Mary Baldwin University offers a transformative education that empowers students to achieve their goals. The university’s psychology and social sciences programs are built for people drawn to the work of understanding human behavior and improving lives. Our Bachelor of Social Work and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Psychology pair rigorous coursework with hands-on experience, preparing you to serve individuals, families and communities with skill and confidence.
At Mary Baldwin University, you’re not just earning a credential. You’re building a career with purpose behind it.
Turn your passion into a purpose-driven career
Founded in 1842, Mary Baldwin University is a private university rooted in tradition but with an innovative spirit. The university’s mission is to empower inclusive leaders to create lives of purpose and professional success in a changing world.
Our psychology and social sciences programs are taught by faculty with real experience in the field — practicing social workers and psychology scholars who advise students individually and shape coursework around where you want to go. Programs are offered online so you can keep working while you study, and both paths build in applied experience, whether that’s supervised fieldwork with local organizations or a thesis, independent research project or internship.
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from the Susan Warfield Caples Department of Social Work is for those who know that changing the world starts with improving the lives of those around you. If you care about social justice, mental health, non-profit management or health advocacy, the BSW program is where you learn to turn that conviction into a genuine force for change.
The curriculum blends rigorous learning with practical experience, and a significant portion of program requirements is met through hands-on fieldwork in collaboration with local organizations. You’ll learn from professors who are experienced social workers from diverse fields, and the program is designed so you can earn your degree while you work.
Time for Completion:
4 years
Degree Earned:
Bachelor of Social Work
The online Master of Social Work (MSW) is for people who want more than a credential. Through flexible, supportive and individualized professional education, you’ll develop the resilience, self-awareness, knowledge, skills and confidence to tackle challenging problems as an advanced generalist social worker.
The curriculum connects classroom learning to real social work settings while helping you develop the professional judgment to choose a thoughtful path forward for each client and community. A signature Professional Development Seminar sequence helps you explore career paths and build practical skills throughout the program. Rooted in the Shenandoah Valley and delivered online, the MSW allows you to advance your education while staying connected to the community you already serve.
Time for Completion:
Varies by program option
Degree Earned:
Master of Social Work
An MSW can open doors across direct practice, community-based work, public systems and organizational leadership. Paths graduates explore include:
Clinical and other licensed roles require state licensure, which has its own examination, supervised-hours and eligibility requirements. Completion of the program does not by itself confer licensure.
You don’t need an undergraduate psychology degree to succeed in the field. Mary Baldwin University designed the online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Psychology (PBCP) for those who want to explore a career in psychology but earned a bachelor’s degree in another field. The program is where your path into psychology can begin.
Working with a dedicated psychology faculty advisor, you’ll build a customized academic plan grounded in psychological theories, research methods and data analysis. Most students complete 13 to 17 semester hours. Your plan is prepared by your advisor and approved by the Psychology Department Chair, and potential courses include Experimental Psychology, Behavioral Statistics, additional psychology courses at the 200 level or above, and a thesis, independent research project or internship.
Time for Completion:
as little as one year
Degree Earned:
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Psychology
The online PBCP program is designed to prepare you for further education at the graduate or doctoral level. For those who move on to complete the relevant degree program, potential careers include:
These roles require completion of a graduate or doctoral degree and, in most cases, state licensure. Completion of the PBCP does not by itself qualify graduates for these positions.
Embark on a journey into the complexities of human behavior and mental processes with Mary Baldwin University’s Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology. The program emphasizes scientific inquiry and practical application, and you’ll engage in hands-on research that builds the critical thinking and analytical skills employers look for.
Available 100% online, the degree gives you the flexibility to study on your schedule and the room to shape your path — choose a BA or a BS depending on your academic interests and career aspirations, and specialize in an emphasis area that matches your goals. You’ll learn from dedicated professors who provide personalized instruction and mentorship.
Time for Completion:
4 years
Degree Earned:
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Turn your passion into a purpose-driven career
Mary Baldwin University offers online students the chance to access a quality higher education in many fields, including business, psychology, education, criminal justice, marketing, healthcare and much more. Now is the time to take the next step forward in your academic journey.
Fill out a form on this page and our admissions team will contact you, ready to answer any questions you have about applying, enrolling and studying in online programs at Mary Baldwin University
