Social Work Major

BACHELOR'S DEGREE (BS or BA)

» Program Prerequisite: Must be accepted to the program (see Admissions Requirements described later in this section).
 
» Minor: The Social Work Major requires either: (a) the completion of a minor; or (b) a minor alternative. Minor requirements are found in the University catalog under the specific programs that offer them. As an alternative to a minor, a Social Work Major may choose to complete 18 credits (generally the equivalent of six courses) from a set of approved elective enrichment courses listed below.
 
» Grade Requirements: A grade of "C" or better is required in all courses toward and included in this major (a grade of "C-" is not acceptable). In addition, an overall GPA for these courses of 2.50 must be maintained. Also refer to the general grade requirements under General Requirements. Students not meeting the minimum grade requirements for an individual Social Work course may repeat that course one (1) time before being dropped from the Social Work program. In the rare event a student is unable to complete SW 4860 and 4861 in the field agency they are originally placed, at the discretion of the field placement advisor, the student may request a new placement one (1) time only. Students at any time failing to meet the overall GPA of 2.50 will be given a probationary semester to raise their GPA to the minimum standard. Failure to comply with this policy will result in being dropped from the Social Work program.
 
» Credit Hour Requirements: A total of 120 credit hours is required for graduation -- a minimum of 38 of these is required within the major not counting the prerequisite courses totaling 18 semester hours. A total of 40 upper division credit hours is required for graduation from Weber State University (courses numbered 3000 and above) -- a minimum of 35 of these upper division credit hours is required within the Social Work major, plus 3 additional credits in SI3600 - Social Statistics (which has Quantitative Literacy as a prerequisite), or equivalent.

Advisement

Students accepted into the program are assigned to a faculty advisor for academic and professional advising. The faculty advisor assists students with course scheduling, academic counseling, and professional self-assessment. Students are required to see their faculty advisor at least one time per semester prior to registration. Call the Social Work office number, 801-626-6157, or the Department Chair, at 801-626-6156, for more information or to schedule an appointment.  (Also refer to the Department Advisor Referral List.)

Admission Requirements

Declare a program of study. Satisfactory completion of the following is required prior to formal acceptance into the program:

  1. WSU Writing Competency (Composition)*
  2. WSU Quantitative Literacy*
  3. WSU Computer Literacy*
    * Refer to General Requirements
  4. 60-63 semester graduation hours (or equivalent) including the prerequisite courses listed below for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, Human Development, and Social Work prerequisites. These courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better and with a total GPA of 2.5 or better.
  5. Students agree to abide by the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

Courses Required Prior to Formal Acceptance to the Social Work Program

Behavioral and Social Science Prerequisites (9 credit hours)

Human Development Prerequisite (3 credit hours)

Any transfer course in this area must contain only human biology content, courses with animal or plant content are not acceptable

Social Work Prerequisites (6 credit hours)

ZOOL LS1020 should be taken prior to or concurrently with SW 2100

Formal Admission to the Social Work Program

Formal applications for admission to the program will be considered during the semester the student is in the process of completing all the prerequisites or anytime thereafter. Applications may be obtained at the Social Work office (Social Science Building, room 140). The Admissions and Retention Committee will consider all applications and make recommendations in one of the following areas:

  1. Full admission to the program
  2. Admission to the program with contingencies
  3. Denial of admission to the program

General Education

Refer to General Requirements for either Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts requirements. The following courses for the Social Work prerequisite requirements will also fulfill general education requirements: SW SS1010, Introduction to Social Work; ANTH SS/DV1000, Introduction to Anthropology; PSY SS1010, Introductory Psychology; SOC SS1010, Principles of  Sociology; and ZOOL LS1020, Human Biology.

Non-Program Course Required

prerequisite - Quantitative Literacy - to be completed prior to SW 4861

Course Requirements for BS or BA

The following should be taken after completing the above prerequisites.

Courses Required (38 credit hours)

make application for Social Service Field Experience prior to completing SW 3910

Electives (Optional)

Suggested Course Sequence

During the freshman and sophomore years it is assumed the student will complete 63 credit hours of university credit which include the prerequisites mentioned above.  The following suggested course sequence for the junior and senior years is provided to assist students in planning schedules.  Use this only as a guideline; always consult with an advisor.   

Junior Fall

Junior Spring

SW 2200 3 SW 3200 2
SW 3100 2 SW 3500 3
SW/GERT/SOC/PSY SI3600* 3 SW SI3700 3
SW 3900 3 SW 3910 3

Senior Fall

Senior Spring

SW 3920 3 SW 4500 3
SW 3930 3 SW 4861 4
SW 4860 4 SW 4990 2

* SW/GERT/SOC/PSY SI3600 required prerequisite - Quantitative Literacy
 

Courses Approved as an Alternative to a Traditional Minor

As an alternative to a minor, a Social Work Major may choose to complete 18 credits (generally the equivalent of six courses) from the following list of elective enrichment courses. Other courses not on this list may be approved to meet this requirement at the discretion of a student's faculty advisor with the consent of the Social Work faculty. At least six of these credits must be taken in Social Work. No more than six credits may be taken within a single discipline. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their faculty advisor in selecting one of these options. Courses used to meet the minor alternative MUST be pre-approved by a faculty advisor.

Social Work (6 credit hours)

Anthropology

Communication

Child and Family Studies

Criminal Justice

Economics

Gerontology

* Cross-listed with Social Work (SW)

Health

Health Administrative Services

Management

Philosophy

Political Science

Psychology

Sociology

Women's Studies

 

Weber State University 2009-2010 Catalog