SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM OF STUDY

The curriculum reflects a liberal arts perspective, emphasizing the acquisition of knowledge, attitudes, and ways of thinking about people within a societal, cultural context. Social work majors are required to take:

The Core Curriculum of the School of Arts and Sciences (24-42 credits)
Students in all majors must fulfill these requirements

Liberal Arts courses in disciplines related to social work (30 credits)
Students must take one course in each of these areas:
Human Biology (BIO110 or equivalent)
History
Economics
American Government (POS)
Introductory Sociology
Racial and Ethnic Minorities (SOC210)
General Psychology
Developmental Psychology (PSY243)
Social Psychology (PSY351) or Dynamics of Group Process (PSY366)
Computers (BUS105 or equivalent)

Professional Foundation Core Courses (40 credits)
These social work courses are required of all majors:
SOW220 Social Science Research 3cr.
SOW311 Social Welfare as a Social Institution 3 cr.
SOW312 Human Behavior and the Social Environment 3 cr.
SOW315 Foundations of Social Work Practice 3 cr.
SOW322 Social Work Processes I 4 cr.
SOW413 Social Welfare Policy 3 cr.
SOW423 Social Work Processes II 3 cr.
SOW424 Social Work Processes III 3 cr.
SOW461 Senior Seminar 3 cr.
SOW495 Field Instruction in Social Work I 6 cr.
SOW496 Field Instruction in Social Work II 6 cr.

Electives
These courses may be chosen in social work and/or other fields.
The Social Work Department offers elective courses in areas of specialization not covered in depth by required courses. Some of the elective courses offered included child welfare, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, international social work, social needs and societal responses, social work practice with multi-cultural families, and interdisciplinary team building. Intensive, short-term specialized courses are often offered during summer school and intersession.

Degree Requirements
A total of 120 credits are required to earn the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in social work. Graduates’ transcripts reflect the Social Work major and qualify them to use the B.S.W. designation in agency practice and/or on applications for admission to a graduate social work program.
Upon completing the major, students are eligible to apply for advanced standing in graduate schools of social work, and, if they are accepted, may earn the M.S.W. degree in one year instead of the two generally required.