Social Work, B.S.W.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree:

provides an undergraduate educational program well-grounded in the profession of social work as represented by the Council on Social Work Education;
responds to the need for professionally-trained social workers in human and social services in the state and region, and;
creates an academically sound professional educational process consistent with the larger purposes and mission of UNCW.

BSW degree graduates are employed by departments of social services, school systems, medical facilities, nursing homes, and many other human services agencies. They work with children, families, and community groups to enhance personal and interpersonal functioning.

The UNCW BSW Program follows a ‘generalist’ model of social work education, with an emphasis on the ‘strengths-perspective’ of social work practice. This means that UNCW BSW students obtain a well-rounded social work education in all areas of BSW-level practice, with a specialized knowledge of strengths-perspective, which honors client resiliency.

Computer Requirement:

To satisfy the computer requirement for the B.S.W. degree a student must successfully complete SWK 496 or SWK 497 .

Oral Communication Requirement:

To satisfy the oral communication requirement for the B.S.W. degree a student must successfully complete SWK 321 .

Applied Learning Requirement:

To satisfy the applied learning requirement for the B.S.W. degree in social work a student must successfully complete each of the following: SWK 235 , SWK 320 , SWK 321 , SWK 396 , SWK 496 and SWK 497 .

Requirements for a Major in Social Work for the B.S.W. Degree:

SWK 235 - Introduction to Social Work and the Social Welfare System Credit Hours: 3
SWK 240 - Basic Working Relationship Skills Credit Hours: 3
SWKL 240 - Working Relationship Lab Credit Hours: 1
SWK 320 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment I Credit Hours: 3
SWK 321 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment II Credit Hours: 3
SWK 335 - Social Welfare Policies Credit Hours: 3
SWK 341 - Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families Credit Hours: 3
SWK 355 - Issues in Diversity for Generalist Practice Credit Hours: 3
SWK 396 - Pre-Field Seminar Credit Hours: 1
SWK 406 - Research Methods for Social Work Practice I Credit Hours: 3
Or
CHHS 411 - Research & Evaluation Methods in Human Services Credit Hours: 3
SWK 407 - Statistics and Research Methods for Social Work Practice Credit Hours: 3
SWK 442 - Generalist Social Work Practice with Groups Credit Hours: 3
SWK 443 - Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations Credit Hours: 3
SWK 496 - Field Practicum I Credit Hours: 6
SWK 497 - Field Practicum II Credit Hours: 6

And one of the following SWK electives:

SWK 310 - Social Work with Older Adults Credit Hours: 3
SWK 311 - Child Abuse and Neglect Credit Hours: 3
SWK 318 - Social Work and Health Care Delivery Credit Hours: 3
SWK 366 - Introduction to Substance Use Disorders and Addictions Credit Hours: 3
SWK 418 - Social Work Practice in the School Environment Credit Hours: 3
SWK 425 - Mindfulness: Implications for Personal Wellbeing and Professional Practice Credit Hours: 3
SWK 450 - The Culture of Military Life and Entering the War Zone Credit Hours: 3
SWK 451 - Returning from the War Zone: Consequences, PTSD, Traumatic Injury, Interventions and Preventative Me Credit Hours: 3
SWK 460 - Grant Writing for Human Services Credit Hours: 3
SWK 495 - Topical Seminar Credit Hours: 1 To 3

Additional courses required:

PLS 101 - American National Government Credit Hours: 3
PSY 105 - General Psychology Credit Hours: 3
SOC 105 - Introduction to Sociology Credit Hours: 3
BIO 105 - Concepts of Modern Biology Credit Hours: 0 To 4
Or
BIO 160 - Genetics in Human Affairs Credit Hours: 3

Total: 63 hours

Additional Information:

Students enrolled in the North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative must complete SWK 311 and SWK 312 prior to entering a field placement in the Department of Social Service. Students wishing to obtain North Carolina School Social Worker certification must complete SWK 418 prior to the second semester field placement.

Students are required to earn a grade of “C” or better in all required social work courses designated by SWK. Students must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.50 to be admitted into the field placement (SWK 496 and SWK 497 ) required in their senior year for the B.S.W. degree.