Social Work

Degree:Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)
Major:Social Work
Minors:Aging Studies Interdisciplinary
Child Welfare
Social Welfare
Substance Abuse
Department:Social Work
Building 85, Room 133
850-473-7224
http://uwf.edu/socialwork
College:Usha Kundu, MD College of Health
CIP Code:44.0701
Semester Hours Required For Degree: 120

The B.S.W. in Social Work, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, prepares students to enter beginning professional social work practice.

Program Requirements

In addition to the University’s general requirements, students seeking the B.S.W. in Social Work must meet the requirements listed below. Students should consult with their academic advisor for courses which may satisfy both the General Education requirements and common prerequisites.

The program requires 51 semester hours (sh) in social work courses including a field experience. A field placement is part of the senior Field Instruction course. Please contact the department for information on prerequisites and additional requirements.

All Social Work courses must be completed with at least a “C” to be counted toward completion of the degree requirements. No prior work or volunteer experience can be accepted for academic credit.

Because this is a professional preparation program, the department has an application for the Field Instruction courses SOW 4510 Social Work Field Instruction and SOW 4522 Senior Seminar. After declaring the Social Work major with the University, students must complete the following courses with a grade of “C” or better in both academic and practice components and complete and submit the Field Instruction application packet. 

SOW 3103Human Behavior in Social Environment3
SOW 3113Human Behavior in Organizations and Communities3
SOW 3203Introduction to the Field of Social Work3
SOW 3313Work With Individuals3
SOW 3314Case Management3
SOW 3322Work With Groups3
SOW 3350Interviewing and Recording3
SOW 4232Introductory Analysis of Social Service Policy3
SOW 4233Human Diversity and Social Justice3
SOW 4242Families and Family Treatment3
SOW 4403Social Work Research Foundations3
SOW 4613The Social Work Perspective in Behavioral Health3

Students must have a University minimum GPA of 2.0, and a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the major as a prerequisite to SOW 4510 Social Work Field Instruction and SOW 4522 Senior Seminar.

Social Work majors who have been inactive for three years prior to field placement will be subject to B.S.W. coordinator review and may be subject to repeating their practice courses. Students must complete courses required for graduation within five years of entry in the major (usually the junior year) with no less than nine credits completed in any one year.

Program Dismissal

Failure to maintain the academic and professional standards specified in the B.S.W. student handbook and field manual may result in dismissal.

General Education

In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Multicultural, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements section of this catalog.

General Education Curriculum:

Multicultural Requirement

Civic Literacy Requirement

The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.

Students Included in Cohort Civic Literacy Competency Requirement
Cohort 1: Students first entering the SUS or FCS prior to fall 2018 None
Cohort 2: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2018 – summer A 2021 Complete a course or exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041 )
Cohort 3: Students first entering the SUS or FCS in summer B 2021 (on or after July 1, 2021) and thereafter Complete both a course and exam (course options AMH 2020, POS 2041)

Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.

There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan. 

Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website, SUS regulation BOG 8.006 and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).

Mathematics Pathway

Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics PathwaysThese courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites. 

Statistical Reasoning
STA 2023Elements of Statistics3
MGF 1131Mathematics in Context3
or MAC 1105 College Algebra
or MGF 1130 Mathematical Thinking
or MGF 1131 Mathematics in Context
or STA 2360 Introduction to Data Science

Common Prerequisites

State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.

POS 2041American Politics *3
PSY 2012General Psychology *3
SYG 2000Introduction to Sociology *3
Choose one of the following:3
Principles of Economics Macro *
Principles of Economics Micro
Choose one of the following:3
General Biology for Non-Majors *
Anatomy and Physiology I *
*

 Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.

Lower Division Electives

Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement.9-21
Total Hours9-21

Major

SOW 3103Human Behavior in Social Environment +3
SOW 3113Human Behavior in Organizations and Communities +3
SOW 3203Introduction to the Field of Social Work +3
SOW 3313Work With Individuals +3
SOW 3314Case Management +3
SOW 3322Work With Groups +3
SOW 3350Interviewing and Recording +3
SOW 4232Introductory Analysis of Social Service Policy +3
SOW 4233Human Diversity and Social Justice +3
SOW 4242Families and Family Treatment +3
SOW 4403Social Work Research Foundations +3
SOW 4510Social Work Field Instruction +9
SOW 4522Senior Seminar +3
SOW 4613The Social Work Perspective in Behavioral Health +3
Choose one social work elective:3
Introduction to Child Welfare +
Human Trafficking +
Adolescents At Risk +
Social Issues and Intervention Strategies in Social Work Practice with Older Adults +
Substance Use, Prevention, and Treatment +
Dimensions of Death and Dying: Special Issues +
Total Hours51
+

Courses included in the major GPA.

Upper Division Electives

Students must complete sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF’s requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division or complete all departmental requirements at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater.9
Total Hours9

Aging Studies Interdisciplinary Minor

The minor in Aging Studies provides a broad orientation to the field of gerontology and service to the elderly. This minor is available to all students. A grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses in the minor.

APK 4600CAging and Physical Performance3
SOW 3314Case Management3
SOW 4740Dimensions of Death and Dying: Special Issues3
Choose one of the following:3
Adulthood and Aging
Wills, Estates, and Trusts
A practicum or other elective may be approved by the Department Chairperson
Total Hours12

Child Welfare Minor

The purpose of this minor is to introduce and provide information to any interested person regarding the social problems of children and families and the availability of services to families in need. This minor is available to all students. Other electives may be approved by the department chairperson. A grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses in the minor.

SOW 3650Introduction to Child Welfare3
Choose one of the following:3
Child Development
Psychology of Adolescence
Choose one of the following:3
Adolescents At Risk
Families and Family Treatment
Choose one of the following:3
Child Development *
Psychology of Adolescence *
Current Issues in Health Promotion
Case Management
Adolescents At Risk *
Social Aspects of Family Violence
Families and Family Treatment *
The Family
Total Hours12
*

May be used if not taken as a required course.

Social Welfare Minor

The Minor in Social Welfare includes the two beginning courses designed to orient students to social work philosophy, ethics, and practice areas and two social work electives. All courses must be taken at UWF. This minor is not available to Social Work Majors. Other electives may be approved by the department chairperson. A grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses in the minor.

BSC 1005General Biology for Non-Majors3
SOW 3103Human Behavior in Social Environment3
SOW 3203Introduction to the Field of Social Work3
Choose two of the following:6
Case Management
Introduction to Child Welfare
Adolescents At Risk
Social Aspects of Family Violence
Families and Family Treatment
Substance Use, Prevention, and Treatment
Dimensions of Death and Dying: Special Issues
Total Hours15

Substance Abuse Minor

The Minor in Substance Abuse fulfills some of the requirements for certification from the Certification Board for Addiction Professionals of Florida. This minor is available to all students. A substitute course may be approved by the department chairperson. A grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses in the minor.

PCO 4310Intervention in Addictions3
SOW 4700Substance Use, Prevention, and Treatment3
Choose one of the following:3
Health Psychology
Case Management
3000-4000 level advisor approved elective3
Total Hours12