2016-2017 University Catalog
Social Work, BSW
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Banner Code: HH-BSW-SOCW
College: College of Health and Human Services
Department: 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. Students are required to successfully complete 450 hours of supervised field practicum in agencies approved by the Department of Social Work. The Department of Social Work will make reasonable efforts to work with a student to secure an appropriate field placement, but it does not guarantee a placement. The social work program does not offer all of the required courses during the evening hours, so students should meet with their academic advisor to develop a plan to complete course work for the degree. Field placements generally require availability during regular daytime hours.
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 or higher; 2) completed or be registered in BIOL 103 , ENGH 101 , SOCI 101 , and PSYC 100 ; 3) earned at least a C in SOCW 200 , SOCW 357 , SOCW 361 , and at least two of the following courses: SOCW 311 , SOCW 312 , SOCW 375 , SOCW 380 , SOCW 390 ; 4) be enrolled in all other required 300-level SOCW courses; and 5) submitted an application for the social work major and the senior field practicum by the deadline stated on the BSW admissions website. 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 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 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.
A student with a criminal history may find it difficult to obtain a field placement or employment in a human service agency depending on the specific charge. It is possible that a student with a criminal background may not be able to be placed in a field practicum or complete their degree program. The Criminal Background Policy is available on the Social Work Department website at: http://chhs.gmu.edu/socialwork/.
Immunization and Fees
All students who are enrolled in a course that requires a field placement (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 .
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