Bachelor of Social Work

Admission in the Social Work Program

Students are enrolled as a “Pre- Social Work” major until they meet full admission requirements for the B.S.W. Degree. Students must be admitted into the social work program to graduate with the B.S.W. Degree.

• Degree Plan Application
• Social Work Program BSW Application
• Social Work Program BSW Application
• Social Work Program Student Handbook
• Social Work Volunteer Opportunities

Admission Requirements to the B.S.W. Program
 

• Admission to Angelo State University;
• A completed application for Admission to the B.S.W. degree program as a “Social Work Major”;
• A completed resume or curriculum vita;
• All core education curriculum completed (the liberal arts foundation; junior standing) including SWK 2307 and SWK 2317;
• 2.00 GPA on all previous college work taken at or transferred to ASU;
• 2.50 GPA on any previously taken social work courses;
• A “C” or better in SWK 2307 (Introduction of Social Work) and SWK 2317 (Social Welfare Policy and Practice I);
• 20 clock hours of volunteer experience in the human or social services;
• A personal narrative, no less than five pages,typed in strict adherence to the American Psychological Association’s most current style manual covering the below content areas. The personal narrative is designed to help the social work faculty evaluate applicants’ writing ability and critical thinking skills.
  
  1. Your Understanding of the social work profession
  2. Choose at least two core values of the social work profession and discuss their importance to you and the social work profession
  3. Why you desire to enter the social work profession
  4. A discussion of three personal strengths and three personal weaknesses or challenges covering the following points:
  a. how your personal strengths will help you become a professional social worker; and
  b. how you plan to overcome any personal weaknesses or challenges to become a professional social worker.
  5. Your future goals as a social worker (e.g., graduate work in social work, social work employment, and so forth).

Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) (120 semester credit hours)

The B.S.W. degree curriculum at Angelo State University is designed to prepare generalist social work practitioners to work in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, child, adolescent, and family services; health/mental health; criminal justice/corrections; gerontology/aging; and in a variety of social service organizations in the community. An emphasis is placed on the ecological perspective, providing students with an understanding of the reciprocal relationship between the person and environment.

Academic Major

Courses	Hours
Social Work 2307, 2317	6
Social Work 3307, 3309, 3311, 3313, 3315, 3355, 3357, 4371, 4372, 4373	30
Advanced Social Work Electives	18

Other Requirements

Courses	Hours
Biology 1410, 1411 or 2423, 2424	8
Communication 2301	3
Computational and Applied Math 2305, Mathematics 1302, 1303, 1311, 1312, 1332, 1561, 2305, 2513	3
Computer Literacy: Agricultural Economics 1351, Animal Science 1351, Business Computer Information Systems 1305, Communication 2345, Computational and Applied Mathematics 1351, Computer Science 1301,1341, 1351, 1361, 1371, Education 2323, Mass Media 2345, Mathematics 1351, Music 2353, Nursing 2338, Theatre 2345, or University Studies 2323	3
Economics 2300, 2301, or 2302	3
English 1301, 1302, or Honors 1302, and sophomore literature	9
History 1301 and 1302	6
Political Science 2301 and 2302	6
Psychology 2301	3
Sociology 2301	3
Visual and Performing Arts: Art 1301, 1302, 1305, 2301, 2302, Honors 2302, Music 1310, 1341, 1342, 1351, 1361, 1375, 1376 Theatre 1311, 1351	3

Electives

Courses	Hours
Electives	16

The above plan meets all core curriculum and Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree requirements. The B.S.W. with a major in Social Work requires a minimum of 120 semester credit hours, a minimum of 42 advanced junior and senior level semester credit hours and a minimum of 30 semester credit hours in residence (24 of which must be at the advanced level ). 24 of the last 30 hours required to complete this degree must be taken in residence. B.S.W. degree students do not have a minor.

Courses in Social Work (SWK)

2307 Introduction to Social Work (3-0). An overview of the history and development of social work as a profession. The course is designed to foster a philosophical, historical, and critical understanding of social welfare programs, policies and issues, in part through developing a familiarity with local social service agencies.

