Wingate University Social Work Programs

Want a first-class social work education? Wingate University’s Social Work Programs have earned an impressive #2 national ranking from Social Work Degree Center in 2025. This recognition explains the exceptional quality of education at an institution committed to developing “exemplary difference makers”.

Social Work Degree Center praised Wingate’s outstanding research opportunities, small class sizes, and specialized field experiences. The university’s student-faculty ratio is 15:1, and all but one of these classes have fewer than 20 students, which ensures tailored attention throughout your academic trip. Wingate University’s annual tuition costs $43,000, and the institution maintains a strong 61% graduation rate that ranks in the top 45% nationwide. Wingate’s Master of Social Work program requires 48 credit hours, including 12 hours of practical field experience that meets Council on Social Work Education standards.

Types of Social Work Degrees Offered at Wingate University

Wingate University has a reliable selection of social work education paths to prepare you for roles in various fields. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is the core of their social work education. It gives you essential knowledge and skills for entry-level positions. Students get practical field experience while learning theoretical concepts.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program leads their graduate offerings for students who want advanced practice credentials. You’ll complete 48 credit hours of detailed study in the MSW curriculum. This includes 12 hours of hands-on field experience. The program structure will give you both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that meet Council on Social Work Education standards.

The university also offers flexible certificate programs that are a great way to get specialization in high-demand areas of social work practice. These certificates work both as standalone credentials and supplements to degree programs. You can arrange your education to match specific career goals.

These programs stand out because they follow strict academic standards. Regular evaluations help maintain quality and industry best practices. The curriculum focuses on evidence-based methods, ethical decision-making, and cultural competence. These elements help you succeed in today’s social work settings.

Small class sizes are standard in all social work programs at Wingate. A student-faculty ratio of 15:1 means you get tailored instruction whatever path you choose. All but one of these classes have fewer than 20 students. This creates an intimate learning environment where you can master complex social work concepts and interventions.

Students starting their trip into social work or advancing their 10-year-old career will find suitable academic paths at Wingate University. The recognized credentials prepare you well for licensure and professional practice.

Degree Specializations

Wingate University’s social work programs stand out through their specialized training in a competitive field. The Master of Social Work (MSW) program creates a strong foundation for behavioral health studies and gives students multiple paths to grow professionally.

The MSW program makes valuable contributions to both campus and local communities. The curriculum teaches you to handle trauma and mental health challenges with cultural awareness. This knowledge becomes crucial when working with clients from different backgrounds.

Wingate’s dedication to specialization shows in its human services undergraduate program, which earned the prestigious #2 national ranking. The faculty brings together expertise from psychology, counseling, and sociology to develop your interpersonal skills that work well in many professional settings. You’ll become skilled at communication, leadership, and cross-cultural understanding—abilities that transfer easily to public relations, rehabilitation, or non-profit roles.

The human services program plans to add specific concentrations in social work and counseling while keeping its generalist track. Students can currently earn either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in human services.

The MSW program’s design puts professional specialization first. Working professionals can advance their careers through a fully online, asynchronous format. Full-time students can complete the degree in as little as two years, while part-time options help those with other commitments. Students with a BSW can finish in just one year through the advanced standing option’s intensive curriculum.

Wingate’s social work specializations equip you to support marginalized populations while promoting an inclusive approach that respects and celebrates diversity in helping professions.

Online and Hybrid Options

Wingate University’s approach to social work education puts flexibility first. The Master of Social Work (MSW) program runs fully online and asynchronously, so you can complete your coursework at your convenience. This smart setup lets you keep your job while moving forward with your education and career goals.

Dedicated students can finish their degree quickly. A full-time track takes just two years, and students can graduate in one year with the advanced standing option. The university understands life’s demands and provides part-time options that fit your schedule.

Wingate stands out among North Carolina’s 13 CSWE-accredited MSW programs. It is one of just six schools offering fully online social work education. This position shows Wingate’s steadfast dedication to quality education that everyone can access

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The university’s virtual learning experience goes beyond simple online classes with these innovative features:

• Wingate Service Station – a higher education case management system that provides ground experience and online opportunities to serve campus and local communities
• Interprofessional Education Collaborations (coming soon) to connect students across disciplines
• Self-paced modules combined with live classes that fit different learning priorities

Wingate’s approval under the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement – North Carolina (SARA-NC) means it meets national standards for distance education. Your online coursework will give a consistent quality experience whatever your location.

Working professionals gain the most important advantage – they can advance their careers while working full-time and completing MSW coursework. This blend of work and study creates chances to apply classroom concepts in ground settings, which makes both learning and professional practice better.

