Grove City’s social work degree ranks high

Staff report

GROVE CITY, PA.

With a program that’s just 2 years old, Grove City College came in 14th on a nationwide list of top Christian colleges to pursue a social-work degree.

“Social Work Degree Guide,” the leading online resource for information about educational and career options in social work, put Grove City College’s social-work program high on its recent list in part because of the college’s approach differs from most colleges and universities.

Rather than offering a major in social work, Grove City students pursue a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in social work.

Beyond typical classes in the field, the website explains, the college’s program allows students to “explore topics in white-collar crime, the sociology of religion and the sociology of deviant behavior.”

Students also can choose to pursue honors in the major or develop an independent-study course.

“We are extremely grateful for this validation of our program, which is only two years old,” said Lisa L. Hosack, chairwoman of the Department of Sociology.

Grove City College revived its social-work program in 2013. It had been eliminated in the 1980s.

“Our ongoing goal is to combine the best knowledge available in social work, human development, social and economic development and theology to effectively train social workers to work for restoration among those on the margins of society for the sake of God and his kingdom,” she said.

Other factors in Grove City’s favor included tuition cost of $15,550 a year, return on investment measured by graduate incomes, a 15:1 student faculty ratio and coursework that reflects Christian teaching and values.

More Christian colleges are developing social-work programs, which can appeal to students pursuing the helping professions who value “the spiritually focused coursework that supplements traditional classes,” the website reported. Colleges such as Grove City “provide a safe environment full of like-minded peers and strong moral guidance.”