Center for Social Work Education

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. 

Trailblazing Pro Bono Clinical Supervision Program

Widener is the only school in our region to offer clinical supervision at no cost to select graduates of our on-campus advanced standing program seeking to obtain licensure in Pennsylvania. Participants will be supervised by an experienced, supportive faculty member.

Securing placement and meeting the required hours for licensure—an expense that isn't typically compensated by employers—is a barrier to entry for many. That’s why we’re committed to lifting it, supporting students of all backgrounds as they develop into highly skilled professionals. 

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. 

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 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.