BSW Curriculum Description

Curriculum

BSW Curriculum Description

The 120-credit hour BSW prepares students for entry-level, professional, generalist social work practice and for graduate social work education.

Courses include 33 undergraduate required Social Work core credit hours (6 of which constitute the field practice sequence); 12 credit hours of social work electives; 47 credit hours of general education requirements as outlined in the degree progress report; 12-18 credit hours in a minor or certificate and 10-16 other elective credit hours.

 

Curricular Highlights

 

 

Social Work Practice Sequence:

The Social Work Practice sequence equips students with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to work with clients and communities across a wide range of client groups.  Students develop social work intervention and problem-solving skills needed to work with people of diverse backgrounds using a person-in-environment approach.
Field Practice:

Through our field practice sequence, students develop their skills by completing no less than 450 hours of field practice (e.g. internship). Field practice integrates theoretical and conceptual classwork with the practice setting. It’s a wonderful way to gain “real world” experience and networking to prepare for social work careers.
 

Minor Outside Social Work:

BSW students complete at least one 12-18 credit hour cross-disciplinary certificate and/or minor through the School of Public Affairs, the Department of Sociology, and the College of Education including (but not limited to) criminal justice, disability studies, sociology of diversity, social dimensions of health and health care, and gerontology
Electives and Elective Clusters:

Elective offerings unique to social work practice are designed around five high need areas of military social work, healthcare social work, school social work, child welfare training, and community development.
Requirements

BSW Requirements

 

General Requirements:

Students complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, including: 33 undergraduate required Social Work core credit hours (6 of which constitute the field practice sequence); 12 credit hours of social work electives; 47 credit hours of general education requirements as outlined in the degree progress report; 12-18 credit hours in a minor or certificate and 10-16 other elective credit hours.


Students are also required to meet the following: a minimum of 27 credit hours must be upper-division major courses; a minimum of 400 hours of field education; a grade of C or better in each undergraduate course applied to satisfy major requirements; major requirements may not be taken pass/fail

Note: The BSW Program cannot grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience.

Upper-Division Requirements:

Students complete at least 45 credit hours of upper-division work (courses numbered 3000 and above) to be eligible for the BSW.  Students may register for upper-division courses if they have met prerequisites or obtained departmental approval. Courses transferred from a junior/community college carry lower-division credit.

  • SWRK 1001 Introduction to Social Work
  • SWRK 3001 Interviewing Skills and the Helping Relationship in Social Work Practice
  • SWRK 3002 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
  • SWRK 3003 Social Work Research
  • SOC 3250 Power, Privilege, and Social Difference
  • SWRK 3268 Contemporary Issues in Social and Public Policy
  • SOC 4210 Social Services and Welfare Reform
  • SWRK 4001 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Groups
  • SWRK 4002 Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities
  • SWRK 4111 Field Practice in Social Work I
  • SWRK 4112 Field Practice in Social Work II
Compass Curriculum:

Component

Course

Gateway

GPS 1010

Explore1 – Arts, Humanities and Cultures

PHIL 1120

Explore1 – Society, Behavior and Health

SOC 1110

Explore1 – Physical and Natural World

List provided in BSW Degree plan (link)

Navigate2

List provided in  BSW Degree plan (link)

Summit3

Field Placement II
 

Writing Intensive Course (WIC)3  

Social Work Research (3000 level)

Social Work Practice with Organizations & Communities (4000 level)

Inclusiveness3 

SOC 3250 (major requirement)

Sustainability3 

SOC 2260

1 Explore must be outside major and area requirements.

2 Navigate must be outside major requirements.

3 Can count towards other requirements within the Compass Curriculum or within a student’s degree program.

Admission

Admission Criteria

Students may declare social work as their major at any time following admission to the University; however, declaration of the social work major does not guarantee admission into the BSW program. Generally, first- and second-year Social Work Majors complete general education requirements and lower-division social work courses.

More information on SPA Undergraduate Admissions.