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Bachelor of Social Work

Objectives

The Bachelor of Social Works objective is to prepare social workers who will make an impact in the lives of others. The BSW degree is a 120 SCH social work program designed for both new and transfer students. The course delivery method includes both face-to-face and online formats, allowing students to choose a mix of face-to-face or online courses to complete the degree. The BSW is a generalist track introducing students to social work foundations such as promoting human well-being and applying preventative and intervention methods to social problems at the individual, group, and community level while following ethical principles and using critical thinking skills.  The graduates will be prepared for career opportunities in a variety of roles such as caseworkers, service workers, probation officers, human services specialist, and mental health assistants. Graduating students will be eligible to apply for the MSW (Master of Social Work) degree. The BSW program will seek CSWE (Council on Social Work Education) accreditation which will allow students completing the program eligibility to sit for the LBSW (Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker) which provides documentation of their obtained skills and knowledge needed for their areas of expertise.  The goal is that every major is prepared to become a LBSW or transition into an MSW program for further advancement.

Educational Objectives

  1. Develop and demonstrate critical thinking skills in all social work aspects 
  2. Develop and apply professional social work ethics and values across all areas of practice
  3. Distinguish between personal and professional ethics 
  4. Apply social work knowledge, skills, and research to advance social work practice
  5. Analyze, formulate, design, evaluate, and influence social policies affecting organizations and communities
  6. Advocate for human rights and social justice within all populations
  7. Apply theoretical frameworks to assess and evaluate social work interventions
  8. Provide students the opportunities to serve in social work environments
  9. Engage, assess, and evaluate individuals, families, groups and organizations within the confines of social work interventions
  10. Understand and promote opportunities that allow students to work and communicate in diverse environments
  11. Understand and demonstrate the use of communication channels within organizations and communities 
  12. Identify the various determinants associated with health and well-being
  13. Use self-awareness, reflection, journaling, and mindfulness to clarify self-values, attitudes and beliefs while working with diverse populations
  14. Identify and advocate for needed resources for underinsured, uninsured, and low-income clients and patients

All objectives are standard in the generalist social work program.

Admission Requirements

  1. Apply to the BSW program
  2. Have a transcript indicating an overall 2.75 GPA or higher
  3. Complete a 300-word personal statement of interest in social work
  4. Read and sign the NASW Code of Ethics, and the BSW program handbook and standards
  5. No grade below a "C" will be accepted toward the degree.
  6. To remain in good standing, a BSW major must maintain an average GPA of 2.75.

Degree Requirements

Total Semester Credit Hours = 120

University Core Curriculum (42 hrs.)

Any allowed core course allowed for each area except the following prescribed core courses.

Communication (6 hrs.)

ENGL 1301College Composition I [TCCN: ENGL 1301]
SPCM 1315Fundamentals of Speech Communication [TCCN: SPCH 1315]

Language, Philosophy & Culture (3 hrs.)

PHIL 1301Introduction to Philosophy [TCCN: PHIL 1301]

Mathematics (3 hrs.)

MATH 1342Statistics [TCCN: MATH 1342]

Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 hrs.)

PSYC 1301Introduction to Psychology [TCCN: PSYC 2301]

Required Courses (63 hrs.)

SOCW 2361 Introduction to Social Work (Field of Study)
SOCW 2389 Academic Cooperative (Field of Study)
SOCW 3301 Human Behavior
SOCW 2362 Social Welfare (Field of Study) 
SOCW 3307 Individual Differences
SOCW 3317 Social Determinants of Health
SOCW 3333 Social Work Group Practice
SOCW 3308 Research Methods
SOCW 3356 Social Work Ethics and Professionalism
SOCW 3321 Organizational Leadership
SOCW 3318 Advanced Research
SOCW 3334 Social Work Individual Practice
SOCW 4473 Mental Health and Social Work
SOCW 4310 Child and Family Social Work
SOCW 4362 Social Work Community Practice
SOCW 4651 Practicum 
SOCW 4161 Practicum Seminar
SOCW 4752 Practicum 
SOCW 4152 Practicum  Seminar
SOCI 1306 Contemporary Social Problems (Field of Study)

Prescribed Electives 12 hrs

Select 6 SCH from:

SOCI 1301Introduction to Sociology [TCCN: SOCI 1301]
SOCI 2326Social Psychology [TCCN: SOCI 2326]
PSYC 3335Diversity & Social Justice
ANTH 3330Cultural Anthropology

Select 6 SCH from:

SOCW 4331 Rural Health Social Work
SOCW 3315 Substance Abuse Disorders
SOCW 4366 Gender Issues
SOCW 4335 Issues in Aging
SOCW 4371 Forensic Social Work
SOCW 4364 Human Sex Trafficking

Elective Courses 3 hrs

Chosen in consultation with advisor.

BSW Program Course Sequence

YEAR 1 (30 hrs.)

Year 1 - Fall
HIST 1301 US History
Math 1342 Statistics I
ENG  1301 College Composition 
PHIL 1301 Intro to Philosophy
Life and Physical Sciences (Any)

Year 1 - Spring
HIST 1303 History of Technology 
Creative Arts (Any)
SPCM 1315 Fundamentals of Speech 
Life and Physical Sciences (Any) 
PSYC 1301 Intro to Psychology

YEAR 2 (30 hrs.)

Year 2 – Fall 
POLS 2305 Intro American Govt
Human Expression (Any) 
SOCI 1306 Contemporary Social Problems 
SOCW 2361 Intro to Social Work
SOCW 2362 Social Welfare 

Year 2 – Spring
SOCW 2389 Academic Cooperative 
POLS 2306 Into Texas Politics 
Prescribed Elective (Any) 
Prescribed Elective (Any) 
STEM (Any) 

YEAR 3 (30 hrs.)

Year 3 – Fall
SOCW 3301 Human Behavior
Approved Elective
SOCW 3307 Individual Differences 
SOCW 3308 Research Methods 
SOCW 3317 Social Determinants of Health 

Year 3 - Spring
SOCW 3321 Organizational Leadership in Social Work
SOCW 3318 Advanced Research 
SOCW 3333 Social Work Group Practice 
SOCW 3356 SW Ethics and Professionalism 
Social Work Elective 

YEAR 4 (30 hrs.)                                

Year 4 – Fall 
SOCW  3334 SW Individual Practice 
SOCW 4651 Practicum I 
SOCW 4161 Practicum I Seminar 
SOCW 4473 Mental Health and Social Work
Social Work Elective 

Year 4 - Spring 
SOCW 4310 Child and Family Social Work
SOCW 4362 SW Community Practice 
SOCW 4752 Practicum II 
SOCW 4152 Practicum II Seminar