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: | Education and Professional Studies |
CIP Code: | 44.0701 |
Semester Hours Required For Degree: 120 |
The BSW 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 BSW in Social Work must meet the requirements listed below. Consult with your academic advisor for courses which may satisfy both the General Education requirements and common prerequisites.
The program requires 45 sh in social work courses and 3 sh of prescribed major-related courses and includes two field experiences. A practicum is part of the Introduction to Generalist Practice course, taken in the student’s second term. This course introduces the student to agency practice. 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 3103 | Human Behavior in Social Environment | 3 |
SOW 3113 | Human Behavior in Organizations and Communities | 3 |
SOW 3203 | Introduction to the Field of Social Work | 3 |
SOW 3313 | Work With Individuals | 3 |
SOW 3322 | Work With Groups | 3 |
SOW 3350 | Interviewing and Recording | 3 |
SOW 3503 | Introduction to Generalist Practice | 3 |
SOW 4232 | Introductory Analysis of Social Service Policy | 3 |
SOW 4233 | Human Diversity and Social Justice | 3 |
SOW 4403 | Social Work Research Foundations | 3 |
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 faculty 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.
General Education
In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the Gordon Rule, 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 "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 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 |
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 |
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.
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 2041 | American Politics * | 3 |
PSY 2012 | General Psychology * | 3 |
SYG 2000 | Introduction 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 sh in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement. | 9-21 | |
Total Hours | 9-21 |
Major
SOW 3103 | Human Behavior in Social Environment + | 3 |
SOW 3113 | Human Behavior in Organizations and Communities + | 3 |
SOW 3203 | Introduction to the Field of Social Work + | 3 |
SOW 3313 | Work With Individuals + | 3 |
SOW 3314 | Case Management + | 3 |
SOW 3322 | Work With Groups + | 3 |
SOW 3350 | Interviewing and Recording + | 3 |
SOW 4232 | Introductory Analysis of Social Service Policy + | 3 |
SOW 4233 | Human Diversity and Social Justice + | 3 |
SOW 4242 | Families and Family Treatment + | 3 |
SOW 4403 | Social Work Research Foundations + | 3 |
SOW 4510 | Social Work Field Instruction + | 9 |
SOW 4522 | Senior Seminar + | 3 |
Choose one social work elective: | 3 | |
Introduction to Child Welfare + | ||
Adolescents At Risk + | ||
Social Issues and Intervention Strategies in Social Work Practice with Older Adults + | ||
Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment: Special Issues + | ||
Dimensions of Death and Dying: Special Issues + | ||
Total Hours | 48 |
+ | Courses included in the major GPA |
Major-Related
Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
Abnormal Psychology | ||
Theories of Personality | ||
Total Hours | 3 |
Upper Division Electives
Student 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 Hours | 9 |
Electronic Portfolio Requirement
The University of West Florida Department of Social Work requires students to purchase a electronic portfolio. Key assessments, projects, work samples, applications for field experience, and other essential documents will be collected, processed or archived through the electronic portfolio.
It is the responsibility of each student pursuing a BSW or MSW to purchase an account to access and use the required electronic portfolio. The account activation fee is considered a professional expense incurred as part of participation in a professional program that uses data to meet accreditation requirements and make data-driven decisions on curricula.
A grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses in the minor.
Aging Studies Interdisciplinary
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.
APK 4600C | Aging and Physical Performance | 3 |
SOW 3314 | Case Management | 3 |
SOW 4740 | Dimensions of Death and Dying: Special Issues | 3 |
Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
Adulthood and Aging | ||
Consumer Health Education | ||
Wills, Estates, and Trusts | ||
A practicum or other elective may be approved by department Chairperson | ||
Total Hours | 12 |
A grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses in the minor.
Child Welfare
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 department chairperson.
SOW 3650 | Introduction to Child Welfare | 3 |
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 Hours | 12 |
* | May be used if not taken as a required course. |
A grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses in the minor.
Substance Abuse
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 department chairperson.
PCO 4310 | Intervention in Addictions | 3 |
SOW 4700 | Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment: Special Issues | 3 |
Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
Health Psychology | ||
Case Management | ||
3000-4000 level advisor approved elective | 3 | |
Total Hours | 12 |