Social Work (BA)

Social Work Major Bachelor’s Degree (BS or BA)

Program Prerequisite: Must be accepted to the program (see Admissions Requirements described later in this section).
Minor: The Social Work Major requires either: (a) the completion of a minor; or (b) a minor alternative. Minor requirements are found in the University catalog under the specific programs that offer them. As an alternative to a minor, a Social Work Major may choose to complete 18 credits (generally the equivalent of six courses) from a set of approved elective enrichment courses listed below.
Grade Requirements: A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses toward and included in this major (a grade of “C-” is not acceptable). In addition, an overall GPA for these courses of 2.5 must be maintained. Also refer to the general grade requirements Degree Requirements . Students not meeting the minimum grade requirements for an individual Social Work course may repeat that course one (1) time before being dropped from the Social Work program. In the rare event a student is unable to complete SW 4860 and SW 4861 in the field agency they are originally placed, at the discretion of the field placement advisor, the student may request a new placement one (1) time only. Students at any time failing to meet the overall GPA of 2.5 will be given a probationary semester to raise their GPA to the minimum standard. Failure to comply with this policy will result in being dropped from the Social Work program.
Credit Hour Requirements: A total of 120 credit hours is required for graduation; a minimum of 41 of these is required within the major not counting the prerequisite courses totaling 18 semester hours. A total of 40 upper division credit hours is required for graduation from Weber State University (courses numbered 3000 and above).
Program Code: 7017BA, 7017BS
CIPC: 440701

Advisement

Students accepted into the program are assigned to a faculty advisor for academic and professional advising. The faculty advisor assists students with course scheduling, academic counseling, and professional self-assessment. Students are required to see their faculty advisor at least one time per semester prior to registration. Call the Social Work/Gerontology office number, 801-626-6157, or the Department Chair, 801-626-6156, for more information or to schedule an appointment. (Also refer to the Department Advisor Referral List.)

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Admission Requirements

Declare a program of study (see Enrollment Services and Information ). Satisfactory completion of the following is required prior to formal acceptance into the program:

WSU Writing Competency (Composition)*
WSU Quantitative Literacy*
WSU Information Literacy*
60-63 semester graduation hours (or equivalent) including the prerequisite courses listed below for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, Human Development, and Social Work prerequisites. These courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better and with a total GPA of 2.5 or better.
Students agree to abide by the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

Note:

* Refer to General Requirements on Degree Requirements

Courses Required Prior to Formal Acceptance to the Social Work Program

Behavioral and Social Science Prerequisites (9 credit hours)

ANTH 1000 SS/DV - Introduction to Anthropology Credits: (3)
PSY 1010 SS - Introductory Psychology Credits: (3)
SOC 1010 SS/DV - Introduction to Sociology Credits: (3)

Human Development Prerequisite (3 credit hours)

ZOOL 1020 LS - Human Biology Credits: (3)

Note:

Any transfer course in this area must contain only human biology content, courses with animal or plant content are not acceptable

Social Work Prerequisites (6 credit hours)

SW 1010 SS - Introduction to Generalist Social Work Credits: (3)
SW 2100 SS - Human Behavior and the Social Environment I Credits: (3)

Note:

ZOOL 1020 should be taken prior to or concurrently with SW 2100

Formal Admission to the Social Work Program

Formal applications for admission to the program will be considered during the semester the student is in the process of completing final prerequisites or anytime thereafter. Applications may be downloaded from the Department’s website or obtained at the Social Work office (Social Science Building, room 140). The Admissions and Retention Committee will consider all applications and make one of the following recommendations:

Full admission to the program;
Admission to the program with contingencies;
Denial of admission to the program.

General Education

Refer to Degree Requirements for either Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts requirements. See specific requirements for the BA and BS under the major course requirements. The following courses for the Social Work prerequisite requirements will also fulfill general education requirements: SW 1010 SS - Introduction to Generalist Social Work ; ANTH 1000 SS/DV - Introduction to Anthropology ; PSY 1010 SS - Introductory Psychology ; SOC 1010 SS/DV - Introduction to Sociology ; and ZOOL 1020 LS - Human Biology .

Major Course Requirements for BS or BA Degree

The following should be taken after completing the above prerequisites.

