School of Social Work - Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Undergraduate Faculty

Associate Dean: Dr. Carolyn Hester

BSW Program Director: Mr. Clarence Williams

Director of Field Education: Mrs. Cassandria Peoples

Assistant Professors: Dr. Pedro HernandezDr. Carolyn Hester, Mrs. Cassandria Peoples

Instructor: Mrs. Jacqueline Garrison, Title IV-E Child Welfare Coordinator

Lecturers:  Mr. Xavier Henson, Mr. Clarence Williams and Ms. Patricia Williams

 

Overview 

The Bachelor of Social Work program prepares students for beginning generalist practice. The purpose of the BSW Program is to provide the knowledge, values, and skills needed to be a competent and effective social worker at the beginning generalist level.  It is the mission of the Baccalaureate Social Work Program to prepare students for entry level practice as beginning generalist, to foster an environment which is fertile with opportunities for student learning and leadership, to cultivate a learning environment that affirms diversity and respect for differences, and to offer a program of study that is aligned with the purposes and values of the profession of social work.

The goals of the Bachelor of Social Work program are:

  • To prepare students for generalist practice with rural populations, particularly in North Central Louisiana;
  • To prepare students for entry level generalist social work practice to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities as client systems;
  • To expose students to the realities of human behavior and how it is impacted by human diversity and the environmental context, particularly for racial and ethnic minorities;
  • To engage students in critical thinking and its utilization as a tool for effective practice, problem formulation and resolution;
  • To graduate students who engage in policy as practice and who will promote and support policy and causes that advance social and economic justice for all, including populations at risk;
  • To graduate students who will apply the ethics and values of the profession to practice;
  • To provide the foundation knowledge, values and skills needed to pursue advanced studies in the field of social work.

 

Core Competencies of the BSW Program

The ten core competencies espoused by the Council on Social Work Education 2008 provide a framework for programs to develop a curriculum and related program activities. The competencies are utilized for measuring student performance and learning outcomes. The Competencies of Bachelor of Social Work are to:

  • Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly;
  • Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice;
  • Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments;
  • Engage diversity and difference 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; and
  • Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.             

Graduates of the undergraduate program are prepared to work in agencies dealing with various populations and social issues such as child abuse, aging, mental health, probation and parole, adoptions, foster care, older adults and other diversity-related issues. Graduates are prepared for work in community service organizations, correction facilities, hospices, hospitals, schools, and other public and private human service agencies. The program focuses on services to rural communities and African Americans in particular. Social Work faculty members cross teach undergraduate and graduate courses to give students the full benefit of their expertise.

The social work programs seek to develop culturally sensitive students who appreciate human diversity and the global perspective. The students are grounded in social work knowledge, values, skills, and philosophy in preparation for competent generalist social work practice and admission to graduate school.

 

Requirements for Admission to the BSW Program

Application for formal admission to the professional undergraduate program in the School of Social Work can begin after the completion of 60 semester hours (end of sophomore year) of course work. Students with less than 60 hours are considered pre-social work students and must complete a pre-social work application. Admission requirements include:

  • Completion of a School of Social Work Undergraduate Admission Application to the BSW Program office;
  • At least a 2.3 cumulative grade point average viewed as a minimum requirement. If the grade point average is below 2.3, an interview will be required;
  • A 500-word, type-written narrative on “Why I Want to Become a Social Worker”;
  • Personal characteristics suitable to the Social Work profession as determined by an evaluation;
  • The student’s signature showing a commitment to a code of ethical conduct;
  • The student’s application and transcript are reviewed by the Bachelor of Social Work Admission Committee.

The above stated criteria are the basis for formal admission to the major. Once admitted, any student falling below a 2.3 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) could be dismissed from the Social Work major. This dismissal would be subject to a corrective plan. Students have the right to appeal an adverse decision to the Associate Dean of the School of Social Work.

 

Admission Appeal Process

In situations where a student is denied admission, the student has the right to appeal. The student is informed of his or her right for a hearing before the Admissions Committee if the student feels the denial was not justified. The BSW Director and Chair of the Admissions Committee arrange and set dates for these hearings. The outcome of the hearing is submitted to the Associate Dean for review. At the conclusion of the hearing, the student is informed by the Associate Dean of their right to appeal to the Dean of the College of Professional & Graduate Studies if the outcome of the hearing is unsatisfactory for the student.

 

Matriculation

The baccalaureate degree program in Social Work requires the completion of 120 hours of course work, 60 in general education, and 60 in social work major. Other requirements include general education courses, graduation with a 2.3 cumulative average GPA and retake any courses receiving a “D” grade.

 

Field Education

One component of the undergraduate social work program is an intensive field practicum. The School uses over 109 social services agencies in the northern region of Louisiana to allow students to integrate theory and practice, under supervision, in a social service setting. Students must complete a minimum of 400 hours in the practicum and must remain in field, actively participating for the duration of the semester. Under most circumstances, students will complete in excess of 400 hours. Field education is conducted at pre-approved sites, and students must arrange their own transportation.  A Field Education Fee of $50.00 is required for each field education course.

 

Graduation Criteria

  • Successful completion of required course work
  • 3 cumulative GPA;
  • Successful completion of service learning projects;
  • Completion of Rising Junior Examination;
  • Completion of a comprehensive examination.

 

Social Work Curriculum Plan

Freshman Year 

English 101 & 102 6
First Year Experience 101 & 102 2
Foreign Language 6
History 101 3
History 104 3
Mathematics 147 & 148 6
Physical Science 105 or Chemistry 101 3
Social Science 101 3
Total Hours 32

 

Sophomore Year 

Art 210 3
Biology 103 & 104 6
Economics 201 3
English 200 3
Philosophy 201 3
Political Science 201 3
Psychology 200 3
Sociology 200 3
Sociology 201 3
General Education Testing 0
Total Hours 30

 

Junior Year 

Social Work 300 3
Social Work 301 3
Social Work 304 3
Social Work 305 & 306 6
Social Work 400 & 401 6
Social Work 402 3
Psychology 302 or 304 or 212 3
Social Work 420 3
Total Hours 30

 

Senior Year 

Social Work 403 3
Social Work 405 3
Social Work 414 3
Social Work 417 8
Social Work 418 2
Social Work Electives 6
General Elective 3
Total Hours 28
TOTAL 120