Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Social Work, B.S.W.


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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.

Degree and Major Requirements


Degree Requirements Credit Hours
General Education  courses 1 41
Social Work core courses 44
Social Work electives at the 300/400 level 6
Electives

Total

29

120

Major Requirements Total: 50 Credit Hours


Additional Information


The minimum requirement for the B.S.W. degree is completion of the General Education requirements, 44 credit hours of core social work courses, prerequisite courses as specified in course descriptions and elective hours, six of which must be in social work at the 300/400 level, for a total of 120 credit hours. If a grade of “C” (2.0) or above is not achieved the first time a social work course is taken, the student may repeat the course only once. All social work majors are expected to abide by the NASW Code of Ethics. Additionally, all majors participate in social work student outcome assessment measures.

Footnote


1 The General Education  program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Some credits may be fulfilled by courses required within the major.

Recommended Schedule for Majors


First Year


Total: 27-33 Credit Hours


Second Year


Total: 27-33 Credit Hours


Third Year


Total: 30 Credit Hours


Total: 32 Credit Hours


Footnotes


1 Certain General Education courses may also meet prerequisite requirements for social work courses. Pay close attention to General Education requirements when selecting the following courses: MATH 220 , Cluster 3; ANTH 195 , POSC 225  and SOCI 110 , Cluster 4; PSYC 101  and PSYC 160 , Cluster 5.
2 Check prerequisite requirements.

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