The SUNO bachelor social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Associations of Colleges and Schools. Students in the program are eligible for membership in professional social work organizations.
Requirements of Professional BSW Program
The Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW) is an academic as well as a professional degree. Students entering the University and declaring Social Work as a major are considered Pre-Social Work majors. In the School of Social Work, students become social work majors during their junior year after they have completed 60 hours of University requirements with a 2.3 GPA. Students must complete a 1.) Professional BSW Program Application and submit transcripts from the most recent institution(s) attended (A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher is required); provide a personal interest statement, academic and personal references; and complete an interview. They cannot take junior level social work courses until they have been accepted by the School of Social Work admissions committee.
Students majoring in social work must complete a minimum of 52 credit hours within the department, including SOWK-100N, 211N, 241N, 311N, 341N, 343N, 350N, 351N, 352N, 431N, 432N, 443N, 481GN, 482HN, 492N, six credit hours of social work electives, and six credit hours of non-social work electives and 3 hrs. of either psychology or sociology electives beyond introductory courses.
Grades earned in social work courses lower than a “C” cannot be accepted for graduation. Grades earned in each English course must be no lower than a C. The grade point average for graduation must be a least 2.0 overall and 2.5 within the program. All students are required to actively participate in at least one (1) personal growth experience (Annual Spring Retreat), and at least four (4) seminars for majors which meet once during the fall, summer and spring semesters.
Students can be suspended or expelled from the program based on academic failure (which includes plagiarism & cheating) and/or based on violations of the NASW code of ethics.
Requirements for BSW Field Instruction
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Students must apply for the Field Practicum during the Spring Semester prior to beginning the practicum in the Fall semester. Field faculty will discuss Field education during Direct Service and HBSE classes to familiarize students with the application process.
- Students must submit an application with copies of their resume and transcript before February 15th reflecting pre-requisites taken.
- All applications must be reviewed and signed by the student’s faculty advisor prior to submission to designated Field Faculty.
- Students will be notified by April 1st to pre-register for Field Education contingent upon successful completion of Spring Semester. Students will be notified of final approval for Field by July 15th. Thereafter, students will be assigned to Field Placement sites by the first week of class.
Requirements
- Students must complete seven social work courses by the end of the spring semester prior to entry to the Field Practicum. These courses are: SW-100N (Introduction to Social work); SW-211N and SW-311N (Social Welfare as a Social Institution I & II); SW-241N (Communication Skills); SW-341N (Human Behavior I); SW-443N (Diversity and Empowerment); and SW-350N (Direct Service I). Designated Field Faculty, with approval from the Field Director, will make individual considerations.
- Students must have earned a cumulative grade average of 2.0 or better. An earned cumulative GPA average of 2.5 or better in School of Social Work courses is required.
- Selection of the practicum site will be made by designated Field Faculty, with approval from the Director of Field.
- Each student is expected to complete two (2) semesters in field practicum. A minimum of 225 clock hours, approximately 16 hours per week, in the practicum setting is required each semester.
- If the practicum experience is terminated for any reason during the semester, the student must agree to an extended practicum period.
Curriculum in Social Work
Freshman Year
Required
Required
Sophomore Year
Required
Required
Junior Year
Required
| SOWK-200N | Seminar for Majors | 0 |
-
| Non Social Work Elective | 3 |
| SOWK-241N | Communication Skills II | 3 |
| SOWK-341N | Human Behavior/Soc Env I | 3 |
| SOWK-350N | Direct Service I | 3 |
-
| Social Work Elective | 3 |
| SOWK-2810N | Seminar: Civic Engagement | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Required
| SOWK-200N | Seminar for Majors | 0 |
| SOWK-311N | Social Welfare Policy II | 3 |
| SOWK-443N | Diversity and Empowerment | 3 |
| SOWK-351N | Direct Service II | 3 |
-
| Social Work Elective | 3 |
-
| Community Service | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Community Service: Students are expected to complete Community Service (60 hours).
Senior Year
Required
Required
| SOWK-200N | Seminar for Majors | 0 |
-
| Psychology or Sociology Elective | 3 |
| SOWK-482N | Field Practicum and Seminar II | 3 |
| SOWK-492SN | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK-432N | Social Work Statistics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Total Credit Hours: 120
The School of Social Work offers a minor in Social Work. Student interested in a minor can take the following courses: SOWK-100N, SOWK-211N, SOWK-241N, SOWK-341N, SOWK-350N. Students can take an additional social work course except SOWK-481GN, SOWK-4810N, SOWK-482HN, SOWK-4820N. Courses are not offered each semester. See suggested curriculum.