Wingate Online connects you with experienced educators and industry leaders through modern digital platforms that make meaningful interaction possible despite distance.

Graduation Rates

Wingate University shows strong performance through its graduation metrics. The university’s overall graduation rate of 61% puts it in the top 45% of institutions nationwide. This rate is by a lot higher than the 52% average seen at North Carolina universities.

These completion rates paint a promising picture for students who want to pursue social work and related programs. The university tracks student success through program completion rates at 150% of program length (6-years). The data shows several timeframes for getting a degree:

• 4-year graduation rate: 53% (top 35% nationally)
• 6-year graduation rate: 61%
• 8-year graduation rate: 55%

Wingate University tracks student progress through multiple performance indicators. The school uses first-year retention as an early success indicator and intervention point. The freshman retention rate is 67%, which shows steady improvement from previous reports.

The university breaks down graduation data by financial aid award type, gender, and race/ethnicity to give a complete picture of student outcomes. This strategy helps identify gaps that need attention while acknowledging the student body’s diversity.

Wingate awarded 827 degrees in undergraduate and graduate programs in 2023. Women earned 65.4% of these degrees while men received 34.6%. White students earned the most degrees (486), followed by Black or African American students (128).

The university’s MSW and other graduate-level programs maintain competitive completion rates. Recent reports show 54 graduates (14 men and 40 women) in health professions and related master’s programs.

These graduation metrics reinforce Wingate’s #2 national ranking for social work programs and showcase its steadfast dedication to student success from enrollment through graduation.

Career Outcomes

Wingate University’s social work graduates step into a resilient job market with bright career paths ahead. North Carolina’s population will likely reach 11.7 million residents by the early 2030s, which creates a growing need for qualified social work professionals. This population surge means real job opportunities, especially for healthcare social workers who can expect a 16.6% growth rate through 2032.

Your earning potential depends on your specialty area. Healthcare social workers typically earn between $52,000 and $68,000 annually. Child, family, and school social workers receive about $53,630 yearly ($24.43 hourly), while mental health and substance abuse social workers make around $52,640 per year ($25.59 hourly). Social work educators at universities earn even more, with median salaries of $63,990 that can reach up to $80,300.

Job opportunities remain plentiful across key specializations:

• Child, Family, and School Social Workers: 14,350 positions
• Healthcare Social Workers: 4,210 positions
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: 1,820 positions

North Carolina currently has 12,430 social work positions. This number should grow to 14,160 by 2030—a 14% increase. These salaries go further thanks to the state’s reasonable cost of living, though urban areas tend to pay more than rural regions.

Real-world experience sets Wingate graduates apart. Each human services major completes a 100-hour practicum at various settings like social services organizations, autism support services, community shelters, domestic violence facilities, or school counseling centers. These experiences lead to valuable professional connections. Take Nidia Angeles (’20), who showed this by landing a position with North Carolina courts as a GAL program assistant helping abused children.

Many graduates become social workers, but some choose careers with nonprofits, government agencies, or pursue advanced degrees in social work or counseling. The university’s Career Pathways service supports students through Handshake, connecting them with employers for jobs and internships—a benefit available to alumni at no cost.

What’s Unique about the Social Work Programs at Wingate University

Wingate University’s social work programs stand out with several unique features that have earned them the #2 national ranking. This achievement stems from their philosophy that combines rigorous academics with hands-on preparation.

The programs shine brightest in their blend of community service and academic learning. Students can participate through the Wingate Service Station, a higher education case management system that creates valuable service opportunities on campus and in nearby communities. This setup helps you build professional skills while you contribute to local welfare.

The program’s dedication to personal attention sets it apart from other schools. With a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, you’ll build meaningful relationships with experienced mentors throughout your educational journey. Small class sizes add to this personal touch – almost half of all classes have fewer than 20 students.

The curriculum excels through its focus on trauma-informed care and cultural competence, which are vital skills in today’s diverse social service world. These concepts run through every aspect of your education, preparing you to tackle complex societal challenges head-on.

Accessibility remains a key strength of the program. Out of 13 CSWE-accredited MSW programs in North Carolina, Wingate is one of just six that offer fully online education. This makes advanced social work credentials achievable for working professionals throughout the state.

The faculty brings diverse expertise from psychology, counseling, and sociology. This mix of backgrounds gives you comprehensive preparation for modern social work practice.

The program continues to evolve with plans for specialized concentrations. This forward-thinking approach shows Wingate’s steadfast dedication to developing “exemplary difference makers” in social work while adapting to emerging needs in the field.