Admission to the Program

Students who choose to major in social work must make formal application to the social work program. Applications should be submitted to the social work program director anytime after taking SWK-111 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK and before taking SWK-331 SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE I: INDIV/FAMILIES.  Students must be formally admitted to the program before registering for the fall semester of their junior year. Students must meet the following criteria for acceptance into the social work program:

• A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.
• A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in all required major courses.  
• A "C" or higher in all completed SWK courses.
• Three references in support of admission to the social work program (professor, employer/volunteer supervisor and personal non-relative).  
• Completion of a written application.
• Successful completion of an entrance interview with program faculty.

Applicants will be notified of the determination in writing within one week of completion of the entrance interview.  If denied full admission, the student may appeal the decision to the Social Work Program Director in writing.  Students must submit a written appeal within two weeks of receiving the determination letter.  Students will receive a response to their appeal or grievance within two weeks.  If the student is not satisfied with the determination of their appeal, the student may then follow the university academic appeals procedure process outlined in the academic catalog.  

The Social Work Program reserves the right to request a student to withdraw from the Social Work Program if academic performance, ethical or professional behavior or emotional/physical health indicates that the student may not successfully complete the program or may jeopardize the wellbeing of clients served.  

The following requirements are in addition to the Bachelor of Social Work core requirements, found here.  (does not require a minor)

Required Courses

¹

Fulfills a core requirement

²

In their senior year, Social Work students participate in a required field practicum experience under the supervision of an experienced social worker for a minimum of 440 hours. This provides opportunity for hands-on training and application of theory, knowledge and skills to actual situations in a variety of settings. Student field practicum placements have included adoption and foster care agencies, crisis pregnancy centers, juvenile court, hospitals, nursing homes, child and adolescent group homes, community mental health and residential treatment centers.

To enroll in the field practicum, students must achieve senior status (i.e., completed 96 credit hours) and have approval from the Social Work Department faculty. Students register to take SWK-450 Field Practicum I and SWK-451 Field Practicum Seminar I concurrently in the fall, then SWK-460 Field Practicum II and SWK-461 Field Practicum Seminar II concurrently in the spring.

Criteria for Graduation:

Students must:

• Obtain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.
• Obtain a GPA of 2.5 or above in social work and cognate courses.
• Obtain a C or above in all SWK courses.
• Attain the 30th percentile or above on Senior Assessment exam.
• Attend a mandatory reporting workshop.
• Complete a social work portfolio demonstrating overall proficiency of 81% or above.