Be a changemaker.
Join a program that will teach you on-the-job skills that employers are looking for. Join a program that will place you in the field to do hands-on social work before you graduate. Join a program with small class sizes that will give you the opportunity for involvement with other students from diverse backgrounds. Join a fully-accredited program that will position you to complete a masters degree in social work in as little as one year after graduation. Join the Wilma Hepker School of Social Work and Sociology to become a changemaker in your community and your world. Degrees offered by the Wilma Hepker School of Social Work and Sociology include a Bachelors in Social Work, a Master of Social Work and a Doctor of Social Work.
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Wilma Hepker School of Social Work and Sociology
The school offers two minors, a B.S.W., an M.S.W., and a D.S.W.
Students who study in our program get 400 hours of hands-on work in the community, have access to meaningful field placments locally, regionally and internationally, and are encouraged to participate in the annual field trip to the Washington State Capital. The school is committed to social engagement and students work on social programs in the community. Our program is the most diverse on the Walla Walla University campus and our small class sizes give ample opportunity for involvement with other students from a variety of backgrounds. Our CSWE-accredited program is unique and competitive because of the clinical focus and training. Our students are well-prepared for success in graduate school—over half of each graduating class is accepted into graduate programs every year, including top-ranked and Ivy league programs.
Settings social work graduates enter:
- Counseling/Therapy
- Children’s welfare
- Public support agencies
- Schools
- Adolescent group homes
- Juvenile and family courts
- Nursing homes and assisted-living facilities
- Hospitals, clinics, and home health care
- Mental health agencies
- Substance abuse treatment centers
- Criminal justice system
- Disaster relief programs
- Aging and long term care
- Developmental disability centers
- Community behavioral health agencies
69%
of graduates continue on to get their MSW
- Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.)
- Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
- Ballmer Behavioral Health Scholarship Program – apply by April 1 for chance to be selected, awards up to $25,750 per year.
- Social Work (B.S.W.)
- Social Welfare minor
- Sociology minor
Social Work Club
The school sponsors the Social Work Club, which is committed to social justice and community service that reflects Christian social work values. Students work on community projects including Angel Tree (which provides Christmas presents for children of incarcerated men and women), local food drives, and other social programs in the community, as well as social events for members. Pictured above is a "Privilege Walk" event which was held during Peacekeeping Week 2018.
Learn more about student clubs at WWU >
Field trips
Undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in the annual field trip to the Washington State Capital.
Field education
Field education is the hands on learning and training portion of the bachelors and masters level social work programs. Students work with experienced social work professionals in social services agencies to integrate classroom knowledge, skills, values, and research with agency experiences. A wide variety of agency settings and well-qualified field instructors make it possible for the School of Social Work to individualize the practice interests of students. The student actively participates in identifying his/her learning needs and shaping the educational process. Together, the field instructor and the field liaison help the student make optimal use of the agency's learning opportunities and integrate classroom and field content. The field faculty are here to assist you in finding an appropriate placement for your learning needs.
By the Numbers
Diversity in the School of Social Work and Sociology
82%
of students are female
36%
of students are first-generation college students
26%
of students are Black, Hispanic, or Asian
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