills you need for entry-level positions in social service settings of all types.
The BSW program follows a well-laid-out curriculum that builds your skills step by step. You’ll start with introductory social work principles in your first year. Upper-level courses let’s take a closer look at specialized practice methods, research techniques and field applications. Your academic trip will help you develop critical thinking abilities and practical skills to tackle complex social challenges.
Field education is a vital part of your social work degree experience at Bennett College. This hands-on training helps you apply classroom knowledge in ground settings with professional supervision. Many students find their field placements become pathways to jobs after graduation.
Bennett College excels at undergraduate education, unlike many institutions that offer graduate-level social work programs. This focus allows the college to provide individual-specific experiences and mentorship that larger universities with broader programs might not offer.
You should schedule a meeting with Bennett College’s admissions counselors before choosing a social work program. They can tell you everything about current degree offerings, prerequisites and potential transfer credits if you’re switching from another school.
Starting a career in social work shows your commitment to creating positive change. Bennett College’s quality undergraduate preparation lines up with professional standards and shows their steadfast dedication to serving communities of all types. This program helps you join Bennett graduates who make exceptional contributions to social work in North Carolina and beyond.
Degree Specializations
Bennett College’s Social Work program excels at preparing students for professional social work practice. The college awards a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree that provides detailed training in this field. The program’s value shines through its accreditation status—Bennett’s baccalaureate degree in social work has received an eight-year reaffirmation of accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education’s Council on Accreditation (COA).
Bennett College takes a different approach from larger universities that offer multiple concentration tracks. The college delivers a strong general social work curriculum. Students receive thorough preparation in core social work competencies instead of spreading the educational experience across many specializations. The program operates within the Division of Professional Studies, creating a learning environment where students learn theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed.
Students become career-ready through classroom learning combined with ground experiences like internships, field practicums, and hands-on opportunities. Bennett’s approach to social work education stands out by blending theory with practice.
The program’s focused approach shows results. The college saw a 25% increase in bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2021-2022 compared to the previous year. While the program doesn’t offer online options for its social work bachelor’s degree, students benefit from an immersive educational experience.
Bennett’s steadfast dedication to social justice and global leadership shapes the curriculum. The program helps graduates develop leadership skills and service commitment—qualities needed in effective social work practice. This specialized approach gives students skills and knowledge to tackle complex social issues and advance equity in communities of all types.
Online and Hybrid Options
Bennett College offers various flexible learning formats across its academic programs. Students who want to pursue a social work bachelor’s degree should know that Bennett does not offer an online option right now. All the same, this restriction only affects the social work program, not other programs at the college.
While social work students can’t study online yet, Bennett College’s distance learning programs have grown substantially. The 2019-2020 academic year saw 232 students take at least one online class. These students were all degree-seeking undergraduates who completed their entire coursework online. This marks a huge jump from the 2015-2016 academic year when only 10 students took online classes.
The college’s Distance Education Policy guides faculty members about “expected levels of competence, necessary to plan and deliver a rigorous distance learning instructional program”. This framework will give a consistent quality standard no matter how courses are delivered.
Social work students who just need flexible learning options face both challenges and opportunities. The traditional in-person format lets students interact face-to-face with professors and peers – which helps develop essential interpersonal skills for social work practice. Students who want to study remotely might want to:
- Start with general education courses available online
- Ask about possible hybrid components in the program
- Stay updated about new program delivery options as schools keep evolving
With 57.33% of Bennett’s online students coming from out of state, there’s clearly a strong demand for distance learning. So future online offerings might include the social work program too, though the college hasn’t announced any plans yet.
Graduation Rates
Bennett College’s graduation rates tell us a lot about how well their programs work. Data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) shows Bennett College maintains a bachelor’s degree graduation rate with a 3-year average of 23% across the 2015-2017 cohorts. The numbers break down to 29% for the 2015 cohort, 22% for the 2016 cohort, and 19% for the 2017 cohort.
Students complete their degrees at different rates. About 21% graduate within four years. The number grows to 29% when we look at six-year completion rates. The eight-year graduation rate reaches 56%, which suggests many students complete their degrees over time.
The college shines when it comes to retention rates. Their student retention rate of 86% puts them in the top 25% nationwide. Some reports paint an even better picture, with one showing a 90% student retention rate. These impressive numbers showcase the college’s success in keeping students engaged.
The Student Success and Retention department plays a key role in supporting students. They offer academic support services that every student can use to boost both retention and graduation rates. This approach matches Bennett’s mission to create learning opportunities that work.
The social work program’s graduation rates stand out among specific demographics. Black/African-American students, who make up most of the program’s participants, achieve a 31% graduation rate. This is a big deal as it means that the rate surpasses the college’s overall average.
Bennett College keeps pushing to improve these numbers. Their institutional effectiveness documents state that “Bennett College strives to conform to and exceed national standards” for educational indices. The college’s steadfast dedication to improvement shows in their achievements. They earned the #1 ranking in Social Mobility from U.S. News & World Report for 2022, proving their success goes beyond just graduation rates.
Career Outcomes
Bennett College’s Career Services Office helps social work students move smoothly from their studies into professional practice. Students get full support as they choose majors, look for internships, and build the professional skills they need to succeed after graduation.
Bennett College students gain real-world experience through internships at leading organizations. Many students have worked at major companies like Amazon, Lenovo, ABC, Reuters, Peloton, Walt Disney, UNCF, and OZY Genius. These hands-on experiences give graduates an edge when they enter the job market.
Students can use the Super Strong Assessment tool to match their interests, skills, and abilities with potential careers. This tool helps them make smart choices about their professional future.
The college’s strong alumni network creates valuable connections between current students and working professionals. Bennett College’s Alumnae Office works with Career Services to boost student success. Alumni often help with career panels, practice interviews, and resume reviews.
Bennett College’s Placement Service counseled about 60% of last year’s graduating class, putting them in the top 45% among similar schools. The Career Center offers a career library, interview preparation workshops, and sends resumes to potential employers. Last year, 30 companies came to campus to recruit students, showing strong interest in Bennett graduates.
What’s Unique about the Social Work Programs at Bennett College
Bennett College’s Social Work Program has a special identity as a historically Black college for women. Students learn in an intimate environment with smaller class sizes and individual attention from faculty. This setting helps students build deeper connections with peers who share their professional goals.
The program goes beyond demographics in its dedication to diversity. Students work with coursework that emphasizes cultural competence and social justice – core values of Bennett’s philosophy. This comprehensive preparation helps them work with different populations and tackle systemic inequalities.
Faculty mentorship makes Bennett’s social work education stand out. Teachers combine academic expertise with field experience to create a learning environment where theory meets real-life application. Students develop analytical thinking skills and practical intervention techniques needed for their professional journey.
Community engagement adds depth to the social work program. Students participate in service projects and community partnerships to get hands-on experience while helping local neighborhoods. They build professional networks during their studies.
The social work curriculum focuses on ethical practice and professional growth. Students take part in activities that build their professional identity and ethical decision-making skills among other coursework. These experiences are a great way to get practical knowledge for complex situations in future practice.
The program’s connection to Bennett’s liberal arts foundation gives students a well-rounded education. This approach gives you communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and cultural awareness that enhance your social work training. Graduates leave with both technical knowledge and a comprehensive view needed to practice in today’s complex social environment.