Required Social Work Core Courses (38 credit hours)

SW 2200 SS/DV - Issues in Diversity Credits: (3)
SW 3100 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment II Credits: (2)
SW 3200 - Child and Family Welfare Credits: (2)
SW 3500 - Social Welfare & Gerontological Policy Development and Service Credits: (3)
SW 3600 - Social Statistics Credits: (3) (or equivalent)
(Prerequisite – Quantitative Literacy. Must be completed prior to SW 4861)
SW 3700 - Social Work Research Credits: (3) (It is recommended to take a Statistics course [SW 3600 ] prior to Research)
SW 3900 - Social Work Methods, Values, and Ethics Credits: (3)
SW 3910 - Social Work Practice I Credits: (3) (Make application for Social Service Field Experience prior to completing SW 3910)
SW 3920 - Social Work Practice II Credits: (3)
SW 3930 - Social Work Practice III Credits: (3)
SW 4500 - Interventions for Populations at Risk Credits: (3)
SW 4860 - Social Service Field Experience I Credits: (4)
SW 4861 - Social Service Field Experience II Credits: (4)
SW 4990 - Social Work Senior Seminar Credits: (2)

Courses Required to fulfill the BA

The following must be taken to qualify for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Social Work

12 semester credits in any foreign language

6 semester credits in any foreign language

and

SW 3800 - Writing in Social Work (3)

and

Select one of the following

ANTH 1040 HU/DV - Language and Culture Credits: (3)
COMM 1020 HU - Principles of Public Speaking Credits: (3)
COMM 2110 HU - Interpersonal and Small Group Communication Credits: (3)
ENGL 2200 HU/DV - Introduction to Literature Credits: (3)
ENGL 2220 HU/DV - Introduction to Fiction Credits: (3)
ENGL 2710 HU/DV - Perspectives on Women’s Literature Credits: (3)
ENGL 3510 HU/DV - World Literature Credits: (3)
PHIL 1120 HU - Contemporary Moral Problems Credits: (3)
PHIL 1250 HU - Critical Thinking Credits: (3)

Note:

Courses taken to meet BA requirements may also be applied to fill general education requirements. SW 3800 Writing in Social Work may NOT be counted by BA candidates as credit toward the 18 credit hours approved as an alternative to a traditional minor.

Electives (Optional)

SW 2920 - Short Courses, Workshops, Institutes and Special Programs Credits: (1-4)
GERT 3000 - Death and Dying Credits: (3) or
SW 3000 - Death and Dying Credits: (3)
GERT 3120 - Aging: Adaptation and Behavior Credits: (3) or
SW 3120 - Aging: Adaptation and Behavior Credits: (3)
GERT 3320 - Ethnicity and Older Women in the American Society Credits: (3) or
SW 3320 - Ethnicity and Older Women in the American Society Credits: (3)
SW 3800 - Writing in Social Work Credits: (3) (optional for BS in Social Work)
SW 4140 - Perspectives on Drug Use and Substance Abuse Credits: (3)
SW 4150 - DSM-5 Credits: (3) (optional for BA in Social Work)
GERT 4220 - Societal Responses to Aging Credits: (3) or
SW 4220 - Societal Responses to Aging Credits: (3)
SW 4250 - Medical Social Work Credits: (3)
SW 4600 - Social Work in Special Settings Credits: (2-4)
GERT 4650 - Retirement: Adjustment/Planning Credits: (3) or
SW 4650 - Retirement: Adjustment/Planning Credits: (3)
SW 4800 - Projects and Research Credits: (1-3)
SW 4810 - Experimental Courses Credits: (2-3)
SW 4830 - Directed Readings Credits: (1-3)
SW 4920 - Short Courses, Workshops, Institutes, and Special Programs Credits: (2-4)

Courses Approved as an Alternative to a Traditional Minor

As an alternative to a minor, a Social Work Major may choose to complete a minimum of 18 credits (generally the equivalent of six courses) from the following list of elective enrichment courses. Other courses not on this list may be approved to meet this requirement at the discretion of a student’s faculty advisor with the consent of the Social Work faculty. At least six of these credits must be taken in Social Work. No more than six credits may be taken within a single discipline. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their faculty advisor in selecting one of these options. Courses used to meet the minor alternative MUST be pre-approved by a faculty advisor.