2003-2004 Undergraduate Catalog

School of Social Work
Stephen C. Anderson, director

Professor Marlow, Sallee; Associate Professors Chornesky, DeRoos, Peralta, Sandau-Beckler; Assistant Professors Barnett-Queen, Blair, Dalton, de la Rosa, Meek, Perry

(505) 646-2143

DEGREE: Bachelor of Social Work

The B.S.W. degree allows a student to join an increasingly vital profession dedicated to helping people in personal and social situations. As a unique and challenging field, social work continually addresses the complexity of human behavior and the ever-present needs and potential of people. From rural communities to inner cities, social workers are at work in social service agencies, hospitals, schools, neighborhood organizations, probation offices, and private agencies--just about anywhere there are people. Social work roles are varied and flexible. Social workers practice in areas such as child abuse, community organization, direct services with individuals and families, mental health, group work, administration, planning and development of social programs. With each consumer group and in every agency setting, social workers help to correct the causes or alleviate the results of poverty, racism, poor health, mental illness or any condition that prohibits people from reaching their potential.

The B.S.W. program prepares students for a beginning professional level of generalist social work practice with an understanding and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the Southwest.

To be admitted as a B.S.W. candidate, students must formally apply for admission to the program. A 2.5 grade point average is expected for admission. Consult pre-social work major advisers located in the Dean's Office of the College of Health and Social Services. Deadline for submitting application, is the last Friday in January. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and all students have access to copies of the Curriculum Policy Statement.

General Education Requirements

Students must meet the university general education requirements before being accepted to the social work program.

General education requirements for the School of Social Work follow those outlined by the university in this catalog. The following courses are required by the school prior to entry: BIOL 101G/L or BIOL 111G/L or BIOL 211G/L, SOC 101G or SOC 201G, PSY 201G, S WK 221 and a second language requirement. Consult the presocial work adviser in the Dean's Office for details. Once accepted into the program, students must meet a Cultural Emphasis requirement. They may choose one of three tracks totaling a minimum of 6 credits hours:

1. two additional semesters of language, including sign language, or
2. an approved language immersion program, or
3. two approved upper-level courses with a multicultural emphasis.

In the case of a foreign student who is required to take the TOEFL exam, the dean will waive the foreign language requirement.

Pre-entry electives highly recommended include courses in social work, sociology, history, Spanish, psychology, family life, child development, English, philosophy, anthropology, computer science, government, and economics. Consult pre-social work major advisers located in the Dean's Office of the College of Health and Social Services for recommended electives. Electives must be sufficient to bring total credits to 128, including 55 upper-division credits, for graduation.

Departmental Requirements

Preparation for entry level professional social work requires a thorough knowledge of theory and skills; therefore the high number (57) of core social work credits is mandated. The courses are designed to be completed in two years by full-time students.

Freshman Year Fall Semester (15-17 credits)

ENGL 111G, Rhetoric and Composition 3-4

BIOL 101G/L, Human Biology/Lab, or BIOL 111G/L, Natural History of Life/Lab, or BIOL 211G/L, Cellular and Organismal Biology/Lab 4

Critical thinking 3 Second language 3-4 Elective 3

Spring Semester (16-17 credits)

MATH 210G, Mathematics Appreciation 3

PSY 201G, Introduction to Psychology 3

Critical thinking 3 Second language 3-4

S WK 221G, Introduction to Social Welfare 3

Elective 1

Sophomore Year Fall Semester (16 credits)

ENGL 203G, Business and Professional Communication, or ENGL 211G, Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences, or ENGL 218G, Technical and Scientific Communication 3

Literature/music/theatre/art 3

SOC 101G, Introductory Sociology, or SOC 201G, Contemporary Social Problems 3

History 3

Elective 3

Elective 2

Spring Semester (17-18 credits)

Viewing a Wider World 3

Viewing a Wider World 3

Elective 3

Elective 3

Elective 3

Elective 1

NOTE: Student must be accepted into program in order to take junior- or senior-year courses.

Junior Year Fall Semester (17 credits)

S WK 300, Social Work Practice Skills 3

S WK 309, Sociocultural Theory 3

S WK 311, Human Behavior and the Social Environment I 3

S WK 331G, Social Welfare Policy I: History 3

Cultural Emphasis elective* 3

Elective 2

Spring Semester (16 credits)

S WK 312, Human Behavior and the Social Environment II 3

S WK 313, Social Work Practice with Individuals 3

S WK 314, Social Work Practice with Families 3

S WK 352, Social Welfare Policy II: Legislation 3

Cultural Emphasis elective* 3

Elective 1

Senior Year Fall Semester (15 credits)

S WK 400, Social Work Practice with Groups, Organizations, and Communities 3

S WK 401, Field Experience I 6

S WK 467, Social Work Research I 3

Elective 3

Spring Semester (15 credits)

S WK 402, Field Experience II 6

S WK 420, Social Welfare Policy III: Administration 3

S WK 468, Social Work Research II 3

Mandatory Practice elective** 3