Penn State Greater Allegheny’s bachelor’s of social work program has earned national accreditation.

Greater Allegheny’s program earned accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation, the university announced this month.

Located near McKeesport, Greater Allegheny is the only Penn State campus where students can complete an undergraduate degree in social work. Students can start the degree at any Penn State campus.

The commonwealth campus added its social work degree program in 2022.

Chancellor Megan Nagel said accreditation “significantly strengthens” the program because it allows graduates to pursue professional licensure at the bachelor’s level in the state, and qualify for advanced standing in many master’s degree programs.

“Those opportunities make the degree much more attractive to prospective students, and we expect to see meaningful enrollment growth in the coming years,” she said.

There is a significant and growing need for qualified social workers, Nagel said. Employment of social workers is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are about 74,000 openings for social workers projected each year over the next decade, according to the bureau.

Nagel said the demand for social workers is driven by increasing needs in mental health, child welfare and community services. That’s coupled as many human services agencies report staffing shortages, she said.

“Social workers play a critical role in schools, hospitals, community organizations and government agencies, helping individuals and families navigate complex challenges and access critical support,” she said. “For students, that demand translates into strong career opportunities as well as pathways to advanced study.”

In addition to classroom work, Greater Allegheny social work students complete 400 hours of field placement in a social service agency while supervised by a professional social worker.

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