Bachelor of Social Work

The B.S.W. curriculum is organized so that courses scheduled to be taken later in the program assume, and build on, the knowledge and skill foundation provided in the General Education and social work courses taken earlier. For this reason, most social work courses designate successful completion (with a C- or better) of earlier courses as prerequisite to taking later courses. Additionally, the SSW requires that three of the social work courses required in each semester of the senior year--the research course, the seminar in social work practice, and the field practicum--be taken concurrently. This program of study for B.S.W. students has been carefully designed and approved by faculty. It is intended to provide students with a coherent, integrated, and high-quality learning experience. By completion of their undergraduate studies, students will be able to apply skills and knowledge of generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes; understand human behavior from holistic and developmental perspectives that encompass dynamic interaction among social, political, cultural, economic, psychological, spiritual, and biological factors; critically select and apply theories and research findings to social work practice; understand and adhere to professional social work values and ethics; assess situations using knowledge about the effects of structural injustices based on race, class, gender, culture, sexual orientation, ability, age, and other forms of oppression; exercise self-awareness and reflection as part of the development of their professional and personal selves; engage in practice that enhances the capabilities of people to transform their lives and communities; communicate effectively verbally, non-verbally and in writing with agencies, advocates, legislatures, policy makers, and people in client status; practice social work with a commitment to social and economic justice and the empowerment of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; evaluate the effectiveness of their own practice; understand the relationship of historic social patterns, values, and institutional arrangements, recognizing their impact on social welfare policy and services and on the social work profession; use supervision and consultation to enhance their professional development and the delivery of services; understand the dynamics of human service organizations and know how to engage in productive organizational change; and understand how global issues affect local practice.