Social Work, B.S.W.

The BSW program offers a major in Social Work that leads to a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (BSW). Graduates of this program are eligible, upon graduation, to sit for the state social work licensure exam (LSW) and may be eligible for advanced standing at graduate schools of social work across the country.

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected the need for social workers to grow by 13% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. 
• Our program is ranked among the top 10 most affordable in the nation 
• A diverse student population with a large number of nontraditional age students 
• The BSW major can be completed in four years or two years from a community college if attending full-time. 
• Graduates are eligible upon graduation, to sit for the state licensure exam (LSW) and may be eligible for advanced standing in any graduate social work program in the US. 
• The generalist focus prepares graduates to work in a variety of settings and populations including children, school social work, healthcare settings, older persons, people living with substance use, and mental health. 

Topics Covered

• Theories of Human Behavior 
•  Diversity & Social Justice 
•  Evidence-based Social Work 
• Practice with Individuals, Groups, Families, Communities, and Organizations 
• Introduction to research methods 
• Social Policies that Impact Daily Life 
• Integrative Field Practicum 

Program Highlights

• 480 hours of Senior Practicum 
• Senior Capstone Project 
• For the Senior Capstone Project, students prepare an independent research project that may be linked to a program at their senior practicum agency or inspired by personal interest. In either case, students investigate a social issue affecting the population which culminates into a final report and a presentation at the end of the senior year. 

Schedule of Coursework

• Students entering the BSW major as freshmen begin with Intro to Social Work and the Common Core for a minimum of 12 credits a semester including the BSW pre-requisites in sociology, biology, history, psychology, diversity 
• Junior Year Course Schedule 
• Human Behavior and Social Environment I & II 
• Intro to Research Methods in Social Work 
• Generalist Practice I & II 
• Senior Year Course Schedule 
• Generalist Practice III and IV 
• Social Welfare Policy 
• Senior Capstone I & II 
• Senior Field Practicum I & II 

Outcomes

• The BSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 
• Graduates demonstrate nine competencies specified by the CSWE including ethical and professional behavior, diversity, advancing human rights, social, economic, and environmental justice, and engagement and assessment of individuals, families, groups, and communities 

Admission Requirements 

• A student must be accepted into the university 
• Internal admission into the BSW major in junior year 
• 60-hour volunteer service in human services prior to junior year 
• Maintain a minimum GPA OF 2.5 
• A minimum grade of C or better in all BSW courses and pre-requisites