BSW Degree Requirements

(60 Total Credit Hours)

Course Descriptions 

SOWK 315 SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH I - 3 semester hours
This course is designed to provide social work students with a basic understanding of social work research and the connection between research, theory, and practice. Students are introduced to the basic research concepts and research process; including research design, sampling, instrument construction, data collection and qualitative/quantitative analysis, and report writing. Prerequisites: SOWK 210, SOWK 260 and STAT 210 with a minimum grade of C or better; majors only and junior standing; acceptance as social work major  Co-requisites: SOWK 318, SOWK 320, SOWK 330 and SOWK 370. 

SOWK 318 - WRITING FOR THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION – 3 semester hours

This course students to the study of various forms of written and verbal communication pertinent to social work practice. It is designed as a discipline-specific junior writing course. This course offers students opportunities to practice and master skills in various types of writing, to peer critique the writing of colleagues and to revise their own writing after peer and faculty review. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing. (sophomore standing with permission of
Department Chair); Co-requisites: SOWK 315, SOWK 320, SOWK 330 and SOWK 370

SOWK 320 HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT I – 3 semester hours

This course takes a social systems approach to presenting, unifying, and integrating concepts and knowledge from a bio-psychosocial-spiritual perspective about human behavior. This course explores development from pregnancy and infancy through early childhood with attention on how individuals, families, organizations, and communities are shaped by life events. This course includes applications to professional practice from the social work literature and to service-learning experiences in a social service setting.
Prerequisites: SOWK 210, SOWK 260 and STAT 210 with a minimum grade of C or better; majors only and junior standing; or permission of the Department Chair; acceptance as social work major; Co-requisites: SOWK 315, SOWK 318, SOWK 330 and SOWK 370.

SOWK 321 HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT II – 3 semester hours .

This course takes a social systems approach to presenting, unifying, and integrating concepts and knowledge from a bio-psychosocial-spiritual perspective about human behavior. This course explores development from middle childhood through late adulthood with attention on how individuals, families, organizations, and communities are shaped by life events. This course includes applications to professional practice from the social work literature and to service-learning
experiences in a social service setting. Prerequisites: SOWK 320 with a minimum grade of C or better; majors only and junior standing; acceptance as social work major Co-requisites: SOWK 340, SOWK 375 and SOWK 399

SOWK 330 DIVERSITY AND CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE - 3 semester hours
This course is designed to present concepts and theories for generalist practitioners to assess clients from cultural-general and cultural-specific perspectives, and it provides students with a positive perception of cultural diversity. The most important elements of cultural diversity, understanding and awareness is addressed and examined. The overall goal is to examine the challenges and benefits of diversity and strengthen the possibilities of living and working together in a
multicultural society. Prerequisites: SOWK 210 & STAT 210 with a minimum grade of C or better; majors only and junior standing; acceptance as social work major Co-requisites: SOWK 315, SOWK 318, SOWK 320 and SOWK 370 

SOWK 340 (WI) SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY AND SERVICES – 3 semester hours
This course introduces students to a framework for the analysis of social problems and services, and focuses upon the variables that shape human service delivery systems. Application of analytical skills to a social policy is a required component of the course. This course is writing intensive. Prerequisites: SOWK 210, SOWK 260 & STAT 210 with a minimum grade of C or better; majors only and junior standing; acceptance as social work major Co-requisites: SOWK 321, SOWK 375 and SOWK 399

SOWK 370 GENERALIST PRACTICE (MICRO) I: INDIVIDUALS – 3 semester hours
This course is designed to develop beginning professional social work skills, knowledge, and values. Provides an introduction to the generalist approach, systems theory, and planned change process as utilized in work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students acquire skills in: use of self in the helping role; interviewing techniques; client assessments, intervention strategies, evaluation of outcomes; and integration of these skills with knowledge of diverse lifestyles and racial, ethnic, and cultural patterns. This course stresses work with individuals and includes a minimum of two (2) hours a week practicing fundamental interpersonal skills required for effective social work practice, which includes use of video equipment, role-playing exercises, various methods of practicing culturally sensitive generalist social work. Prerequisites: SOWK 210 & STAT 210 with a minimum grade of C or better; majors only and junior standing; acceptance as social work major Co-requisites: SOWK 315, SOWK 318, SOWK 320 and SOWK 330

SOWK 375 GENERALIST PRACTICE (MEZZO) II: FAMILIES & GROUPS – 3 semester hours
This course continues the development of knowledge, skills, and values for beginning generalist social work practice. Work with groups and families are stressed as well as integration of experiences from concurrent junior field placement.
Prerequisites: SOWK 370 with a minimum grade of C or better; majors only and juniors standing; acceptance as social work major Co-requisites: SOWK 321, SOWK 340, and SOWK 399

SOWK 395 SOCIAL WORK SPECIAL TOPICS – 3 semester hours
Selected special topics in social work, which may include controversial issues; domestic violence, spirituality and social work; child welfare, health and mental health issues; substance abuse; social work and the law; gerontology. The topics will reflect current trends in the field of social work. The content may be repeated for credit with different topics with the consent of the department. Prerequisites: Majors only and juniors standing; acceptance as social work major.

