Social Work, BSW

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The undergraduate program offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree as preparation for many careers from public service to work in the private sector. The undergraduate social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and its principal educational goal is to prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice.

Liberal Studies Hours (42 hours)

Liberal Studies Program Requirements

Admission & Retention Information

Declaration of a major in social work does not guarantee admission to the program. Students are eligible to apply for admission when they have attained an overall 2.80 GPA, have completed 35 credit hours, and in addition, have completed SOCW 151, SOCW 251, and SOCW 253 (or be enrolled in SOCW 251 and SOCW 253). Students must maintain an overall 2.80 GPA each semester after admission to remain in the program. Students must complete an online application for admission to the program. Applications are accepted during October and February of each semester. The application and directions for the application process are located at the following link: https://wcu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6x2w3lGY7FXBitf

The application and directions for the application process are located on the department’s website. A student in the Social Work program must maintain an overall GPA of 2.8 and adhere to the professional and technical standards of the program. All social work required courses must have a grade of ‘C’ or above to earn credit for the course. Students must adhere to the university maximum grade replacement allowance however, only one Social Work course is eligible for grade replacement per required Social Work course. For information on these standards and information regarding admission and termination from the program, refer to the department’s website https://www.wcu.edu/learn/departments-schools-colleges/HHS/socw/bsw/index.aspx.

BSW Major Requirements

42 hours Liberal Studies + 67 hours Social Work Required Courses + 11 hours General Electives = 120 hours

Social Work Curriculum: 67 hours

A grade of C (2.0) or better is required in the following courses:

BIOL 104 - Human Biology Credits: 3
PSC 101 - American Government and Politics Credits: 3
PSY 150 - General Psychology Credits: 3
SOCW 151 - Introduction to Social Work Credits: 3
SOCW 251 - Social Issues, Policy and Programs Credits: 3
SOCW 253 - Practice I: Interviewing and Ethics Credits: 3
SOCW 334 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Life Stages Credits: 3
SOCW 335 - Social Work Research & Evaluation I Credits: 3
SOCW 354 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Person-In-Environment Credits: 3
SOCW 360 - Social Work Practice II: Case Management Credits: 3
SOCW 362 - Practice III: Interventions Credits: 3
SOCW 364 - Community Practice Credits: 3
SOCW 396 - Field Preparation and Professional Development Credits: 1
SOCW 402 - Diversity in Contemporary Society Credits: 3
SOCW 435 - Social Work Research & Evaluation II Credits: 3
SOCW 486 - Field Practicum Credits: 12
SOCW 496 - Field Practicum Seminar Credits: 3

Social Work Electives: 9 Hours

General Electives: (11-20 hours)

To complete 120 hours, students should take 11 or more hours (number depends on how many Liberal Studies courses also count toward the major). To satisfy general university degree requirements, students must take at least 25 percent of their class hours at the junior-senior level at WCU.

The Social Work Program has been continuously accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1974.