Academic Offerings > Social Work (B.S.)

Social Work (Bachelor of Science)

Overview

The principal educational objective of the Social Work Program is to prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice with individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities.

The program provides education for social work practice based on a liberal arts education in the social sciences and humanities. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Throughout the program of study, students develop the values, knowledge, and skills necessary to provide social services and to effect social change in institutions and communities.

General Requirements

• Requirements for All Undergraduate Degree Students

Specific Requirements

The Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work requires a minimum of 122 approved credit hours, 24 credits of which are general education components from four approved academic areas (Arts and Letters, Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences), and three credits for one course that focuses substantially on issues concerned with Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, or non-European/non-Western countries.

The student in consultation with his/her advisor, selects elective courses which will provide the opportunity to develop individual interests. Additional courses in anthropology, education, foreign language, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, statistics, special education, and women's studies are recommended. Students who intend to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree are strongly advised to take STAT 141.

A committee of Social Work faculty review students' progress each semester throughout the four years. Students may be asked to participate in that process if the faculty deems necessary.

Students must complete the required liberal arts courses with a minimum grade of C-; completion of the initial Social Work courses (SWSS 002, SWSS 003, SWSS 005, SWSS 047, SWSS 048, SWSS 060) with a minimum grade of C; completion of the upper level Social Work courses (SWSS 164, SWSS 165, SWSS 166, SWSS 168, SWSS 169, SWSS 200, SWSS 171, SWSS 172, SWSS 173, SWSS 174) with a minimum grade of B and an overall GPA in all courses of 2.0.

A typical, but not all-inclusive, program outline follows:

Curriculum

First-Year
Course	Credits
	Fall	Spring
Humanities Course	3
SOC 001 - Introduction to Sociology	3
SWSS 002 - Foundations of Social Work	3
Electives	6	6
POLS 021 - American Political System		3
PSYC 001 - General Psychology		3
SWSS 003 - Human Needs & Social Services		3
Total	15	15
Sophomore Year
Course	Credits
	Fall	Spring
ENG 050 - Expository Writing	3
PSYC 152 - Abnormal Psychology	3
SWSS 047 - Human Beh in the Soc Envr I	3
Electives	6	2
Non-European/Non-Western Culture Course		3
BIOL 003 - Human Biology or SWSS 005 - Biosociopolitical Issues SW		3
EC 011 - Principles of Macroeconomics		3
SWSS 048 - Human Beh in the Soc Envr II		3
SWSS 060 - Racism & Contemporary Issues		3
*Diversity Courses (6 credits required)
Total	15	17
Junior Year
Course	Credits
	Fall	Spring
SWSS 164 - Intro Social Work Research	3
SWSS 165 - Iss & Pol in Social Welfare I	3
SWSS 200 -Theory/Prac Integration Sem	3
Electives	6	12
SWSS 166 - Iss & Pol in Social Welfare II		3
Total	15	15
Senior Year
Course	Credits
	Fall	Spring
SWSS 168 - Social Work Practice I	3
SWSS 171 - Field Experience Seminar I	3
SWSS 173 - Field Experience I	6
Electives	3	3
SWSS 169 - Social Work Practice II		3
SWSS 172 - Field Experience Seminar II		3
SWSS 174 - Field Experience II		6
Total	15	15

* Fulfilled through required social work courses.

In the senior year, students spend approximately 15 hours/wk. over two semesters (450 total hours) as interns in a public or private social service agency. In the Fall semester, students must enroll concurrently in SWSS 168, SWSS 171, and SWSS 173. In the Spring semester, students enroll in SWSS 169, SWSS 172, and SWSS 174.

Typically students apply for SWSS 173 Field Experience in the spring of Junior year. Application for the Field requires consultation with the student's advisor to determine that all introductory and intermediate professional and required courses have been successfully completed. The process includes a written statement by the student describing his/her interests and qualifications. The advisor and Field Education Coordinator also review professional readiness issues, including strengths, conduct, maturity, and areas to strengthen. When there are concerns about a student's field readiness, these concerns will be reviewed by the Undergraduate Field Committee, and recommendations will be made.

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