Majors
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The major leads to a bachelor of science degree. The social work major must successfully complete the following ten courses in social work for a total of forty-one credit hours:
WRITING REQUIREMENT IN THE MAJOR: All Social Work majors will be required to complete two Writing Enhanced courses as part of the fulfillment of their major: SW 241 and SW 333. The writing requirement is intended to prepare students to write effectively for a variety of professional audiences including researchers, clinicians, and supervisors. In these courses, students will:
- Develop a feasible research proposal that includes a well-integrated literature review, a thorough description of the selected research methodology, a discussion of the practice/policy implications of the proposed work, and an appropriate data collection instrument (
- Develop a clinical portfolio that includes a well-defined learning contract for field work, clear and concise progress notes, an objective and comprehensive psychosocial assessment, and a self-assessment that demonstrates the student’s ability to reflect on their work with clients and connect field work to course concepts (
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Admission: Students must apply for admission to the social work major during their sophomore year. Selection is based on demonstrated academic competence, a willingness to abide by the profession's code of ethics, and suitability for beginning professional practice. Applications for admission are available from social work faculty. Students planning on going abroad should talk with the program director in their first year.
Senior-Year Field Experience: The social work major culminates in a field experience in the spring semester of the senior year. Students must complete all course prerequisites prior to enrolling in the field practicum. In addition, the nature of the field experience requires that the department reserves the right to deny enrollment in the field practicum to any student, if in the judgment of the faculty that student's scholastic or professional preparation for beginning social work practice is insufficient.
Students serve as beginning social workers four days per week for a minimum of 400 hours over the course of the semester. This experience provides them with opportunities to apply knowledge and skills gained in the classroom in an agency setting. They are integrated into the field experience as regular staff and assume the functions of beginning social work practitioners in such roles as counselors, advocates, and researchers. They receive supervision from agency field instructors and support through ongoing monitoring of the placement by the social work program. Students also meet in a weekly seminar to discuss their field experiences and professional development.
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