Undergraduate Major
Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Dual Major
Â鶹´«Ã½'s Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Dual Major prepares students for careers that make a difference. Â鶹´«Ã½'s Social Work courses offer a rigorous, caring and inclusive learning community, preparing you for employment or for graduate studies. Its Criminal Justice programs equip students with the knowledge, skills, and real-world insight needed to succeed in today’s evolving justice system, including careers in investigation, legal services, social services, and public safety.
Class Delivery Note: All social work classes are fully online. Undergraduate residential students take their general education courses in person. Commuter students should talk to their admissions counselor to identify the best delivery options for their circumstances.
- Program Length:
-
4.00 Years
- Study Format:
-
On-campus
- Credit Hours:
- 127
Career Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Employment of social workers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations. Â鶹´«Ã½ 74,000 openings for social workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment in protective service occupations is projected to grow steadily through 2033, with continued demand driven by public safety needs and workforce turnover. Median annual wages typically range from about $50,000 to $95,000+, with higher earnings in specialized or federal roles.
Social Work
- Addiction counselor
- Agency director
- Caseworker
- Child or family counselor
- Child welfare worker
- Crisis intervention worker
- Foster care and adoption specialist
- Hospice worker
- Therapeutic support staff
Criminal Justice
A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice opens the door to a wide range of meaningful careers across public service, government, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. Graduates of our program pursue careers such as:
Law Enforcement & Public Safety
- Police Officer
- State Trooper
- Federal Agent (e.g., FBI, DEA, Secret Service)
- Crime Prevention Specialist
Courts & Legal System
- Probation Officer
- Parole Officer
- Court Administrator
- Legal Assistant / Paralegal
- Victim Advocate
- Attorney (with graduate study)
Corrections & Rehabilitation
- Correctional Officer
- Case Manager (Corrections or Community Programs)
- Juvenile Justice Specialist
- Rehabilitation Counselor
- Prison Administrator / Warden
Law Enforcement & Emerging Careers
- Intelligence Analyst
- Fraud Investigator (Financial Crimes)
- Corporate Security Specialist
- Social Services Caseworker
- Nonprofit Program Coordinator (e.g., violence prevention, reentry programs)
Education & Research
- Criminal Justice Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Criminal Justice Professor (with graduate study)
The median annual wage for social workers in 2024 was $61,330, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median annual wages in protective service occupations typically range from about $50,000 to $95,000+, with higher earnings in specialized or federal roles.
Â鶹´«Ã½'s Office of Career Development supports students and alumni in job searches and career planning. Its services include individual career advising; résumé, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile reviews; interview preparation and practice; access to career information as well as internship and job opportunities; career fairs and networking connections; and graduate school application support.
Program Overview
Contact Us
For more information about Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Department of Social Work and Criminal Justice, contact Criminal Justice Department Chair Malgorzata Zuber Ph.D., at 610-796-8230 or malgorzata.zuber@alvernia.edu, or Social Work Program Director Michael Hassler at 610-568-1490 or michael.hassler@alvernia.edu.
- Application Instructions
Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the or . To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.
- Financing Your Education
There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.
- Program Accreditation
Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s social work programs are accredited by the (CSWE) and by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Â鶹´«Ã½ is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
State awards Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program (RACP) support for Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s American House
Funding strengthens community health partnership and expands experiential learning in downtown Reading
Central Penn. Business Journal, Lehigh Valley Business name Â鶹´«Ã½'s Giannini to Most Influential Leaders List
Organizations to honor the senior leader on Aug. 18 in Reading
Â鶹´«Ã½ students develop patent-pending nursing education technology, win regional business plan competition
Learn2Inject transforms classroom innovation into award-winning healthcare startup with support from the O'Pake Institute
National rankings and local recognition highlight Â鶹´«Ã½'s commitment to student success and values
University recognized by Colleges of Distinction, Money magazine and Berks County Living's People's Choice Awards
