Social Work, BSW
for the degree of Bachelor of Social Work Major in Social Work
The Bachelor of Science in Social Work can be completed through our traditional program on the Urbana campus or through our upper-level completer program. The traditional program is open to freshmen, off-campus transfers, and inter-campus transfers. Courses are taken on the Urbana campus. The iBSW Program is open to junior-level transfer students. The iBSW program is a two-year degree completion program that allows students to earn their Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree while residing in students' home communities.
The purpose of undergraduate social work education at the School of Social Work is to provide a comprehensive educational experience for students that is grounded in a liberal arts tradition and prepares graduates for excellence in the areas of social work practice, policy, social engagement, and leadership.
Upon degree completion, graduates will be prepared for entry into generalist social work practice, advanced standing in graduate social work education, and a multitude of career opportunities. These can include careers in communications, corrections, education, government, healthcare, human resources, law, non-profit organizations, religious studies, and public service. Obtaining an undergraduate degree in Social Work gives students the opportunity to pursue a License of Social Work (LSW). A BSW degree also makes students eligible to pursue Advanced Standing status in many masters of Social Work (MSW) programs. The advanced standing status enables BSW graduates to receive an MSW in only one year.
The focus of undergraduate curriculum delivery is through a student-centered strengths-based educational model that fosters student understanding by providing a challenging, yet supportive environment of high expectations that encourage the development of well-informed and engaged citizens.
The social work major prepares practitioners for generalist social work practice with individuals, groups, families, and communities. The curriculum requires a minimum of 120 hours for graduation.
for the degree of Bachelor of Social Work Major in Social Work
Departmental Distinction: The top 10% of the BSW graduating class will graduate with distinction.
Minimum required major and supporting course work: A minimum of 53 course hours of social work coursework, which includes 15 credit hours of combined agency-based field practicum (internship) and field seminar.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Communication Skills and Composition | ||
| CMN 101 & RHET 105 | Public Speaking and Writing and Research | 6-7 |
| or CMN 111 & CMN 112 | Oral & Written Comm I and Oral & Written Comm II | |
| Advanced Composition - SOCW 300 will meet the Advanced Composition Requirement | 3-4 | |
| Language other than English | ||
| Complete of the third level or equivalent is required for graduation. American Sign Language is also acceptable. | 0-9 | |
| Humanities and the Arts | ||
| Literature and the Arts | 3 | |
| Historical and Philosophical Perspective | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Science | ||
| Any course that has been approved as a Social and Behavioral Science course from the General Education course list. | 9 | |
| Cultural Studies | ||
| U.S. Minority cultures | 3 | |
| Western cultures | 3 | |
| Non-Western cultures | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences and Technology | ||
| Life Science | 3 | |
| Physical Science | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| Social Work Statistics | ||
| Statistics | ||
| Economic Statistics I | ||
| Elements of Statistics | ||
| Intro to Social Statistics | ||
| Intro to Statistics | ||
| From the approved campus list | 3 | |
BSW Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOCW 200 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| SOCW 300 | Diversity: Identities & Issues | 3 |
| SOCW 401 | Practice I | 4 |
| SOCW 402 | Practice II | 3 |
| SOCW 403 | Practice III | 3 |
| SOCW 410 | Social Welfare Pol and Svcs | 3 |
| SOCW 427 | Social Work Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCW 451 | HBSE I: Human Development | 3 |
| SOCW 461 | Professional Practice Seminar I | 4 |
| SOCW 470 | Field Practicum & Professional Seminar II | 15 |
| Social Work electives: | 9 | |
| UG Research Assistance | ||
| Social Entre & Social Change | ||
| International Development with Grassroots Organizations | ||
| International Perspectives | ||
| Social Work and the Military | ||
| Social Work and Disability Studies | ||
| Current Topics in Social Work (may be repeated) | ||
| Social Work Case Management Practice | ||
| Hispanics in the U.S. | ||
| Child Welfare Issues & Trends | ||
| Dementia Care for Older Adults | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Subst Use in Social Context | ||
| Intl SW & Development | ||
| Social Work with Women | ||
| Undergraduate Research Abroad | ||
| UG Research Project | ||
| Total SOCW hours | 53 | |
| Minimum hours required for graduation | 120 | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Social Work Major in Social Work
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. This may require up to three semesters of language depending on high school coursework or placement. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| SOCW 101 | 2 | SOCW 200 (or General Education course) | 3 |
| SOCW 225 (or equivalent statistics course) | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Elective or Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 | General Education course | 3 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 | General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| SOCW 300 | 3 | SOCW elective course | 3 |
| CMN 101 | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course or SOCW 200 | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| SOCW 401 | 4 | SOCW 402 | 3 |
| SOCW 451 | 3 | SOCW 410 | 3 |
| SOCW elective course | 3 | SOCW elective course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 2 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| SOCW 403 | 3 | SOCW 470 | 15 |
| SOCW 427 | 3 | ||
| SOCW 461 | 4 | ||
| Elective | 4 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Social Work Major in Social Work
Students graduating with the Bachelor of Social Work should be able to:
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
- Engage diversity and difference in practice
- Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
- Engage in Policy Practice
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
for the degree of Bachelor of Social Work Major in Social Work
School of Social Work
Director of BSW program: Carol Wilson-Smith
School of Social Work website
1010 W. Nevada St., Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 244-5246
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