2317 Social Welfare Policy and Practice I (3-0). Provides knowledge and values of the history and philosophy of social welfare programs and the skills to understand major social welfare policies. The impact of policy on human functioning is also emphasized.

3307 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (3-0). The bio psychosocial science base of social work practice. Includes theories of biological, social, cultural, psychological, and spiritual development within the context of the social environment through the life course. Focuses on the critical evaluation and application of theories and knowledge to person-environment transactions. Prerequisite: SWK 2307, SWK 2317, and Admission into the SWK Degree Program or a Declared SWK Minor

3309 Social Work Practice I (3-0). The introduction to social work practice with individuals, couples, families and small groups, including the use of communication skills, supervision, and consultation. Focuses on engagement, assessment and evaluation, planning for service delivery, implementing empirically based interventions, and evaluating outcomes. Prerequisite: SWK 2307, SWK 2317 and Admission into the BSW Degree Program; Prerequisite or Corequisite: SWK 3307

3311 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3-0). The biopsychosocial science base of social work practice. Includes a critical analysis of the interactions between the person and the dynamic nature of groups, organizations, communities, society, and economic systems. Focuses on multiple dimensions of the person and the range of social systems in which they live. Prerequisite: SWK 3307 and SWK 3309

3313 Social Work Practice II (3-0). The introduction to social work practice with large groups, organizations, and communities, including the use of communication skills, supervision, and consultation. Focuses on engagement, assessment and evaluation, planning for service delivery, implementing empirically based interventions, and evaluating outcomes.
Prerequisite: SWK 3309 and SWK 3307

3315 Social Welfare Policy and Practice II (3-0). Provides the knowledge, skills, and values to apply social welfare policy and practice. Focuses on policy analysis, implementation of policy to achieve social and economic justice, and the impact of social policy on the social work profession. Prerequisite: SWK 2307, SWK 2317, and Admission to the B.S.W. degree program

3355 Social Work Research Methods I (3-0). Presentation of the methods used in scientific inquiry and program evaluation; knowledge of how scientific evidence informs social work practice and how social work practice informs scientific inquiry is of primary concern. Focuses on the skills related to conducting research and practice evaluation. Ethical, cultural, and professional value considerations in the research process are emphasized. Prerequisite: SWK 2307, SWK 2317, and Admission to the B.S.W. degree program

3357 Social Work Research Methods II (3-0). Presentation of selected statistical methods used in scientific inquiry, program evaluation, and knowledge of how statistical analysis informs social work practice. Focuses on the skills related to statistical analysis, interpretation, and application. Ethical, cultural, and professional value considerations in statistical analysis are emphasized. Prerequisite: SWK 3355

4303 Social Work and Children/Families (3-0).  Provides knowledge and skills necessary for generalist social work practice relating to children and families among diverse populations. Topics include the changing dynamics of families, social problems faced by children and families, counseling and intervention programs for children and families, child abuse and neglect, child and family advocacy, and the role of the social worker in foster care adoption, and the courts. Prerequisite: SWK 2307 and SWK 2317

4305 Social Work and Mental Health (3-0). Provides knowledge and skills necessary for generalist social work practice relating to people with mental illness. The role and function of the social worker in mental health settings is of primary concern. Promotes the application of social work values, ethics, and standards in work with mentally ill people from diverse backgrounds. Prerequisite: SWK 2307 and SWK 2317

4307 Social Work and Aging (3-0). Provides a biopsychosocial perspective on the functioning of older adults. Topics cover the various aspects of geriatric social work including biopsychosocial changes associated with aging, assessment and intervention with the elderly substance abuse and the elderly, group work with the elderly, issues surrounding spirituality, abuse and neglect, family and social support, and issues relating to death and dying. Prerequisite: SWK 2307 and SWK 2317

4309 Social Work and Health Care (3-0). Provides knowledge and skills necessary for generalist social work practice in a hospital and other health care settings with people from diverse backgrounds. Topics include an introduction to evidence-based practice in health care environments, medical terminology, and biopsychosocial factors relating to physical illness and disease. Promotes the application of social work values, ethics, and standards in physical health care. Prerequisite: SWK 2307 and SWK 2317

