Social Work, BSW (48-847) (120 hours)

Major, Bachelor of Social Work Degree

The graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work degree will use the knowledge and skills obtained in the program to:

• Identify as a professional social worker and conduct one’s self accordingly.
• Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
• Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments.
• Engage diversity and differences in practice.
• Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
• Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
• Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.
• Engage in policy practice to advance 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.

Social Work Statement of Policy
A student may enroll in a course offered by the Social Work Program only if a grade of C or better is earned in each of the course’s prerequisites taken.

Purpose
The purpose of the social work profession is to promote human and community well-being. The BSW Program prepares students for professional generalist social work practice or graduate education. Students are expected to demonstrate mastery of all competencies and practice behaviors identified by the accrediting body.

Admission Policy
Students entering UCM as freshmen should indicate a social work major. Transfer students must meet all requirements. Admission to the social work program is conditional upon successful completion of all requirements.

Requirements for Admission to the Social Work Program

1. Completion of General Education courses listed as requirements of the social work major with a C or better.
2. Cumulative grade-point average of 2.00.
3. A minimum grade of C for courses listed as curriculum requirements of the social work major.
4. Completion of PSY 1100 , SOC 1800 , BIOL 2010, SOWK 2600, and SOWK 3601.
5. Students must complete a social work prefix course in residence prior to applying for admission into the social work program.
6. Submission of:
   1.   Application for Admission to social work program.
   2.   Transcript of all university work.
   3.   Three references including one from the SOWK 3601 volunteer supervisor.
   4.   Autobiographical statement.
7. The Admissions Packet will be distributed during an informational meeting scheduled for students enrolled in SOWK 3601. Students who miss the meeting or need assistance should meet with their faculty mentor. Admission to the program is required to enroll in SOWK 4630 and SOWK 4650 .
8. Successful completion of an interview with Social Work Admissions Committee.
9. Provisional admission requires the student to write a corrective action plan with approval by the faculty mentor prior to the end of the semester in which they receive a provisional admission.  The student will be interviewed a second time during the following semester, providing an opportunity to demonstrate time, effort and progress toward resolving provisional concerns.

Criteria for Retention
Social Work students will be permitted to continue in the Social Work major by meeting certain “Criteria for Retention” as established by the program.

1. An earned grade of C or better in all courses listed as requirements of the social work major.
2. Students failing to earn a grade of C or better in either SOWK 4660 - Field Practicum (9) or SOWK 4661 - Field Practicum Seminar (3) are not permitted to repeat the two courses and will not be allowed to continue in the Social Work Program at Central, nor be able to graduate with a BSW from the University of Central Missouri.
3. Adherence to the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics.
4. Demonstrate professional demeanor and maintain social functioning that allows for effective beginning level generalist social work practice.  Social Functioning refers to students’ ability to cope with the demands generated by interaction with their environment, including school, work, family, and personal and professional relationships.
5. Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills.
6. Continued enrollment as a student in good standing at UCM. A student who has not maintained enrollment in good standing for a period of one year must have a retention hearing upon their return to the program.

Credit for Life Experience
Credit will not be given for life or previous work experience for courses required in the social work major.

Accreditation
The Bachelor of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is located at 1725 Duke Street, Suite 500, Alexandria, VA 22314-3457; phone 703-683-8080; email
info@cswe.org.

Social Work, BSW (48-847) (4 Year Guide)