Social Work

Social work practice is rooted in turn-of-the-century efforts to meet the needs of the poor, of neglected and abused children, of exploited workers and immigrant families. During that time social workers led the fight for child labor laws, more humane industrial conditions, voting rights for women and other progressive milestones.

Today, social work serves many different populations in a variety of settings. A hospital social worker may help a family as it faces a father’s diagnosis of cancer, a street worker may organize diversion projects for gang members, a school social worker may lead a group for pregnant teens, a county worker may intervene to save the life of an abused child, and a community organizer may be the catalyst for a neighborhood’s effort to rid itself of drug dealers. All social workers are joined by a common dedication to foster healthy families and communities.

The principal educational objective of the social work program is to provide students with a general knowledge base and a set of skills and professional values necessary for beginning practice in a wide variety of settings. The Council on Social Work Education has awarded this program full baccalaureate level accreditation. Graduation from this program allows a student to sit for the state of Minnesota Social Work Licensing Exam, baccalaureate level (Licensed Social Worker). The program also offers a course of study leading to a Minnesota Department of Education School Social Worker I credential. Lynn Bye is the school social work coordinator.

Graduates of this social work program are given as much as one year’s credit toward a master’s degree when accepted to a graduate social work program. To better understand the social work profession and our program, visit The Settlement House, the program’s web site, at HTTP://bingen.cs.csbsju.edu/~swrk.

Major (67 credits) [Top]

Required Courses:

Prerequisite coursework: BIOL 112; PSYC 111; SOCI 111; SWRK 230, 250, 251. The first four courses should be taken during the student’s first year of college. SWRK 250 and 251 should be taken fall and spring of the sophomore year.

Coursework upon acceptance to the major:

There are four sequences in the major. Students must complete all four.

Practice sequence: 343, 344 (junior year), 345 (senior year).

Policy sequence: 347, SOCI 351 (junior year).

Research sequence: SOCI 201, SWRK 340 (junior year).

Field sequence: 349 (junior year), 390, 396, 397 (senior year).

Admission Procedures: [Top]

During their first two years, pre-social work students enroll in core courses and prerequisite courses necessary for admission to the major. Students apply for admission to the social work major in the spring semester of their sophomore year. Interested students should contact the social work program or refer to the Social Work Student Handbook (located on the social work web page) for admission materials.

Requirements for Admission to the Major:

1. Completion of all prerequisite coursework with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 prior to final acceptance into the social work program. Students with a cumulative GPA lower than 2.75 may apply, but must present compelling arguments (with supporting evidence) why their application should be favorably considered.

2. A 300-word essay outlining life experiences which suggest understanding of and empathy for one or more populations served by social workers. This should include two volunteer, or job-related experiences. Check with your social work adviser or the VISTO office for a listing of volunteer community experiences which enhance an application.

3. Completion of the program application form (available in the Social Work Student Handbook, on the program’s web page) and Application for Acceptance to a Major form (available from the registrar).

A recent transcript.

While completion of the above requirements allows students to apply to the social work program, it does not assure admission.

Satisfactory Progress: [Top]

1. All social work majors are expected to achieve a minimum grade of BC in each required and elective social work course, and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5. A student whose grades or grade point average falls below minimum standards must meet with his/her adviser to create an academic contract stating how the student will improve performance. Details of this procedure and standards for removal from the program are found in the Social Work Student Handbook.

2. All courses in the major must be taken in sequence. Students who receive a grade lower than a BC in a social work course may be required to make adjustments in their program plans in order to progress in the major sequence. In some cases, students may be required to withdraw from the major.

3. Students who violate the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and general standards of professional social work may be required to withdraw from the major. Details of this procedure and standards are in the Social Work Student Handbook.

Special Requirements:

All senior social work majors are required to carry professional liability (malpractice) insurance. SWRK 390 Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work Practice substitutes for CORE 390 senior seminar for social work majors.

Minor (None) [Top]

Courses

(SWRK)

176 January Term Topics. (0-4) [Top]

Study at the introductory level of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Consult the social work program for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

[Top]

177 January Term Core Topics. (0-4)

Study at the introductory level of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Designed to fulfill core disciplinary requirement. Consult the social work program for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

230 Introduction to Social Work. (4) [Top]

Introduces pre-social work majors to the history and present structure of the profession. The American social welfare system is also covered through lecture, discussion, class activities and service projects. Introduction to areas of possible employment in the social work field. Overview of the social work curriculum. Fall and Spring.

