Social work education is built on a foundation of the liberal arts, which makes La Salle University and social work such a good fit. Social work students study psychology, sociology, biology, philosophy, religion, and political science. Typically, this is done in the first two years of college education. The Social Work Program does offer Introduction to Social Work, to be taken in the 1st semester that the student is at La Salle University, as well as a two-semester course in Human Behavior in the Social Environment, generally taken in the sophomore year.

The junior and senior years at La Salle University focus on social work classes, including Generalist Social Work Practice at the individual (or micro) level, as well as the macro or societal level. Social work students must take Social Statistics and Research in Social Work so that they are prepared to help advance the knowledge base of social work. Students have their choice of social work electives in a variety of topics, such as Trauma, Loss & Grief, and Child Welfare. Students are required to take two social work electives as part of the major.

Social work students at La Salle University spend three semesters in the field at agencies or settings where they practice social work under the supervision of a professional social worker. This integration of liberal arts foundation, knowledge base in social work, and field practicum experiences is a distinguishing feature of social work education.

Social work education is also characterized by an appreciation for human and cultural diversity, a theme that is woven through all social work classes, in addition to being the subject of a required sociology course. The Social Work Program at La Salle University offers as its capstone or final integrative seminar, Professional Considerations in Social Work, which provides the students an opportunity to examine the knowledge base, skills, and values that they have acquired throughout the curriculum.

Students transferring to La Salle University from a community college or other educational institution may not be required to take social work electives or Introduction to Social Work if they have already had these courses and if the student has received at least a C in the courses to be transferred into La Salle University. All other social work courses must be taken at La Salle University or at another CSWE-accredited program.

The Admissions Office also reviews core or foundation courses, and may accept them, again with a C or better grade. La Salle University has core-to-core or articulation agreements with many educational institutions, including community colleges.