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Social Work Major: BA Degree Requirements

The Social Work program recognizes its responsibility as gatekeeper to the profession to ensure the safety of clients who will be served by program graduates. Academic standards enforced by the program, therefore, include competence in social work knowledge, values and skills as demonstrated by students’ classroom and field agency performance; and classroom, University, field agency, and community behavior reflecting responsibility, moral awareness, self-understanding, and concern for the welfare of others.

First/Second years (Pre-Social Work Major): 18 foundation credits

Pre-social work majors should complete as many as possible of the following foundation areas prior to seeking admission to the social work program. Completion of at least four of the five areas below in addition to SWK 200 is required for program admission, but all five must be completed.

  • Sociological foundation: A course or courses providing a foundation for understanding the organization and functioning of human societies, social institutions and groups. Typical courses used to fulfill this requirement include SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology and SOC 300 Sociological Theory.
  • Anthropological foundation: A course or courses providing a foundation for understanding and appreciation of diverse human ways of life and cultural perspectives. Typical courses used to fulfill this requirement include: ANT 106 Cultural Anthropology and ANT 337 Urban Anthropology.
  • Human biology foundation: A course or courses providing a foundation for understanding the biological bases of human physical development and behavior. The course typically used to fill this requirement is BIO 202 Human Biology.
  • Psychological foundation: A course or courses providing a foundation for understanding the psychology of individual perception and behavior. The course typically used to fulfill this requirement is PSY 100 General Psychology.
  • American government foundation: A course or courses providing a foundation for understanding the American political system and government. Courses typically used to fulfill this requirement include: PSC 110 American Government and Politics, PSC 200 State and Local Politics and Government, and PSC 211 U.S. National Politics.
  • SWK 200 Introduction to Social Work (or transfer equivalent required for program admission).

Social Work Major Requirements

  • SWK 300 Generalist Practice with Communities and Organizations - 3 credits
  • SWK 311**^ The Social Environment & Human Behavior - 3 credits
  • SWK 312 Human Behavior in the Social Environment - 3 credits
  • SWK 320 Generalist Practice with Individuals and Families - 3 credits
  • SWK 325^ Social Welfare Policy - 3 credits
  • SWK 330^ Research for Social Work I - 3 credits
  • SWK 333* Research for Social Work II - 3 credits
  • SWK 335 Understanding Social Work Practice Theory - 3 credits
  • SWK 350 Social Work Field Internship and Seminar I - 3 credits
  • SWK 420 Generalist Practice with Groups and Organizations - 3 credits
  • SWK 450 Field Internship Seminar II - 6 credits
  • SWK 475^^ Senior Seminar: Diversity, Human Rights, & Social Justice - 3 credits

*approved substitution to meet Liberal Arts Core Tier II Applied Information Technology

**approved substitution to meet Liberal Arts Core Tier II Individuals and Societies

^meets Stage 2 University Writing Requirement (must complete all three)

^^meets Stage 3 University Writing Requirement