Widener University's Center for Social Work Education offers BSW, MSW, and PhD programs in person on our Chester, PA campus. We also proudly offer certificate programs and our nationally-recognized MSW program online.

Comprehensive Social Work Programs to Prepare Students to be Successful Social Workers & Community Advocates

At Widener, our Center for Social Work Education supports and celebrates advocates for social change, an equitable society, and the well-being of disadvantaged populations and communities. All social work programs are taught by engaged faculty mentors with compelling clinical and community experiences. 

Here, students get the best of two worlds— the opportunities of a metropolitan university with the close-knit community typically reserved for smaller institutions. From day one, our students experience a network of support to help them pave the way for change and growth for people and their communities. By graduation, our students are prepared to be community-engaged citizens able to support diverse populations by providing a variety of social work services spanning from macro to micro and generalist to clinical.


cswe accreditation social work logo

Widener's Center for Social Work Education is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). All Council on Social Work Education programs measure and report student learning outcomes. You can find mission, goals, and student learning outcomes on the specific social work program pages. 

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
1701 Duke Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314-3457, 703-638-8080

Explore Our Social Work Programs

Social Work Resources

Read the Latest Social Work Newsletter

Keep on top of the latest social work happenings—from program and field updates to spotlights on our initiatives, students, and faculty. To join our mailing list, email socialwork@widener.edu

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Join Us on LinkedIn

Join the conversation with faculty, staff, students, and alumni in our private Widener Social Work LinkedIn group.

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Access Social Work Sharepoint Resources

Visit the one-stop space for social work current student, faculty, and staff resources, including links to private collaborative groups and more.

Go to Sharepoint site

Explore the Faculty Directory

Find social work faculty contact info, bios, research interests, publications, awards, and more.

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A Closer Look at Social Work at Widener

Top School for Social Work in PA

Named a best college in Pennsylvania for social work

Best Masters in Social Work 2021

Best Trauma-Focused Program

Our MSW was ranked one of the best master's in social work programs in 2022 based on flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. 

badge reading Best Online Colleges MSW Programs 2021 by Best Value Schools

Best Online MSW Program

Our online MSW program was recognized for its affordable tuition, low student-to-teacher ratio, and high degree of flexibility.

Affordable Online MSW Program 2020 (EDSmart)

Leader in Value

Ranked among the nation’s most affordable online MSW programs.

Students in social work classroom

An Engaged Campus Community & Alumni

It's easy to find your second family and make impactful connections at Widener. From our full-time social work faculty mentors who are experienced in the field to high-engaged alumni and students, expanding your network is easy. 

  • Widener’s social work instructors are all full-time faculty practitioners with experience working in the social work field. Many of the professors have a deep interest in research or have been social work clinicians for more than 20 years.
  • Students stay active on campus by joining various clubs and organizations, such as the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Club, the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW), and Phi Alpha ΦΑ - National Social Work Honor Society.
  • Alumni and local social workers can stay connected with Widener by attending CEU events

Keep on top of the latest social work happenings—from program and field updates to spotlights on our initiatives and faculty—by signing up for our newsletter. To join our mailing list, email socialwork@widener.edu

Seven people, including four Widener students in matching blue shirts, pose for a photo

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging

Widener’s Center for Social Work Education is committed to creating an anti-racist, diverse, equitable, and inclusive explicit & implicit curricular environment that supports, encourages, challenges, and celebrates the uniqueness of our community. As a Center, we are committed to continuous improvement, and bringing the best of our community and ideas forward.

We aspire to foster, sustain, and promote a culture of belonging, solidarity, stewardship, and critical consciousness where all, regardless of their various backgrounds can be their authentic selves to grow and change as social workers. This is not possible without diverse perspectives and outreach to include those members of the community that go unheard. 

Social Work MSW student at WIdener Partnership Charter School

Impactful Learning In & Out of the Classroom

Our social work programs create purposeful experiences informed by theory and evidence that weave self-reflection and critical thinking, including:

  • Creating a supportive and nurturing academic environment that integrates dynamic classroom instruction and scientific inquiry with real-world learning.
  • Having a diverse faculty whose social work practice, research, and community service experiences inform their teaching and inspire our students.
  • Having students and faculty engage in community-based research and community partnerships that strengthen disadvantaged individuals, families, organizations, and communities. 
Social work MSW counseling session

Social Work Counseling Services in the Local Community

Widener University's Social Work Counseling Services (SWCS) is a community-based agency developed by the Center for Social Work Education to serve a variety of clients in need while offering our students valuable service learning and internship opportunities.

Social Work Continuing Education

A variety of professional social work continuing education workshops and seminars are available throughout the year. These courses are ideal for licensed social work professionals to gain continuing education credit and are taught by Widener social work faculty who are recognized in their profession. Topics cover a wide-range, including trauma-informed topics such as grief and loss, suicide, and eating disorders.

Pride Perspectives

Randy LeBar leaning against a tree

“It has been a wonderful experience so far because of the support I received.”

Randy LeBar

Randy's Story
An online MSW student is seen sitting at a desk working with a client.

Widener has stood up to its reviews -- it’s an exceptional school. The educational experience is priceless.

Erin Waters

Erin's Story
Hannah Berard stands on top of a mountain and signs "I love you"

Widener has helped me take my academics and what I’ve learned in classes and apply it not just in the Chester community, but to the whole world in general.

Hannah Berard

Hannah's Story

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