Generalist social work education builds upon the liberal arts requiring focused courses in human behavior, research, social policy, practice methods and field practicum experience. The generalist focus ensures that students are employment-ready for a wide range of settings within the local community and that they are eligible to pursue a graduate degree in the field. Students graduating from the MGA BSW program will possess the skills needed to serve as entry- level social work professionals within the surrounding community and beyond.
Curriculum for Bachelor of Science in Social Work
Admission to the MGA BSW Program
The social work program operates under an eligibility admissions policy. Students apply for formal admission after completing the core IMPACTS curriculum (including field of study) and within the first four hours of enrolled 3000-level SOCW credit.
Eligibility for full program admission requires:
- Admission to MGA .
- Completion of Core IMPACTS Curriculum.
- Overall GPA of 2.25 or above at admission decision for full admission.
- Adherence to program progression including successful completion of Field of Study (including PSYC 1101, PSYC 2103, SOCW 2215, SOCW 2400, SOCW 2700) and current SOCW courses with a C or better.
- Adherence to program handbook policies.
- No professional or academic behavior concerns.
- Complete BSW Program Admission Application (submitted during SOCW 3200).
Upon acceptance into the formal program, students are referred to as BSW Candidates. See BSW Program Handbook for admission process and decision information. To remain in the program and to graduate, BSW Candidates must meet all academic and professionalism standards and policies as described in the BSW Student and Field Education Handbooks.
Core IMPACTS (Credit: 42 hours)
It is recommended that students pursuing a degree in social work follow these recommendations for optimal progression of degree completion. Failure to follow these recommendations will result in having to take additional coursework outside of Core IMPACTS requirements to meet the requirements for the major.
Social Sciences:
Any permitted course may be used to satisfy the Social Sciences Core IMPACTS requirement. It is suggested that students pursuing a degree in social work complete PSYC 1101 (Introduction to Psychology) in this area. Not completing the recommended course may require additional credit hour accrual.
Technology, Math, & Science Option:
Any permitted course may be used to satisfy the Technology, Math, & Science Option Core IMPACTS requirement. It is suggested that students pursuing a degree in social work complete MATH 1401 (Elementary Statistics) in this area. This is a preferred course and will have no bearing on the completion of the degree.
See listing of requirements for Core IMPACTS
Field of Study (Credit: 18 hours)
Take all of the following:
*3 credit hour guided (approved) elective. The following subject areas are suggested: ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis), ANTH, COMM, CRJU, EDUC, HS, HSHA, NURS, POLS, PSYC, SOCI, and SOCW (additional SOCW electives).
*If PSYC 1101 Introduction to Psychology was satisfied in Core IMPACTS, take an additional 3 credit hour elective per the suggested areas listed above.
| PSYC 1101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 2103 | Introduction to Human Development | 3 credits |
| SOCW 2215 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 credits |
| SOCW 2400 | Critical Thinking and Writing for Social Work | 3 |
| SOCW 2700 | Social Work and the Social Welfare System | 3 |
| *Approved Elective | 3 |
Upper Level Courses (Credit: 60 hours)
Major Area Courses (Credit: 42 hours)
| SOCW 3000 | Cultural Humility and Responsiveness in Social Work | 3 credits |
| SOCW 3100 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment | 3 |
| SOCW 3200 | Direct Social Work Practice I | 3 |
| SOCW 3500 | Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations | 3 |
| SOCW 3400 | Practice Lab I- Individuals, Families and Groups | 3 |
| SOCW 3700 | Social Welfare & Policy Practice | 3 |
| SOCW 3800 | Practice Lab II - Change in Organizations and Communities | 3 |
| SOCW 4200 | Social Work Professionalism & Practice Ethics | 3 |
| SOCW 4300 | Social Work Practicum & Seminar I | 6 |
| SOCW 4000 | Direct Social Work Practice II | 3 |
| SOCW 4500 | Organizational and Community Change | 3 |
| SOCW 4600 | Social Work Practicum & Seminar II | 6 |
Courses must be taken in sequence as shown in the most current BSW Student Handbook. Students must complete all SOCW courses with a C or better. *SOCW 4300 and SOCW 4600 must be completed with a B or better.
Major Electives (Credit: 9 hours)
Take three courses from the following:
Students must complete all SOCW courses with a C or better.
General Electives (Credit: 9 hours)
You may wish to select a minor or you must take 9 credits of general electives.
Total: 120 hours.