CURRICULUM AND COURSES

The Social Work Program provides a student-centered, collaborative and dynamic environment that prepares students for competent and ethical generalist bachelor level practice. The Program goals are to: (1) Provide a fluid curriculum grounded in a liberal arts perspective that appreciates the history of the profession and the needs of the region with different size systems in a variety of settings; (2) integrate into the Program the values of the social work profession and socialization into those values through self assessment and self awareness; (3) integrate social work ethical principles throughout the Program and curriculum; and (4) provide an environment that promotes critical understanding of oppression, populations at-risk, economic and social justice.

• Major Requirements    46 hours


• SWK 210   Introduction to Social Work
• SWK 225   Human Behavior/Social Environment I
• SWK 310   Introduction to Social Welfare
• SWK 311   Social Welfare Services/Policies
• SWK 335   Human Behavior/Social Environment II
• SWK 350   Social Work Practice I
• SWK 354   Social Work Practice Methods
• SWK 355   Social Work Practice II
• SWK 360   Social Work Practice III
• SWK 390   Field Experience in a Social Agency
• SWK 410   Social Welfare Policy Practice, and
• SWK 490   Social Work Practicum
• Supporting Course Requirements    15 hours


• POL 101   Introduction to American Government
• PSY 200   Introduction to Psychology
• SOC 131   Introductory Sociology
• SOC 232   Introdutory Sociological Analysis, and
• SOC 400   Racial and Ethnic Relations
• General Education Requirements    42 hours

Standard General Education program, excluding blocks VB and VC. Refer to Section Four of the Undergraduate Catalog for details on the General Education and University requirements.

• University Requirement    1 hour
• ASO 100   Academic Orientation
• Free Electives    24 hours

To broaden their experience and knowledge, students are encouraged to complete their programs with electives selected from anthropology, child development, economics, health, foreign language, law enforcement, political science, psychology, recreation, sociology, special education, and speech.

• Total Curriculum Requirements    128 hours

Minor in Deviance/Criminology

A student may minor in Deviance/Criminology by completing the following courses:   SOC 131, SOC 313, SOC 340, SOC 375, and nine hours from ANT 380, FOR 301, HEA 345, CRJ 325, PSY 308, or SOC 347. Note that some of the required and elective courses have prerequisites.

Minor in Social Welfare

A student may minor in Social Welfare by completing the following courses: SOC 131; SWK 210, 310, and 311; three hours from POL 341, 370, 371, or 374; and six hours from SWK 410, 456, 457, SOC 313, 340, 353, 365, 420, 450, GEO 225, ECO 231, 310, or 365.

Minor in Social Inequalities

A student may minor in Social Inequalities by completing a minimum of 18 hours as follows: SOC 399, SOC 400, SOC 463, SOC 480, and six credit hours of electives from CRJ 325, CRJ 345, HIS 305, HIS 385, HIS 386, POL 345, POL 373, POL 446, POL 451, SOC 330, SOC 345, SOC 365, SOC 375, SOC 415, SOC 460, or WMS 400. It is suggested that non-majors complete SOC 131 prior to enrolling in upper-division sociology courses. Other electives may be approved for the minor as they are offered. Note that some of the required and elective courses have prerequisites. Average GPA of courses applied to the minor must be 2.0 or better.

Minor in Sociology

A student may minor in Sociology by completing the following courses: SOC 131 and 15 hours of sociology electives, 12 of which must be upper division. Three hours of upper division anthropology may be applied to the 15 hours.

Certificate in Public Child Welfare

The Public Child Welfare Certification Program requires an application and interview process, practicum experiences in public welfare agencies, post graduation work commitment and maintenance of a 3.0 GPA in social work courses. In addition to the BSW degree requirements students must complete SWK 450. See the Social Work Program Director for more complete information on the application and requirements for the Public Child Welfare Certification Program.

• SWK 210   Introduction to Social Work
• SWK 225   Human Behavior/Social Environment I
• SWK 310   Introduction to Social Welfare
• SWK 311   Social Welfare Services/Policies
• SWK 335   Human Behavior/Social Environment II
• SWK 350   Social Work Practice I
• SWK 354   Practice Skills Laboratory
• SWK 355   Social Work Practice II
• SWK 358   Child Abuse and Neglect
• SWK 360   Social Work Practice III
• SWK 390   Field Experience in a Social Agency
• SWK 410   Social Welfare Policy Practice
• SWK 456   Children’s Services
• SWK 457   Services for the Elderly
• SWK 490   Social Work Practicum