4313 Social Work and Groups (3-0). An introduction to group theory and practice. Topics include group formation and development, stages of the group process, ethics and legal issues relating to group practice, and group work with diverse populations.
Prerequisite: SWK 2307 and SWK 2317

4317 Social Work and Case Management (3-0). An in-depth analysis of the case management process from a generalist perspective. Focuses on evidence-based practices in contemporary case management, clarification of practitioner attitudes, cultural competence, effective communication skills, client assessment, service plan development, case documentation, the monitoring of services and treatment, and case termination.
Prerequisite: SWK 2307 and SWK 2317

4325 Social Work and Criminal Justice (3-0). A study of the various treatment and rehabilitation methods used in correctional settings. Topics include the roles of correctional personnel, the assessment and treatment of juveniles and adults, casework in correctional settings, crisis intervention, the assessment and treatment of special populations in correctional settings, and the evaluation of treatment and rehabilitation programs. Prerequisite: SWK 2307 and SWK 2317

4327 Social Work and Human Sexuality (3-0). Provides a biopsychosocial perspective on human sexuality across the lifespan. Topics include the male and female sexual anatomy/physiology, multicultural perspective of sexuality, sexual behavior, sexual orientations, sexuality across the life cycle, the prevention and treatment of sexuality problems, and social problems related to human sexuality.

4371 Social Work Internship I (3-0). A supervised internship of at least 250 hours in an approved agency appropriate to social work; fosters the integration of classroom knowledge, values, and ethics with practice-based knowledge that seeks to increase practice skills and promotes professional competence. Restricted to B.S.W. majors. Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or higher in all required social work courses, good academic standing as a senior in the SWK program, and the permission of the SWK Program Director and SWK Field Education Director.

4372 Social Work Internship II (3-0). A supervised internship of at least 250 hours in an approved agency appropriate to social work; fosters the integration of classroom knowledge, values, and ethics with practice-based knowledge that seeks to increase practice skills and promotes professional competence. Prerequisite SWK 4371

4373 Social Work Practice III (3-0). The integrative seminar in social work. This capstone course facilitates the integration and application of the generalist social work curriculum in diverse, evolving, and emerging practice contexts. Student career development, use of technology, and professional leadership are emphasized. As a part of this course, students must take and pass a comprehensive examination. Prerequisite: SWK 4371

4381 Special Topics in Social Work (3-0). Selected topics in social work. (May be repeated once for credit when topic varies.)

4391 Independent Research in Social Work (3-0). A specialized course which may be directed reading or research for superior students. (May be repeated once for credit when topic varies.) Prerequisite: Approval from the SWK Program Director.

Upcoming Events

• Social Work Calendar

June 4th, 2012

• All Day: First Day of Summer I

Student Organizations

Student Social Work Association (SSWA)

• SSWA Website

Description

The Student Social Work Association’s (SSWA) purpose is to provide students with experience and knowledge in the field of social work through philanthropy.  The SSWA also provides students the ability to voice their opinions concerning the Social Work program.  SSWA is a great way to meet other students with similar interest and to get acquainted with the San Angelo community.

---

Phi Alpha Honor Society

• Phi Alpha Website

Description

The purpose of Phi Alpha Honor Society is to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideals. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work.

Social Work Internship

The purpose of the internship in social work education is to provide opportunities for students to apply social work knowledge, skills, and values learned in the classroom to real-life situations with clients ―in the field. Students are able to observe the benefits and challenges of working within various organizational settings with diverse client populations.

Students are supervised by a professional social worker or related degree individual in the agency (the Field Instructor) and by field faculty (Field Education Director) at the University.

This dual perspective is intended to facilitate the integration of classroom learning with agency-based practice, and to provide support to students as they engage in this dynamic process.

Additionally, field agencies often benefit from the presence of a social work intern; however, the primary focus of the internship is on the learning process for the student.

• Social Work Internship Handbook
• Internship Roles & Responsibilities
• Internship Field Presentation

The forms provided below are for Internship Students and Internship Agencies use:

Student Forms Agency Forms