Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work
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Social work is a profession devoted to helping people solving problems and issues in their lives. The social worker is guided by a professional code of ethics on assisting people to achieve an effective level of psychosocial functioning and effecting social change to improve the well being of everyone. Social work is founded on the principles of service; social and economic justice; personal dignity and worth; the importance of human relationships; integrity; and competence.

If you are interested in helping others and making your concern for people a career, social work may be the profession for you. Social workers are involved in addressing some of society's most pressing issues such as poverty; abuse and neglect; mental illness; and juvenile crime – to name just a few. The profession can be very rewarding to those who like to make a difference.

Dr. Michael R. Daley,
Director
USA offers the Bachelor of Social Work program, which prepares students for the entry level practice of social work. Bachelor's level social workers are usually on the front line in social welfare agencies, dealing with a wide range of social problems. The bachelor's degree in social work prepares students for membership in professional organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers, and to sit for the state licensing examination.

The Social Work Program at the University of South Alabama is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Please feel free to examine the social work web page which contains information about program requirements; admission to the major; and the faculty. This is a new page and information will be added as it is available.



Ms. Laurie Haas,
Social Work Field Instruction Coordinator

 


Dr. Valerie Bryan
 
Overview of the Program
 
The BSW program at USA utilizes a generalist method of practice. The program defines its generalist method as:

Generalist practice in social work is multi-system, involving the promotion of human well-being though work with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. This method is based on a problem solving framework and is multi-theory in that it bases the practice approach on an analysis of problems and situations, thus basing interventions on the problem(s). Generalist practice stems from a strong base of social work, knowledge, values, ethics, and skills. It is based on a person-in environment perspective and is sensitive to diversity, the community, and issues of social and economic justice.

The BSW program's mission is:

 

The program mission for Social Work at the University of South Alabama is to prepare competent, effective entry level social work professionals to address the social welfare needs of the Gulf Coast and Southwest Alabama regions. The program has a strong commitment to provide professional leadership to the region in terms of social work education, service to the community and in scholarly endeavors. In order to be attuned to the community context of social work in this region, the program is committed to promoting well being though the exploration of both urban and rural community practice, the foundations of the social work profession, the person-in-environment perspective, liberal arts preparation, diversity, poverty, social and economic justice, and a strong value base for practice.

Social work has developed goals based on its mission and they are:
 
Goals
 
  • Program graduates will be prepared for competent, entry level generalist professional social work with diverse groups and populations-at-risk in both urban and rural communities, and who are effective in enhancing human well-being.
  • Program graduates will be able to employ critical thinking skills and research knowledge in order to ethically evaluate policy and practice, and advocate for change in organizations and communities, and add to social work knowledge.
  • Program graduates will be capable of integrating social work knowledge, values and skills into entry level ethical social work practice with systems of all sizes with an emphasis on the needs of the Gulf Coast and Southwest Alabama.
  • Program graduates will have the demonstrated capacity to identify with the profession and take an active role in professional leadership.
  • The program faculty will be active in service to the broader Mobile and Southwest Alabama community and social work profession and contribute to the knowledge base of the profession, particularly in relation to regional issues.

If you have questions about the social work program please feel free to contact the Director at mdaley@usouthal.edu or (251) 460-6909.

 
Social Work Admission Policy and Procedures
 
The social work program has developed a policy and procedures for admission to the major that are consistent with the goals and objectives of the BSW program. The policies and procedures insure that students have a liberal arts base, demonstrate a beginning knowledge of social work and identification with the profession, have content in diversity, populations-at-risk, and social and economic justice, and can demonstrate effective communication skills prior to entry into the professional foundation. BSW program admission policies and procedures are as follows:

Policy

Students who want to major in social work are admitted to the pre-professional social work major and remain in the pre-professional major until they meet requirements to be admitted into the social work major. The policy is applicable to all students: new freshmen, transfer students, and students changing their major. In order to be admitted into the social work major, students must meet the following criteria:
  • Have a 2.60 overall GPA in courses taken at USA.
  • Have completed SW 200, SW 212, and SWK 214 with a grade of C or better.
  • Have completed the Biology requirement with a grade of C or better.
  • Have completed EH 101 and EH 102 with a grade of C or better.
  • Have completed the Math requirement.
  • Have completed the Statistics requirement.
  • Have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours.
  • Meet all requirements specified by the program for demonstrating behavior consistent with the NASW Code of Ethics.
Students who are considering pursuing a major in social work should consult with a social work advisor at the earliest opportunity. There may be factors in a student's past that could affect the ability to obtain a professional social work license. Examples of factors that may need to be discussed with the advisor might include conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or the revocation or surrender of another professional license.

