Degree
Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)Contact
Cyndi Amato, M.S.W.
Program Director, School of Social Work
camato@une.edu
Mission
To provide transformative and collaborative learning that embraces the values of social inclusion and promotes enhanced quality of life for individuals and communities.
Major Description
The 51Æ·²è Bachelor’s in Social Work (B.S.W.) degree prepares generalist social work professionals for employment in a wide and varied range of social service, health, mental health, and community-based settings. B.S.W. prepared social workers acquire critical thinking and problem-solving skills to work effectively with a range of individuals and diverse populations. The program instills values that foster students’ commitment to support individuals, families, and communities to improve their lives. Students will also develop the skills to participate in transforming lives by promoting social justice, cultural diversity, and human dignity. B.S.W. graduates are committed to lifelong learning and to working in partnership with others to improve the quality of life for all people. As B.S.W. graduate, it is possible to accelerate into our Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program and complete your Master's degree in one (1) year. Experiential education is one (1) of the hallmarks of social work education and is realized through two (2) sequential Field Practicum courses; SSW 410 and SSW 440. Both courses provide four-hundred (400) hours over two (2) semesters in agency/organization settings.
Curricular Requirements
| WCHP Common Curriculum | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 104/104L – General Biology w/Lab | 4 |
| BUEC 203 – Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ENG 110 – English Composition | 4 |
| EXS 120 – Personal Health & Wellness | 3 |
| IHS 130 – Interprofessional Health Care First Year Experience | 3 |
| IHS 310 – Ethics for Interprofessional Practice | 3 |
| MAT 120 – Statistics or MAT150 – Statistics for Life Sciences | 3 |
| PSY 105 – Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 205 – Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 250 – Lifespan Development | 3 |
| PUB 300 – Global Health | 3 |
| SOC 150 – Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SPC 100 – Introduction to Speech | 3 |
| One (1) Advanced Studies course | 3 |
| One (1) Creative Arts course (with ARH/ART/MUS prefix) | 3 |
| One (1) Explorations course | 3 |
| One (1) Human Behavior course (with PSY, SOC, ANT, WGST prefix) | 3 |
| One (1) Political Science course (with PSC prefix) | 3 |
| One (1) Social Global Awareness course | 3 |
| Total Credits | 59 |
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| OS 341 – Health and Wellness in an Aging Society (formerly HWOS 341) | 3 |
| OS 434 – Substance Use and Misuse (formerly HWOS 434) | 3 |
| PUB 305 – Research Methods in Public Health | 3 |
| SSW 200 – Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| SSW 300 – Human Behavior and Social Work Theory I | 3 |
| SSW 310 – Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy I | 3 |
| SSW 320 – Human Behavior and Social Work Theory II | 3 |
| SSW 330 – Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy II | 3 |
| SSW 335 – Intro Soc Work Field Practicum | 1 |
| SSW 350 – Ethics in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SSW 400 – Social Work Methods I | 3 |
| SSW 410 – Field Practicum & Seminar I | 6 |
| SSW 430 – Social Work Methods II | 3 |
| SSW 440 – Field Practicum & Seminar II | 6 |
| SSW 460 – Social Work Practice with Groups | 3 |
| Two (2) Social Work Electives with SSW prefix | 6 |
| Two (2) General Electives | 6 |
| Total Credits | 61 |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 120 |
|---|
Academic and Technical Standards
Students in the Bachelor in Social Work major are subject to University undergraduate academic standards as well as requirements set forth by the Westbrook College of Health Professions.
In keeping with the guidelines of the 51Æ·²è, all undergraduate students must achieve a minimum semester-end grade point average. Failure to maintain the minimum grade point average requirements will result in academic probation as described in the Undergraduate Academic Catalog.
