Undergraduate Bulletin > Social Work > Social Work Major (SOWK)

Social Work Major (SOWK)

The purpose of the Social Work major is to prepare students for entry level generalist practice in social work. This is a professional program of study which is strongly grounded for the first two years in liberal arts; the second two years focus on the professional curriculum. The program prepares students for work with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education for an eight-year period ending in June 2013.

Admission to the Social Work Major

The student who wishes to formally declare Social Work as a major should consult with the Undergraduate Program Director. Admission to the major is based upon:

1. Satisfactory completion of SWK 215 with a grade of C or higher
2. A minimum University GPA of 2.50
3. Completion of a minimum of 51 s.h.
4. Completion and submission of the B.S.W. Application Packet by December 1 or May 1 of the year in which the student is seeking admission

Admission is competitive and limited. Decisions concerning admission are announced by January 1 and June 1 and are effective with the beginning of the fall semester.

Admission to Field Instruction

1. Prior admission to the Social Work Major
2. Completion of the following courses or their equivalent: BIO 105, ECO 101, HDF 212, PSC 100, PSY 121, STA 108, SOC 101, and completion of the Department’s culture and diversity requirement.
3. Completion of 84 s.h. with a 2.50 grade point average
4. Satisfactory completion of all early field experience requirements
5. Satisfactory completion of SWK 215, 310, 311, 315, 325, and 351, with a minimum grade of C. No Social Work course may be taken more than twice.
6. An application process and approval of the Director of Field Instruction

General Information

Admission to the University does not constitute acceptance to the department. Academic credit is not awarded for life or work experience. Community social work agencies cooperate with the Department of Social Work in providing field work experiences for the students. The number of students placed for field instruction is determined by the availability of these resources. At times, there may not be an approved site for student placement and there may be delay in meeting that part of the graduation requirements.

Students enrolled in the practice sequence are individually responsible for their own transportation to and from community agencies. Students are required to provide proof of liability and malpractice insurance. Malpractice insurance information is available in the departmental office.

Students who fail to enter senior year field instruction within two years of completion of all Bachelor of Social Work foundation courses (SWK 215, 310, 311, 315, 325, 351) must reapply for admission to the social work program. The Director of the Bachelor of Social Work program in consultation with the student and faculty will decide what social work courses, if any, must be repeated prior to reapplying for admission to field instruction.

Students who enter field instruction and fail to successfully complete it must reapply for admission to field instruction within two years of completion of all Bachelor of Social Work foundation courses (SWK 215, 310, 311, 315, 325, 351). If more than two years elapse, the student must reapply for admission to the social work program. Students who have previously entered field instruction and have not successfully completed it may only reapply once for readmission.

Program Requirements

I General Education Core Requirements (GEC)

See complete GEC requirements and approved course listings for all categories.

Core Category	S.H.
Students may select courses for:
Literature (GLT)	3
Fine Arts (GFA)	3
Philosophical, Religious, Ethical Principles (GPR)	3
One additional GLT, GFA, or GPR course	3
Historical Perspectives on Western Culture (GHP)	3
Reasoning and Discourse (GRD) ENG 101 or FMS 115 or RCO 101, and one additional GRD course	6
Department specifies courses for:
Mathematics (GMT) required: STA 108 (or MAT 112 or similar GMT math course if SWK 250 taken in lieu of STA 108)	3
Natural Sciences (GNS) required: BIO 105 and 105L, and one other GNS course	6–7
Social & Behavioral Sciences (GSB) required: ECO 101 and SWK 311	6

 

II General Education Marker Requirements

See details and courses. It is possible to meet all GE Marker Requirements while completing the GE Core requirements or courses required by the major/concentration.

 

III Major Requirements

1. Admission to Field Instruction. SWK 215, 310, 311*, 315, 325, 351.
2. Practice sequence. SWK 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, and 416.
3. Six s.h. in social work at the 500 level

IV Related Area Requirements

1. BIO 105* & 105L*; ECO 101*; HDF 212; PSC 100; PSY 121; SOC 101; STA 108* or SWK 250*
2. Culture and Diversity Requirement: all students must establish elementary competence in culture and human diversity. To do so, a student may establish foreign language proficiency at the elementary level (0–6 s.h.) or complete six (6) s.h. in course work from the following: AFS 201, 210; ATY 325, 330; ENG 331, 374, 376; HDF 407; HEA 333, 347, 471; HIS 301, 302, 328, 329; PSC 335, 336; REL 111, 215, 218, 220, 221, 223, 225, 229, 231, 325; SES 101, 102, 200; SOC 327, 329; SPA 233; WGS 250, 333; or Foreign Language proficiency through 102.

*BIO 105 and 105L satisfy one GNS requirement; ECO 101 and SWK 311 satisfy GSB requirement; STA 108 satisfies GMT requirement; social work majors who take SWK 250 instead of STA 108 will need to take a general math course (MAT 112 recommended) to meet the GEC requirement.

V Electives

Electives sufficient to complete the 122 semester hours required for the degree.