The BSW Program Mission Statement
Grounded in a Christian perspective and core social work values, the BSW program educates and empowers students with professional knowledge, values, and skills to become compassionate, competent leaders and change agents who provide ethical generalist social work practice, integrate personal faith with scientific inquiry, and engage respectfully and purposefully to advance the dignity, equity and well-being of diverse populations across systems.
The field of social work has core values of social justice, dignity and worth of persons, importance of human relationships, service, and competence. Our academically strong, culturally relevant Social Work program prepares our students as competent, compassionate social workers who exhibit those core values through interpersonal sensitivity, academic excellence, professional passion and personal integrity. Our department is a natural extension of the mission of Lipscomb University to “integrate Christian faith with academic excellence.” Plus - learning to practice social work within the context of our College of Health & Human Sciences helps students think about individuals and society holistically.
About Social Work at Lipscomb
We are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national accrediting body for social work education. This accreditation allows academically strong graduates to apply for admission into Advanced Standing programs at the MSW level. Upon completion of their B.S.W., our graduates can earn a master's degree in social work in one year through Advanced Standing programs. Additionally, our graduates are preferred by area employers. In fact, Lipscomb BSW graduates are employed all over the state, the nation and the world.
Social Work as a Profession
We use the context of individual environment to help individuals fulfill their potential by focusing on and developing strengths, help them to overcome challenges and deal with problems. As social workers, we use knowledge from biology, psychology, sociology and culture to facilitate social work and help make the world better.
Opportunities for Employment
Our alumni are case managers, counselors, social workers, administrators, supervisors, attorneys and human resource managers. They work in hospitals, schools, counseling agencies, courts, nursing homes, mental health centers, foster and adoption agencies, child advocacy agencies, agencies on aging, at dialysis clinics, in community outreach programs and even government.
Our program is featured in several articles in the College of Health and Human Sciences 2026 Report. Read more about our program in the College of Health and Human Sciences 2026 Report.
Student Research in Action
BSW students put their research to work in the community. May 2026 graduate Ava Noviello's senior capstone project, a proposal to add follow-up calls for domestic abuse survivors after their court cases close, is now being used by the Davidson County District Attorney's Victim Witness Services Division.
Read Ava's story
Social Work Opportunities
Metropolitan Nashville and surrounding areas boast many varied services to the community. We proudly partner with local organizations to provide hands-on training for our social work students while serving those in need.
Social Work
Whether you want to work in mental health, foster care and adoption, crisis intervention, health care, a school or other sectors, you'll receive the training you need to succeed. Our classrooms hold state-of-the-art technology that will prepare you for your 450 hours of supervised field practicum work and future career.
Social Work
Minors
Make sense of social interactions. Decipher everyday culture and how it came about. Overall, comprehend human activity. You will gain exposure to family dynamics, race and ethnic groups, child welfare, juvenile justice and aging services.
