Meredith College Social Work Programs

Meredith College Social Work Programs open doors to meaningful careers that make a real difference in people’s lives. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, these programs are part of the Department of Psychology and Social Work. Academic excellence and professional growth serve as the core of student education here.

The social work major at Meredith College champions principles of diversity, global citizenship, human rights, and social and economic justice. The department shows steadfast dedication to building an inclusive campus where every student belongs. Faculty members go beyond words to recognize and value each student’s unique identity – their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and more.

Social work offers amazing career flexibility. Graduates build successful careers in clinics, hospitals, mental health facilities, schools, and many more settings. This adaptability lets professionals shape their careers as their lives change.

Getting into the social work program requires specific steps. Students must complete six credit hours in social work courses. They need to pass SWK 100 and either SWK 220 or SWK 225 with a grade of ‘C’ or better. Social work should be declared as their major. After submitting applications, students meet with faculty members to determine if the program fits their goals.

Meredith stands out because of its focus on real-life experience. Students learn directly from professors and access unique field placements that most undergraduates can’t get. The program helps students develop critical thinking and research skills needed for both professional work and graduate studies.

Students passionate about positive social change learn to assess what truly helps their clients – from individuals to families to entire communities. They also take part in legislative advocacy and policy discussions.

These detailed learning experiences prepare Meredith College social work majors to start their careers confidently or pursue graduate education.

Types of Social Work Degrees Offered at Meredith College

Meredith College’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree program prepares students to become entry-level professionals. The undergraduate program builds strong foundations to work in social services and creates opportunities for advanced study.

Students in Meredith College’s BSW program learn both theory and practice through field experiences. The program teaches critical skills in human behavior, social welfare policy, research methods, and clinical techniques. Students benefit from a balanced mix of classroom learning and real-life applications.

The BSW program meets North Carolina’s educational requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA). This original license helps professionals advance toward full clinical licensure after they complete supervised practice hours and pass required exams.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits the BSW program, which ensures graduates receive education that meets national excellence standards. Students who want to pursue Master of Social Work (MSW) programs find this accreditation valuable because it can reduce their graduate study time through advanced standing.

Students must complete core social work courses and general education requirements. The program accepts students as majors after they pass prerequisite courses with good grades. A well-laid-out curriculum helps students progress from basic concepts to advanced practice skills.

The program’s standout feature is its final field experience. Students work with professional supervisors in social service agencies and apply their classroom knowledge to help real clients. This hands-on training is a great way to get professional experience and build competence.

Students also take specialized courses in mental health, child welfare, gerontology, and healthcare. This focused training helps graduates find jobs in their preferred areas right after graduation or prepares them to pursue specialized graduate studies.

The department’s strong connections with local social service agencies create networking opportunities throughout students’ academic trip and after graduation. These relationships often lead to job placements and professional mentoring that continue throughout graduates’ careers.

Degree Specializations

Meredith College’s social work students can shape their academic journey to match their career goals. The B.S.W. program lets students specialize through their course choices, double majors, and minors instead of formal concentrations.

Students can customize their education by pairing social work with other fields. The program offers double major or minor options that line up with complementary subjects like public health, psychology, Spanish, sociology, and criminology. This mix of disciplines creates graduates who have versatile skills suited to specific work environments.

Course offerings tackle today’s social challenges head-on. Students can take specialized courses in high-demand areas. The Trauma & Crisis Intervention course (SWK-321) teaches students about psychological trauma’s effects on the brain and body while focusing on Trauma Informed Care. The Introduction to Substance Use Disorders class (SWK-325) is about co-occurring psychiatric disorders and addiction treatments. This course includes DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and ethical standards.

The department combines classroom theory with real-world practice through field placements that line up with students’ interests. This practical experience helps students find their preferred work settings before they graduate.

The program sets a strong foundation for advanced studies. Students who complete their B.S.W. at Meredith can enter one-year advanced standing M.S.W. graduate programs. Many dual-degree options combine social work with law, public policy, business, public health, or divinity at the graduate level.

Meredith graduates can also pursue doctoral studies in social work or related fields like psychology, counseling, sociology, public administration, law, public health, healthcare, or political science.

The social welfare policy course (SWK-330) covers both domestic and international points of view. It emphasizes social justice as a core value and helps develop frameworks for policy analysis. The research methods course (SWK-370) teaches students to find evidence-based practices that work for specific populations.

These specialized paths help students become skilled at critical thinking. They learn to evaluate which interventions truly help clients, whatever practice area they choose.

Online and Hybrid Options

Meredith College focuses on campus-based education with a few online learning options available to select students. Social work majors looking for flexible study options should know how these digital learning paths work.

Numbers show a small but steady online presence at Meredith College. During 2019-2020, six students enrolled in at least one online class. These students made up 0.33% of the total student population. All these learners were graduate students rather than undergraduates. This shows that advanced-level students pursuing specialized education benefit from online flexibility.

Student participation in online education has changed over the last few years:

These numbers show yearly changes, with 2017-2018 recording peak participation in partial online learning. Small numbers overall show that Meredith College values in-person learning experiences, especially for undergraduate social service majors.