250, 251 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I, II. (4,4) [Top]

A two-semester sequence. The first semester focuses on the life span development and theories of human behavior such as the ecological, systems and strengths perspectives. These theories are used as lenses for the study of issues of relevance to social work including the effects of violence and poverty. The second semester uses a global perspective to examine oppressed populations around the world. Prerequisites: BIOL 112, PSYC 111, SOCI 111, SWRK 230 or permission of instructor.

271 Individual Learning Project. (1-4) [Top]

Supervised reading or research at the lower-division level. Permission of program director is required. Consult social work program for applicability towards major requirements. Not available to first-year students.

276 January Term Topics. (0-4) [Top]

Study of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Consult social work program for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

277 January Term Core Topics. (0-4) [Top]

Study of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Designed to fulfill core disciplinary requirements. Consult program for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

300 Special Topics in Social Work. (1-4) [Top]

Topics selected in various aspects of the human service delivery system and social work methods. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

330 Administration. (2) [Top]

Examines a variety of topics related to social welfare administration, including administrative styles, fund raising, proposal writing, bureaucracies, interorganizational coordination and supervision.

333 Child Welfare. (4) [Top]

Studies this country’s response to the needs of children when those needs are not met within the family. Topics include child welfare policies, child mistreatment, foster care, in-home family treatment, effects on children of poverty and violence, and social services for children. Reviews assessment and intervention alternatives.

340 Research and Evaluation. (4) [Top]

Introduces students to research and evaluation principles in applied social service settings. Topics include single-system designs, quasi-experimental designs, secondary or archival data and content analysis, and program evaluation. Offered spring. Prerequisite: SOCI 201 or permission of instructor.

343, 344, 345 Methods I, II, III. (4,4,4) [Top]

A three-semester sequence in social work practice methods. All three courses concentrate on the knowledge, values and interpersonal skills necessary for beginning social work practice. 343 introduces the student to interviewing principles and various interventions with smaller systems. 344 concentrates on group dynamics and work with groups 345 emphasizes social action and intervention with larger systems such as communities. 343 and 344 to be taken the fall and spring of the junior year; 345 to be taken the fall of the senior year. Prerequisite: admission to the major.

346 Family Systems. (4) [Top]

Explores family life cycle development, family stress, structure, roles, communication, power and intimacy, and strengths. Methods of intervention. Prerequisites: junior-senior standing or permission of instructor. Fall and Spring.

347 American Social Policy. (4) [Top]

Explores our country’s social welfare system, with relevance to policies and programs of interest to social work practitioners. Emphases include adequacy, effectiveness, and consequences of policies and programs. Prerequisites: junior-senior standing or permission of instructor. Fall.

349 Junior Field Practicum. (2) [Top]

A three-week (120 hours) experiential opportunity for students to gain knowledge of a social services agency, and to shadow a practicing social worker. Prerequisite: SWRK 343. To be taken in the junior year. January.

371 Individual Learning Project. (1-4) [Top]

Supervised reading or research at the upper-division level. Permission of program director and completion and/or concurrent registration of 12 credits within the program required. Consult social work program for applicability towards major requirements. Not available to first-year students.

375 Supervised Study. (0-4) [Top]

Full-time learning experience during the January Term done under the direction of a faculty moderator, often in conjunction with an off-campus supervisor. Requires permission of instructor. Not available to first-year students.

376 January Term Topics. (0-4) [Top]

Study at the upper-division level of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Consult social work program for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

377 January Term Core Topics. (0-4) [Top]

Study at the upper-division level of a special topic not ordinarily offered during the semesters. Designed to fulfill core disciplinary requirements. Consult social work program for applicability towards major requirements. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

390 Ethics and Social Work Practice. (4) [Top]

Study of ethical dilemmas in the daily practice of social work. This course satisfies CORE 390 senior seminar for social work majors. Prerequisites: social work senior, concurrent enrollment in 397. Spring.

396 Pre-Internship Laboratory. (1) [Top]

Preparation of senior practicum goals and objectives, the practicum learning contract, resume and cover letters, interviewing techniques, professional appearance, malpractice liability, exploration of practicum and field instructor availability, and securing a placement. Prerequisite: social work senior. Must be taken prior to 397. Fall.

397 Senior Field Practicum. (8-12) [Top]

Three-month (480 hours) practicum in a social service agency, under supervision of a field instructor and the program field coordinator. Includes weekly integrative seminar. To be taken spring of the senior year. Prerequisite: 396.

398 Honors Senior Essay, Research or Creative Project. (4) [Top]

Required for graduation with "All-College Honors" and "Program Distinction in Social Work." Prerequisite: HONR 396 and approval of the program director and director of the honors program. For further information see HONR 398.

[Top]