Social Work Major
The social work major at Messiah College is dedicated to providing a high quality educational program to prepare students for beginning social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Consistent with the mission of the College, the social work program is committed to integrating the principles of Christian faith with social work values, knowledge, and skills, along with respect for diversity and enhancing social and economic justice for all people.
For more information about the social work profession, click here.
The social work program at Messiah College is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Our program is designed to provide students with a generalist approach to social work practice. Social work majors graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW), a recognized professional degree for the social work profession. Messiah's liberal arts concentration, along with the extensive practice experience provided in the social work major, gives students a unique background and strong qualifications for a wide range of professional positions in public and private social service agencies.
Want to hear directly from social work students? Read senior interviews and the student club updates.
Read our newsletters Spring 2006 Newsletter Spring 2007 Newsletter
Messiah College social work program encourages all students to consider continuing their education at the graduate level. Social work majors particularly want to think about continuing their studies in a master’s of social work (MSW) program. Messiah’s program will enable graduates to earn an MSW from an accredited graduate school within one year.
For more details on the curriculum requirements and the types of courses you would be taking as a Social Work major, visit our Online Course Catalog or
Take a look at the printable Social Work Major Brochure
(Course catalog and major brochure include PDF files. Click here for the Adobe® PDF Reader®)
To talk with someone about this specific major, contact Dr. Charles Seitz, Interim Program Director at (717) 796-1800, ext. 3240 or via email at CSeitz@messiah.edu
To apply for admission to Messiah College, simply call and request an application at 1-800-233-4220 or apply online! Open House dates and major-specific events are scheduled throughout the year. Students may arrange for a variety of visit options to suit their interests and schedule.
Social Work Program Student Handbook and Field Manual (pdf file)
Forms from the Social Work Program Student Handbook and Field Manual
This includes:
- Information about Messiah College and the social work profession
- Information about Messiah’s Social Work Program and its policies, procedures, and timelines.
- Information about services, resources and opportunities
The Student Resource Room
Need some help deciding your next steps as a social work student? The resource room is located in Boyer, Room 359. Find the “Social Work” section and dig into Graduate School catalogues, recent publications from well-known associations and other useful resources.
On-line Resources
The New Social Worker Magazine
Social Work Job Bank
The Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics
International Social Work Resources
Planet Social Work
International Federation of Social Workers
A Student's Guide to Planning a Career in International Social Work
Global Partnership for Transformative Social Work
* Messiah College does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, age, disability, or national or ethnic origin.
