Social Work (BA)

Social Work Major Bachelor’s Degree (BS or BA)

• Program Prerequisite: Must be accepted to the program (see Admissions Requirements described later in this section).
• Minor: The Social Work Major requires either: (a) the completion of a minor; or (b) a minor alternative. Minor requirements are found in the University catalog under the specific programs that offer them. As an alternative to a minor, a Social Work Major may choose to complete 18 credits (generally the equivalent of six courses) from a set of approved elective enrichment courses listed below.
• Grade Requirements: A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses toward and included in this major (a grade of “C-” is not acceptable). In addition, an overall GPA for these courses of 2.5 must be maintained. Also refer to the general grade requirements Degree Requirements . Students not meeting the minimum grade requirements for an individual Social Work course may repeat that course one (1) time before being dropped from the Social Work program. In the rare event a student is unable to complete SW 4860  and SW 4861  in the field agency they are originally placed, at the discretion of the field placement advisor, the student may request a new placement one (1) time only. Students at any time failing to meet the overall GPA of 2.5 will be given a probationary semester to raise their GPA to the minimum standard. Failure to comply with this policy will result in being dropped from the Social Work program.
• Credit Hour Requirements: A total of 120 credit hours is required for graduation; a minimum of 41 of these is required within the major not counting the prerequisite courses totaling 18 semester hours. A total of 40 upper division credit hours is required for graduation from Weber State University (courses numbered 3000 and above).
• Program Code:  7017BA, 7017BS
• CIPC: 440701

Advisement

Students accepted into the program are assigned to a faculty advisor for academic and professional advising. The faculty advisor assists students with course scheduling, academic counseling, and professional self-assessment. Students are required to see their faculty advisor at least one time per semester prior to registration. Call the Social Work/Gerontology office number, 801-626-6157, or the Department Chair, 801-626-6156, for more information or to schedule an appointment.  (Also refer to the Department Advisor Referral List.)

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Admission Requirements

Declare a program of study (see Enrollment Services and Information ). Satisfactory completion of the following is required prior to formal acceptance into the program:

1. WSU Writing Competency (Composition)*
2. WSU Information Literacy*
3. 60-63 semester graduation hours (or equivalent) including the prerequisite courses listed below for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, Human Development, and Social Work prerequisites. These courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better and with a total GPA of 2.5 or better.
4. Students agree to abide by the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

Note:

* Refer to General Requirements on Degree Requirements  

Program Learning Outcomes

• Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly
• Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice
• Apply critical thinking to inform & communicate professional judgements
• Engage diversity and difference in practice
• Advance human rights and social and economic justice
• Engage in research-informed practice and practice-infomed research
• Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment
• Engage in policy practice to adance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services
• Respond to contexts that shape practice
• Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

Courses Required to fulfill the BA

The following must be taken to qualify for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Social Work

• 12 semester credits in any foreign language

OR

• 6 semester credits in any foreign language

and

• SW 3800 - Writing in Social Work (3) 

          and

Electives (Optional)

• SW 2920 - Short Courses, Workshops, Institutes, and Special Programs Credits: (1-6)

•  

• GERT 3000 - Death and Dying Credits: (3) or
• SW 3000 - Death and Dying Credits: (3)

•  

• GERT 3120 - Aging: Adaptation and Behavior Credits: (3) or
• SW 3120 - Aging: Adaptation and Behavior Credits: (3)

•  

• GERT 3320 - Ethnicity and Older Women in the American Society Credits: (3) or
• SW 3320 - Ethnicity and Older Women in the American Society Credits: (3)

•  

• SW 3800 - Writing in Social Work Credits: (3) (optional for BS in Social Work)
• SW 4140 - Perspectives on Drug Use and Substance Abuse Credits: (3)
• SW 4150 - DSM-5 Credits: (3) (optional for BA in Social Work)

•  

• GERT 4220 - Societal Responses to Aging Credits: (3) or
• SW 4220 - Societal Responses to Aging Credits: (3)

•  

• SW 4240 - Introduction to TeleMental-Health Credits: (3)
• SW 4250 - Medical Social Work Credits: (3)
• SW 4600 - Social Work in Special Settings Credits: (2-4)

•  

• GERT 4650 - Retirement: Adjustment/Planning Credits: (3) or
• SW 4650 - Retirement: Adjustment/Planning Credits: (3)

•  

• SW 4265 - Crisis Intervention and Trauma Credits: (3)
• SW 4800 - Projects and Research Credits: (1-3)
• SW 4810 - Experimental Course Credits: (1-6)
• SW 4830 - Directed Readings Credits: (1-3)
• SW 4850 - Social Work Study Abroad Credits: (1-4)
• SW 4920 - Short Courses, Workshops, Institutes, and Special Programs Credits: (1-6)

Courses Approved as an Alternative to a Traditional Minor

As an alternative to a minor, a Social Work Major may choose to complete a minimum of 18 credits (generally the equivalent of six courses) from the following list of elective enrichment courses. Other courses not on this list may be approved to meet this requirement at the discretion of a student’s faculty advisor with the consent of the Social Work faculty. At least six of these credits must be taken in Social Work. No more than six credits may be taken within a single discipline. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their faculty advisor in selecting one of these options. Courses used to meet the minor alternative MUST be pre-approved by a faculty advisor.