Social Work

Change someone’s life every day you go to work.

Social workers support and counsel people going through hardships, manage personal difficulties through identifying resources and exemplify skills on how to resolve those challenges. Social workers act as liaisons with institutions to advocate on their client’s behalf. Those in social work engage with individuals, families, children, groups and society to help them function more efficiently.

When you choose to major in WNCC’s Social Work emphasis area, you will study a diverse range of academic subjects including science, mathematics, social science, and languages so you have fundamental knowledge in human behavior, social institutions, and ethnic groups. Note: if you are looking to go into Human Services or general psychology, a social work major may not meet these occupational needs. We recommend discussing your educational goals with your advisor in order to choose the best path.

Award Types

Associate of Arts in Social Work

About the Program

Program Objectives

Fulfill the graduation requirements for the Associate of Arts degree.
Facilitate the student’s entry into a baccalaureate program in social work at a four-year college or university.
Stimulate student’s interest in their own self-growth as they increase their understanding of others.
Provide students with the knowledge that could make them employable by community agencies in human service areas.

Curriculum

Career Opportunities

Social Work is comprised of a wide variety of fields, including marriage and family therapy, substance abuse counseling, sociology, mental health counseling, and human services. An associate degree in Social Work from WNCC will prepare you for entry-level positions or provide the foundation needed to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program. Entry-level positions for these fields include Case Management Aide, Intake Specialist, Probation Officer, Victims Advocate Associate, Gerontology Aide, along with many others. These positions give you a point of entry into social work to gain experience and an understanding of daily operations.

If you pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW), you can explore more opportunities by becoming a licensed clinical social worker holding positions, such as a Medical Social Worker, Child Advocate, Case Manager, Substance Abuse Counselor, and many others. Social workers are often found working for city, county, state and federal-run agencies, non-profits, hospitals, nursing homes, hospice facilities, drug rehabilitation centers, halfway houses, business offices, unions, and tenant associations, to name a few.

While some positions require you to work with people in an office setting, many positions require you to go to where the clients are, for example locating those who are homeless to help them receive services, visiting a child’s home to ensure their living conditions are safe and nurturing, or attending local union meetings to address employee concerns on working conditions. These positions come with plenty of responsibilities that require a lot of empathy and compassion, but with that comes a career where every day you can be a beneficial part of someone’s well-being.

For more information on any of these career options, contact Career Pathways & Advising at pathways@wncc.edu .

Program Contact Information

Dr. Royce Ammon

Social Science Instructor

308.635.6196

ammonr@wncc.edu