SOWK 399 FIELD INSTRUCTION I AND SEMINAR – 3 semester hours
In the junior field experience the student is introduced to the realm of social work practice by allowing him/her to shadow a social worker in a variety of practice roles and by participating in various activities that are planned to meet the learning objectives. Through this experience, students learn how to integrate practice behavior with social work knowledge, values and skills. Upon successful completion of the junior year, the student will have attained a beginning understanding of, and integration with the Council of Social Work Education (Educational Policy Accreditation Standards – EPAS) core competencies. Junior year students are in field work two days a week (160 clock hours) during their second semester. This course also includes a weekly seminar to integrate theory to generalist social work practice. Prerequisites: SOWK 315, SOWK 318, SOWK 320, SOWK 330 & SOWK 370 with a minimum of grade of C or better, majors only and junior standing; acceptance as social work major Co-requisites: SOWK 321, SOWK 340 and SOWK 375, 379

SOWK 475 GENERALIST PRACTICE (MACRO) III: COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS - 3 semester hours
This course focuses on social work methods for practice with diverse communities and organizations, with an emphasis on the advancement of social justice. The dominant theme of the course addresses how professional social workers practice within these systems and the strategies, tactics, and methods they employ to advance social justice. Students explore basic content pertaining to the values and ethics of macro social work practice, the roles and methods
practitioners use in various situations in which organizational practice and community practice and where social action occurs. Students will complete the course with an expanded awareness of organizational practice and community practice and social action and they will establish an initial framework for themselves that will ground their work in generalist practice. This course integrates concurrent field experience, all areas of the social work curriculum, and continued professional growth. Prerequisites: SOWK 375 with a minimum grade of C or better, majors only and senior standing. Social Work Major, completion of all required courses (general education and the professional foundation curriculum) and a cumulative 2.5 grade point average Co-requisites: SOWK 490

SOWK 490 PROFESSIONAL FIELD PRACTICUM I AND SEMINAR - 3 semester hours
This course provides a 240 clock-hour (minimum) advanced supervised field practicum in selected social work and human service agencies. In addition to the hours spent in the agency, a weekly seminar is held for the purpose of integrating theoretical and experiential information, processing personal experiences, providing assignments relevant to agency work, discussing the nature of agency services, and reviewing student’s goals and competencies/practice behaviors. Social Work majors must earn a grade of C or higher. Prerequisites: Social Work Major, completion of all required courses (general education and the professional foundation curriculum) and a cumulative 2.5 grade point average Co-requisite: SOWK 475

SOWK 495 ADVANCED SOCIAL WORK ELECTIVE (Selected Topic in Social Work) – 3 semester hours
This course focuses on selected topics in controversial issues and social work practices that reflect current trends in the field of social work. This course may also provide an interdisciplinary study abroad experience for students to better understand social service planning and delivery in other countries. Students will learn about the cultural, historical and political aspects of the host country through lectures, field trips and student centered activities. The course may be repeated for credit with different topics with the consent of the department. Prerequisites: Majors only and senior standing Co-requisites: SOWK 498, SOWK 499

SOWK 498 (WI) SOCIAL WORK SENIOR SEMINAR - 3 semester hours
This capstone course is the final required course in the social work program curriculum, which emphasizes professional writing skills, ethics, and legal dilemmas for professional generalist social work practice. It is designed as an opportunity for integration of previous learning and assimilation of this learning in a way which is meaningful for each student. This course utilizes a discussion format, with inclusion of minimal lecture, student-facilitated groups, and experiential activities. As a means of individualizing the contents of this course, student will assist in the transaction of this syllabus. This course is writing intensive. Prerequisites: Majors only and senior standing Co-requisites: SOWK 499

SOWK 499 PROFESSIONAL FIELD PRACTICUM II AND SEMINAR - 3 semester hours
This course is the final professional level field education course in the field education sequence, and it provides a 240 clock-hour advanced educational practicum for the students through supervised experience at an approved social service agency. In addition to the hours spent in the agency, a weekly seminar is held for the purpose of integrating theoretical and experiential information, processing personal experiences, providing assignments relevant to agency work, discussing the nature of agency services, and reviewing student’s goals and competencies/practice behaviors. The goal of field placement experiences is designed to facilitate student’s achieving the social work program competencies. Social Work major must earn a grade of C or higher. Prerequisites: SOWK 490, Majors only and senior standing Co-requisites: SOWK 498

Descriptions of all courses for the Social Work program can be found in the VSU Undergraduate Catalog.