Social worker majors interested in virtual learning should note that traditional on-campus attendance remains the standard path at the undergraduate level. Notwithstanding that, the steady presence of fully online students proves the school can deliver distance education when needed.

Online options help social work students in specific situations such as clinical placements in remote locations, internship schedules, or life events that prevent campus attendance. Yes, it is this flexibility that matches the profession’s focus on adaptability and meeting people where they are.

Meredith College takes a careful approach to online education. They protect the relationship-building aspects of social work education through face-to-face teaching. This shows their understanding that students develop core social work skills—like interpersonal communication, cultural competence, and group facilitation—best through direct personal interaction.

Graduation Rates

Students exploring Meredith College Social Work Programs often think over graduation metrics as key indicators of program quality and success. The graduation data shows impressive completion rates that outperform many peer institutions across the country.

Meredith College proudly maintains a 68% overall graduation rate, which ranks in the top 30% of colleges and universities. Students achieve a four-year graduation rate of 64%, placing Meredith in the top 20% nationally. These numbers showcase the strong support system that helps social service majors and other students complete their degrees.

The retention numbers prove the program works well. Meredith’s first-year retention reaches 86%, substantially higher than both the national average of 70.57% and North Carolina’s average of 66.53%. This shows how first-year social worker majors and other students receive the support they need to progress in their studies.

Let’s take a closer look at six-year graduation rates by demographic groups, which highlight Meredith’s dedication to student success:

Graduate satisfaction stays consistently high beyond completion rates. Institutional surveys reveal that 96% of recent alumnae feel well-prepared professionally from their Meredith experience. The numbers speak volumes – 92% of graduates would choose Meredith again. These satisfaction rates reflect positively on all programs, including the social work major.

First-time, full-time students make up 73% of Meredith’s graduating class and achieve a four-year graduation rate of 52%. This is a big deal as it means that they exceed the national average of 37.92%. The success continues at the six-year mark, with Meredith’s 62% rate surpassing the national figure of 46.43%.

Over the last several years, Meredith has exceeded its goal of surpassing median graduation rates for peer institutions with similar Carnegie classifications. Students asking about the value of a social work major can find clear evidence in these metrics that show the program’s worth and Meredith’s steadfast dedication to student success.

Career Outcomes

Meredith College’s social work program boasts exceptional career outcomes that prove its value. The numbers tell a compelling story – 94% of graduates secure employment within one year after completing their degree. This success continues as 93% remain employed five years after graduation.

Social work majors can expect solid financial returns, with average annual earnings of $50,390 in the United States. Starting salaries begin at $39,730 one year after graduation and grow steadily to $49,359 by year five.

The BSW degree creates career opportunities in many sectors. Graduates build successful careers as:

• Therapists and counselors
• Case managers
• Program and community developers
• Crisis intervention specialists
• Policy developers
• Child welfare workers
• Hospice care providers

Many graduates choose to advance their education further. The BSW program enables students to earn their Master of Social Work degree in just one year through advanced standing, rather than the standard two-year timeline. Some students pair their social work degree with studies in law, public policy, business, public health, or divinity.

Student debt concerns are minimal at Meredith College. The loan default rate is 0%, well below the national average of 11%.

The college’s Office of Career Planning provides comprehensive support through individual career counseling, specialized assessments like CliftonStrengths and Strong Interest Inventory. Students connect with a robust alumni network that helps shape their professional journey. These resources help students find their ideal work environment and develop leadership abilities that match their talents.

The program’s dedication to practical education shows in its results – 97% of graduates from specialized programs like Industrial-Organizational Psychology land relevant positions within six months. This success rate validates Meredith’s approach to professional preparation.

What’s Unique about the Social Work Programs at Meredith College

Meredith College’s Social Work Programs stand out well beyond basic curriculum requirements. These programs excel through their unique blend of one-on-one mentorship, extensive field work, and cross-disciplinary learning. Students gain skills they need to handle real-life challenges in social work.

Small class sizes at Meredith create an excellent learning environment with just 12 students per faculty member. Students build strong professional bonds with professors who guide their academic growth and career paths. Unlike bigger social work schools where students struggle to connect with faculty, Meredith’s social work students receive personal guidance throughout their college experience.

Hands-on training forms the core of Meredith’s unique approach. Students spend 450 hours practicing under supervision in a variety of settings—much more than accreditation requires. They work with over 200 community partners, which gives social service majors exceptional practical experience before they graduate.

Liberal arts education adds another special element to the program. When social work education combines with liberal arts, graduates develop sharp critical thinking alongside their technical skills. This detailed approach creates professionals who understand both intervention methods and social issues in their historical, political, and economic context.

Women looking to build leadership skills find Meredith’s “StrongPoints” program quite valuable. This four-year program helps social work majors discover and use their strengths while developing leadership abilities needed in human services.

Meredith’s women-focused educational setting stands out most. Graduates learn to handle gender-related social issues with deep understanding. This knowledge proves vital when working in domestic violence, maternal health, and gender equity—areas where many social workers build their careers.

The “Going Strong” philosophy runs through the social work program. It emphasizes resilience and flexibility—key traits needed for lasting careers in challenging human service roles. This unique educational approach helps Meredith create social work professionals with both technical expertise and inner strength to make lasting changes in people’s lives.