Social Work

Overview

As a student in the Social Work program at Eastern Mennonite University, you will work in the context of families, organizations, and communities through providing counseling services, case management, and social justice advocacy.

Social work emphasizes relationships, service to others, and peacebuilding, locally, nationally and globally. By integrating counseling skill development, human behavior theory, policy advocacy work, interdisciplinary and experiential learning,  we prepare you for employment in professional social work practice and social change. The major embodies EMU’s mission to “serve compassionately and walk boldly in the way of nonviolence and peace.”

Careers

• Most graduates practice professionally within four months of graduation. 

• Career opportunities in behavioral health, crisis intervention, mental health counseling, patient advocacy, family and children’s services, adoption and foster care, elder care, and criminal justice.

• Graduates worked for organizations in Harrisonburg, in Washington DC, across the county, and around the world, including The Family Place, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Virginia Organizing, Mennonite Central Committee, Valley Community Services Board, and Harrisonburg City Schools.

• Graduates have pursued advanced degrees from James Madison University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Radford University, George Mason University, and EMU's own Center for justice and Peacebuilding.