Social Work (BSW)
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| General Education | 53-55 | |
| Major Requirements 1 | 54 | |
| Social Work (BSW) Core | ||
| A. Complete the following: | ||
| SW 200 | Intro to SocWork-SocWelfare | 3 |
| SW 201 | Human Behav/Social Environ I | 3 |
| SW 214 | Exploring Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 220 | Power, Privilege & Oppression | 3 |
| SW 300 | Ethical Decision-Making-W | 3 |
| SW 301 | Social Welfare Policy | 3 |
| SW 302 | Human Behav/Social Environ II | 3 |
| SW 401 | Generalist Practice I | 3 |
| SW 402 | Generalist Practice II | 3 |
| SW 412 | Field Instruction | 9 |
| SW 414 | Senior Seminar - W | 3 |
| Select two Field of Practice Electives of the following: | 3 | |
| SW 310 | Community Context | 3 |
| SW 340 | Family Violence | 3 |
| SW 350 | Child Welfare Services | 3 |
| SW 360 | SW Practice in Mental Health | 3 |
| SW 380 | International SW Practice | 3 |
| SW 420 | Social Work in Health Care | 3 |
| SW 460 | Rural Social Services | 3 |
| SW 490 | Special Topics | 3 |
| SY 372 | Social Gerontology - W | 3 |
| SY 494 | Directed Studies | 1-3 |
| Sociology Courses required for SW Major | ||
| SY 220 | Marriage and the Family | 3 |
| SY 381 | Research Methods | 3 |
| SY 382 | Research Analysis | 3 |
| Minor Requirements | ||
| A minor is required for this degree program 2 | 18-24 | |
| A MINIMUM OF 120 HOURS IS REQUIRED FOR A DEGREE | 120 | |
Footnote
- 1
All social work courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
- 2
All majors in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to complete a minor of 18 to 24 credit hours. Students may choose any available minor offered at USA; many minors complement and supplement the BSW. For social work students who choose a Sociology minor (6 Courses, 18 Credit Hours), the following courses will count: SY 109, SY 220, SY 381, SY 382, and 2 Electives (at least 1 sociology elective must be 300-level or higher).
All undergraduates must complete two designated writing credit (W) courses, at least one of which must be in the student's major or minor.
Additional Information
Social Work Admission Policy and Procedures
The social work program has policies and procedures for admission that are consistent with the goals of our national accrediting agency, the Council on Social Work Education. The policies and procedures ensure that students have a liberal arts base, demonstrate a beginning knowledge of social work and identification with the profession, have content in diversity, populations-at-risk, social and economic justice, and can demonstrate effective communication skills prior to entry into the professional program.
Admission Policy
Students who want to major in social work are admitted to the pre-professional social work major and remain in the pre-professional major until they meet requirements to be admitted into the social work major. Prior to entering the major, please consider consulting with a pre-professional social work advisor from Academic Advising and Transfer Services at the earliest opportunity. The admission policy is applicable to all students: new freshmen, transfer students, students seeking a second bachelor’s degree, and students changing their major. In order to be admitted into the social work major, students must meet the following criteria:
- Have a 2.60 overall GPA in courses taken at USA.
- Have completed SW 200, SW 214, and SW 220 with a grade of "C" or better.
- Have completed the BLY 101/BLY 101L and a second natural science course with lab earning a grade of "C" or better in both courses and labs.
- Have completed SY 109 with a grade of "C" or better.
- Have completed PSY 120 with a grade of "C" or better.
- Have completed EH 101 and EH 102 with a grade of "C" or better.
- Have completed the Math requirement.
- Have completed a minimum of 56 credit hours.
- Demonstrate behavior consistent with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
Students entering the pre-professional social work major who have 45 or more credit hours are strongly encouraged to take SW 200, SW 214, and SW 220 in their first semester. Students who have not been admitted to the major may not enroll in SW 201, SW 300, SW 301, SW 302, SW 401, SW 402, SW 412, SW 414, or any social work electives (SW 310, SW 340, SW 350, SW 360, SW 380, SW 420, SW 460, or SW 490).
Admission Procedures
Once the specified requirements are complete, the student must submit an application for admission to the social work major, which includes a personal statement, unofficial transcript(s), resume, and list of references. Students who meet the minimum prerequisite requirements are not guaranteed admission into the social work major. The application process is competitive and admission is dependent upon available space. Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor prior to submitting this application.
The student's application for admission to the major will be reviewed by the BSW program faculty and a determination will be made on whether or not the student will be admitted to the major. Following this determination, students will be notified in writing concerning the faculty decision.
Once the student is admitted to the major, the program will initiate a change of major to the university. The criteria for continuation as a major include:
- Maintain a 2.50 grade point average in social work courses.
- Maintain an overall 2.60 grade point average at USA.
- Demonstrate acceptable professional conduct, personal integrity, and emotional stability consistent with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
- Demonstrate identification with the profession of social work.
Transfer Students
Social work course credit will only be granted for courses transferred from programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or in CSWE Candidacy. In order to receive a degree in social work (BSW) from the University of South Alabama, students must complete SW 401, SW 402, SW 412, and SW 414 and meet the university residency requirements. The program director will evaluate social work transfer credits to determine equivalency. No credit will be given for life or prior work experience.
Graduation Plan
(120 Total Hours)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| EH 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| MA 110 | Finite Mathematics (or higher) | 3 |
| SY 109 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
| CAS 100 | First Yr Exp - | 2 |
| BLY 101/BLY 101L | Life Science I/Lab (Area III) | 4 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| EH 102 | English Composition II | 3 |
| PSY 120 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| CA 110 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | Area II | 3 |
| Fine Art | Area II | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SW 200 | Intro to SocWork-SocWelfare | 3 |
| SW 214 | Exploring Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 220 | Power, Privilege & Oppression | 3 |
| Natural Sci with Lab | Area III | 4 |
| Foreign Language I | Area II | 3 |
| GPA required: 2.60 | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| SY 220 | Marriage and the Family | 3 |
| History | Area IV 1 | 3 |
| Foreign Language II | Area II | 3 |
| Literature | Area II 1 | 3 |
| Math/Lab Science | Area III | 3-4 |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SW 201 | Human Behav/Social Environ I | 3 |
| SW 300 | Ethical Decision-Making-W | 3 |
| SW 401 | Generalist Practice I | 3 |
| SY 381 | Research Methods (Fall ony) | 3 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts | Elective OR Literature Sequence Part II (Area II) 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SW 301 | Social Welfare Policy | 3 |
| SW 302 | Human Behav/Social Environ II | 3 |
| SW 402 | Generalist Practice II | 3 |
| SY 382 | Research Analysis (Spring only) | 3 |
| Hum/Soc Sci/Beh Sci | Elective OR History Sequence Part II (Area IV) 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Sociology Minor Elective | Lower Level 2 | 3 |
| Sociology Minor Elective | Upper Level 2 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Select 1st SW Elective from the following: | 3 | |
| Community Context | ||
| Family Violence | ||
| Child Welfare Services | ||
| SW Practice in Mental Health | ||
| International SW Practice | ||
| Social Work in Health Care | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Social Gerontology - W | ||
| Directed Studies | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SW 412 | Field Instruction 3 | 9 |
| SW 414 | Senior Seminar - W 3 | 3 |
| Select 2nd SW Elective from the following: | 3 | |
| Community Context | ||
| Family Violence | ||
| Child Welfare Services | ||
| SW Practice in Mental Health | ||
| International SW Practice | ||
| Social Work in Health Care | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Social Gerontology - W | ||
| Directed Studies | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 121-122 | |
- 1
Must have one history elective and one literature elective. In addition, students must choose a second history or literature to complete a two-part sequence.
- 2
All majors in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to complete a minor between 18 and 24 credit hours. This suggested plan of study incorporates a Sociology minor (18 credit hours); however, students may choose any minor offered at USA.
- 3
SW 412 and SW 414 must be taken concurrently.
Notes:
- See General Education Requirements.