Department of Social Work and Gerontology
During the last few years, our department has grown from one program, our BSW program, to a larger education community with a joint MSW degree program with Millersville and a multidisciplinary gerontology minor. Our BSW and MSW programs are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). All our programs focus on providing quality education to the future leaders of our helping professions.
The Millersville University-Shippensburg University Master of Social Work (MU-SU MSW) program educates students to excel in the field of Social Work as well as on the LSW licensing exam.
Justice, Peace and All That Ship - Read the 2024-2025 Department Newsletter here.
Undergraduate Programs and Minors
Graduate Degrees and Certificates
Career Opportunities in Social Work
Social Work is a field that provides many career opportunities with diverse populations. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of social workers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. As part of the generalist approach, the Shippensburg University Social Work & Gerontology department provides students with the opportunity to work with different populations. Social workers can be found in all of the below fields of practice, plus more:
- Children and Families
- Criminal Justice
- Domestic Violence
- Drug and Alcohol
- Gerontology
- Homelessness
- Hospice
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Medical Health
- Mental or Behavioral Health
- School
- Veterans and Active Military