Students majoring in social work learn about the theoretical foundations, practice skills and ethical principles of generalist social work practice. Students study the causes of individual, family and community problems and strategies that have been found to be effective means of preventing and responding to these problems. Students graduating with a degree in social work are qualified to pursue graduate education in social work or a related field, or seek employment with social services, child welfare, criminal justice, mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence programs as well as in schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and other human services settings.

Mission of the Bachelor of Social Work

The mission of the Bachelor in Social Work Program is to prepare competent generalist social workers with practice knowledge, skills, and values to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. Graduates of the program will have an understanding of the impact of political, economic, and social inequalities on the well-being of populations-at-risk and a commitment to assume leadership in working to empower at-risk individuals, families, and communities. The curriculum is designed to foster an appreciation of the traditions, values, and strengths of diverse cultures in the global community. The Bachelor in Social Work is committed to encouraging students to pursue advanced graduate level social work education and to pursue lifelong professional development.

The Goals and Objectives of the BSW Program

The Bachelor of Social Work is a generalist social work education program. The program’s goals and objectives are as follows:

Goal 1: To prepare students for positions as competent generalist social workers with the practice knowledge, skills, and values, informed by evidence based research findings, needed to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations in culturally diverse communities, and to prepare students for graduate school.

Objectives: Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work will demonstrate the ability to:

• Critique and apply theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence of human development and behavior across the life span as well as those relevant to interactions among and between individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  
• Conduct self-reflective, self-critical generalist practice with multiple-level client systems, guided by the value base, ethical standards and principles of the profession.
  
• Understand and apply knowledge and skills that reflect the capacity to practice without discrimination with clients who vary in terms of their race, color, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexual orientation, class, age, disability, marital status, family structure, national origin, cultural background, immigration status, and religion.
  
• Communicate effectively interpersonally and in writing with diverse clients, colleagues and community groups.
  
• Function effectively in organizational settings by utilizing professional supervision and consultation in order to facilitate the delivery of services to client systems and appropriately facilitate change within the organization, its clients, and the community when necessary.

Goal 2: To develop an understanding of the impact of political, economic, and social inequalities on the well-being of populations-at-risk and a commitment to assume leadership in working to empower at-risk individuals, families, and communities.

Objectives: Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work will demonstrate the ability to:

• Describe the development of the social work profession with a focus on the profession’s historical commitment to addressing societal inequities, and the profession’s current structure, characteristics, and concerns.
  
• Critique and apply theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence that explain the presence and history of political, social, and economic oppression and discrimination, and the impact of inequities on individuals, families, groups, and organizations.
  
• Critically analyze and develop social policies that promote political, economic, and social justice at the individual, family, community, organizational, and societal level, and both describe and demonstrate skills needed to assume leadership in influencing social policies.

Admission to the Bachelor in Social Work Program

The curriculum for the Bachelor in Social Work major is designed to be fulfilled in approximately two years after completion of the general education program for social work majors required by Florida Memorial University and completion of SOW. 300, Introduction to Social Work. Although students may declare social work as a major upon admission to the University, students are not fully admitted into the program until they have submitted a formal application and have been formally accepted into the program. The applicant must demonstrate the characteristics or potential required for competent social work practice as defined in the mission statement of the program and the standards of the profession. The following are the minimum requirements for admission to the program:

1. Completion of a minimum of 45 credit hours with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
   
2. Satisfactory completion of SOW 300, Introduction to Social Work with a grade of "C” or higher.
   
3. A ttainment of a minimum grade of “C” in all social work courses completed.
   
4. Satisfactory completion of the Social Work Major Application Form, accompanied by a personal essay, a resume as well as two reference letters from faculty with whom the student has completed at least one course, with a completed copy of the Social Work Major Application Reference form attached to each reference letter.
   
5. Satisfactory completion of the Social Work Program Admissions Interview.

The Social Work Admissions Committee reviews applications, conducts an interview with each applicant, and subsequently determines acceptance into the major. Provisional status for admittance into the program may be granted for one academic semester to any student who has not met all the requirements for full admission. Provisional status will be granted at the discretion of the Social Work Admissions Committee.

Admission to Field Practicum

The culmination of the Bachelor in Social Work Program concludes with the Field Practicum. The practicum provides the vehicle for social work students to integrate theory and practice and apply this knowledge while demonstrating professional competencies. The field practicum is a year-long experience. The application for the field practicum must be completed by the announced deadline one semester prior to the scheduled beginning of the field practicum experience. The field practicum is completed during the senior year. Before applying for the field practicum, students must have successfully completed all required social work courses. Acceptance into the field practicum is granted after a student has attended the pre-practicum seminar, has completed the application for a field placement, and has been interviewed by the Coordinator of Field Education. Additionally, to qualify for acceptance into the field practicum, students must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Students must have senior standing
   
2. Students must have an overall cumulative GPA 2.5 or higher
   
3. Students must have completed the following courses with a minimum overall average of 2.5: SOW 301 Human Behavior and Dynamics, SOW 302 Human Behavior and the Social Environment, SOW 303 Research Methods, SOW 405 Social Policy, SOW 408 Social Work Writing Techniques, and SOW 409 Social Work Practice 1.
   
4. Students must have a grade of ”C” in all social work courses

Social work majors must obtain a copy of the Field Practicum Manual from the Social Work Program’s Coordinator of Field Education for further information about the field practicum.

Graduation Requirements

The student must complete all requirements for the social work major and submit all appropriate materials for graduation with the Registrar. Specifically,

1. Students must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours.
2. Students must maintain a G.P.A. of 2.5 or better in social work courses.
3. Students must receive a minimum grade of “C” in each social work course.
4. Graduating seniors must complete an exit examination, 400 hours of the field practicum, and a senior project.

This degree program requires a minimum of 120 semester hours for completion. In order to complete the degree in four years, students must either take 15-16 credits a semester or attend at least one summer session.

Academic Degree Plans for: Social Work(PDF)

Application for Admission to the Social Work Major(PDF)
Social Work Program Handbook for Social Work Majors(PDF)
Social Work Newletter (PDF)
Summary of Assessment Report 2006-2007(PDF)