Best undergrad Social Work Programs

I've been pretty set on social work as a career path for a while now. I know it's a bit early, but I'm trying to find some colleges with great undergraduate social work programs. Any thoughts?

Absolutely, there are many excellent social work programs around the nation. Here are some standout social work undergraduate programs that you might want to add to your list.

1. University of California, Berkeley: UC Berkeley's School of Social Welfare is renowned for its academic rigor, commitment to social justice, and extensive field education opportunities.

2. Columbia University: The School of Social Work at Columbia is one of the oldest and highly respected in the U.S. While they don't have a dedicated undergrad Social Work program, they do offer a major in Sociology, which can be paired with a special concentration in Social Work.

3. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor: The School of Social Work here is top-tier and offers a minor in Community Action and Social Change (CASC) for undergraduates who are interested in social work.

4. University of Texas at Austin: The Steve Hicks School of Social Work offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program that has a strong focus on both policy and direct practice.

5. University of Washington: The School of Social Work at UW offers both a BSW and a minor in Diversity.

6. University of Pennsylvania: The university has a well-regarded School of Social Policy & Practice. While they don't offer a Bachelor's in Social Work, they offer a unique interdisciplinary program called Civic Scholars, which combines Sociology, Social Work, and other disciplines to prepare students for a career in public service.

Remember, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself not just with the prestige of the program, but also with the specifics of the course offerings, the opportunities for fieldwork, internships, faculty mentoring, and research. It might also be worth considering the format of the program (whether it is more theoretical, practical, or a mix of both) and how well it aligns with your career aspirations. Lastly, considering the location of the school can be critical too, taking into account potential outreach and networking opportunities.