Social Work Careers
Goshen College Alumni
Here is a sampling of current positions held by GC social work alumni:
- School Social Worker
- Director of Counseling Center
- Mental Health Therapist
- Community Case Manager
- Deputy Commissioner
- Director of Therapeutic Foster Care
- Director of Social Services
- Professor of Social Work
- Marriage & Family Therapist
- Medical Social Worker
- Chiropractor
- Director of Marketing and Recruitment
- Social Worker
- Winter Shelter Coordinator
- MCC Country Representative
- Social Service Administrator
- Pastor
- Prenatal Care Coordinator
- Adoption Home Study Specialist
Overview
The purpose of social work is the restoration and enhancement of social functioning through intervention with individuals, families, groups, larger social systems and social welfare policies and programs.
About the Coursework
Social work at GC is a four-year generalist program leading to the bachelor of arts degree with a major in social work. Generalist social work practice requires a person-situation approach to problem solving, and the generalist perspective of the GC social work education program provides a broad conceptual framework.
The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and has, as its primary objective, the preparation of students for professional social work practice. Students are also prepared for graduate social work education and receive advanced standing in many graduate social work programs.
The social work curriculum is built upon a liberal arts perspective. By its focus on the humanities, physical and social sciences, and international experience, this foundation assists students in thinking broadly about individuals, families and groups and the social systems in which they function. Liberal arts education at Goshen College is seen as a moral activity that places a high value on persons and social justice.
Possible courses include:
- Sociology of the Family
- Human Behavior
- Women’s Concerns
- Social Work Practice Theory
- Social Welfare Policy & Program
- Race, Class and Ethnic Relations
- Methods of Social Research
- Human Services: Child Welfare
For a full list of requirements and courses, refer to the course catalog.
Possible Career Paths
The possible career choices are broad for every major and social work alumni work successfully in many different careers. The list below provides several options, but it is not exhaustive. Please note that some positions require additional education.
- Adoption Caseworker
- Adult Protective Services Case Manager
- Career Counselor
- Case Manager
- Child Welfare Worker
- Client Advocate
- Clinical Social Worker
- Community Development Worker
- Community Organizer
- Counselor
- Director of Social Service Agency
- Domestic Violence Awareness Advocate
- Drug Rehabilitation Counselor
- Family Services Social Worker
- Family Therapist
- Foster Care Caseworker
- Grassroots Organizer
- Hospice Coordinator
- Human Resources Specialist
- Intake Coordinator
- International Development Worker
- International Social Worker
- Juvenile Court Caseworker
- Lawyer: Human Rights, Social Policy
- Lobbyist
- Marriage Counselor
- Medical Social Worker
- Mental Health Advocate
- Mental Health Worker
- Nursing Home Administrator
- Outreach Coordinator
- Peace Corps Volunteer
- Policy Advocate/Analyst
- Prison Social Worker
- Program Developer/Evaluator
- Psychiatric Social Worker
- Psychologist
- Public Health Administrator
- Public Health Social Worker
- Resource Specialist
- School Social Worker
- Social Researcher
- Social Worker
- Sociologist
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Therapist
- Trauma Support Specialist
- Victim Assistance Worker
Additional Resources
- From the National Association of Social Workers:
- From the Occupational Outlook Handbook: