Pre-Social Work, A.A.
Potomac State College

The online Associate of Arts in Pre-Social Work from WVU Potomac State College offers you a step toward completion of a baccalaureate degree in social work. You will gain a strong foundation in social work, communication, and sociology that will empower you to successfully complete the baccalaureate degree and make an impact while serving your community.
Cost:
$244 / Cost per credit hour *
Courses and Credits:
21 Courses / 60 Credits
Duration:
About two years full-time
Dates:
Next Start: August 20, 2025 Admission Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer
Learning Format:
Online asynchronous
Program Overview
Explore Your Pathways to Success
Curriculum
As a student in this program, you will complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of required and elective courses. You may use credits earned at other institutions and the electives can also be used toward a minor of your choice.
This program is a great stepping-stone to a degree through the WVU School of Social Work where you can pursue a bachelor's degree either on-campus in Morgantown or online. Additionally, the program's coursework can also be transferred to degree programs at other four-year institutions.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of the A.A. degree, you will be able to:
- Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
- Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments.
- Engage diversity and difference in practice.
- Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
- Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
- Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.
- Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.
General Education Foundations
- F1: Composition & Rhetoric
- ENGL 101 & ENGL 102 / or ENGL 103 Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research / Accelerated Academic Writing, 3-6 credit hours
- F2A/F2B: Science & Technology, 4-6 credit hours
- F3: Math & Quantitative Reasoning, 3-4 credit hours
- F4: Society & Connections, 3 credit hours
- F5: Human Inquiry and the Past, 3 credit hours
- F6: The Arts & Creativity, 3 credit hours
- F7: Global Studies & Diversity, 3 credit hours
- F8: Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree), 9 credit hours
Curriculum Requirements
- GEF Elective Requirements (2,5,6 and 8), 15 credits
- WVUE 191: First Year Seminar, 1 credit hour
- ENGL 101 & ENGL 102: Introduction to Composition & Rhetoric / Composition, Rhetoric, & Research (GEF 1), 6 credit hours
- MATH 121: Intro Concepts Of Mathematics (GEF 3), 3 credit hours
- POLS 220: State and Local Government (GEF 4), 3 credit hours
- PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology, 3 credit hours
- SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology, 3 credit hours
- SOC 221: Families and Society (GEF 8), 3 credit hours
- SOWK 147: Human Diversity (GEF 7 - minimum grade of C-), 3 credit hours
- SOWK 151: Introduction to Social Work (minimum grade of C-), 3 credit hours
- PSYC 200-level Elective, 3 credit hours
- SOC or ANTH 200-level Elective, 3 credit hours
- Minority Content Course, 3 credit hours (Select one of the following):
- ENGL 154: African American Literature
- ENGL 254: African American Literature
- ENGL 285: Images of Women in Literature
- HIST 250: West Virginia
- PSYC 232: Sex Roles and Behavior
- PSYC 345: Adulthood and Aging
- SOC 235: Race and Ethnic Relations
- WGST 170: Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies
- Elective, 8 credit hours
- ENGL 101 (GEF 1), 3 credit hours
- MATH 121 (GEF 3), 3 credit hours
- SOWK 151 (GEF 5), 3 credit hours
- WVUE 191, 1 credit hour
- GEF 6, 3 credit hours
- Elective, 2 credit hours
- ENGL 102 (GEF 1), 3 credit hours
- SOC 101, 3 credit hours
- SOWK 147 (GEF 7), 3 credit hours
- GEF 2, 3 credit hours
- Elective, 3 credit hours
- POLS 222 (GEF 4), 3 credit hours
- PSYC 101, 3 credit hours
- SOC or ANTH 200-level Elective, 3 credit hours
- GEF 2, 3 credit hours
- Elective, 3 credit hours
- SOC 221 (GEF 8), 3 credit hours
- PSYC 200-level Elective, 3 credit hours
- Minority Content Course , 3 credit hours
- GEF 8, 3 credit hours
- Elective, 3 credit hours
Admissions Process and How to Apply
- Office of Enrollment Services, WVU Potomac State College 75 Arnold Street, Keyser, WV 26726
- OR Email: Go2PSC@mail.wvu.edu
- OR Order through Parchment
- Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) - score of 500 on each of the five subtest categories
- General Equivalency Degree (GED) - average standard score of 2250 (450) or above
- HiSET exam - minimum score of 45
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
- File the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the June deadline to determine eligibility for funding and scholarships.
- Inquire with your employer about potential financial support for continuing your education.
Careers and Employment
This associate degree program is a great foundation for further education in social work, as some positions may require additional schooling or experience. While there is opportunity to advance your studies after completing this program, there are many roles in the field of social work where associate degree holders are valued.
Career Paths
- Foster Care
- Adoption
- Justice System
- Public Assistance
- Day Care Services
- School Social Services
- Veteran Services
- Social Services in a Medical Field or Mental Health Hospital
- Drug and Alcohol Programs
- Recreational Services (e.g., Boy Scouts)
- Rehabilitation Centers
- State and Local Government Agencies
- Nursing Homes
- Research
- Social Action
- Fundraising
- YWCA