HELP 2013-2014 University Catalog Social Work, BSW Print-Friendly Page

Banner Code:  HH-BSW-SOCW

Unit: Social Work 

The undergraduate social work program prepares students for beginning generalist professional practice in social work at the baccalaureate level and has been granted full accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education. All students are expected to abide by the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.

No academic credit toward field experience or course work is given based on previous work or life experience. Since the social work program does not offer all of the required courses during the evening hours, students should meet with their academic advisor to develop a plan to complete course work for the degree.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the social work program, a student must have 1) completed at least 45 credits with a GPA of 2.50; 2) completed or be registered in BIOL 103 , ENGH 101 , SOCI 101 , PSYC 100 , and GOVT 103  or GOVT 132 ; 3) earned at least a C in SOCW 200 , SOCW 301 , a human behavior course (SOCW 323  or SOCW 340 ), a policy course (SOCW 351  or SOCW 370 ), and SOCW 357 ; 4) satisfactorily completed at least 60 hours in one semester in a service learning agency in conjunction with SOCW 301 ; and 5) submitted an application for the social work major to the director of social work admissions. Students should file this application during the junior year. The student’s application for admission to the social work major is reviewed for action by social work faculty members. A personal interview may be required.

There is no admission to the social work program in the summer. Students who have not met all criteria for admission to the major (including completion of service learning requirements) will not be considered for admission until the next academic year.

Program Requirements

To earn a bachelor’s degree in social work, students must earn a grade of C or above in in all Social Work classes applied to the major and must achieve a GPA of 2.5 overall. Class attendance is required in all Social Work courses. Before beginning SOCW 452 - Senior Seminar I  and SOCW 453 - Senior Practicum I  , students must successfully complete all required 200- and 300-level courses with a grade of C or above.

The Social Work faculty evaluates student performance periodically and may require students to withdraw from the program when, in their judgment, performance is not satisfactory. The decision is based on the quality of academic and field performance, as well as on personal fitness for the profession of social work. Students have the right to appeal.

Immunization and Fees

All students who are enrolled in a course that requires a field placement (SOCW 301 , SOCW 453 , and SOCW 456 ) must have an annual tuberculosis screening (PPD). In addition, students must complete the entire hepatitis B immunization series in accordance with current U.S. Public Health Service recommendations. The cost of immunizations is the responsibility of the student. The majority of agencies used for field placements require fingerprinting, a criminal background check (may be more extensive than the university requirement), and a child protective services check. Any cost related to these requirements is the responsibility of the student.

Writing Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated “writing intensive” in the 300 level or above. Students majoring in social work fulfill this requirement by successfully completing SOCW 471 .