Social Work
Social Work Program Mission
The University of Saint Mary BSW Social Work Program is dedicated to the professional development and educational growth of students working to obtain the Bachelor in Social Work degree. The program prepares graduates for value-centered lives and professional employment in a variety of practice settings and locations, including small towns and rural communities, and for the successful pursuit of graduate social work education. Students are educated to apply generalist professional knowledge, values, and skills toward the promotion of social and economic justice, service to others for the resolution of human problems, and that contribute to the well-being of our global society.
Program Description
The BSW is a 120-hour program designed to prepare students for a multitude of professional practice positions and prepare them for graduate school. The program builds on the University of Saint Mary’s core values of community, respect, justice and excellence. The University of Saint Mary BSW prepares students for licensure and satisfies the educational requirements for LBSW licensure. Licensure is granted by individual states and not guaranteed by the University of Saint Mary. Licensure is dependent upon a state’s licensing laws and passage of the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensure test.
The Social Work curriculum includes seven 3-credit hour classes (21 credits), a capstone project (3 credits), a diversity course (3 credits), and two Field Practica (15 credits), for a total of 42 credits.
Generalist social work practice is grounded in the profession’s core values and ethics with an emphasis on human difference, the ecological systems perspective, and changing social conditions. The education of students in generalist practice knowledge and skills prepares students for professional practice founded on a solid base of knowledge that is grounded in theory and in the development of practice competencies. This includes an appreciation of the rich history of the profession and incorporation of the profession’s core values of social justice, individual dignity and worth, and service to others. The characteristics of commitment to excellence, practice competencies, integrity, responsibility, and intellectual curiosity strengthen the students’ preparation for practice.
Students’ professional program of study is integrated with a strong liberal arts general education. The curriculum reinforces these core values while emphasizing themes of professionalism, integrity, beneficence, social justice, citizenship, and scholarship. The synthesis of liberal arts and professional education prepares students to apply the generalist method and humanitarian values toward the promotion of mutual well-being and the solution of human problems within a holistic context.
Admission Requirements
At the completion of the course SW 250 Professionalism in Social Work, students will complete the BSW formal application, which includes the following:
- Certification that the student has read the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and will adhere to its principles and standards.
- Personal Statement as to why entering the social work field.
- Signed statement that the student has read the BSW Program Student Handbook.
- One letter of recommendation from within the University system.
- Maintenance of cumulative GPA of 2.50 and at least a “C” in prerequisite courses and social work courses.
- Formal interview with the BSW Program Director to assess aptitude and fit with the BSW program through demonstration of social work professional behaviors.
Program Learning Outcomes
The program develops social workers who:
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- Engage diversity and difference in practice.
- Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Engage in policy practice.
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Additional Opportunities
Social Work students may enhance their qualifications with a minor in a related area such as psychology or criminology, or by pursuing a second major. Non-Social Work majors may minor in Social Work.
Social Work majors earning the Bachelor of Social Work degree must complete the following courses outside the major: PY 150 Introduction to Psychology, PY 290 Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence or PY 230 Lifespan Development, and PY 335 Abnormal Psychology. Students are encouraged to take BI 109 Biology for Today with Lab, and history and government courses as part of their General Education choices.