Bachelor in Social Work (Bachelor's)

Tuition is Tuition and fees are subject to change and are available in the university's online catalog..

This programme is designed for students interested in social justice and community advocacy. It provides a generalist foundation in social work with a focus on equity and civic engagement. Students study social welfare systems, human behavior, and policy while participating in field education. The programme is rooted in the history of civil rights activism at Shaw University.

The programme requires 120 credits, including coursework in social work practice, human behavior, and policy. Students complete a supervised field internship in their final semester.

Graduates enter careers in child welfare, mental health case management, community organizing, and public health.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required. Submit official transcripts and a completed application form.

The programme totals about 120 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, four-year programme. For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 30% of applicants.

Shaw University’s campus sits in the heart of downtown Raleigh, placing students near museums, theaters, galleries, parks, lakes, restaurants, shops, and entertainment. Estey Hall, opened in 1873 as the nation’s first college building with dormitories and classrooms for African-American women, remains on campus. Raleigh also offers access to internships and career opportunities, with Research Triangle Park about 20 minutes away.

Established in 1865 as the Raleigh Theological Institute, Shaw became the first historically Black college and university in North Carolina and the American South. Its history includes pioneering medical, pharmacy, legal-studies, and teacher-training programs. The campus also played a role in the civil rights movement, with the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee growing from a 1960 meeting organized by alumna Ella Baker.

Academic options include programs in the arts, sciences, business, health professions, education, and divinity. Graduate study is available in Education and Child Development and through the School of Divinity. Students can gain experience through internships, study-abroad programs, international internships, research centers, and entrepreneurship training. The Honors College offers research, writing, oral communication, leadership, and study opportunities for eligible students. Shaw’s varsity teams compete in NCAA Division II.