Procedures

Once the student has completed the specified requirements the student must make application for admission to the social work major. Students are encouraged to consult with their social work advisor prior to submitting this application.

The student's application for admission to the major will be reviewed by the BSW program faculty and a determination will be made on whether or not the student will be admitted to the major. Following this determination the student will be notified in writing concerning the faculty decision.

Once the student is admitted to the major, the program will initiate a change of major to the university. The student will then need to meet with his/her advisor to sign off on a form indicating student understanding of the criteria for continuation as a social work major. The criteria for continuation as a major include:
  • Maintain a 2.60 grade point average in social work courses.
  • Maintain an overall 2.50 grade point average at USA.
  • Demonstrate acceptable professional conduct, personal integrity and emotional stability requisite for effective social work practice.
  • Demonstrate identification with the profession of social work
  • Demonstrate behavior consistent with Code of Ethics for the National Association of Social Workers.
Students who have not been admitted to the major may not enroll for SW 202, SW 310 SW 401, SW 402, SW 412 or SW 414.
 
Four Year Curriculum for the Social Work Program
Freshman Year
 
Fall Semester Spring Semester
EH 101 or exemption EH 102
CA 110 Oral Communication Fine Arts*
Foreign Language * Foreign Language*
CAS 100 (2) SY 109 Introductory SY
Biology (BLY 101) Biology (BLY 102)
Semester Cred. Hrs: 15 Semester Cred Hrs.: 16
 
Sophomore Year
 
Fall Semester Spring Semester
Math (3 or 4 cr)* PHL 131 * Intro Ethics
HY135 Amer. Hist. HY 136 Amer. Hist.
Literature* Statistics 210
AN 100 Intro to Cultural AN SW 212 Intro to Social Welfare
SW 200 Intro to Social Work PSC 130 US Government
SY 112 Social Problems SW 214 Field Experience (2cr.)
  Semester Cred Hrs.: 18 Semester Cred Hrs.: 17
Junior Year
 
Fall Semester Spring Semester
SW 201 Human B.& Soc Envir I SW 302 H. B.& Social Envir II
SY 381 Socio Research Methods I SY 382 Socio Research Methods II
SW 301 Social Welfare Policy SW 401 Generalist Practice I
AFR 101* or Humanities SW 310 Community Context
PSY 120 SY 220 Marriage & the Family
Semester Cred Hrs.: 15 Semester Cred Hrs.: 15
 
Senior Year
 
Fall Semester Spring Semester
SW 402 Generalist Practice II SW 412 Field Instruction (12 cr)
Electives (6-8 cr) SW 414 Senior Seminar (3 cr)
SY 445 Maj/Min Relations Elective (2-3)
SW Field of Practice Elective   Semester Cred Hrs.: 15 -17
Semester Cred Hrs.: 15 -17  
 
Total Semester Cred Hrs.: 128
 
Computer Technology _____ Writing Courses _____ _____

*General Education requirements: see College of Arts and Sciences section of the Bulletin for acceptable courses.

 

** Students must complete 4 additional hours of elective credits taken anytime throughout course of study to reach a total of 128 credit hours. Students must also complete two Writing Intensive (W) courses, one of which must be in Social Work or minor field. Students completing BSW requirements automatically complete the requirements for a minor in Sociology.

 
Social Work as a Second Bachelor's Degree
 
Students who already have an undergraduate degree and wish to pursue the Bachelor of Social Work as a second degree must meet the following requirements:
  • Meet the general education requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences
  • Meet the general education requirements specific to Social Work including:
    • Biology
    • Statistics
    • Diversity
    • Ethics
    Complete the following courses in the major:
    • SW 200
    • SW 212
    • SW 214
    • SW 201
    • SW 301
    • SW 302
    • SW 310
    • SW 401
    • SW 402
    • SW 412
    • SW 414
    • SW Elective
    • SY 220
    • SW 381 & 382
    • SY 445
    Total: 56 Semester Credit Hours

Program Policies and Procedures:

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The University of South Alabama Social Work Program BSW Student Handbook

Field Instruction Manual

Social Work Associations:

National Association of Social Workers
Council on Social Work Education
Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners
Rural Social Work Caucus
 
 
University of South Alabama
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