Program Description
The BSW program prepares social workers who are committed to addressing a broad range of social challenges, enhancing individual, family, group, organization and community well-being, and advocating for empowerment of diverse and vulnerable populations. The BSW program graduates competent social workers who are highly prepared for generalist professional practice as well as graduate education through exemplary commitment to ethical practice; diversity, equity and inclusion; human rights; and social, economic and environmental justice.
Admission and Retention Requirements
Admission Requirements
Social Work Program
Students may declare a major in social work at any time; however, they must apply for admission to the social work program the semester following completion of SOWK 287. Intro to Social Work and SOWK 288. Human Rights, Social, Economic and Environmental Justice . For unconditional admittance, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 with no single grade lower than a “C” (2.0) in SOWK 287 and SOWK 288 , and have completed the 20 hours of community service work required in SOWK 287 . Students are evaluated on the basis of community service and life experiences, academic performance, communication skills, work-related habits, ability to work with others, motivation, value orientation and career plans. Students must complete this process or admission to upper-level courses will be restricted. See the Social Work Handbook or the social work website for guidelines.
Applications are reviewed by two or more social work faculty members who make a recommendation to the head of the social work department. The student will be notified of the decision in writing. Decisions are to admit, to admit conditionally, not to admit or to defer decision. You will have one opportunity per semester to resubmit the application. If you fail to submit or resubmit a document that is still incorrect, you will be required to wait until the next semester deadline to resubmit. While this could potentially slow your progression in the major, it acknowledges your role of accountability in the process, a quality that will be essential for professional practice.
If admitted conditionally, the conditions for acceptance will be described. If the decision is deferred, the student will be notified in writing as to why. If not admitted, the student may appeal the decision to the head of the Department of Social Work.
Field Practicum Application
Students eligible for the field practicum are seniors who have completed the core social work requirements with no grade lower than a “C” (2.0) in SOWK 287 , SOWK 288 , SOWK 305 , SOWK 317 , SOWK 320 , SOWK 335 , SOWK 465 , SOWK 466 , SOWK 467 , SOWK 493 and IPE 415 , who have an overall minimum GPA of 2.0, and who have completed 50 community service hours related to human services after SOWK 287 .
During the field practicum, students spend four days a week for one semester completing a minimum of 472 hours of directed field practice. Students seeking admission to SOWK 481. Social Work Field Practicum I and SOWK 482. Social Work Field Practicum II must complete a field placement application and interview with the director of field placement. The field placement director, with the assistance of social work faculty members, will determine the acceptance and placement of students.
See the Social Work Student Handbook or the social work website for the field application, documentation of community service guidelines and guidelines for the placement process. Students must have no grade lower than a “C” (2.0) in SOWK 481 , SOWK 482 and SOWK 494 , which is taken concurrently with the field practicum.
