Major Advising Page: Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work (Social Welfare and Social Work)

The Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work strongly encourages our students to study abroad! It is a meaningful way to immerse yourself in other cultures and societies that develops a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of global issues. The experience will challenge how you view social welfare in its broadest social, economic, and political contexts and will enhance your ability to participate in a multicultural society more effectively, respectfully, and meaningfully.

On this page

Course considerations

You can take your 6 credits of social science concentration courses abroad, choosing from these ten approved departments. The 6 credits must be from the same department and must be social science breadth credits and designated Intermediate or Advanced level: 

  • African American Studies
  • American Indian Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Asian American Studies
  • Chicanx/e and Latinx/e Studies
  • Economics
  • Gender and Women’s Studies
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

It is rare to find an exact social work course equivalent to satisfy our social work course requirements for the major because the social work courses must be social work-accredited courses from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in the United States.

UW Guide
Back to top

Map your experience as a
social work and social welfare student

Prospective students

Students interested in declaring the social welfare major can do so as soon as they enroll in SW 205 and/or SW 206, as early as the First year, and may study abroad at any time during their academic career. Be sure to check our Guide for specifics on declaring the major.

Students interested in applying to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program must first declare their social welfare major and study abroad before their senior year. BSW students are required to be on campus to fulfill the BSW requirements in their senior year.

Students apply to the BSW program during spring term of their junior year after completing SW 205 and SW 206, have completed 71 credits, are declared social welfare majors, and have completed or be enrolled in an approved statistics the semester they apply (spring term).

Freshman year

SW 205 and/or SW 206.

Sophomore year

Or SW 205 and/or SW 206, SW Elective, Social Science Concentration (approved departments above).

Junior year

SW 640 (fall), SW 457 (spring), SW 650, SW Elective, Social Science Concentration (approved departments above).

Senior year

Or SW 640 (fall), SW 457 (spring), SW 650, SW Elective, Social Science Concentration (approved departments above).

The required 6 credits of Social Work Electives can be taken any semester. The same is true for the 6 credits of Social Science Concentration requirement — may be taken abroad if courses match the outlined approved departments.

Summer course options: SW 650, SW electives, and Social Science Concentration courses from the outlined approved departments.

A selfie of a student wearing a headscarf. She is sitting next to her bedroom window and red brick buildings are visible outside.
Two students holding open their jackets to show their green and red Wisconsin sweatshirts.
A student wearing a Wisconsin Badger’s shirt, making a "W" with her fingers. The Sydney Opera House is visible across the water behind her.
Photo credit (left to right): Sakinah Yusuf (England), Malachi Clark (Germany), Nari Tagura (Australia)
Back to top

Ask questions

|

  • What classes must I complete for my degree (breadth/depth, major requirements, etc.)?
  • Do I need to be on UW–Madison’s campus for any courses in my major?
  • How many electives do I have outside of my major?

  • What classes can I take abroad?
  • How and when do I select courses for my program? 
  • When will I know course equivalents for my program?
  • What is the class structure like abroad?

  • What skills do careers related to my major require, and how might participating in a particular program help me gain those skills?
  • When would be the best time to participate in a program based on my career goals?
  • How will participating in a study abroad, study away, or international internship make me stand out?

  • Why do I want to study abroad?
  • How long do I want to study abroad for — a few weeks, a semester, a year?
  • How does studying abroad fit into my academic, personal, and/or professional goals?
  • What career skills or proficiencies will I strive to acquire or enhance on my program?
Back to top

Discover programs that are right for you

Majors high on our list that pair well with social welfare or social work—four of their courses will count towards our requirements:

Other majors that work well with social welfare or social work include:

Relevant certificates:

Social welfare and social work students have studied around the world. We encourage you to consider programs that are the best fit for you academically, professionally, and personally. Where do your passions and interests guide you? If you’ve always wanted to visit a particular region of the world, we can help you build an academic plan while meeting your graduation timeline.

The following programs are recommended for social welfare and social work students due to relevant credit opportunities in the major and relevant certificates, or for related interests.

In this section

Search all programs

Semester and academic year programs

Argentina

Australia

Austria

IES Vienna (semester and summer)

Brazil

CET Brazil: Direct-Enroll at Universidade de São Paulo

Chile

Costa Rica

Czech Republic

CIEE Central European Studies in Prague (semester and summer)

Denmark

DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester and summer)

Ecuador

Ceiba Tropical Conservation Semester: Galapagos, Andes, and Amazon (spring)

England

Germany

CIEE Berlin Open Campus

Hong Kong

Chinese University of Hong Kong (semester and summer)

Ireland

IFSA University of Galway (semester and summer)

Italy

Mexico

 CFHI Global Health Internships in Mexico (spring and summer)

Netherlands

Panama

SFS Tropical Island Biodiversity & Conservation Studies (semester and summer)

Peru

SFS Biodiversity & Development in the Andes-Amazon (semester and summer)

Spain

Sweden

DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester and summer)

South Africa

University of Cape Town

United States

UW Wisconsin in Washington, DC Internship Program (semester and summer)

Short-term programs

Argentina

Australia

UW Disability Rights and Access in Australia (summer)

Austria

IES Vienna (semester and summer)

Belize

Chile

SFS Climate Studies (semester and summer)

Costa Rica

Czech Republic

CIEE Central European Studies in Prague (semester and summer)

Denmark

DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester and summer)

Dominican Republic

UW Youth Engagement and Teaching ESL in the Dominican Republic (summer)

Ecuador

England

University of Westminster (semester and summer)

France

UW Migration, Immigration, and Asylum in France (summer)

Hong Kong

Chinese University of Hong Kong (semester and summer)

Ireland

IFSA University of Galway (semester and summer)

Italy

Mexico

 CFHI Global Health Internships in Mexico (spring and summer)

Netherlands

IES Amsterdam (semester and summer)

Panama

SFS Tropical Island Biodiversity & Conservation Studies (semester and summer)

Peru

SFS Biodiversity & Development in the Andes-Amazon (semester and summer)

Spain

IES Barcelona (semester and summer)

Sweden

DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia (semester and summer)

Thailand

UW Hmong Studies in Thailand (summer)

United States

UW Wisconsin in Washington, DC Internship Program (semester and summer)

International Internships

International internships allow you to apply your academic skills to the real world and gain valuable professional experience abroad while earning UW–Madison course credit.

As you consider your academic and professional goals for studying abroad, explore the different internship options, including UW Signature internships, internship-focused programs, part-time internships, or applying for credit for an external internship.

Check with your academic advisor to see if earning credit for your internship abroad can fulfill a major or certificate requirement.

Explore internships
Back to top

Hear from students in your major

Explore student blogs and reflections to see how your peers have connected international experiences to their studies. Discover real stories about the skills, challenges, and professional insights gained through our programs.

Social work
Social welfare

Photo credit: Francis Milanowski (Costa Rica)

Three students and a teacher posing in front of a whiteboard.

Want more information?

Dive deeper into how courses and credits work on our programs, or connect with an advisor to find the best fit for your goals.

Academics overview
Meet with an advisor

Last updated: