Social Work (BSW)
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| https://bulletin.southalabama.edu/programs-az/arts-sciences/sociology-anthropology-social-work/#bswgeneraleducationtext | 53-55 | |
| Major Requirements | 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 | SW Skills and Field Experience | 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 | 12 |
| SW 414 | Senior Seminar - W | 3 |
| Select one Field of Practice Elective of the following: | 3 | |
| Family Violence | ||
| Child Welfare Services | ||
| SW Practice in Mental Health | ||
| Social Work in Health Care | ||
| Social Gerontology - W | ||
| 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 see footnote table below 1 | 18-24 | |
| A MINIMUM OF 120 HOURS IS REQUIRED FOR A DEGREE | 120 | |
Footnote
- 1
If Sociology (6 Courses, 18 Hours): 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 102 or BLY 121/BLY 122 and a second natural science course with lab earning a grade of "C" or better in both courses and labs.
- Have completed EH 101 and EH 102 with a grade of "C" or better.
- Have completed the Math requirement.
- Have completed the Statistics requirement (ST 210 or BUS 245).
- Have completed a minimum of 56 credit hours.
- Meet all requirements specified by the program for demonstrating behavior consistent with the 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, or SW 414.
Admission Procedures
Once the specified requirements are complete, the student must submit an application for admission to the social work major. 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 requisite for effective social work practice.
- Demonstrate identification with the profession of social work.
- Demonstrate behavior consistent with Code of Ethics for the National Association of Social Workers.
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 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 & 101L |
Life Science I and Life Science I Laboratory (min grade C) |
4 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| EH 102 | English Composition II | 3 |
| SW 200 | Intro to SocWork-SocWelfare | 3 |
| AN 100 | Intro to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ST 210 | Stat Reason and Application | 3 |
| Fine Arts Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PSY 120 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SW 220 | Power, Privilege & Oppression | 3 |
| Natural Sci with Lab | Area III, B | 4 |
| Sociology Minor Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language I | Area V | 3 |
| GPA required: 2.60 | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| History | US History or Western Civ | 3 |
| CA 110 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| SW 214 | SW Skills and Field Experience | 3 |
| SY 220 | Marriage and the Family | 3 |
| Foreign Language II | Area V | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 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 |
| English Literature | Area II, B. Part I of sequence | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SW 301 | Social Welfare Policy | 3 |
| SW 302 | Human Behav/Social Environ II | 3 |
| SW 402 | Generalist Practice II (Spring only) | 3 |
| SY 382 | Research Analysis (Spring only) | 3 |
| Humanities Elective | Area II | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one SW Elective of the following: | 3 | |
| Ethical Decision-Making-W | ||
| Community Context | ||
| Family Violence | ||
| Child Welfare Services | ||
| SW Practice in Mental Health | ||
| International SW Practice | ||
| Social Work in Health Care | ||
| Social Gerontology - W | ||
| English Literature | Area II, Part II of sequence | 3 |
| Sociology Minor Elective | 300 level or higher 1 | 3 |
| Sociology Minor Elective | 300 level or higher 1 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SW 214 | SW Skills and Field Experience | 12 |
| SW 414 | Senior Seminar - W 2 | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 121 | |
- 1
All Arts and Sciences majors require a minor between 18 and 24 hours. This plan incorporates a sociology minor (18 credit hours).
- 2
Taken concurrently with SW 214.
Notes:
- See General Education Requirements
- 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. Literature Sequence is recommended.