Social Work Program

Admission to Social Work Program:

During SOWO 120: Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare, students majoring in social work will begin the process of admission to the Social Work Program . Students must complete admission to the Social Work Program prior to applying for the Senior Field Placement . Information and necessary forms can be obtained from the Department office. In order to be admitted to the Program, the following criteria must be met:

• Successful completion of SOWO 120: Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare and SOWO 150: Social Problems or SOWO 210: Human Diversity .
• Grade-point average of 2 .0 overall .
• At least one positive recommendation from: an upper-class social work major in good standing; a previous faculty advisor; a full-time teaching faculty member from outside the department; or a professional social worker .
• Completion of an essay entitled, “Why I Want to Major in Social Work .”
• Successful completion of a 50-hour field observation with appropriate documentation from an agency representative (SOWO 160: Field Observation).
• Completion of a criminal background check .
• Completion of a formal interview with the Social Work faculty advisors.

Advanced Track Admission Requirements: In addition to those conditions listed above, students applying for admission to the advanced track must supply the following:

• Grade point average of 2 .5 overall .
• Two recommendations, with at least one of those from a faculty member from outside the department.
• Completion of the Professional Development Rubric.

Applicants may be granted full admission, provisional admission, or denied admission . Appeal of the decision can be made through the Social Work Program Director.

Junior-Year Field Experience (Advanced Track only):

Those students who have been successfully admitted to the advanced track and have achieved junior class rank must complete two 50-hour field placement experiences. These experiences provide opportunities for students to apply content covered in SOWO 350/352: Social Work Practice I and II, and expanded preparation for the senior field placement experience. The assignments and paperwork for SOWO 260 must be completed during the fall semester and submitted by the last day of class; those for SOWO 360 must be completed and submitted by May 1, in order to remain in good standing in the advanced track.

Senior-Year Field Experience:

The senior field placement experience occurs during fall semester of the senior year. Students are placed in social service agencies in the surrounding counties/states. Related course work is integrated with the field placement to provide direct application to field experience.

Students can participate in the field placement semester only after having completed all required courses in social work, except SOWO 455 and SOWO 490, which are taken in conjunction with the field placement experience (which includes SOWO 470 and 472). Students must also have an academic record appropriate for retention in the Social Work Program, complete the Application for Field Placement, and file it with the Coordinator of Field Placements. The completed application is reviewed by the faculty of the Social Work department, which grants approval to enroll in the field experience.

Students are not permitted to schedule courses or undertake extra-curricular activities that conflict with the field placement experience.

Application for Licensure:

Many states recognize licensure for social workers at the bachelor degree level (BSW). Students can obtain information about state licensing requirements from the office of the Social Work Program Director.

Advanced Standing in Graduate School:

Graduates of the Social Work Program are eligible for advanced standing in Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited MSW programs. Graduates with advanced standing are exempt from foundation level courses in the MSW degree program, which eliminates up to two semesters of graduate education. In most cases, graduate degrees can be completed in as little as twelve months.

Transfer Students:

Transfer students should contact the office of the Social Work Program Director for assistance in obtaining credit for course work required for the major, to assure that course work is not duplicated, and to obtain information about the Application to the Social Work program. The Program Director works with each transfer student to develop a plan to ensure a smooth transition.