B.S.W. Benchmarks
Students selecting the B.S.W. program must meet certain benchmarks. Prerequisites for progressing into the core social work curriculum include:
A C or better in the following courses:
- PSY 105 – Introduction to Psychology - 3 credits
- SOC 150 – Introduction to Sociology - 3 credits
- PUB 305 – Research Methods in Public Health - 3 credits
- OS 341 – Health, Wellness in an Aging Society (formerly HWOS 341) - 3 credits
- OS 434 – Substance Use & Misuse (formerly HWOS 434) - 3 credits
A C or better in all required social work courses:
- SSW 200 – Intro to Social Work - 3 credits
- SSW 310 – Social Welfare Policy & Advocacy - 3 credits
- SSW 330 – Advocacy in Social Work Practice - 3 credits
- SSW 300 – Human Behavior & SW Theory I - 3 credits
- SSW 320 – Human Behavior & SW Theory II - 3 credits
- SSW 350 – Ethics in SW Practice - 3 credits
- SSW 400 – Advanced SW Methods I - 3 credits
- SSW 430 – Advanced SW Methods II - 3 credits
- SSW 460 – SW w/Groups & Communities - 3 credits
A grade of Pass (P) in:
- SSW 335 – Introduction to Field Practicum - 1 credit (students admitted Fall 2021 forward)
- SSW 410 – Field Practicum & Seminar I - 6 credits
- SSW 440 – Field Practicum & Seminar II - 6 credits
Learning Outcomes
Social Work is a competency-based education. We are, through our accreditors, mandated to ensure that our B.S.W. graduates are competent generalist practitioners in the areas listed below:
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
- Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
- Advance Human Rights and Promote Social Inclusion
- Utilize Evidence-informed Research
- Engage in Policy Practice
- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Minor
Students must take eighteen (18) credits to complete this minor. Classes can be taken in any order barring any prerequisites that may be required for some courses.
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| SSW 300 – Human Behavior and Social Work Theory I | 3 |
| SSW 320 – Human Behavior and Social Work Theory II | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 |
| Select two (2) of the following courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| SSW 200 – Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| SSW 310 – Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy | 3 |
| SSW 315 – Trauma & Resiliency | 3 |
| SSW 325 – Interpersonal and Community Violence | 3 |
| SSW 330 – Advocacy in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SSW 340 – Research Methods for Evidence-Based Practice or PUB 305 – Research Methods in Public Health | 3 |
| SSW 350 – Ethics in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SSW 415 – Fundamentals of Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| SSW 435 – Grief and Loss | 3 |
| SSW 460 – SW w/Groups & Communities | 3 |
| SSW 465 – Substance Use & Disorder or OS 434 – Substance Use and Misuse (formerly HWOS 434) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 |
| Select two (2) of the following courses: | Credits |
|---|---|
| ANT 102 – Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ATC 306/PSY 245 – Psychology of Sport & Exercise | 3 |
| OS 341 – Health Wellness in an Aging Society (formerly HWOS 341) | 3 |
| PSC 105 – Introduction to Political Science | 3 |
| PSY 105 – Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 250 – Lifespan Development | 3 |
| PUB 200 – Foundations in Public Health | 3 |
| PUB 300 – Global Health | 3 |
| SOC 150 – Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 215 – Poverty | 3 |
| SPE 220 – Exceptionality in the Classroom | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 18 |
|---|
Transfer Credit
Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at 51Æ·²èin order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives. All courses completed must be no older than five (5) years. Consistent with the Council on Social Work Education, the B.S.W. program does not offer credit for "life experience" under any circumstance.
Admissions
For entrance into the Bachelor in Social Work major, students must have completed a high school with a GPA of 2.0 in a curriculum reflective of collegiate preparation. This profile includes:
- Four (4) years of English
- Three (3) years of mathematics
- Two (2) years of science with a laboratory
- Two (2) years of social science
Applicants submit their materials to the Office of Admissions during the fall of the year prior to matriculation. Qualified students who apply after the fall are admitted on a space-available basis.
Internal Transfer Students
Students who are enrolled in another major at the 51Æ·²è may apply for admission into the B.S.W. program by completing a change of major form and an interview with the B.S.W. Director to determine eligibility. Students requesting to transfer into the B.S.W. program must be in academic good standing with a grade point average of 2.5 or better at the time of the request.
See Undergraduate Admissions also.
Financial Information
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.
Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog
This catalog outlines the academic programs, degree criteria, policies, and events of the 51Æ·²è for the 2024–2025 academic year and serves as the official guide for academic and program requirements for students enrolling at the University during the Summer of 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025 semesters.
The information provided is accurate as of its publication date on April 26, 2024.
The 51Æ·²è reserves the right to modify its programs, calendar, or academic schedule as deemed necessary or beneficial. This includes alterations to course content, class rescheduling, cancellations, or any other academic adjustments. Changes will be communicated as promptly as possible.
While students may receive guidance from academic advisors or program directors, they remain responsible for fulfilling the requirements outlined in the catalog relevant to their enrollment year and for staying informed about any updates to policies, provisions, or requirements.